Cindy Erickson
Cindy started her career as an interior designer in Arizona and Utah, then specialized in creating applique wall hangings and clothing for boutiques. Since being introduced to the rotary cutter and half-square triangle she’s been unstoppable. Cindy makes commission quilts and samples for various international companies and individuals (including RJR and P&B). She is an NQA certified Quilt Judge and teaches quilting and clothing specialty classes at Bernina Sewing Center in Omaha as well as lecturing and teaching classes around the country. She is qualified to judge Master Quilts, Modern and art quilts of all techniques. She specializes in teaching rotary and sewing machine skills in all aspects of quilt making to all skill levels. “Professional Quilter Magazine” nominated her for National Teacher of the Year in 2009. She has been published in Quiltmaker, Fons and Porters magazine and Leisure Arts publications. Cindy designed some books and patterns with Jo Morton. One of the patterns was on the cover of Keepsake Quilting catalog. Cindy’s quilts have been shown in AQS, Houston, PIQS and NQA. ( www.cindyerickson.com )
Jackie Ruffing
Jackie has had a love for quilting since she was given her first quilt in 1972 made by her great-grandmother. She grew up sewing under the watchful eye of her mother, who in her own right, was a talented seamstress. After a few years of making her own clothes, Jackie turned her focus to quilt making. She studied the process of drafting block designs and quilting templates, to hand quilting then to machine quilting. An opportunity came and she purchased a long-arm quilting machine. Jackie started a quilting business, winning several awards for her customers and herself. Her work has been shared nationally and internationally. After 21 successful years, she decided to move into another quilting field as a quilt show judge.
Shawn Sickle
Quilting was something that Shawn Sickle admired from a far while she was busy raising a family and running a business. Her mother was an avid quilter, and they would regularly go to quilt shows over the years. Then in 2010 the opportunity came to make a quilt for her first granddaughter and the rest is history, as they say. That first quilt sparked an interest that has since blossomed into a passion. In 2018 she was introduced to longarm quilting which expanded her repertoire and catapulted the progression into quilt judging. Since becoming a candidate of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ) in 2022 Shawn is actively judging and working in shows throughout the country. In 2023 she was a finalist in the Cherrywood Fabric Challenge and the Hoffman Fabric Challenge, as well as being juried into a Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) show. Shawn is driven to pursue a judging certification through the NACQJ to share her passion for the craft as well as empower and encourage fellow quiltmakers.
Sherry Massey
Sherry began quilting in 1980. Countless quilts later, she is honored to be Oklahoma’s first NACQJ Certified Judge. She is a member of the Edmond Quilt Guild and has served as the Edmond Quilt Show chairman and most recently as judging room coordinator, a job that is both educational and rewarding. She has had two quilts juried into AQS shows in Paducah for fall 2017 and spring 2019. She is a proud member of a small group that makes quilts for Boys’ Ranch Town. She teaches English Paper Piecing classes and enjoys helping guilds discover the rewards of holding judged shows. Sherry is the Senior Registrar for the Oklahoma History Center where a collection of over 400 quilts is housed. After twice visiting Japan, she has developed a deep admiration for traditional Japanese textiles and is currently working on a project that incorporates vintage indigo cottons and kimono silks with vintage American cottons and linens.