Thanks to all who voted and shared their thoughts with me. The poll showed just one percent more of you favored UnRuly Quilter (40%) than Lazy Gal Quilting. The third favorite was Cat in the Lap Quilts with 13% of the vote.
I made my decision because a) I fell in love with the new name and b) someone else owns the domain name for the Lazy Gal option. Sorry, I'm not paying anyone money just because they bought up the name.
I researched and researched and finally came up with software that I feel comfortable using (Sandvox) and a webhost. Of course I'm still a novice and I've got a biiig learning curve. I've had fun and one of these days I'll actually have a website to share with you. Believe me, don't even bother trying to check it out right now.
Yesterday I helped out with the judging process for a local quilt show. I scribed and ran quilts from one part of the room to another. I had no idea how much work the whole judging process was.
Unsurprisingly I hate the standards by which quilts are judged. Originality and using your own fabric choices just didn't matter much, let alone enough. And the thing that drove me buggiest? Downgrading the quilt's overall appearance from Excellent to Good because of cat hair. aaarghh.
I've always thought that was unfair, even before I had cats. Now I know there is just no way to get all the cat hair off. The hair is just imbedded in quilts, from kitties sleeping on the fabric, getting into the batting and sleeping all over them.
My favorite quilt of the day should definitely have placed higher than it did. It was original and wonderful. (I'll try to get a pic of it at the show on friday.) It wasn't the most precise and yes, there was cat hair, but it was fun and different. Overall, I thought the judge did a great job, the problem is in the RULES.
44 comments:
You have a problem with the Rules for judging, thus the name of your new website UN-RUL-Y Quilter. It fits, and I agree with you 100%. cindy
So, how do we change the rules?
I was once told that the judges work within the categories given to them by the Show Committee. That implies that we should be lobbying our local guild's show committee to make the categories fit OUR desires.
Personally I'd like the categories "Simple and Stunning", "Best Use of Color", "Innovative". But my guild just makes SIZE and METHOD distinctions. Last time they added "Art Quilts", and the award went to the most realistic image.
Hmm. Guess I shouldn't just grump, but find out who is on the committee.
I was also a scribe for a large quilt show near here...and I had some quilts hanging in the show. I was downgraded for cat hair on my quilt...but I don't have any cats! Later, look as I may, I could not see anything on my quilt. I learned a lot that day, and most of all, it was just to appreciate being able to be there, learning a lot...and enjoy my quilts for what they were.
I like the new name -- nice pun. have fun developing the web site.
Cat fur should be considered an embellishment. Beads, sequins, lace, ribbon, fur.
The name is perfect! I kept trying to think of something catchy using the no ruler idea but never thought of Unruly. It says it all...including a swipe at those stupid judging rules. Sooo last century.
Love the name. Also really liked Cat in the Lap Quilts. But Unruly is going to be really good. Where did you get Pokey?? So incredible looking.
Love the name... and I agree with Sue it is an embellishment.
Love the new name, but you'll always by Lazy Gal Tonya to me!
I wonder what judges would think of our quilts with the mismatched seams, points which don't meet, crossed seams and cat hair everywhere!
Someone has asked me if I'd like to go to a France Patchwork demo at the local village hall next month and we can either work on the kit provided or bring our own work. Now you know as well as I do what French quilting is like. Do you think I'll be banned for life???????
"Treats? Did she say treats? Hmmmm. Perhaps not. Lets go back to sleep Habi."
There's a rule about CAT HAIR? OMG, that is unbelievable, but funny too. So sorry your quilts will never pass that portion of the judging :)
Love the new name, very clever!
My verification word today is "quessing", as in "I'm quessing you don't care about cat hair on your quilts!"
