Fat Quarterly Retreat 2014

Last weekend was the 3rd Fat Quarterly Retreat. Now like a muppet I didn't take many photos and still haven't sorted out my goodies or anything.

Thankfully others are a lot more organised than I am and if you check out the linky party you will be able to read a lot more about it.

I had an absolutely wonderful time over the whole weekend.

I did two different classes with Jen Kingwell. One on hand quilting and the other on hand piecing and appliqué based on her Green Tea and Sweet Beans pattern. She was a great teacher and I learned loads as well as being down to earth and just plain lovely. Having her on our quiz team was very amusing when her shop was an answer.

Jen also provided all the attendees to her classes with a finger pin cushion.

 

I also did two classes with Karen Lewis of Blueberry Park. The first was on screen printing and I had great fun and left with lots of ideas.

 

The second class was one where she stepped in at the last minute as the planned tutor wasn't well. I've always wanted to make one of Charlotte's fracture quilts and now I have finally started it. All the fabric for this class was very generously provided by Oakshott and it was great fun working out a colour palette.

My last class was with Lynne herself and was a great little class on the app Touchdraw. I've been using this for a while but I was hoping to get some hints and tips and boy did I! I've been squealing ever since over one particular feature which I will explore in more detail later on.

For me though as great as the classes were, it's all about the people. Spending time with old friends, getting to know some better and making new ones. I loved it. The energy helped reinvigorate me as I have been running on empty for some time, laughter really is the best therapy.

And talking of therapy, the main reason I have been so depleted is that after two years I completed my HPD in counselling and psychotherapy, I am now a qualified counsellor. Over the last term the stress and anxiety had been really getting to me and although my course ended the week before the retreat I hadn't been able to unwind until the retreat. That's when I was able to finally relax.

I'll post later on the goodies I came away with.

 

Quarter 3 finish a long

It's time to make my declaration on what I hope to achieve over the next quarter.

I'm going to be a bit naughty as some of my projects are nearly finished and just waiting for binding or having a hanging sleeve added.

First - Ice-cream parlour. Yes it has a name. It is now decided that it will be in our guild show at festival of quilts, so it needs a hanging sleeve as well as binding. I want to get it done with a week so I can also take it to FQR next weekend.

 

Next is Migraine. This isn't going in the show so only needs binding.

 

Neon. This little mini is going in the show so needs a hanging sleeve.

 

Geese - also just needs binding. ( I had a quilting binge this quarter can you tell?)

 

4 boxy pouches. 3 are for swaps at the retreat and the 4th a belated birthday pressie.

 

This quilt needs some unpicking as I had tension issues. It then needs finishing off.

 

I'm also going to throw into the ring an older UFO top.

 

I'm really hopeful for this quarter as my course has finished, I'm now a qualified counsellor and I don't have to feel guilty anymore about time I spend sewing instead of studying!

Check out others targets at Katy's blog.

 

 

Finish along round up quarter 2

After my complete failure in quarter 1 I decided to be a little bit more realistic in quarter 2 and posted my list here.

Thankfully half term was in this quarter and I got completely inspired so drum roll please I finished everything.

Firstly my secret sewing which was for the LMQG presidents new baby. Here he is enjoying his new quilt.

Then Jim's quilt which went down a treat with the new owner.

And I completed both charity quilts I had in progress.

For loads more finishes, check out the linky party