Quilters' Guild AGM

This past weekend I took myself off to Nottingham to the Quilters' Guild AGM.  I am not usually big on official AGM-type events but as my Region was organising everything and there were lectures to hear and traders to support I thought I would venture forth.  The added bonus was that the venue was on my doorstep so I packed my case and trotted off (I decided to stay as it seemed less stressful than travelling each day).

The AGM took place at the Jubilee Campus of Nottingham University which is a very attractive site.

Most of the events took place in the range of buildings shown above.

I wasn't lucky enough to get into any of the workshops but I heard that they were fun and rewarding.  I did, however go to some of the lectures and helped out at Gillian Carke's as a 'quilt angel'.  The lectures were held in the very impressive auditorium.

You may recognise Laura and Linda Kemshall in the photo above who enlightened us as to What Makes a Quilt.

The Young Quilters were busy over the weekend and produced some impressive work.

The work in the two images above is by the Young Quilters and was on a theme of Myths and Legends.  Robin Hood and The Medusa were two of the prizewinners.

You may remember my quilt for the 'My World is Green' challenge.  There was quite a large entry and I found it very hard to choose my favourite.

I'm not sure whether my quilt benefitted from its positioning ;-) but it was in stark contrast to the gentleman above!

I can't attribute this quilt above as they were not named but I really liked it. (10 April 2013 - I've just been contacted by the artist who made this quilt, it's Liesbeth Williams   There is an article by her here.)

This is the reverse of the top quilt.

These amazing quilts in the 4 images above (only snippets are shown) are by Gillian Clark, whose lecture I helped out with (pinning up quilts and such).  Gillian had spent her working life studying Mediaeval history and became fascinated with mediaeval manuscripts which she reinterprets for her quilts.  Sadly I cannot find any internet presence for her.

 These wonderful fish were made by German Quilters as part of a challenge.  Apparently they were given a piece of tartan and had to incorporate it into a quilt on a theme of fish.  There were goofy fish and beautiful fish.  I rather liked the effect with the last fish where angelina fibres were being blown in the breeze coming through an adjacent open door.  It made the fronds of seaweed come to life. :-)

As you might expect, no trip to a quilt event would be complete without a little shopping and I didn't want to disappoint you.....

These fat quarters each cost only £1 as part of a fundraiser for Quilts For London which was so successful last year.

I have been pondering over Gwen Hedley's book for some time and finally gave in and bought it.

I loved these ribbons and I have plans for the button that involve making a stamp for printing, I hope.

These threads and the needles were a generous gift from Coats Crafts who also donated a raffle prize which sadly I did not win.  Of course they have enlarged their database by inveigling us to give them our emails in return for the goodies :-)

Next year's AGM is in Portsmouth if you are in the guild and fancy a weekend away or even if you feel like joining the Quilters' Guild.  The official stuff didn't go on too long (to be honest I only went to the first part of the official meeting as I felt a bit grotty and decided to get some air) and it was a warm and friendly weekend away with like-minded people.  I have to acknowledge the tremendous amount of work that the team of organisers from Region 10 ( my region) of the Quilters' guild put in to bring this event to fruition.

As a footnote, I also need to note the passing of Lady Thatcher, the first and quite possibly the only, female Prime Minister of Great Britain, today at the age of 87.  Margaret Thatcher was born here in Grantham and regardless of politics was a remarkable woman who has earned a place in history.