Last week I got to spend a couple of days at the Bryce Canyon Quilt Retreat at Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon, Utah. The gorgeous scenery of Bryce Canyon National Park is just around the corner from the lodge where the retreat was held. There were over 240 participants with lots of classes, trunk shows, vendors, and quilting fun!
Of course one highlight of the conference for me was the opportunity to meet the amazing Nanette of Freda’s Hive fame (I also got to meet Mr. Hive and Nanette’s wonderful daughter Shelbie)! I was able to take Nanette’s “All Dressed Up” class, visit with her, and attend her trunk show! Talking quilts (and life) with Nanette was a great blessing for me…her work is exquisite, and her creativity is inspiring! I learned Nanette’s freezer paper applique’ technique in class and became slightly addicted to making little dresses! Nanette’s presentation Friday night was absolutely wonderful…you know how it is when you have the opportunity to listen to a wonderful speaker and artist and you just try to soak it all in…that’s how it was…I just wish I had taken more notes!
Here is a photo of Dawn, Nanette, and me…it was at the end of a very long day…we all joked that we should have taken the picture the next morning after we’d had a bit of rest.
Here are some pictures of Nanette’s quilts. I apologize for the quality of the photos…just before taking the pictures I accidentally changed a setting on my daughter’s camera…and everything turned out quite dark…you cannot even imagine how gorgeous these quilts are in person!!! Nedra is another blogger who I was priviledged to meet at the retreat, and she has some great pictures of some of these quilts and others on her blog.
Even Nanette’s scrap quilts were works of art…as each quilt was shown the entire room “oohed” and “aahed.”
Not only did Nanette give a wonderful presentation, but she also had a wonderful handout for each participant…and each participant received a 6-inch charm square of vintage fabric from her stash! After the presentation I was able to sit down and browse through Nanette’s wonderful collection of Japanese quilt books…that was a real treat as well!
Dawn and I received an extra special treat from Nanette…we popped in on her “In the Leafy Treetops” class Friday morning in order to purchase small kits to make wallhangings. Later in the afternoon she presented us with a large bag of ric rac and blue and green fabrics to share…enough to make two complete quilts! We had a wonderful time looking at each and every fabric; in the photo above is my share of her gift (many more fabrics are behind each piece in the picture)!
I finished five of the dresses for my quilt while up at the retreat; I purchased a kit of dress fabrics from Nanette and used fabrics from my stash to “snowball” the blocks. I can’t wait to make more…I’ve got three more pinned and ready to stitch! These dress blocks are very meaningful to me because I have never felt like I made enough dresses for my daughters. When my girls were young I did a lot of sewing for wedding parties in order to help with our household finances, so I rarely sewed dresses for my girls; I plan on making my blocks into two wallhangings that I can someday give them. I do have more to share from the retreat, but I’ll save it for another post!
Terriaw says
That looks like such a fantastic retreat! I think I would have exhausted myself too, soaking up everything, but loving every minute. What a treat that you even got to bring back goodies, along with those adorable dress blocks.
Carrie P. says
I am jealous! I am so glad you had a great time and got to meet the famous Nanette. Your little dresses are so cute. I know you are going to have fun picking out the fabric for each dress.
Sew Many Ways... says
Hi Sherri,
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Such great pictures. I feel the same way you do about you sewing dresses for your daughters. I’ve made so many quilts for other people and to sell, but I haven’t made a quilt for each of our girls. I’ve made lots for the family to use for snuggling on the couch, but it’s next on my list to make them each one.
~Karen~
Freda's Hive says
We had fun didn’t we. Thank you so much for your sweet words. They mean so much to me. Being with you, Dawn and Nedra was the highlight of my time at Ruby’s. I can’t wait to do it again. Shelbie and Dave kept saying how fun it was to get to see my blog friends. They know how much it meant to me to have you there. I can’t say enough about your support. You and Dawn are my cheerleaders and it was so fun to be together for a couple days. I could go on and on. Really. Thank you so much for being there for me and for the sweet kind words here.
Anna M. says
Wow! Sounds like you had a wonderful time at your retreat – I’m so happy for you that you got to experience such great things! BTW, your dress blocks look lovely! =)
Chocolate Cat says
Looks like it was so much fun and those quilts quite spectacular. I love those little dresses!
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
Oh , I can tell by the smile on you face what a wonderful time you had. If I had know about the retreat, I would have been there in a mniute. How wonderful for you to meet our dear sweet nanette. I am so happy for you and you blocks are just wonderful, love your color choices. i have her pattern, and after seeing yours I cannot wait to start.
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Hi Sherri, boy it looks like you all had a wonderful time. Who needs to sleep when your having fun. Beautiful work.
Keep Stitchen’
Bonnie
Threeundertwo says
What fun! It’s so inspiring to see such beautiful quilts in person.
Looks like a beautiful setting for a retreat too! Hope you got to see some of it.
Nedra says
Great post! I’m ready to go back to Bryce already, aren’t you? Tonight my girlfriend Judi and I started working on our “Nanette purses”. So fun! Next is In the Leafy Treetops and the Dresses. Your dresses are turning out so cute!
Mel says
Sherri I love everything!! Thanks for taking your camera and posting your fun time!!
I love Nanette, she is always surprising people with treats!!
Glad you had a fun time!
Mary Ann says
Sure sounds like a great time!
Bryce Canyon NP is on our list of future places to visit! Thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures! I absolutely love those dress blocks…so cute!!!
All the best!
Mary Ann
Carol says
What an incredible retreat…looks like great classes and amazing show and tell.
Stephanie says
Bryce Canyon looks gorgeous. It sure sounds like everyone had lots of fun. I’ve done a couple of quilt weekends and it’s always more fun to go with a good friend.
Linda says
How fun, and the pictures are still beautiful. I’m really enjoying your blog!
Blessings from Kindlelight Blessings,
Linda
jacquie says
i’m so jealous…what a wonderful opportunity to meet and to learn from nanette. wow!
Linda says
Lovely dress blocks and how sweet that you were able to spend time and pick Nanette’s brain.
Stina says
Oh…someone have had a wonderful time… ahhh retreats are so much fun!!! Thanks for showing some from it…and I love your dresses!!!:o)
Kaaren says
How inspiring. everything is a sight to behold. I’ve been on many painting retreats but not a quilt one…yet. Although tiring, weekends like you just had are beyond enjoyable. I’m a bit envious. (wink) Oh to live a bit closer.
Dawn says
Hello My Friend!! It was a blast!!TTYL
another amy says
That retreat looks like SO much fun. I love the pictures of Nanette’s quilts. I also love your dresses blocks. SO CUTE. I need to do that one someday.
comfortstitching says
I love your dresses quilt. Can’t wait to see what it looks like finished.
QuiltedSimple says
looks like a wonderful weekend! And what great quilts and fabric.
Kris
Sheri Howard says
I have always wanted to go on a retreat, sounds like you had a lot of fun! Beautiful projects! Thanks for sharing!
Red Geranium Cottage says
Lucky you!!! That looked like a great time at a beautiful place. Nanette’s quilt’s are wonderful.
Sandi says
The retreat looked fabulous, Sherri. What fun you must have had. Nanette’s quilts are amazing.
Kritta22 says
I’m so jealous you got to meet Nanette. She is like a superstar in my book!
Your dresses are so cute! I need to buy that pattern! Thanks for sharing!
Jamie and Sherrie says
Looks like you had a blast!!!!! Thank you so much for helping make my daughters Valentines gifts!!!!! I did a little and you made it all possible!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent with me!!!!
Lauren says
Very cool! And I love Bryce Canyon. What a neat event!!