A busy weekend

I think I may have said on my last post that I had a blast last weekend! This was my second visit to the Fat Quarterly Retreat and I have to say it might just be the best!
So after trying to recover for the last few days, heres my #fqr2014

First up The Goodie Bag!!! It was a good one, thanks so much to those sponsors.

I started Friday with Paper Piecing with Tacha, you may think it's mad that I took the that class when I can already do it, but I love paper piecing and the idea of several hours doing what I love is my idea of a sewing retreat!! With a massive power cut thrown in, I think we did brilliantly.

I have the book Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects that the Mail Pouches is from and was itching to start on one of the projects. As I didn't read the prep instructions well enough, my pouch is a little on the short and stout size, but I still love it! 

Saturday started for me with the fabulously clever Karen and screen printing. This was the class that I was really hoping to get and was amazed at how easy it was on the small scale.

We had enough time to get two prints done and I was astounded with everyones prints!

After lunch I had Quilt Maths with Lynne and I have to say, I loved seeing how people work out there fabric amounts, which were all very different to my "lets order half a yard and see how we go" approach!

Saturday night was ram packed! It started with swaps……

Thanks Pippa and Dolores
Next a quick stroll down to Shaukat with Sonia and Jen for a little peek at some Liberty treats.

I may have done more than just peek!

Then, it was time for quilt market and I might have bought some pretty things……

Then on to the handover of Siblings Together Quilts, it was amazing the quilts that were made and given!

Later, I was lucky enough to be in the winning team (Team Butler) on the pub quiz and have honestly not laughed as much in a long time.

And was chuffed with my winnings, although I'm not promising I'll pluck up the courage to start that Steam Punk yet and my bingo prize of Celebrate With A Stitch looks like it's got some good projects in it!
On the team was the lovely Reene, who I made a name tag for last year and she wasn't able to attend and she wore it this year, so I had to get a photo, even if it was nearly 11 at night!

On Sunday I got to do Fabulously Fast Tile Quilt with the most down to earth lady Amy Smart, she was just so lovely and just gave us some fantastic tips.

After nearly three hours of sewing away, I've got lots of blocks ready for pressing and the next step.

But, then it was all over…….but in true FQR style the fire alarm went off and our farewells meeting was given on the street.

Lynne looks very serious here!! 

So lastly I would just like to say thank you to that lovely team above of Brioni, Tacha and Lynne and also to their fabulous assistants of the Two Jacks and Sandi, they really made the weekend and made everyone feel like it was fun, inclusive, inviting and although I'm exhausted it was such a relaxing retreat environment, I personally had a ball.
I learnt so much this time, but I think the real thing I've come away with is new friends, meeting Sarah, Sonia, Trash (the social secretary with brownies and a really nice pair!!), Hadley, Cara, Sarah, Jo and loads of others. I know it sounds a bit corny but you 'speak' to people on IG, blogs and emails and you feel you sort of know them, but you don't, but now when I read Trash's IG comment I can hear her in my head…..which is slightly worrying!!!! But honestly, if I could do it all again next weekend I would and sadly I can't wait for next year!!!

You can read about everyone else time and classes at the Fat Quarterly linky