My European Trip by Irene Blanck

I was very fortunate to be invited by Quiltmania to Nantes for the launch of my book Focus on Applique.  While I was there I decided to do some workshops in Holland and Norway.

I travelled with my friend Sylvia and we arrived in Nantes at 9pm after travelling for 36 hours!  I had to report the next morning at 9am.  I thought, being an “author” I would be picked up (I was hoping for a limousine) but unfortunately I had to walk to the tram stop and catch a tram!   I got all the details from the hotel, walked to tramstop, saw the No. 1 tram and ran to catch it and jumped on – only to realise that there were two No. 1 trams and I was on the wrong one.  It rook me over 30 minutes of walking, asking for directions and being sent to the wrong place, to eventually find the venue.  And what a beautiful venue – and my “house” was just awesome – a very emotional time for me.

I wish I’d slotted in some sightseeing time.  I enjoyed being at the show every day but didn’t have any time to have a look around – but there’s always next year.

Next stop was Holland teaching at two shops – Aztec Rose Crea and De Frottende Freule.

At Aztec Rose I had a two day workshop of Auntie Green’s Garden and a one day of Message in a bottle.

I only had one day off here because it was Kings Day and everything was closed – so I did get a chance to have a look around – thanks Karen and Henk.

I left at the end of my second day and went on to my next stop teaching a one day class using one block of Mosaics at De Frottende Freule.

Soon after that class after a quick goodbye to students, Inge and Danielle, I was driven to Schiphol airport for my flight to Trondheim where I was invited by Siw of Quiltegarden to do a couple of workshops.  I spent three days here, the first day doing a trunk show at night, the second day teaching a block from Botanika and the third day doing clamshells.  I also got to hang out with my favourite “roomie” Randi who lives in Norway.

For a fuller version of my trip check out my blog here.

Irene