Is rejection part of my quilting journey? ABSOLUTELY!!
I know we all like to share the upside of the journey but what of the downside?
We regret to inform you that your quilt......was NOT chosen. But is it really a downside? I believe it is an intrinsic part of the process.
When I started blogging two years ago my intent was to share my personal quilting journey with you...I don't want to start wavering on that mandate now, by Not sharing my "dear john quilt letter".
So just how did that make me feel? I entered a quilt for the very first time, only to have it NOT be chosen. But but but.....how could they not choose my beloved Colour Shot???? I don't know. I think not knowing is probably the thing that gets me wondering. There's no interaction in this process, only the words.....We regret.
Will it get me down? ABSOLUTELY NOT. When I choose to put my work out there, rejection or criticism is part of the risk I am very willing to take. When I go to Quilt Con in February it will be interesting to see which quilts were accepted into the show...as I said, "it's all part of the experience."
Don't know if it helps but I think your quilt is wonderful and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYah you for entering and taking that risk. Your quilt is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think your quilt is absolutely stunning. I LOVE it. Thanks for sharing this part of your journey too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbie
DeleteI think ur quilt is lovely...its gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThey blew it. Your quilt is stunning!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey totally blew it!! Keep entering it...it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteWell allow me to assure you ....you are an awesome quilter...and I love that quilt!!!! Hugs
ReplyDeleteI would have picked Colour Shot, it is wonderful! I
ReplyDeleteI'm just so surprised! I think Colour Shot really embodies the aesthetic of modern quilting in a lot of ways. Of course, it's still gorgeous, whether it's in the quilt show or not. I'll be looking forward to hearing about what is in the show, as well!
ReplyDeletePlease enter CQA Canadian National Juried show this Jan 15th is the deadline. Sorry you did not get in but it is their loss.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt inspired me to stretch into new areas with my quilting, including QAYG. I got an email earlier this week from Michael at Oakshott for their big online end of year sale and spent a little (ok a lot) of my Christmas gift money on some Oakshott Colourshot cottons for me to play with. I'm glad you blog and I'm glad I found your work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous quilt. You should enter it in other shows. There seems to be a capricious element to selection processes...that is, according to my own judgmental eye on some shows.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing on your blog. You are a continual source of inspiration.
I'm sorry to hear that - I was looking forward to seeing it. I wonder what their criteria were. Seems odd.
ReplyDeleteIn cases like this, we remember that we quilt for our own enjoyment and not for the judges. It is a beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteQuilt Con rejected this quilt - where they missing a category? I can think of no reason (other than the fact that there are no other similar quilts to display with it) for this astonishing quilt to be rejected .... but the real 'bummer' is they don't give you any reasons, or advice on why the quilt didn't make it into the show - but hey, onward and upward - there will be shows where this quilt will be accepted and honoured, as it should be .... go get them girl, in 2013 ;o)
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is absolute wonderful and awesome. it is one of all the quilts I have seen among the blogs that I am following that has struck me. And you are a fantastic quilter
ReplyDeleteBritt-Inger in Sweden
Thanks so much for your kind words
DeleteThe last quilt show I went to, I was convinced someone had come round in the middle of the night and switched round the ribbons. The prize for best embellishment was given to a quilt which had no embellishment at all. The ways of judges are too strange and incomprehensible and it would be interesting to see just what they have included in their show. Your own quilt is beyond beautiful, I love your work and it is their loss.
ReplyDeletetoo modern? too innovative ? too well known on the www? what ever their reason I would like to have been a fly on that wall ... its rather sad that such a gorgeous quilt wont be seen there.
ReplyDeleteI think there will be shows that would love to exhibit your beautiful quilt. I have not been to many shows but I am often unable to agree with their choices of ribbon winners.
ReplyDeleteReading this reminded me of this post written by Lyric Kinard. You might have seen it but if not it is worth a read although it sounds like you already have a good grasp on how to react to this!
ReplyDeletehttp://lyrickinard.com/blog/?p=87
For what it is worth I love this quilt and I am really miffed that I missed it at F of Q this year!
What a fabulous quilt! I always wonder about the ones that got the rejection letters, so thanks for posting this. Seriously - I'd hate to have to be the judge! So much quilt gorgeousness!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I don't know why they wouldn't pick your quilt. Crazy. I've been following your blog for a while now, and, I have to say, your quilts are number 1, gold metal winners to me. I'm in awe of your talent with patterns and colors. Keep sharing, so we in blogland have something beautiful to inspire us.
ReplyDeleteI must chime in. I too have had this experience and will never know why they rejected this perfectly wonderful piece. However, please do enter it in other shows. My experience tells me that you will get in, and perhaps win a prize. I can tell you that a piece of mine (actually more than one) got rejected from a show and then went on to win a first in another, and finally sell for big money. It's all so subjective. Best wishes for the future.
