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Friday, August 28, 2009

Ricky Tims Super Seminar -- WOW!





I recently volunteered at a Ricky Tims Super Seminar. At first I was a bit skeptical about going to this event, it's not cheap. It lasts two and a half days ~ or three very long days if you volunteer.

My skepticism started when I was told that there would be no sewing. This was going to be an affair
that was entirely spent sitting down, listening to or watching Ricky Tims, Libby Lehman, or Alex Anderson speak and sew. I am a pragmatist. If I'm going to spend that much money and time to attend an event, I really wanted something to show for my time, as in some sort of ... well, something that I created as a result. Evidently, I wasn't giving the added knowledge any kind of merit.

As a
volunteer, you are compensated with a certificate to spend at the Ricky Tims store and the opportunity to see all the work and effort that goes on behind the scenes to put on a seminar of this caliber. Any discount on the entrance fee is only the same one offered to all participants, if you sign up as a group you get a modest discount.

In order to make my decision, I polled everyone I could find that went to one of these seminars and they all said the same thing - GO!

So, I went. I also volunteered. I'm SO glad I did. The amount I learned from these three amazingly talented artists was beyond measure. Also, I found out so much about their personalities as well. They really are funny. Even Alex Anderson, had a constant smile and an easy laugh.
Libby Lehman and Ricky Tims both rolled their sleeves up and worked just as hard as all the rest of us at pulling things off the truck and getting them set up. And then again at the end of the show, in tearing down the set and putting everything away. Libby Lehman had her ankle wrapped from a recently recovered broken ankle, yet she was there first thing in the morning and nearly the last to leave. She is also an absolute riot! She is just so very funny!

Sadly, the seminar won't be coming again to our area for a very long time. But if I ever get the chance to take another class with Libby or Ricky I will RUN to be the first in line.

I did learn a lot from Alex Anderson, and she was very gracious and kind. But I'm not a hand quilter.

I'll post more about the conference, and some pictures of some AMAZING quilts.


Cheers,

Dionne

5 comments:

Jane Moxey said...

So glad you had a good time. Libby is amazing and a truly great teacher. I took a class with her at the Gig Harbor Quilt Festival and interviewed her for a couple of my PBS specials! Did you get to keep the apron???

wonderwoman said...

shame not being able to sew but looks like it was stilll very worth it!

x

Canarella said...

Im so glad the story turned out great I was reading going ok ok ok and the bad part should be coming any time now but NO great that you enjoyed yourself so much Im a big on on volunteer work...God Bless waitng for pictures....

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a wonderful opportunity Dionne. I'd love to see those three any way I could! blessings, marlene

Micki said...

I'd go to Ricky Tim's workshop if it was in Ireland. What a wonderful time you had!
Micki