Funky Fowl at Sandnes Husflidslag

Last week was unusually busy with a two-day Funky Fowl class and an extra Friday and Saturday with the boys. While I keep planning to do things after they leave, I rarely do. No matter how fun grandma days are, grandma does indeed get tired.

The Funky fowl class on Tuesday and Wednesday was informative for both my students and I. It was the first time I taught the class over two days, and I was pleased to see that the schedule worked out. Most of the time I teach at quilt guilds and quilt retreats, and this was my second time teaching at a Husflidslag, which is a group belonging to the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association.

(Their logo is a traditional pattern known as an eight petal rose here in Norway. Looks familiar?)

These are skilled ladies used to working with numerous types of materials, and some of them were quite new to quilting.

It was a small class with plenty of time for one-on-one sessions, and an unusual amount of sewing machine troubles on the second day. I always claim not to be an expert on sewing machines, but on this particular day my fingers worked magic, solving problems all over the place. I may be forever remembered as the “Remove all the thread, change the needle and rethread the machine”-lady, but that’s ok, it’s good advice and works in 90% of the cases.)

The camera was left unused on my desk for most of the time, but here are some snapshots from the class.

 

(We audition a lot during class; fabrics, threads, placement, balance, quilting, everything)

 

 

 

(A free motion practise cloth is always a good idea)

 



(My one and only non-free motioned class sample, the "New Queen in town". I display all my funky gals on the walls, but some of them have to join us during class.)

Oh, the colours, the lovely, lovely colours.

Thank you, ladies, for your enthusiasm and persistence, and for inviting me over!

New Queen in town

Although I often free motion class samples (except the projects for the Layer upon layer classes), I typically will address other finishing options for those who are not comfortable with free motion quilting. Instead of only talking and sketching such suggestions, I am working on new non-free-motion quilted samples for different classes.

The “New Queen in town” is my last addition to the Funky Fowl samples. She is residing on our couch right now as her colours are very seasonally appropriate. A brand new Christmas Chick; well, why not.

This is my third pillow using Dorrit who still is my favourite of the Funky gals. Sorry about the colours, good natural light is not a given these days.

You can see the other two Dorrit pillows here and here.

Funky Fowl class in Kongsberg

Back home from my last trip, I have been spending a few lazy days recuperating from a rather hectic few months, doing absolutely nothing useful besides uploading pictures from the trip and unpacking my suitcases. It feels quite luxurious after the frenzy which is preparing for quilter’s weekends away and everything that goes with them.

Totally worth the time and effort, I’d say, as I got to spend another great weekend with a wonderful group of quilters, this time from Sølvtråden lappelag (The silver thread guild) in Kongsberg who had invited me to teach two classes last weekend.

First out was a Funky Fowl class on Saturday.

So many different colourful birds and personalities being hatched in one space.

Awesome!

Funky Fowl class in Molde

Saturday’s Funky Fowl class at Vestlandstreffet was filled with fabulous colours, fun ladies and funky birds.

 

There are never two birds that look alike.

Some even stitched out a whole love story. It was so cute.

The Funky Fowl class is very much about the students making the birds their own; using their own fabrics and making their own vision come to life. In the class of 9 students, we had beginner and seasoned quilters, fall colours and hot pinks, free motion-ers and straight line-rs. The birds come out with so much personality and people are smiling and enjoying themselves while working. I love teaching this class!

The almost-full-group shot was taken early as one student had to leave, but many of the projects were quilted by the end of the day.

We shared some good laughs as well; there are no grumpy ladies in Funky Fowl classes.

Funky Fowl at Sola Husflidslag

My funky gals and I spent a fun day teaching a Funky Fowl class at Sola Husflidslag this weekend. Sola Husflidslag is a local chapter of the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association.

It was a very nice group of quilters and the venue was adorned with samples of different crafts deserving their own post.

In these classes each student chooses two birds with which to work. We go through the different steps of appliqué and quilting, and the students may apply their birds to any project they’d prefer. Here are some of the birds in progress, aren’t they fun!

And of course we've got the mandatory group shot at the end of the day; I’m getting better at remembering taking them before the first student has to leave.

Thank you for your enthusiasm, ladies, and for having me!

Funky Fowl in Haugesund

Day two of my weekend in Haugesund a week and a half ago (previous post here) was all about Funky Fowl. I brought my samples and colour copies of the ones I have given away just to show a few colours variations. Compared to the scrappy glory from the previous day the display looked rather sparse.

But then a whole new generation of funky birds came to life and, again, the room was filled with colours and fun.

Here are some of the funky ladies in progress

 

 

 

and the fun ladies that created them.

Thank you, ladies, for another great day, and for reminding me how much I love these funky birds! By the way, I forgot to collect the one yard fabric penalty for leaving rotary cutters open...