2008 Santa Contest results

[Keoma]

Well, I am glad the judges took a closer look, since it was missed by so many. I think maybe when we, as participants, are looking them over, we are also very, if not more so, conscience of our own entries and how they look, picture quality and all that.
Being a judge would be tough business. I think you guys did a good job.
I have already learned for how I will do my next entry.
Thank you for sharing what the judges look for with us. I printed it out and stuck it in my binder. Great for future reference.

[xsailer]

Shannon, I liked your #13 comments until the last sentence.

"If you would like to undertake sponsoring a contest of your own, we would be happy to help you publicize it".

I've been on the receiving end of this flippant comment and it really is a cheap shot. I'm sure most folks critical opinions are not offered lightly, mine certainly aren't. If you earnestly thought about it I would like to think you would agree that lots of folks don't have the means, time, money, smarts, capabilities, etc., etc. to put on their own show or whatever. I know from past experiences there is great effort from all concerned to put on good show such as this one. Critical comments should be welcomed to possibly enhance future shows.

I also agree with not all but several comments about the choice of "winners". Must be something I can't see that the judges do. Neither the first time nor the last I sure. I would think it is very hard to pick winners from photos.

Opinion are just that....Opinions.

[Rob Wilson]

People's Choice should have been the grand prize winner.

[Buckskin]

My hats off to the winners and the participants. A great effort by all.

On a side note, I guess now we know why no one really wants to leave heart felt critiques after reading this thread.

[Kenny_S]

My oh My, Hurtfull posts or hurtfull words in a post. Went through the second time and did not find any hurtfull postings just honest opinions. Guess we are getting close to not having our own or honest opinions as we see them. Really wouldn't it be a boring world if we all thought the same.
Me, I didn't think the Grand Prize one was the best but was a great carving.

Hmmm, Maybe that is why I don't enter these things.

Xxsailer, Right on!

[MelNM]

I would have hate to have been the judge for this competition also, there were a lot of great carvings out there. I missed the over all winner myself, that goes to show how much I pay attention. But I'm proud to say I'm one of the folks who voted for Peoples Choice.

It was also neat to see all of the members carvings in here also, too bad we did not know before hand, but I know I would have been biased.
Kenny help a fella out which carving was yours?

Bob and Shannon you all do great work, don't get disheartened by our opinions, they are just that our opinions. Thanks for hosting the contest you did a great job again this year.
Mel

[Keoma]

The hurtful part was my feelings for the winner. How would you feel? I think it sucks that the joy was may have been smoted by negative comments. I sure hope not. That is what is hurtful.
You know, I did not win either. And who cares? The winner was not up to us.
Instead of being catty, I digested the winning carving for quite some time. I looked at it and thought, wow. They picked a carving that looked just like an old fashioned Santa, very nostalgic, I thought. And you know what? It LOOKS like a wood carving! You can see the carving marks in it and I just love it. It looks like the old world style my Grandma would have around the house in fake snow and on mirrors. The only thing missing is sparkly fine glitter. I was really happy that it won and thought the right carver won out for sure. It obviously struck a chord with the judges. I thought this was a spot to share the winners, not run them and the judges through the mud.
What was it my mom would say about what you say when not having anything nice to say? Oh yeah..."Keoma Shut up."

[chuckbolton]

im with keoma--too much has been said to put down the winner-- he won-- be happy for him-- i know i am

[K. Ellenburg]

Speaking for my self it was never my intention of putting anyone down. My hat is off to the winner. My question was and is how is it that the peoples choice winner that received most of the popular vote by so many viewers failed to strike the same response in the judges? I didn't know what the criteria was for judging. I now know what the criteria was, cant say that I agree with it but at least I know. Thanks guys for the info and again congratulations to the winner. As far as not saying anything if you don't agree with something I thought this was a place to learn about carving and asking questions about things whether you agree with the answer or the outcome. Not everything in life is always Happy and peachy if someone gets hurt feelings over whether or not they get a pat on the back or not then they shouldn't enter contest or put their work on display for the world to see.
Kevin

[Blake Lunsford]

I just find it interesting that the CCA picked a santa as their overall winner this year and that santa didn't even place in this competition. I agree, it is difficult to judge a competition like this, but I would be interested in knowing what the backgrounds were for the individuals picking the winners...other than the people's choice. We know the judges of the CCA are probably some of the best in the carving business. Just an interesting thought.

Great work by everyone!! Congratulations goes out to all the winners, and everyone who participated.

Blake