on Quilt Show inspiration

The Blueberry Festival of Quilts is coming in mid-June. As an active member of the Nacogdoches quilt guild, I'm expected (though not mandated) to enter some of my prolific production in the quilt show. Hmmm...I know I'm a show-off, but somehow, putting my quilts in a show is. . .itchy. Makes my hackles prickle. 

So, for the past week I've been pondering exactly what the role of competition is in developing my skills and creativity. All sorts of musings interrupt my typically logical approach: what if I get a ribbon will that stifle my striving to get better what if the judge doesn't recognize my approach (contemporary) because s/he's a traditionalist what if what if what if. 

Ah, I know! I should go back to my usual show-off position and pick the ones I think will thrill the audience. It's all about audience. Yeah, that's logical.