I always thought that cat fur was an accessory when I dressed. But as a big quilt show organizer for several years in the 1980's, I was astonished at the condition of some quilts when they were shipped to me. Cigarette smoke galore, LOTS of cat and dog fur, even holes and stains. Unbelieveable! I think a light dusting of fur is acceptable. I mean, COME ON! But a fur-coated quilt should be frowned upon (IMHO). And, I LOVE your new name!!!
Congratulations on the name! Do you have to trademark it or something?
Bummer about the judging. I would think creativity and fabric choices would count for a LOT.
Change can happen however slowly- I remember when machine quilting was frowned upon heavily. I think some of the things we appreciate most about quilts are so subjective, color, design, originality that guilds are left with nothing concrete to hang their hats on but size, workmanship and condition. I have only entered two quilts to be judged. A blue ribbon was awarded to me, but can't remember where it went to. I do remember taking the quilt and laying it in the bottom of a rugged wagon years later for kids going on a Halloween Hayride. I think it's better to remember their laughter and their smiles as they wrapped themselves in the quilt, rather than what someone said was "blue-ribbon" worthy about it.
As far as the name, now to make a quilt dipicting your "unruliness"... I think of trying to comb unmanagable hair.
Tonya,
I like the new name and will look forward to your web site. As for cat hair on quilts, I know it's not the same as dog hair (which I have more of) but I do take a lint brush to quilts before I ship them off to be displayed, turn them in for a guild challenge, etc. I'm always amazed at the amonunt of crap that comes off a quilt that I thought was pretty clean. Lois
Fantastic name! I had been thinking of teaching an improvisational quilting class and calling it Unruly Quilting.
And about the quilt show, I'm hoping that all of these Modern Quilt Guilds that are popping up everywhere will be free of some of these types of negative rules.
Outstanding!!!! LOVE the new name!!!!
Work is crazy - will check back later!
Congrats on the name change! I love it!
Yeah! Love the new name and the pictures...give that cat in the box a head scratch from me.
and Pokey too. Both look so soft and sweet!
Congrats on the decision...I know it was tough. I love the new name! It says soooo much. (It makes me think of Gwen Marston's idea for the new Liberated ruler - no markings on it!)
Pokey is so stunning and Habibi is so cute in his box!
I so agree with you about those quilt show rules. I'm pretty sure that Liberated quilts would need a new 'rule' book....ha ha ha! I've noticed that there's way too many rules anymore, and not nearly enough creativity going on, except for us rebels. And I consider cat hair a necessary, insulating layer on and in a quilt!
I agree that the rules in quilt shows don't leave room for liberated quilters. Our local show puts up anything so I have shown my quilts several times but I'm sure they'd never make it into a juried show. Love the new name.
Lets have our own quilt show - only rule - must have cat fur on it! Love the new name - love your blog - read it as much for the cats as the quilts. Good luck for your new website!
perfect
First lazy, now unruly? You are my kind of friend and quilter! As always, thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. The kitty stories are fun too!
LOVE the name.
I have some plexiglass straight edges that I have always called UN-rulers. They are made from ruler plastic, but have no markings (I had them cut about 20 years ago before we had all these ruler choices).
You should market them with your NEXT book and call them un-rulers (and sell them on you unruly site!)
Love the kitty pictures...if I lived with so many photogenic, furry friends, I would wear my camera around my neck like a necklace! LOL
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
It's been fun reading back over the last couple of days while you think about Identity and a website name. UnRuly Quilter sounds fantastic! It was interesting to see how you perceived yourself and your quilts (and the kittys!) Good for you!!
The only rule you need to think about is..YOU rule!!! yay Tonya!
And big hugs to Pokey and co. Hey, I like cat hair on my quilts. It;s like a little part of them gets to be with me wherever I go.
I love the new name. It is perfect!
You have the cutest audience. I just love those kitty pictures. I'm glad you have found your new identity. Is suits you!
I think that you should make sure to tell the person whose quilt you thought was nice that you thought it was nice.
I think the cat hair rule is weird. I suppose it was meant for quilts with a shocking amount of hair, but whatever.
