I’ve just returned from
a wonderful week of teaching at The Kathy Dunigan Academy of Appliqué in Rockwall, Texas. This was the inaugural event and a "passing of the torch" from Elly Sienkiewicz to Kathy Dunigan. Those of us who were regular attendees at The Elly Sienkiewicz Appliqué Academy were saddened when the academy closed after the 2014 conference. But Kathy Dunigan and her mother, Joanne Hudgins were brave enough to jump in and start their very own conference with Texas style.
Well, let me tell you, the experience was simply the best. TKDAA had a relaxed and happy atmosphere. The array of classes showed thoughtful planning and a desire to broaden the offerings to include art quilting and unique methods. The Hilton in Rockwall, Texas was the ideal facility for the event: great rooms, good food, happy hour. Did I mention that it was super fun?
I was honored to teach two classes: a one day class on Wednesday and a main conference class on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. My one day class was "Tulip Mania" and students learned how to do prepared edge appliqué while making a leaf, a tulip, a thistle, and a padded silk rose with 16 (yikes!) petals. It was a lot to pack into a one day class but we did it.
Here they are, at the end of the day, a little tired, but happy.
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| Being a little silly. |
The main conference class was entitled "Bee Happy" and the students lived up to the name. What a wonderful bunch of women! The class was large with 26 students but we all got on as if we were old friends. Our goals for the class were to completely prepare and begin to stitch one quadrant of the wreath and the center motif including the beehive, the bees and some embellishments.
By the end of the class, our bees were buzzing! Here are my wonderful students:
And another, just for fun:
I managed to talk them into being the first ever kazoo group at TKDAA. Kathy Kelly was the band leader. We practiced and practiced and drove the classrooms next to us a little crazy. At the farewell dinner, we played "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and dedicated our performance to Kathy Dunigan and Joanne.
My friend, Barbara Carper, has been my class helper for the last four years and this year was no different. She was simply an angel and I couldn't have done it without her. Thanks, Barbara! You're the best!
So now I'm resting up and clearing the decks for some sewing time which I haven't had in quite a while. Thanks, Ladies, for being such terrific students!
You made TKDAA 2015 one of the best times ever!
