So Long Sunday...

Final diary instalment of my FQR weekend; thank you for keeping up!

So another early start, all packed up and checked out of the hotel, I was off for some doodling with Troods.

I am a graphic artist, in the broadest sense of the word; curvy doodles do not come easily to me with a pen, so I really have no hope FMQing…

… but it was a lovely way to start the day, and wonderful to see how easily it comes to Trudi, a total natural!

Then it was on to my final class.

To say I was looking forward to a real lesson with Mister Thomas Knauer is an understatement.  OK so we were quiz-buddies, and he did tell me that 'it was only bloody knots, how difficult can it be!?', but I was, and still am, fascinated by his ability to take a simple question or comment and talk and talk and talk!

I now need to read all the theorising in Modern Quilt Perspectives, because I can now hear his voice in my head, and that is way more entertaining than reading it 'flat'.

He is so clever.  The class was simple, and indeed only knots, but his tales of making babies, (not as icky as that sounds), quilts for his daughter and the evils of the large quilt collections and manufacturers were really interesting.

And then it was over!

The final farewell in the hall was interrupted by a fire alarm; I helped Jen (Kingwell, as if you hadn't guessed!), pack up her gorgeous quilts into her suitcase; they were not going to be left behind even if we got burnt to death in the process!  Decamped to the pavement outside, it was time for thanks, cheers and hugs goodbye.

Sadly it was all over.

I have had a total blast at the previous two Retreats, don't get me wrong, meeting some of my best friends for the first time, taking some great classes and generally having a brilliant time, but this Retreat was different.

Socially it was still wonderful, there was more time to actually speak to people, time to take stock and time to enjoy spending time with friends.  The smaller number of attendees worked so well, and I would loath a return to the jam-packed hustle and bustle of last year.

However this time the classes really wowed me!  I came out of each session full of ideas and excited for the next.  All my teachers were amazing.

I learnt so much over the course of the weekend, I didn't touch a sewing machine and I am glad.  I am so enthused to do more hand-piecing and to hand quilt, the joys of which a week ago, had just passed me by.  Oh, I was so missing out!

Then it was home, to unpacking and digesting everything that had gone on, as well as emptying the contents of my goody bag!

So many generous sponsors…

Soak, Moda, Koribond, Makower, Aurifil, Riley Blake, Dashwood Studios, Robert Kaufman and Janome - Thank you!

Another thank you, and apology because I should have added this to the Friday post, goes to Tsoniki for my name tag; I wore it all weekend, and home again…

Fat Quarterly Team, including Sandy and the Jacks, you totally nailed it, thank you so much for your hard work, talent and humour!  Please don't go changing!