Fat Quarterly Retreat... I'm Coming!

Thanks to a bit of extra prodding encouragement from Flying Blind On A Rocket Cycle  last week, I took the plunge and bought my Retreat ticket!
I am really excited about it, as last year was a great way to meet loads of new (to me) quilters and I imagine this year as one big reunion! 

I have already signed up for 2 of the swaps- the name tag swap and the sample swap (although Katy I'm thinking more totes than bags, even if it's not official!)

And I have signed up for my classes; there were a few I wasn't interested in at all, and one or two that I felt I had done last year- although I guess different teacher = different class, so I wasn't left with much choice, but I couldn't believe that 2 of my all-time FAVOURITE quilts have table top classes for them;

1. Needleturn Appliqué by Mandy Noble - oh how I love a clamshell quilt, only last week I was researching different techniques, and what do you know; I decided applique was my favourite- the only trouble was that I don't know how to applique "properly" ... problem solved!

2. Cathedral Window by Brioni Greenberg

These have both been on my list of "quilts to make" practically since I started quilting and apart from a cathedral window pincushion I did for a secret santa swap over a year ago (a grand total of 2 windows) I have never really attempted either, so IF i get into both classes here's hoping this is the push I need!
Lucie's Portholes class last year led to me making my first fully blown, king size bed quilt, so I am quietly confident :D

oooh lookie, I had forgotten about the fake cathedral windows on this one- they used far less fabric than the real thing!

J x

ps. I got so excited and spent so long deliberating over the options that I can't remember what my other choices were so I'm looking forward to a surprise when the email lands in my inbox!

Too excited

There has been a lot of umming and ahhing this week, and quite a few days when I thought I wouldn't be making this trip at all but here I am. I got to London last night and couldn't believe how easy he traffic was- despite it taking 45 minutes to get on the motorway, at least the route was scenic and from there I was on the north circular in under an hour- it feels so little when you don't have to do it everyday!

I am staying with my friend Helen for the weekend, but I abandoned her his evening to do some much needed cutting and organising, this is me cutting when I should have been socialising.

At long last I think I am ready for whatever the weekend brings and I am pretty certain it's going to be great. I am particularly excited about the portholes class- but that's not until tomorrow and there is plenty more to do before then.

Like swapping!

Can't wait to see everyone in the flesh and read a huge amount of name tags. See you all in a few hours.

Full of useful information

As you probably know, the Ellison Lane Modern Mini Challenge ended yesterday and after much deliberation the finalists are availble for us to vote on today. So head on over there to vote- but bear in mind that you WILL have your work cut out for you as there are some great contenders!

None of my favourite mug rugs made it to the voting stage, but 2 of my favourite mini quilts did and they both happen to be rainbow coloured;

From The Blue Chair's New York Beauty, the colour selection is perfect (I don't know how people manage this) and I love the accuracy in the details but I am partial to a NYB block;

and Jen Johnston's Rainbow Compass which I spotted on Flickr last week and imediately fell in love with!

Head on over to the competiton pages to check out the rest of the contenders and place your votes!

I also got an email this morning from Fat Quartley to remind me that the groups are closing today for the London Retreat sample swap and the name tag swap. I have been on these lists for months now and I am crazy excited about the quilty weekend, but I popped back on over just to double check. If you're coming along have a look at the discussion boards!

And to top it all off, I am avoiding flickr today as the lovely Susan of Canadian Abroad has told me that her Brit Bee block is done and in the post, so I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the surprise.

 I will have most of them back soon and will be showing a lovely group photo asap.

After my mini challenge weekend, I had a night off the Maple Leaf Rag last night while I took Shep to his obedience class but should be back on it tonight with pictures to share soon.

J x

Ooooh guess what?!

I have booked my ticket...





I will be in London on 2nd and 3rd of June for the Fat Quarterly Retreat!


Who else is coming?

J x