Fat Quarterly Retreat 2013

I'm sure you've already seen many of the FQR recaps (if not, you can find many of them listed here), but I still want to share a bit of what it was like to me.

And it was such fun!
It was such a treat to finally meet at least some of those known only through blogs and emails. And it was very nice to as well as those who I now want to find online too. And to laugh like crazy on many occasions, and to listen a lot and to talk a bit.
And yes, I learned lots of great sewing tips and tricks and was inspired both by the teachers and by other participants. And it was such a great feeling to sew together with others who are also interested in sewing.

So a big great thank you for all the talks and laughter and hugs (and sewing instructions, of course).

And well... better look at the photos here, because I didn't take even a single one. I don't know what I was thinking.
Anyway, the only photos I can share are those of:
1. my spoils:

i.e. the contents of the goody bag, with some fabric from Eternal Maker and Riley Blake and Moda and Makower, and a scrap bag of Pat Bravo fabrics, some silk thread from Silk Ribbon, some notions from Woolworths, as well as some coupons, a lovely surprise packet from Emily and my raffle win of Aurifil thread.

2. my very restrained buys:

the lovely Liberty key fob made by Hadley, the Aurifil thread from Cindy, and some fabric from Tracey

3. and the results of my classes:

improv - Lu's class

precision piecing - Lynne's class

EPP with curves - Julianna and Joanna's tabletop session

Well, after the class it actually looked like this:

We also might have chatted more than anything else in Katy's class, which is why after both the class and a few hours on the train, my triangle city block is still only in, shall we say, a very early stage of completion:

Almost last minute...

...but yay, I'm going to the FQ Retreat and I can't wait to meet you all!

I'm not sure if you get a chance to see this post before the FQR, but just in case you do, here's something that could help you recognize me:

Ok, ok, I won't be wearing headphones (although I usually do while I sew and quilt - I love audiobooks), you will also notice that I don't have short hair but a plait.
And I'll be sporting the cutest badge ever. Thank you so very much Sarah xxx. 
Oh, and my name is Agnieszka, which might not be an easy name to pronounce, but quite easy to recognize, I think.

For a bit of background  - I started quilting less than 3 years ago (it was also then I learned how to use a sewing machine) and I still feel quite a newbie (maybe an advanced beginner by now). Of course that doesn't prevent me from making quilts and enjoying the process immensely.
If you feel like checking them out, they're here on the blog.

So, see you soon to those who are coming, and huge warm hugs to those who can't make it this year - I'm sure we will finally meet, too.

(And this is the small print where I tell you that I'm shy, but I've read that many others are too...)

 

Just one

Can you believe it?
I only have one UFO and it's not a very old one, either.
So, here is the shortest ever list for 2013 Finish-A-Long (Q3):

1. Finish the broken wheel quilt (and possibly find a nicer name for it).

Of course with 38 more blocks to go, not to mention the sashing, backing, quilting and binding, there's probably enough work for this quarter, but still one item on the list feels weird.

And hopefully there's still enough time to actually link this up.

Q2 finishes - 2013 Finish-A-Long

I might have been quite clever to make my list for Q2 (here's the original post) very short, that way I can feel as if I've achieved something.

So, let's sum it up:

• The smaller sampler quilt only needed binding and it got it.

• The wonky kites quilt needed borders, backing, quilting and binding and it was a successful finish, too, and the quilt is now at its new owner's.

• The apron needed to be sewn together and to have a pocket added, and it was actually the first finish of Q2.

 

• And this leaves us with the 2 blocks from Forest QAL, of which I finished only one.

Then, instead of making the rest of the forest blocks, I made a quilt with what I had:

I'm not sure if this can count as a proper finish for this particular goal, but it makes the post end in a nice picture, don't you think?