The Dozen that Didn't

Since this blog is about my quilting journey......I should probably share the bad with the good.  There has been a frenzy over on Instagram this week with everyone sharing the joys of having their quilts accepted and the sorrows of having their quilts, for lack of a better word "rejected". In my opinion it's an emotional experience either way, having experienced both sides of the coin.

My strategy for Quilt Con 2017 may well have back fired. In the past, I submitted three at most with the hope that one just might make the cut. So my reasoning this time around was the more one submits the greater the chances of acceptance....right!!!! What I wasn't quite prepared for was TWELVE "thank you for entering......but" emails.

It doesn't change the value of the work. In my case it will motivate me to pursue different venues. For some strange reason it doesn't really effect my confidence as an artist. But in all honesty it's never easy. Difficult as it may be, it really is part of the process. I just hope that it doesn't stop anyone from trying again or seeking a different audience.  

Hey...I will admit I was a bit thrown by receiving that many "rejections" in one day.

BUT I AM STILL STANDING!!

Lessons Learned.....while quilting

As I'm spiraling away, I always get to thinking....... now that can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the day. Lesson one, whatever fabric we cut, can be sewn back together. After all, we are doing patchwork, what's an extra seam, here or there?? And if we are doing improv, heck, we can be fearless.

 I'm really am fearless....when it comes to my fabric (most of the time), but not so much in real life. My family will attest....I'm rather a ninny (their word). I don't like speed or risk....the minute I became a mother, at the age of twenty one, self preservation became of utmost priority!! I had to stay safe for my child, now I digress.

When I pull out my fabric, I can slice it, dice it, and slice it again....and if I still don't like it I can throw it in the corner until tomorrow.

 Still spiraling.....still thinking

Lesson two, let it simmer.

I have no idea where this is going....but that's alright. I can put it on my design wall and let it simmer, move it all around and let it simmer some more. I don't have to have all the answers, I can take the time to process.

In real life, I don't always let things process or simmer enough.  I'm the "Let's get it all out on the table" type and of course, it goes without saying...... I'm married to the "Let things unfold as they unfold" type. Yikes...do opposites always attract???

So where am I going with all this?? Simply this... words spoken cannot so easily be taken back and feelings hurt cannot simply be sewn back together. Also, taking time to process and letting things simmer or to quote my husband "Letting things unfold as they unfold" often avoids those hurts in the first place.

As I was reading the different blog posts, regarding the judges comments on peoples' work, I was saddened to hear how devastated some of you were. One commenter stood out to me, as they mentioned some of the blog posts criticizing the judging at Quilt Con.  As you know, I wrote about my own feelings, on that topic.  Some of the criticisms of the judging and possibly (very likely) my own critique, diminished some of the pleasure in their winning. It did not occur to me that perhaps my own words would shake the confidence of another quilter.....it should have.

I am so sorry, if anyone reading my words felt "less deserving" as a result. If I would have waited longer  and processed more I might have avoided hurting some of you. Please forgive me if I caused you to question or if I diminished your wonderful moment in any way.

Marianne

The Online Connection

After yesterday's post, I'm eager to move on to another topic in regards to Quilt Con. Thanks so much for all your feedback.....you are all so supportive!!! Which leads right into today's post:

The Online Connection

 

So very vibrant and exciting...... I was not prepared and even a little nervous about meeting fellow bloggers and quilters.....I need not have been.

I don't believe I ate a single lunch alone.....the "come and join us" atmosphere permeated the event. The discussions were lively and thought provoking. Meeting so many of you was definitely a highlight for me.

Let me share a little more about my fabulous time in photos.

 Note the quilterly decor in the Convention Centre....how appropriate.

Starting off with a good laugh....this was in our goody bags we received at registration.

There's Leanne hiding behind her bag.
 



The result of day of dyeing with Malka...

Hanging out with Chawne....how wonderful. I spent some fabulous, quality time with Beth and Chawne...unfortunately I didn't get Beth's photo. You know, too busy talking.
 

Taking a class with Yoshiko Jinzenji.....the quilt in the photo, is actually QAYG

Always fun chatting with Cheryl.... I discovered, not only do we live the same province, but she actually grew up, in the same small city, that I have lived in for the past thirty some years.

 

Leanne and Cheryl in awe of Yoshiko's work....but there's always time for a photo shoot.

Meeting Jacquie was definitely a highlight for me.....She is so warm and inviting, I felt as if I had known her for years.

 

I also took a class on hand applique from Debbie, so much fun meeting her, I love her style.  I ended up doing everything by machine....how lazy is that.

 

I met so many interesting people in the class, but forgot to take photos, again, to busy talking (that seems to be a running theme with me)

 

My purse is full of cards from wonderful people I met and I plan to find some time to go through them all and hunt them down.

 

Seriously, the connection was simply amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



Clearly, I Must be Confused

Quilt Con was an amazing experience and as I mentioned previously, there was a lot to process. I am hoping that you are not wanting the sugar coated version of my experience, but my personal, heartfelt opinion.

I didn't take all that many photos of the quilts (too busy taking it all in) but here are just a few favorites of mine....so amazing to see these in real life.

Anne's Quilt

Kati's Quilt

Dan's Quilt

Leanne's Quilt

Chawne's Quilt

Here comes the confusing part:

I struggled each day, as I walked through the quilt show. The quilts ranged from exquisite, powerful, playful, beautiful and amazing, to mediocre and all the way to "how did this even get in here??".

