Any big event happens exactly the same way. The invitations go out weeks or like us
months in advance - the rsvp's arrive - and you wait. In our case we had a long
wait, and then like every other big event in our life it is suddenly upon you and then
you blink and it is over. The week before Kaffe and Brandon arrived a new shipment
of Kaffe and friends arrived on the kitchen door. Everyone must have wondered what was
going on in the kitchen as the boxes were unkpacked to oooooh I love this and aaaaah I have
to have that. We tried to move them into the "Kaffe room " as we stressed to all that entry
was at their own risk. With classes only a few days away we set to cutting fabrics, finalising
kits and organising last minute details. I have taken a class with Kaffe and spoke with him
during our recent trip to Houston where we chatted about his upcoming visit to Toowoomba.
He was excited by the fact that we were doing two one day classes especially as several ladies
were taking part in both classes. A challenge that he was looking forward to. Was I
nervous? You bet!
Majella and I worked frantically all morning the day of the classes transferring the
fabrics and supplies, setting up the design walls in a pleasing manner. When all was done,
the only thing left to do was wait. And boy oh boy it was worth the wait. We had an
absolutely wonderful weekend that will be very hard to forget for a long time. We booked
the boys into the historical Vacy Hall for their three night stay with us. They fell in love
with the old world charm of the building. If you are ever in Toowoomba and want to stay
somewhere romantic and dusted in age then this is a must in your travels.
Taking a class with Kaffe is like stepping onto a rollercoaster of colour. Buckle up and
get ready for the ride. He inspired the women in the workshop to enjoy colour and design
by using both rich and soft palettes along with the use of large prints. He influences and shapes
quilters around the world and is considered by many as the guru of colour. I am sure that
all the class participants would agree. It was such an honour for Majella and I to learn more
about Kaffe including his earlier life from the time his parents started the famous Nepenthe
restuarant in California to his days as a struggling artist in London, which he now
calls home. He does everything by hand - including knitting, sewing, designing and
colouring his fabrics. He doesn't drive, use a computer or have a mobile phone. Sounds quite
nice........
In his critique of the quilts at the end of each day he was generous and his words were filled
with encouragement for the ladies to keep working on their quilts when they got home to
their studios. At this comment there were lots of "studio, what studio" If only say the ladies
and this is when we discover that Kaffe's home in London consists of three levels - the top level
being a studio for him and Brandon. Wouldn't it be nice, every quilters dream. If only we
could all convince the dh (darling husbands) at home that we need one of those.
Helen (pictured above) and her daughter Terryanne drove over 14 hours from central Queensland to spend the two days with Kaffe. Brandon couldn't believe that they had come so far - almost as far as them he said. All the quilts from Saturday's class were stunning - I wish I could show them all.
Bernice and Chris made another wonderful lunch to fill us up and keep us quiet - just for a few minutes anyway.
Kaffe was humbled by the graciousness of the ladies in our classes, letting us know how
thankful they were with the advice and help offered to them by both Kaffe and Brandon.
They were thrilled whenKaffe offered to take them shopping happily going in search to find
the perfect piece of fabric to help their quilt sing. The ladies enjoyed the banter between the
boys over the two days laughing off the contradicitons they had about fabric choices at times,
Kaffe says put it in, Brandon says take it out or vice versa.
This beautiful quilt belongs to our zanny Izabella, one of three wonderful nurses that came for the weekend. Fortunately for us their services were not required which was just as well because I don't think anything would have dragged them away from their quilts.
We look forward to their next visit to Toowoomba whenever that may be in the future. If you
have the opportunity to participate in either a class or lecture grab it with both hands. You
won't regret it. Although if you ask Lorna she hasn't been out of her pj's for the last few days,
she hasn't done any housework because she has been too intoxicated by her quilt and
cannot leave it alone. Don't we all wish we could be like her, although her dh may feel
differently.
Stay tuned for more happy snaps and Bordered Diamonds from Sunday............see you then Lisa
