Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Super Retreat!

On my way home from an amazing retreat in Colorado Springs, Co with 18 NQA Certified Judges. Flew out early to see a bit of the area, a quick trip through the Denver Botanic Gardens to view the Chihuly installation (they were closing for a concert - had an hour to cruise through)





Then off to the 6th floor Denver Art Museum to see an exhibit of antique quilts including a beautifully unique "Princess Feather". Took us a while to get to 6th floor as the elevators weren't running well and the altitude got to us pretty quickly.

The next day traveled up to Pike's Peak on the Cog Railway - breathtaking -  literally and figuratively, then drove through "Gardens of the Gods" before settling in at our retreat setting, The Hideaway. A very comfortable setting for 2 days of presentations by fellow CJs, each one informative and worthwhile.



I presented a PowerPoint on judging computerized longarm quilting complete with my first attempt at inserting video into a PP. Have to figure out how to get the tracking of the video and voice more in sync, may have to call Canon on that one as I've already tried the manual's methods. Have to call Canon anyway to get them to walk me through setting the video camera for live feed for all of my future quilting technique classes. 

A number of the presentations at the retreat were on fabric dyeing and surface embellishment - so inspiring, just makes you itch to try it all. Also had CO fiber artist Carol Ann Waugh come speak to us, really enjoyed her fiber compositions. And last but not least, a PowerPoint by CJ Beverly Fine, gave us all pause for thought as we contemplate the amount of time and attention we give to design evaluation as we judge. With design and workmanship being given equal weight in almost all judging venues: further study, practice and implementation of appropriately evaluative and constructive design comments needs to be emphasized going forward.

Ready to be home to Bob and the pups and get back to customer quilting.. only two to finish for the upcoming Quilters by the Sea show in October!



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