Fat Quarterly Retreat 2013

Yes I know the retreat is already over for almost  a week but when I came home last Saturday evening I needed a few days to breath and take stock and then work got hold of me with such brute force that there was no time for much else. But I did manage to cramp in two evening of joyful quilting which almost felt like a treat.

So how was it ?

It was great and again just as well organized as the last one. So well done to the FQ team for having done it again.

 

There were some differences this year for me though as I was one of the teachers and this meant a lot of preparation to do and a lot of nerves building up to the event. I basically fretted like a teenager for weeks before the retreat. I taught two sessions on Photography and was very aware that my classes were totally different to the rest of them, mainly because there was no sewing involved.

But in the end I think the classes were well received and I really enjoyed teaching them. In actual fact my teaching experience really was the highlight for me over the weekend although it was quite draining at the same time. But I think that was down to nerves.

There were some funny moments in the classes. The funniest of all was probably when I told the class that it is best to apply patience when waiting for the right weather and light rather than taking indoor shots. Somebody then commented that this might be difficult in the winter time if one lives near the arctic circle. I thought it was a joke and said something along the lines that that wouldn't happen only to find that one of my students lives in Norway near the Arctic Circle ! Well, needless to say I was silent for a moment and will improve my class notes to include life at the Arctic Circle.


I didn't take much classes this time around but enjoyed a couple of hours in Trudi's 'free motion class' and picked up some very handy tips for my ongoing and somewhat staling FQ project.

A nice cold beer after a day's work

Katie not happy about being snapped !

The other thing I enjoyed immensely was to hang out with friends and in particular the 'Brit Bee' ladies that I get to see so seldom these days. And I loved that I was able to just sit somewhere and take out my hand quilting project and just get on with it while having a chat to whoever came by the table where I sat. That was so relaxing.









I also wanted to take the opportunity to say a a heartfelt thank you to my students who attended my classes. Each and everyone of you made the experience really special and I hope I have given you some pointers on how to improve your photography (Take that camera of auto !!!).