The judging of the quilts was the main source of my confusion. At times, I feel they were dead on and other times I can't  believe what was overlooked and what was chosen. The juried quilts and the quilts for exhibit  were mixed together contributing to the confusion...especially if one is not familiar with some of the more well known quilters and their work.

• Some of the quilts just did not fit their categories all that well.
• One of the "buzz" words seems to be the term "Negative Space"....if you have that, you're in, even if it is not all that effectively executed. 
• Originality did not seem to be rated of high importance.
• Some of the workmanship was perhaps not quite as high as I believe it should be.
• There was quite range of quilting...I felt some were under-quilted and I actually felt some were over quilted giving them a very ornate look. Of course, many were beautifully quilted and some were just plain poorly quilted.
• Many were more traditional than I expected.
• Some were powerful and thought provoking.
• Some were a little controversial...making me think, if we can be that way in our quilting perhaps we can be that way in our blogging.

Detail of Colour Shot

In the belief of full disclosure....the fact that Colour Shot was not accepted into the show was a bigger struggle for me, than I had anticipated. It actually hurt, because it felt unfair. In my eyes, it clearly fit all the criteria of being a modern quilt.....but clearly, I must be confused. (I know, I know...I really need to let this go)

More on the classes, the lectures and the wonderful fellow quilters to come.

Quilt Con.....Still processing

Lots of fun to be had, that's for sure....but QuiltCon was so much more than that. I am on complete overload and need time to process.

Oh dear, the phone just rang and my new sewing machine is waiting in the lobby of the hotel (darn those interruptions).  Janome, gave us an amazing deal on the machines that we used in the class rooms....I couldn't resist.

I do have a really big birthday coming up next month. I know, I know....I'm a master at rationalizing.

Back to the topic at hand......

The friendly open climate amongst us fellow quilters was simply amazing. The ins and outs....  the ups and downs, I need to sift and process what to share with you. Controversy, inspiration, meeting friends, making new friends, frustration, disappointment, in depth discussion, laughter and joy....it was all there.

I'm committed to sharing my quilting journey with you and I was greatly impacted by Quilt Con....... a little simmering of my thoughts is definitely in order.

A wonderful, personal highlight of the week was seeing the current issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited on display.....with my QAYG article inside. This was the first time I saw the issue in hard print.....so exciting. 

QUILT CON 2013

Does it look like I'm having fun yet. So nice spending a little time with  Jacquie. She's so warm and easy to talk with ......a wonderful evening.

My Bags are Packed....

 I'm ready to go.......

ALMOST that is IS!!! 

Why do I leave these things to last minute????? It's 10:30 pm here and I have to leave for the airport at 4 am. 

But, I had a slight interruption ...that threw me off my game, which is not hard to do since I get fairly scattered the minute I start packing.

I've been working on a two part article for Machine Quilting Unlimited......and here it is. I took a few quick shots of the digital version.

I'm beside myself with excitement. I was a little stressed throughout the whole experience because it involved my own photography and writing...not like Circles for Paige where the magazine did the photography and writing.

And I did manage to do a little quilting this week....  Isn't Ethne's Free Bee Block amazing???

And now back to packing, before I miss my flight to Austin....See you at Quilt Con and if not, I hope to keep you updated.

Going to Quilt Con....WHAT TO WEAR??? WHAT TO WEAR???

Off to Quilt Con next week and my biggest concern is WHAT TO WEAR. 

Does that tell you anything about me? I just might have mentioned previously, that my mind turns to mush when it comes to packing. 

 And on top of that, a Picture Link up!!!!! Like so many of you, I hate having my picture taken....there's very few of me sprinkled through out my blog, or anywhere else,  for that matter. So here goes......

Hmm, this isn't working all that well.....

Alright, a couple more....I think you get the picture.

Enough with the pictures.....Now, five things you might not know about me.

• I loose my glasses twenty times a day.
• I have no sense of direction.
• I'm so visual that if someone gives me directions orally....it simply does not compute.
• I've never taken any quilting classes before.....this is a first.
• I was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada as a little girl.

So, if you see an almost 60 year old blond, with a lost look on her face looking for her glasses.....that would be me. And if you try to give me directions and I give you a blank stare, really, it's nothing personal. 

Oh, by the way I don't read maps that well either..... good thing I'm travelling with Leanne (She Can Quilt) or I might not get any further than the airport.

The other day, I took this picture of my little, darling girl, wearing the new hat I just finished knitting for her. See all that snow????

So, just what are you all wearing in Austin this time of year.....as you can see, it's just a little cooler around here.

What Does One Do????

Yes, what does one do, when one's sewing space....oh, what the heck, one's whole house is over taken, by out of town children, in town children visiting with the out of town children, a very pregnant daughter (due on Labour Day), grandchildren......oh yes, and the dog???

My solution is to set up a temporary sewing space in the seldom used dining room.......I neeeeed a little sewing time to calm me.

My daughter was a week over due with the last baby......yikes!!!!!!!

With all the chaos....I managed to register for Quilt Con. 

 The classes were filling up so fast, I was a little rattled.



 But yes, Leanne and I are off to Quilt Con in February...yippee!!! This is a first for me, I've not taken any quilting classes, before this. 

Always good to do something different....and the best part should be, meeting some of you.