I got home late Wednesday evening after spending five glorious days at Asilomar with Diane Gaudynski...a dream come true. This was her last class at Asilomar as she is retiring so it was bittersweet. It was a fun group filled with a lot of very talented quilters.
I've had many people ask why I was taking her class as I already know how to quilt...this was only my second "real" machine quilting class. I've learned a lot of what I already know by observing, reading, soaking up my students work and I wanted her to dial me in. She's the only teacher I know that does the precision heirloom quilting that I love and I wanted her to teach me how to do it right...and she did. I don't want to copy what she does...I want her to embellish what I do and I am very excited to see where her inspirations and instructions will take my quilting.
I allowed myself to play...no stress, no worries...just play. As she taught each technique I fooled around with it on a small piece that measured about 10x12" using the same neutral shades of Radiance that I used in a matching larger piece. Once I got the foolin' around piece done I was actually pleased with how it turned out and plan to keep it. I allowed myself to play on my larger piece too and plan to use it for a teaching sample in my classroom demo-ing some of my backgrounds, new ways of doing feathers, miniature work, etc. I am no longer so dependent on my stencil lines...I have been given permission from the "Divine Diane" to mark my guidelines and just go for it...enjoy it...and love it...and I am!
Hugs, Cindy
7 comments:
I am positively enthralled. . .
I'm enjoying it too. Its never too late to learn something...
Exquisite Cindy. I could sit and look at such 'work; all day!
Joyce
Oh my - your practice looks Diane divine! Isn't it fun to just draw with the needle, wander around the fabric, doodle, fill in where needed, turn the curves and go where you want to go? It's so freeing and exhilarating when it looks so hard and complicated. I can't wait to see what the road ahead has for you after turning a corner.
Great post Cindy. And I certainly enjoyed taking Diane's class with you. Still can't believe this is only your 2nd FMQ class. Truly shows you are a natural, and very talented. Class was wonderful and Diane is very talented. But I'm so looking forward to taking classes with you, as well as attending your quilt retreats.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
How fun!! I'm so glad you treated yourself and finally got to take a class just for fun!! So pretty!! :)
Reading back through your old posts - I just discovered your blog today and I have to say...everything is breathtaking. I'm SO sad to hear that Diane has retired!!! She was on my "must see at least once" list. :( Pooh. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful time with her for those of us who won't be fortunate enough to have the experience.
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