Sunday, August 10, 2014

FQ Retreat 2014....did it really happen?


Three weeks have gone by...we are back from our UK visit...internet is sort of fixed and I have photos so it must have happened!
(Large stack of Siblings Together quilts donated by all the lovely attendees!)
My second lucky chance to attend the FQ retreat was even better than I imagined it would be in my head during the long plane ride by myself!! 
Only doing Saturday classes I was very lucky to be in Thomas Knauer's Modern Knots session.  After we figured out how to draw our grids knotting was a cinch!  Thomas is my kinda guy...he talks with his hands!!
(My unfinished Knots piece and embroidery attempts)
Next class I neglected to take photos as Jo Avery was blowing my mind with the simplicity of embroidering what looks like very hard stitches!!  That's Jo's finished sample...I wanted to sneak it into my bag!! I learned so many useful stitches AND got to hang with my pal Jo. Bonus! Thanks sweetie!!
(photo borrowed from Lynne of Lily's Quilts and  FQ fame!:)
During the break everyone walked around oohing and aahing at all the cool makes.  I was very jealous of Trash's double pears!!:) Thanks for everything Trash...you know what I mean!!;) xo
 Then there was Sample Swapping!  We made 3-5 like items and Trash put us in small groups for swapping.
This was my lovely group and what I received from each person.  I swapped mini Kaffe pouches with a few goodies inside.  Thanks so much Claire, Pippa and Joanne.  So lucky to be in your group!!:)
After lunch was my longest class...all afternoon...which was great because I spent it learning hand piecing and needle turn applique with the amazing Jen Kingwell. My pal Amy Smart (peeking over Sue's shoulder) was in the class too.  Double Bonus! We learned a ton!
We laughed a ton.
 We played a ton!
 Cameras were happy.
Could not believe I was able to see and touch the actual Green Tea and Sweet Beans and
the famous Gypsy Wife quilts in person.  Those I totally couldn't sneak into my bag!
(Jo, Jenny, Sarah and photobombing Trash!)
Sunday morning I was going to visit the Victoria and Albert museum but Jo said come sew with her on the terrace.  OK!!:) It was so nice to be able to spend several hours stitching and enjoying the company.
 Closing comments by the FQ Three were made outside because of a fire alarm at the Baden Powell Conference Center.  Made for much better photos!:)  
Thanks so much the the FQ gang and their helpers Sandy and the Jacks! 
(My buddy Marguerite gave me the fabrics I used for Jen Kingwell's class...thanks pal!!xo)

There it is...a fun filled weekend in London. 

Traveled on an airplane across the ocean alone. Check!
Got on and off the Tube at the right stop alone. Check!
Found the Baden Powell and got the last bed because they didn't have my reservation? Check!
Had the best time learning and chatting with old friends and new ones.....Double Check!!
~d
ps...Trudi...thanks for the last minute FMQ lesson and rubbery pads...I'm working on it!!!!:)






7 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a fabulous time!!!

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  2. Once again you make the most of your time in the U.K. Well done you x x

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  3. What a lovely and lively report!! Great photos (actually some nice ones of me - I especially like the one of my back outside BP!!) and I can't believe how fantastic your embroidery turned out! I thought it was mine for a minute!! It was SO GOOD to hang out with you again for the 3rd year running!! I guess I am going to have to visit you one year, eh??!

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  4. Yay. It looks like you had such a fun time. Congrats on the long flight alone, but I thought you and M went over there together??

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  5. Glad you had a great time! You were with your daughter some of the time though, right?

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  6. Ahhh! Great report. And pictures! I love them. Such a fun time with one of the loveliest groups of people I've ever met. You included! So glad it worked out to see you! If I can't make it to Maryland, at least we have London, right? lol

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