Just a few more words...I am EXHAUSTED!

I will write more about my classes after I return home.  I need time to assimilate my thoughts and try to figure out what this week meant to me.  I uploaded a bunch of photos to Flickr if you want to see more quilts done by these FABULOUS womens (Gwen's words, I swear!)
I  was totally taken by this style of basket handle.  We were doing a solids class, but Gwen still took the time to explain to me how she put this together, that is just the kind of fantastic teacher that she is.  I would take another class with her in a heartbeat.
We both look a bit dazed in this picture, but hey, it was a long day!  I was so pleased with this palette... not my usual colors.  Gwen does such amazing hand quilting that I am inspired to think about trying some hand quilting on this piece.  Maybe...

Here is a pic from my Liberated wedding ring quilt class, today.  (Yes, I am wearing the same outfit.  I washed it...and it was really comfortable to sew in.  I am ALL about comfort these days.)  Freddy was a wonderful teacher also.  I took this quilt to show her and she gave me the reaction that I had been craving since I first made it.  She just loved it, the little stars... all of it, I felt about 100 ft tall.  (I had shared it at my guild, but I don't feel like I have that many kindred spirits in terms of quilting style.  My classmates were so complimentary also...sometimes a little peer praise is a boon to your creative soul.)  One thing that Freddy said is that she tries to take 2 classes a year herself.  To keep her artistic muscles current and growing, but to also be a more sympathetic/empathetic teacher.  I really respect that.  And if you are curious, she is really just as cute in person as she looks in her pictures.

Gwen did express her immense gratitude to Tonya and all of her bloggety minions (really cohorts) who helped convince Gwen's publisher to reprint her Liberated Quiltmaking book.  That was cool.

Oh and did I mention that I met a blog friend and now she is a real life friend?  Kristin, from Knit One Quilt Too, was in my class on Wednesday, sitting right in front of me.  I recognized her from her pics on her blog and overcame my original shyness and said "Hi."  She was so nice and had brought her Halloween bouquet quilt.  It even looks better in person!!!  Also, I kept peeking at her solids piece that she worked on in class and it is a beaut...I can't wait to see it finished.

Kristin alerted me to the the blogger's bandanna brigade tomorrow at the quilt show.  Basically, if you are going to be in Sisters, wear a red bandanna somewhere on your person, then we can say hi to each other.  I have my bandanna and I am going to be looking for you all tomorrow!  I will be the 6 ft tall pregnant lady with the red bandanna, hopefully enjoying the temperate weather (Please not too hot!).  I would love to meet you and then we don't have to be imaginary friends anymore!

JMB