Fibermania

Wine Talk

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Last night I gave a lecture for the West Suburban Quilt Guild in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa at Mount Mary College and Dave came with as my driver, dinner companion, audience member and later, critic. ( I got rave reviews, expecially since he was included in the slides). Their guild show was yesterday and today and I was the featured speaker to be followed by a wine and cheese reception.

I have never encountered such a fabulous idea at a quilt guild. Sure I have been to guild banquets where dinner included a carafe of cloyingly sweet wine at the table (guaranteed to limit consumption) but this guild had several jugs of varietals and a lot of Cheese, Grommit!

Since my lecture was not preceded by a business meeting, I saw fit to step to the microphone early and invite the assembled women to grab a glass before my talk, which would surely enhance their enjoyment and VROOOM up they lined!

About ten minutes later everyone had a glass in hand and had returned to their seats. I began my slides and had prepared several raucous lines, ready to deliver. It was amazing how much more amusing one can seem when the crowd is lubricated.

After the talk, I entertained questions and then invited the audience up to have a closer look at the small quilts, fabric and patterns. It was a feeding frenzy! I love this part.

However...

In their enthusiasm one person managed to knock over the podium (I kid you not) sending my laptop crashing to the floor. Bits of laptop broke off and came loose and I went white.

Not a good look.

Nevertheless, karma is on my side and I am writing to you on the very same laptop, so all is well. Phew! That was a close one.

I usually don't agree to do just a lecture, but I had just been up in the area last month at the state quilt guild meeting so many of the audience had already taken a workshop and sat through a previous lecture. Because of that I devised an alternate program, so now I have two that work. And I sold this quilt, Sprout, which also makes me very happy. ( I don't have a picture of the quilted version, but it is lovingly quilted.) To celebrate, I am having a day off today, which I so richly deserve.