Sorry I didn't manage to post more from the Festival. I was just so busy I didn't get time. It's very different when you are there manning a gallery. I have been told by several people that not only did I have the biggest gallery but also the busiest, which is great news. I was so busy on Thursday I didn't notice! I know that sounds weird, but I would talk to someone, then the next some one, then the next..... and then it was 4pm. I have no idea where the time went but it did. I have woken up today with very little voice, I guess a combination of talking solidly for 4 days and not getting much time to drink anything takes it's toll. I am just glad it waited until today.
I think the show went very well, I've certainly been told it did. My new work seems to have been well received which makes the very long nights well worthwhile. People were chocked at how quickly I had made some of the pieces, but what can you do. If you need them for a certain date you have to settle down and get them done. I will put pictures up later today, the camera is being uploaded. We had a brief panic when it looked like the card was corrupt, but it;s working again now.
I think the high point of the weekend for me was the people. I had kept walking in the opposite direction to Jenny Bowker and not having time to talk. I was pretty sure she must have thought I was either very rude or just not interested in her work (really not the case). I got lucky Saturday night and found her in the bar of my hotel, obviously waiting to meet some one. So I took all my courage and went and invaded her table. I am so glad I did, what a fun lady. We got talking to her about all kinds of things, including graphic novels. I will have to add her to any fantasy dinner guests list. Did we ever come to a conclusion on whether boiling sugar will void the warranty? She did introduce me to Hendrics gin, with tonic and cucumber. I was already a fan of Hendrics and the cucumber was a great addition.
The show also gave me a chance to catch up with Rosemary from the traditional quilts branch of the quilters guild. Strangely, well actually she claims not at all strange, we get along rather well and have very similar views on quilts. I had assumed I would have most in common with the contemporary quilters, but apparently not. I seem to think like a traditional quilter. Rosemary took on the challenge of teaching me to hand quilt. Not only did she take it on but she succeeded! Apparently my biggest problem was chairs, closely followed by the wrong thimble. I had accepted that I may need a thimble for hand quilting, much as I dislike them but I had only considered my top hand. It turns out what I need is one for the under hand, and it needs a crown. Yes this might mean some stories you've heard about me are true :) I also like working in a hoop, just a hand held one. I had been looking at some on stands, but I think they will encourage me to bend in the wrong way, which hurts my shoulder and stops me quilting, so I will give a plain one a try.
I think that will have to do for now. I am going to dig out my purchases (mostly hand dyed fabric) and have a play. I did buy two kits and I think they might make a fun holiday. Sorry folks but I think I deserve and day or two off.
Oh no, one more thing. I had people who bought my book on the Thursday coming back later in the weekend to tell me they had already read it! How cool is that? Not cool enough? Well they all liked it and the only questions I got would have been answered if they had been working through it. The best comment I got was that it read like I was talking directly the reader and that I sounded just like me. That was amazing as it is what I had been trying to achieve, but I had no idea if I had managed it. I guess I did.
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10 comments:
You were definitely the busiest! I dropped by to see the stand and you were non-stop talking. It looked great, especially the dragon.
Fran
Yup, you were difinitely busy on Thursday - was volunteering all over the place and didn't get a chance to say hello but the exhibition was fantastic and I did get to have an interesting chat with your partner about the deviousness of cats (incidentally one of mine showed his displeasure at cattery food by scraping paper over his food dish and sitting on it, thus very cleverly getting to be fed tuna instead!
Congratulations- well deserved, from the sounds of it. I look forward to seeing more photos from the show and your gallery.
I never thought you wouldn't survive - those who set trends are made of tough stuff. Congratulations!
I really hadn't expected it to be so busy. I've seen galleries and they are quiet and fairly empty. I had people telling me they hadn't been able to get into the gallery at all! We wondered if it was because mine was quite noisy and lively. Who knows, whatever it was I didn't look at my watch from 10am till past 4pm on Thursday I was too swamped.
It was fun to meet so many people and show them how I longarm. A lot were looking for the computer, and several patted me on the head when they worked out that was where it lived.
Your gallery was fantastic! and to think, when you came to Cambridge Quilters earlier this year, you were worried about not being able to fill it...
I was worried about not being able to fill it last week :) That was because I knew what I wanted it to look like but still.....
Well, I did the clever thing and waiting till Sunday, so didn't have to fight my way throw several layers of quilters in order to say 'hello'. I also really enjoyed a 'wee chat' with 'Mr. Ferret' who did a great job of selling me some nudes (well, cards of them).
Also, Fer, I'd like you to know how impressed I am by your book (having had a chance to have a look through now). It's packed full of clear instructions, good quality pictures, an 'easy on the eye' layout, and gives really nice info about the quilters who have been involved in making all the quilts (not just the names). And seeing that you self-published it (which is a sh.. load of work - no apologies for language, because it's true) I can only say: I'm mega-impressed!
Lorchen
One of the really cool things about the show was the people who bought the book at the beginning of the event then came back having had time to look though it. People really did get it, just from reading through.I can't tell you how thrilling that is. We self published because we wanted it done right. I think it paid off. Several people were surprised that self published books are 'proper' books complete with ISBN numbers. Doh!
I really enjoyed your gallery at the Festival and it was nice to talk to you. Phoenix Rising was my favourite of all the qulits there. Thanks.
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