Joe and I visited Utah this past week as the guests of the Utah State Quilt Guild. It was for their 2015 Show and “Quilt Camp”. What a fun, energetic and talented group. For more information on the state guild visit http://www.utahquiltguild.org.
It was our first trip to Utah, but we are definitely returning. What a great area, great weather, great quilters, great people, great food and great sites!
We arrived a few days early to site see. Here are a few photos of what we saw:
On our drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon, a stand of aspens
From atop the mountain, aspens in glow,
The falls at the entrance to Ogden Canyon
then through Ogden Canyon on a road to Paradise …
On Sunday morning, Joe and I took a walk through downtown Salt Lake City. We walked past the Church of Latter Day Saints’ headquarters, conference center, Temple and gardens. Beautiful! We then walked up the hill to Utah’s Capitol Building. Upon returning to Temple Square, we took this photo.
A gentleman driving by stopped us and suggested we hurry to the Tabernacle (the round building as he called it) to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We were dressed in our gym clothes and said we did not think our attire was appropriate. Most couples we had seen were wearing standard “Sunday best” outfits (suits and dresses). The driver said,”God doesn’t care.” So, we went to the Tabernacle where the brothers and sisters of the LDS invited us in to hear the most moving performance we have ever witnessed.
The choir’s performance brought me to tears. If you ever visit Salt Lake City make certain on Sunday morning you arrive at the Tabernacle before 9:15 AM so you can get a seat to hear the angels sing.
While in the area, we spent time with my favorite and best quilter of all time: Renae Haddadin. We visited her shop: Quilts on the Corner in Sandy, UT. To read more about Renae visit http://www.quiltsonthecorner.com
Then, she and her wonderful husband, Muhannud, were vendors at the show! We saw each other all week. I love Renae and her husband and our short visit will be longer next time.
Here are a few of the wonderful quilters we met at “Quilt Camp.” Kimberly, the lovely lady in green in the front row attended high school in Fairless Hills, PA with my husband, Joe. Small world. The beautiful lady in blue behind Kimberly and to the left, Nina Cooke, was a member of the Tabernacle Choir for twenty years!! Such wonderful and friendly students.
The Quilt Show was spectacular!
“Gentlemen’s Fancy”, a quilt adapted from an original pattern of David Taylor’s http://www.davidtaylorquilts.com., was designed, appliqued and exquisitely quilted by Shirley L. Olsen of Orem Utah. The quilt won first place in the applique category and I also awarded it my teacher’s choice. As it turned out, Shirley had volunteered to be my “angel” during my stay in Utah. Not only was she a great hostess, she is a great quilter.
“Ronda’s Dragonflies” was designed, appliqued and quilted by Carol K. Armstrong of Logan, Utah. I love Carol’s designs and this piece won second place in hand applique. Carol named the quilt in memory of her dear friend who had recently passed.
“Rainbow Garden” was a collaboration of piecer Cindy Haag of Orem, UT and quilter LaRessa Baldwin. It was a second place winner and the embroidery on the quilt was fantastic!
“La Petite Chif O’e Voure” designed and quilted by Helen Butler of Alpine, UT won first place in the miniature category. Fabulous!
Ilene H. King of Centerville, Utah had emailed me prior to my trip to Utah. She asked if she could stop by during my lunch break on Saturday to show me the blocks she had completed from my book “Magical Medallions”. Here is Ilene and the blocks she finished. Great job Ilene!!
As it turned out, when she arrived at the show on Saturday, Ilene discovered her quilt “Nature’s Spendor” had won Best of Show! The quilt blocks were taken from Margaret Dougherty’s book “Little Brown Bird” and Ilene designed her own lay-out and her own borders. Wow!!
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MORE STUDENT’S WORK
Diane Kirk emailed me this photo of her finished “Ocean Sunrise” quilt top. I love the gray shades Diane used and I really like the layout she choose. Thanks for sharing Diane.
Until next week……… I’m off to Canada…….