I just returned home this afternoon from an incredibly amazing and inspiring quilt retreat in the mountains at the Utah County Modern Quilt Group retreat–Quilt Bliss! The event was held at the spectacular Timber Moose Lodge near Heber City, Utah. The lodge is over 26,000 square feet, sleeps 60, and is the largest private log cabin in the United States.
We arrived on a snowy afternoon (I must thank my roommate and friend Jodi, for her patience and for telling me exactly what to do to drive in the snow). The entrance to the lodge is grand and spectacular; however, it pales in comparison to what you find inside! (There are some terrific pictures of the lodge if you follow the link above to the lodge web-site–but come back here to read about the amazing weekend).
We had spectacular views from all sides of the cabin. There is no better way to spend a few days than being in a winter wonderland with your sewing machine, lots of fabric, and wonderful creative friends old and new.
We were able to take classes, attend trunk shows and lectures, and sew to our heart’s content. I was inspired by Sarah Jane’s lecture on creativity and fabric design.
And I was motivated to start sewing with all of my scraps after taking Amy Smart’s string block and scraps class. There were also several other trunk shows and classes by some amazing women. Quilt eye-candy and inspiration were everywhere! One of my favorite things, though, was just to talk with good friends about the art of quilting and how we as modern women make time for our passion for this past-time in our busy lives.
I was also able to give a trunk show and talk to share some of my quilts and my journey in quilting. I am so grateful to have been invited to speak!
On the top floor of the cabin was a large room with beautiful windows and mountain views. We were able to sew and visit up in this spacious room all hours of the day and night! I so appreciated being to visit with long-time friends and new friends while sewing.
If you ever get a chance to attend this retreat, just go…make whatever plans you need to!
While I was there I had to make my next mini quilt…Camille’s mini-dwell. I’ll show another photo as soon as I get it bound.
I also worked on what I think is one of my oldest works in progress…a braid quilt using 1 ½″ Fig Tree fabrics. This one should be finished up soon, too!
And, I continued working on my string blocks…I really am going to have a string quilt one of these days!
Thanks so very much for stopping by. I’ll get the Schnibbles parade up sometime tomorrow afternoon if you’ve been patiently waiting for that! Happy sewing!
Heather says
It sounds like you had a great weekend. Attending a retreat is definitely one of the things I'd love to do.
Jeanna says
A beautiful location for a quilt retreat. You made some nice progress on your projects. Love the mini-dwell piece. It will be adorable when you finish it.
Kristen King says
What a beautiful place to sew…and what beautiful things you worked on. 🙂
Nedra says
What a fun time! So glad you were able to go with Jodi, too. Look at all that Utah snow!
Missy Shay says
You got a lot accomplished, I just finished my first string quilt, it was fun!
grammajudyb says
What a beautiful place for a retreat! Thanks for sharing all the photos. Looks like it was loads of fun!
Cardygirl says
Looks like an amazing place to stitch!
Kim says
Looks like a wonderful weekend.
Fran says
What a fabulous weekend, it looks wonderful. I love all those projects you are working on, each one is in my to do list…. Are those braid quilts hard? Your strips are so thin, I would worry about warping the fabric – which I did recently trying a more straightforward ladder with narrow strips!
Thimbleanna says
Wow — it sounds perfect! The pictures I've seen of the lodge look amazing. And the mountains and the snow — my idea of Heaven!!!
Diane says
Your string quilt is going to be lovely! I love the colors, the bit of navy is perfect!
tamidug says
It was so nice to meet you at Quilt Bliss and see your trunk show and here your story. You are an amazing quiltmaker and your photos of the retreat really captured the feeling of the retreat. You inspire me!!
Tami
Helen L says
How fun!! Thanks for sharing with us!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
pandchintz says
That looks like quilters' heaven! Bliss!!
Michelle Jensen says
The pics are great to check out. It looks like a wonderful place to have a retreat!! I bet you had a blast sewing all weekend 🙂
KMSC says
What a wonderful retreat with some great guest speakers! I wish I lived closer. Also, congratulations on having a cover quilt on the latest issue of APQ. Well Done!
Stephanie says
What a beautiful lodge — love the name too. I can think of nothing better than gathering with quilters/friends to sew, feast, and have fun.
Michele says
Wow! That all sounds fantastic and the setting couldn't be more beautiful. I just wish it wasn't so far from me.
Paula Hughes says
It looks so beautiful! and fun!!! Maybe next year:) Thanks for letting us have a peek!
Sarah says
What a beautiful setting for a retreat. So many bloggers I follow seem to have gone. It looks like a lot of fun. Your string blocks look great. I love your inclusion of navy in them.