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!!!!:)

Our Timing Was Great!

We haven't seen her since last October...way too long...so we went for another visit to the United Kingdom!  First couple of days were spent in London doing the girl's famous walking tour of the city's highlights.

We spent a lot of time at train, bus and tube stations but our timing was perfect!

 Great weather for walking through Hyde Park to the Palace...the girl said it's cause we were there!:)

(Foamy fountain!)

Not only did we have great weather...so did the Scots who invaded Trafalgar Square doing their version of tailgating before the big game with England.  How lucky were we to see thousands of men in kilts...or at least how lucky was I?!!:)   I will remain neutral on who won and lost!

(Tula is the one talking with her hands!:)

Timing was also on my side as dear hubby and the girl sweetly went along with me to

 The Village Haberdashery  .  You'll never guess who was there...Yes....that's 

Tula Pink chatting and sharing her time and quilts with us!  I just happened to see about her visit on their blog the day before we left for the UK.  Great timing right?:)

 Bright and early  the following morning we visited the British Library...look who greeted us, our own Uncle Sam!

 Next stop was the British Museum to view the Elgin Marbles.  Saw the back of the Rosetta Stone.  It was swarmed by tourist with their cameras and ipad recording everything they saw.  Once home looking at my photos I feel good knowing I experienced the trip more this time because there aren't as many photos to share!

 Borough Market was a feast for eyes and stomach....we shared a bratwurst, loaded salad, watermelon, cheesecake and the biggest brownie ever.  Thank goodness we shared!
After that we walked across Tower Bridge and the girl expressed a wish...she wanted to walk to the top of St. Peter's dome.....

 ...and so they did!  I say they because I made it up the first level to the Whispering Wall but didn't think I could take the cramped (claustrophobic) trek up the rest of the way so they continued without me....but my camera made the journey!

 She is having too much fun.  They said I should have come and would have been fine but I enjoyed my walk around exploring the cathedral on my own....lit a couple candles, gazed at some fantastic artwork and heard some mighty fine choral music too!


Once everyone was back on terra firma we walked across the Waterloo Bridge to experience Jubliee Park, the London Eye (from the ground) and other crazy doings.  Dr. Who is everywhere!!!

















As the sun set we strolled back across the Thames River via Westminster Bridge, enjoying the glory and history all around us, we made our plans for the next day. Such a very walkable city!! No problem sleeping after all those bridges!!!

Last day in London was for a little shopping along with the sightseeing....

....Liberty of London...I had no clue....no clue at all....I thought it was just fabric...silly me!!!!!

Then to the train station ....

....next up~ Oxford!!

~d

Part III...The Tale of Three London Trips....Mine, Theirs, Ours!

Lucky for me our UK trip to see the girl coincided with the Fat Quarterly's  first Quilting Retreat and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee....I don't know, I guess the stars were in perfect alignment!:)  Although I am thrilled I was able to go to the Retreat and meet so many lovely online peeps I did miss a few things!

 While I met up with  Mandy (Mandalin18) and Marguerite (Rafael's Mum)...(Marg was totally surprised!:)...

...the girl introduced her dad to Big Ben!

While I had a great time with FQ peeps at Tikki Patchwork in Kew Gardens...

...the Palace put on a practice light show for them!

While Marguerite and I laughed at TrashaLou as she flirted with a Tube passenger...

....they watched another fabulous show!

The next morning I was thoroughly entertained by the Fat Quarterly Gang....

...they were entertained by this gang!:)

I admired my surroundings...busy, busy quilters getting to know each other and  learning new crafts.....

....they were admiring some serious stonework! The girl modeling a new Hold Tight! tee....they dropped a new LP the other day...go check them out!:)

While I finished my dinner purchased at the local Waitrose and enjoyed the company of the lovely Jo (Bearpaw)....

....they were partaking of coconut milk and paella!!

The next day we were to enjoy everything together and started things off with a bang....the Pageant on the Thames!!  We were at the beginning of the Pageant between Chelsea and Vauxhall bridges on the south side of the river.  

How about that?:)  The Royal Family....we think Her Highness was still below.  It was the beginning of the floating pageant!

My favorite was the barge carrying newly forged bells.  As they pealed down the river all the churches along the the route tolled in response! I still get goosebumps thinking about it!

The Gloriana lead the manpowered section.  This is a new boat that was commissioned as a tribute to the Queen....nice!:)

Every kind of rowboat was out there...even kayaks!

They just kept coming....over a thousand boats, Dunkirk little ships, work boats, steamboats, tugboats, sailboats, barges, service boats, recreation boats, narrow boats, passenger boats...

...and there were buntings and Union Jacks and revelers galore!

Luckily for us, since we were at the beginning of the Pageant, the rain didn't start until the last few sections went floating past.

Dinner that evening at The Hereford Arms was a gastronomic delight!  Bangers and Mash, Shepard's Pie and of course Fish and Chips.....divided by three.  I really could have eaten it all by myself!

(King's Cross Train Station)

Alas...I do believe I need to go back to London....to see all the places they experienced...and it was way more than all the above!:)

~d

Next up....Scotland