Annie's European Adventure 2019

09/04/2019 5566 3 0

Annie's European Adventure 2019


For the past three weeks or so, Annie (and Jake, our videographer) had the opportunity to travel abroad in Europe to teach classes and meet with creatives.

Separately, Casey and Tanner also spent two weeks in Europe doing an inventory and setting up a new accounting system for our partner warehouse, ByAnnie.com Europe SL.

We wanted to share a bit of Annie's European adventure with everyone so we asked her and Jake a few questions and have included a number of exciting photographs (as well as this video) for you to look through and enjoy!

How many countries did you travel to? How many classes did you teach?

Annie: "We began our trip in The Netherlands where Annie taught two Running With Scissors classes to shopowners. We then traveled to Havixbeck, Germany where Annie presented a trunk show at Stoffsalat and Jake filmed videos in German with Grete. Then it was on to northern Germany where Annie taught Bowl Me Over 2.0 and presented a trunk show at Niemann's Land.

From Germany we drove to Sweden (traveling through Denmark) where Annie presented a trunk show and taught Bowl Me Over 2.0 and Pocket Packers at Quilt Passion. Finally, we drove to Norway for Quilt Camp Norway where Annie taught Catch All Caddy 2.0, Bowl Me Over 2.0, Back At Ya 2.1/Got Your Back 2.1, and Take A Stand."

Note: Catch All Caddy 2.0, Bowl Me Over 2.0, Back At Ya 2.1 and Got Your Back 2 will all be officially released in the USA in October 2019.

Did you have any culture shock moments?

Annie: "Northern Europeans don't seem to use ice and water isn't automatically provided in restaurants.

It was strange to have to purchase bottled water -- still (tap water) or gassed (sparkling) -- wherever we ate. And to have to ask for ice for drinks.

Additionally, It was unusual to have to pay to use public restrooms in gas stations in some places."

What foreign dishes stood out?

Annie: "We loved the Northern European breakfasts -- yummy breads, delicious meats and cheeses, and flavorful jams. Everywhere we went, we found fantastic coffee machines to make lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

Each country had its unique flavors -- stroopwafels in The Netherlands, wursts with curry ketchup in Germany, braised cabbage and amazing fika (desserts) in Sweden, meatballs and raw fish in Norway."

Did you learn any new techniques while traveling?

Annie: "Anna-Malin, who teaches bag classes at Kathrine's Quilte Stue in Oslo, Norway, taught me a new way to install zippers with a fun bound edge on the outside. I can't wait to play more with that! And Annelie at Quilt Passion in Tagarp, Sweden, shared some tips for using mini Wonder Clips. I have some but rarely use them, so it was fun to learn how she uses them."

What bag did you use the most as you lived out of a suitcase?

Annie: "I carried a Round Trip Duffle and several Easy Does It bags on this trip. The Round Trip Duffle was perfect for carrying my computer, an extra change of clothes, and an Easy Does It filled with cords, converters, and chargers. I also really appreciated my Glo and Go set with makeup and toiletries. We tried to leave the big suitcases in the car and just take a small bag in as we were moving place to place so frequently."

What was the biggest difference you noticed between life in EU and Utah?

Annie: "As we traveled throughout Europe, I was impressed by how active and fit everyone was. I have never seen so many bicycles! In The Netherlands, cyclists definitely had the right-of-way. Cars moved over and stopped.

I was impressed by how well everyone spoke English -- in every single country that we visited -- and was doubly impressed to hear how many languages most people spoke. I felt very inadequate knowing that I can speak just one language. I am fortunate that it is one that makes travel easy as I travel abroad."


What places stood out to you?

Jake: "In Norway -- the Veigland Park. Netherlands - Amsterdam for me! Tanner and I walked 12 miles I think and saw just about every street at least three times. In Sweden -- we didn’t do any sightseeing here but the rolling hills and farmland were beautiful. And in Germany -- The castle right near the house was massive and really cool to see. I went to a really cool bar there but don’t have pictures of it!"

Did you see any famous architecture or art?

Annie: "While in Norway, we visited the Vigeland Sculpture Garden. Seeing so much expression in the faces and bodies of the stone sculptures was breathtaking."

Did you use public transit?

Annie: "We parked our car at a museum and then took a ferry (not public) to get to a restaurant across the water in Norway. We were surprised how much LONGER it took when we took a taxi back to the car after dinner. The ferry saved lots of miles -- and gave us great views, too!"

(Quilt Camp Norway)


What was your favorite part of the journey?

Annie: "It was a special treat to be part of Quilt Camp Norway which was organized by Kathrine's Quilte Stue in Oslo, Norway.

Full days of classes, morning and evening lectures, and help in the vendor mall meant really long days but also gave us the opportunity to meet almost 600 happy campers who lived all around Europe.

Having time to sit down and visit with all the other teachers and to get to know them better was an added bonus.

Kathrine also organized sightseeing adventures for us before and after Quilt Camp, which gave us the opportunity to see glass blowers, Viking ships, ski jumps, and more."



('Quilt Zone' image - teachers pictured left to right)


What did you miss the most while you were gone?

Annie: "I missed my grandsons, especially when my kids sent pictures of them. They are both at such fun ages now and growing so fast. I'd love to take the whole family to Europe on the next trip. It would be fun to share the experience with them."


What do you miss now that you're home?

Annie: "I miss having the opportunity to meet so many dedicated ByAnnie customers and see their beautiful projects! It's always good to get out and see what people are making using our patterns and products."

Any plans to go back?

Annie: "Absolutely! We're already talking about visiting again, perhaps in 2021. We made so many new friends and can't wait to visit again."

Annie: "In conclusion, I treasured the kindness and friendliness of everyone we met. It was such a pleasure to meet customers who live in so many countries and to share the ByAnnie love.

I enjoyed observing that quilters are the same no matter where I go: we all love buying fabric and learning new techniques, and, whether we pronounce our task suing/sooing (as it is written!) or sowing (as we Americans have somehow decided is "right"), we sew for pleasure and the joy of creating something fun/beautiful/useful.

I was especially tickled to see that, like me, students especially enjoyed these two words in ByAnnie patterns: "set aside". Ha!"

Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, Annie, we can't wait to see where you'll 'sew' next!

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