ReplyDelete“The real contest is always between what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else.” still it will be interesting to see what quilts got in...
ReplyDeleteunbelievable....this is one of my favourite quilts of all time....dont let it affect you entering it elsewhere.....everyone should get a chance to see it in real life (i saw it in birmingham this year)
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a shame! I think it's such an awesome quilt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon.
DeleteCrazy, just crazy! Sometimes I can't help but wonder how political things are....do you have a perfect blog, are you followed by enough readers, how well known is your work? DO NOT question your abilities!!! I would KILL to produce a quilt like that and I think I've told you that before! Personally, I don't bother to enter my stuff.......I just make it for me because I love what I do.........we've all been rejected in our lives at sometime or another.....why invite more??? lol
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of seeing your quilt at the Oakshott stand at the Birmingham Festival of Quilts and I can tell u
ReplyDeleteyou it was the highlight of my day.
Maybe it put all the others too much in the shade ! Either that or the selectors were all visually challenged.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a stunning quilt.
LOL Yup, I agree with mum, the ONLY reason would be that it put the other entrants to shame... Its too good ;-)
ReplyDeleteOur agreement is that the quilt is stunning! Could it be about something else like the paperwork or slides you submitted? Of course we can't know, but that's a consideration. Surely it's not the quilt!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I have to disagree with everyone! The quilt is terrible - send it to me just to get it out of your house (wink, wink!)!
ReplyDeleteIf not, I second the vote to keep entering it elsewhere. You will surely get many acceptances at many shows. This is my favorite of all the quilts you've shown; it's truly striking.
This is one of my favorite quilts that you have made and I am very surprised that it was rejected. (My improv quilt that I entered received the Dear John Quilt email as well. )
ReplyDeleteKeep on entering......your work is spectacular!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Deb...I really appreciate your comment.
DeleteI am gobsmacked! Stunned! Bewildered ! Maybe it was just so unique it didn't fit with the rest of the exhibition but that would mean you are ahead of the crowd - bit like Monet, Renoir, Manet....and we know what people think of their work!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Nicky - totally gobsmacked. I have said many times that I love this quilt - their loss I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt's their loss. That quilt is drop dead gorgeous. The only thing I can think of is maybe the photograph wasn't to their liking. More and more textile artists are using professional photographers when they want to enter their quilts in the big shows. I wish the letter had given you a reason for the rejection.
ReplyDeleteRest assured, that quilt has everything going for it - good design, layers of interest, lots of movement, good lines, great use of color. It's a prize winner in my eyes. Hugs, Diane
Thanks Diane...I don't think the photograph was the problem, I took extra care to follow the instructions.
DeleteI've had this experience also. But, someone once commented to me that the decision could have a lot to do with simply fitting in with the other quilts that were chosen. Wrong place at the wrong time, perhaps? By the way - it's amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane....that could well be part of it.
DeleteI watched the progress of that quilt and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the progress of this quilt also, and I am shocked that it didn't make it. It is gorgeous! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWHAT???!!! Are they nuts? That quilt is drop dead gorgeous! Oh well, their loss. also unfortunately the loss of those who have not seen it yet. Keep going and I can't wait to see the next quilt you do.
ReplyDeleteW-e-l-l.....what in THE HECK were they thinking!!!@@@!!???!!!! If yours wasn't chosen then I don't know WHAT they were looking for!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry!
Your quilts are some of the best looking quilts around. They are very contemporary and not at all traditional. They may have been looking for the traditional turned modern look. Stick to your style, it's fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt so much! I can't imagine why anyone or any organization would reject it. Maybe they were having a bad day or were totally blind! It's awesome and I wish it were mine!!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous. As a longtime writer, believe me, I'm used to hearing "no" a lot. Sometimes they even say "we love your work," and they still say no! So, I try not to look for it to make any sense, because it usually doesn't. I also know people who've been involved in the judging process for music or writing contests, and a lot has to do with counting up votes: the judges end up narrowing the winners down to something they can all agree on, instead of the projects some of the judges might love.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love your work and your blog! So there!
Like the 45 comments before me, I think this is an awesome quilt so I must share with you what a juror whom I was hosting said to me after the exhibit he had juried was hung. He stood in front of one piece and said, "What was I thinking?" The piece was so inferior to the rest of the exhibit! Obviously, jurying is soooooooo subjective and what a juror might select today could be rejected tomorrow. Stay in there and enter this quilt in another show. It might win a prize.
ReplyDeleteLike the 45 comments before me, I think this is an awesome quilt. I must share with you an experience I had with a juror who I was hosting. He stood in front of an art quilt that he had juried into the exhibit and said quietly, "What was I thinking." It was rather inferior to the rest of the fabulous show. Jurying is so subjective. What he accepted today he would have rejected tomorrow. Stay in there and enter this quilt into another show; it might win a prize.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, that's an interesting thought.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That quilt is a work of art that surpasses excellence. I mean truly. It really should be published in a magazine so many more people can admire it and be inspired by it. Don't allow the 'rejection' in that venue dampen your spirits. Looking forward to what you are working on next!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.....I'm really not taking it to heart.....that quilt has received lots of love and attention.