As I have said before, ( many times *smile* ) until I found Gwen's and Freddy's books and yours and Bonnie's blogs I thought I didn't like quilting. I am to the point that I don't even go to quilt shops, because of all the negative comments and the judgmental vibe. Equilter has never emailed me and said "really, you're using these in the SAME quilt?" or "well, they wont get much sleep under a quilt that loud" and I have heard that so many times at the cutting table that I would rather just shop online!
Very interesting! I've always wondered about how quilts are judged.
Is it even a quilt if a cat hasn't slept on it?
How did my cat get in that box in your photo?!!! :) hee hee...your kitty looks just like my Oscar (aka fat cat)!!
Glad you are satisfied with your new name!!
Hi Tanya,
Good for you, you settled on a name!
And the cat hair issue ... sounds like discrimination to me! I'm sure I would never pass the furless test!
Vicky F
Love the name, love cat hair too. A quilt isn't finished until it has a bit of kitty love on it. Love seeing the kitties. Rusty is a big fan of boxes. When he was younger we would get him the lids from copy boxes. He would sit inside the lid and chew it down to the ground. One right after another. It is amazing he has any teeth.
I have an embroidered cat picture on my wall that reads, "Wear natural fibers. Hug your cat." But I also recommend a Scotch Fur Fighter over a lint roller. It removes embedded fur like a charm. http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/furfighter/
Great name choice, I heartily approve, Tonya. And I look forward to seeing your quilt choice.
Cat hair? OF COURSE there are cats hairs in and on quilts, anyone who expects otherwise must live a very sterile, boring life. :)
UnRuly Quilter is perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
And I couldn't agree with you more about the rules in quilt judging. Rules, schmules. Forget competition altogether I say. Let them all be hung and let them all get blue ribbons!
Great name!
-Holly
Hah! If I didn't want hair on my quilts, I'd have to shave the cat!
I thought cat hair was a required part of quilting. All of my quilts are inspected by my Quality Control Cat - currently a Calio named Seven. I did take exeption to her throwing up on the quilt topbefore I got the borders on - but I think it was a comment on me not being home and not the quilt.
But who makes up the rules anyway?
I didn't want to be the first to mention cat vomit, but seeing knitnoid has broken the taboo ... one of my cats was once lying on a favourite quilt and carefully leaned over, off the edge of the quilt, and barfed onto the floor!!! What a star!!!
Oops, sorry, I hope I haven't lowered the tone. I really just wanted to say I love the new name and it's a pity that originality isn't cherished more in the quilting world.
great name, I knew you'd come up with something witty and fitting - congrats
I like the name! Excellent choice! :-)
Not commenting specifically on the rules..... I have to go to a great deal of trouble to get the dog hair off my quilts so I understand your frustration. I'm sure a bunch of white chihuahua hair would be seen as cat hair! And I wouldn't want it to get on another quilt when they are stacked in piles at a quilt show any more than I want cat hair migrating on to my quilt! Ewwww.
Reason is, I'm very allergic to cats. It's impossible for me to handle quilts that come from a cat lover's house. I've had problems at workshops and retreats because some people have cat hair all over the fabrics and equipment they bring with them. I've left meetings and workshops with weeping burning eyes and asthma because I helped someone pack up their stuff or helped them hold up a quilt for show and tell. You just never know! I take enough pills without having to take "just in case" medicine every time I'm going to be around quilters. Sigh. That said, I don't see any good answer to the problem. Ah well. :-)
(Confession: And I'm very jealous of all the folks with quilting cats. Pokey is especially gorgeous!)
What a FUN Blog and your kitties are wonderfully adorable!!!
I am going to add you to my blogroll, would you like to exchange links??
Linda www.lmpoole.blogspot.com
Love the new name and I've always thought the highest award at a quilt show should be the viewers choice award.. and it would award the quilt that touched the heart of the most viewers.
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