The CQA Workshops 2013

I just loved the 2 workshops I took while attending Quilt BC in Penticton.

The first was called Inspired by Travel with Margie Davidson. (Margie was honoured with Teacher of the Year at the Conference.) It was a 2 day workshop with photos of her travels. We carved wooden stamps, and created our own stamps on day one. Then on day two we were stitching with plenty more inspiring travel photos and videos from her trip to India. It really makes you appreciate the hand made batik fabrics and the incredible hand stitching that the ladies in the village are capable of.

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The next workshop was called Take a Leaf by Judy Farrow. Another inspiring teacher with some creative ideas. We played with a few techniques to make embellished leaves and incorporate them into a quilt. I loved using the burning tool a little too much considering my past career as a firefighter!

After the intensive judging course for the first 3 days it was a joy to take classes that were just pure play time. I enjoyed every last minute of the conference and can't wait to see what's up for CQA 2014.

Quilt Judging Certification Programme

I am thrilled to announce that I am now officially an Apprentice Judge! After 6 full days of classes, I am exhausted, but fully inspired and ready to go crazy in my studio this week. I just have to mention the amazing workshops I've taken this past week at the CQA/ACC Quilt BC conference. (And I'll feature them each in their own post this week.)

Monday to Wednesday - QJCP - level 1 judging
Thursday to Friday - Inspired by Travel - Margie Davidson
Saturday - Take a Leaf - Judy Farrow

But first, let's get back to the judging...

The QJCP class was preceded by 6 months of required reading, exercises and optional reading. Although at times intensive, this was a great way to create a base of knowledge, but also focus on areas where I had less experience. If you are considering the path of judging - sign up early and give yourself 6 months, planning to study at least 3 evenings a week. I think I spent an entire week just researching trapunto, because it happened to be a technique I'd never tried. The 3 day course was packed with content and intensive mock judging experiences. The Instructors Kathleen Bissett and Anna Hergert both brought an incredible amount of depth and knowledge to the course and ran it with an element of class that sets the stage for great judging in Canada.

The best part of this course, and the reason I want to be certified as a judge, is that the role of a judge is to teach. Yes, of course, all of the technical skill, design and colour elements are to be considered and critiqued, but the quilter needs to come away with some serious benefit from the judge's comments. 

I am very proud to be an Apprentice Judge! If you have a judged show coming up in your area, let me know. I just might get a chance to meet you in person! 

Cheers! 

Elvis is in the building!

The house was packed last night for the sold out CQA/ACC Quilt BC banquet. It's such a great chance to celebrate the incredible quilts in the show. The local committee did a stellar job of planning over the last year and ran things very well throughout the show.

It was so nice to see friends from fibre art and quilting guilds across Canada and really take the time to connect. The table games were hilarious and there were loads of prizes.

The entertainment was a hilarious comedic skit of The Fabricaholics - I am definitely a candidate to join the addict recovery program. Then the main event was an Elvis Tribute Artist from right here in Penticton named Adam Fitzpatrick. By the end of the night the ladies were fawning all over him and dancing the night away. I learned how to do the jive from my friend Paige. I was hopeless at it but we had so much fun. AND I even snuck in a kiss at the end with the King himself!

So if you've never been to a CQA national show or attended the final banquet, consider CQA 2014 in Niagara. You just might have the time of your life!