DeleteC'est toujours dommage de ne pas recevoir les critères justifiant le rejet .Au FOQ à Birmingham chaque quilt reçoit les appréciations selon lesquelles ils sont jugés et cela permet de s'améliorer dans certains critères parce ce qu' on les connait. Entrer votre quilt au FOQ et vous apprendrez. Deux juges par quilt et par catégorie donc deux avis sur les mêmes critère de jugement:)
ReplyDeleteGoogle translate:
It is always a shame not to get the criteria for rejection. FOQ In Birmingham receives each quilt appraisals by which they are judged and it helps to improve certain criteria because that we know them. Enter your quilt at FOQ and learn. Quilt and two judges per category are two opinions on the same endpoint :)
It´s just an opinion. Want to hear my opinion too? It is the best modern quilt I have seen on blogs this year. So, your quilt has been in my thoughts quite often this year, and reading all the comments, I am not the only one. It is a beauty and I hope you will continue in this style, which is so unique and special. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above. This quilt makes me want to go running to the fabric store for more gorgeous solids and to get out of the same ol' quilting rut i am in. it also intimidates me because I am sure I could never make anything even close to it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it was rejected because it would just blow everything else out of the water and there would be no competition?
Whatever. Judging anything is such a subjective process...I am always seeing quilts, paintings, etc. that SHOULD'VE won first or best prize and didn't.
One comment mentioned the fact that it's previously been on the web...I have heard from others that this is definitely an issue with accepting quilts,paintings, etc. into a show. That may well be the issue.
I enjoy your blog and love your work - and thank you! for sharing with us all the rejection - I bet we've all been there and it's refreshing to see someone not shy away from putting it out there where we all can benefit.
Thanks for your fabulous comments. I know that quilts that have been previously on the web is a problem for shows such as Quilt National but not with this particular show. Several quilts that have been selected have been blogged about as they were being made. Thanks again
DeleteThere's no doubt it is a fantastic and beautiful quilt! I also had one rejected (and one accepted). I agree that it will be very interesting to see the show at QuiltCon. I am looking forward to learning more about what they viewed as modern.
ReplyDeleteI am kinda stunned! I thought this should have been a "no brainer" for them! Most definitely a loss to all of the quilter out there who haven't seen this beauty. It is a glorious quilt that celebrates colour.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got so much positive feedback after I wrote to you!! You deserve all the positive comments.
ReplyDeleteHi!!! Glad it won't get you down!!! I love it!!! It is beautiful!!! Seems like they could give a little feedback...
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt. Who knows what they were thinking when they rejected it. But you have already had it published in a magazine and it has traveled abroad. You're that much ahead of most of the quilts in the show, most likely.
ReplyDeletemy mistake. I meant to say you've already had one quilt published and this one traveled abroad.
DeleteReally? Your quilt is amazing. I've admired it from the moment you began sharing it. I cannot imagine what kept it from being accepted, I'd have accepted it. I think you're a terrific quilter and quilt designer. I want to say don't feel bad, but I'd feel bad, so I'll just say I'm here to share the pain.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm not qualified to know about such things but I do know that if I saw this quilt anywhere, I would think "modern" and "WOW"!
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time believing that your quilt was not accepted!!! I also have a huge respect for you for 1) sharing that here on your blog and keeping it real and 2) for having such a great attitude despite the circumstance. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI was delighted to come across your site today for the first time and positively thrilled and shocked to see your rejection. Quiltcon was also my first quilt show entry and woman, I have nothing on you! (Hence why I was so happy to see you had been rejected...)
ReplyDeleteSee you in Austin!
I enjoy reading your blog. I have been quilting for a year now, have made 10 quilts, all for family and friends! I was inspired by your QAYG tutorials and made 3 quilts using your basic technique but made them in 3 wide strips instead of blocks. That way I only needed to utilize 2 joining strips which were easily disguised by machine quilting over them after joining. That said, let me also say that I think your quilt is fascinating. I have been staring at it and wondering, HOW DID SHE DO THAT?!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, I'm so glad to hear the QAYG has been helpful. Wow 10 quilts, that's amazing.
DeleteWhen Quilt Con can reject your quilt, yet include two F**K quilts, you know something is very, very wrong with their selection process! I throw myself of the heap of your admirers - this quilt is a knock-out!
ReplyDeleteThanks....the selection process was a bit of a mystery.
Deletedare I say this quilt of yours is unique to any of the work that I have seen at quilt shows. It is bold in color and line, a very successful piece. I think it surpasses the expectations for Quilt Con so maybe it just didn't belong there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean.
DeleteYou have made a STUNNING quilt!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete