Quilty Friends are the Best Friends -- and Retreats are the Place to Meet!
This week, I'm back at the Quilty Friends Retreat. It's always a pleasure to be a vendor at this annual quilting event at Ruby's Inn, Bryce Canyon (rough job, but somebody's gotta do it -- wink, wink). Classes, trunk shows, food, food and more food... but my favorite part is spending time with quilty friends (I suppose that's why it holds that title). Retreats really are the best place to meet fellow quilters. There's a bond the moment you say hello and then you sit down and sew and just like that --you're BFFs. My soul has truly been fed with needle and thread this week, together with Quilty Friends, old and new. Just look at all these happy quilters! Let me introduce you to a few of them...
The Loose Threads and One Empty Spool. No, they're not a band. They're a talented group of friends who have been stitching together for years. Would you be surprised to hear they met at a retreat in Aspen Grove? They especially love wool applique, except for one of them (she's the empty spool). We were fortunate to enjoy a trunk show where they shared their wonderful works of art at the retreat. As they introduced themselves they mentioned how they've laughed and cried together and supported each other through the good and bad times. True sisterhood through stitching. They're familiar friends of Corn Wagon and so I already knew they were the cream of the crop, but seeing their stunning quilts one after the other was awe-inspiring. I mean, WOW! From left, Wendy Liddle, Kristen Webb, Saundra Cindrich, Patsy Wall, Karen Shepherd, Linda Rees and Sharon Wintch shared a collection of quilts most of us only dream of. It was fun to see a few of their projects they had finished came from the Corn Wagon! I so admire these great women.
Utah Quilt Shops Represent! Corn Wagon is not alone at this retreat. In fact we're the new kids here. Four more fantastic shops along with local designers and artisans support all the Quilty Friends at the retreat each year. Together we share the latest in fabric and quilting goods, each shop with it's own flavor. It's awesome to be a part of a community where the shops cheer each other on and work together to promote the art of quilting as small businesses. Clockwise from top left, Amy Taufer and Randi Deem for The Stitching Room - Richfield, me and the hubs for Corn Wagon, the Preston's of Cherry Tree Cottage - Spanish Fork, Kim McAllister of Stitching It Up - Cedar City, and The Morganson's of Stitches and Sew Forth - Payson.
Quilty friendships are often life changing in the best way. I look forward to time with my friend Jerry every time we're at the retreat (she's been attending for 30 years now -- I'm on my 3rd). Oh, the life this gal has lived! She's flown planes, sailed boats, run businesses, lived on the coast and in the mountain tops. Would you believe John Wayne used to be her neighbor? Lucky for me, she's also a quilter and that brought us together in a way that has absolutely changed my perspective on life. I want to be like Jerry when I grow up.
Who are your best quilty friends? In what ways has your life changed because of your quilty connections? If you're looking for an inspiring group of sewists to spend sometime with, retreats are the place to meet!
VENDOR STALLS AVAILABLE
S.A.B.L.E. stands for Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy. It's real. We know from experience and we want to help you out! June 1, 2024 we are hosting another S.A.B.L.E. SALE in our parking lot! Rent a parking stall for $25 and set up shop 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. with fabric, patterns, kits, notions - - anything quilting related that you're willing to part with. You set your own prices and manage your own transactions for your own de-stash sale! You can even get a group of friends who are also affected by S.A.B.L.E. syndrome and share a space! We'll get the word out! You bring the goods!
Pam Buda's new BOM celebrates the lasting appeal of the Sampler style quilt, with her new collection of the same name, PIECEMAKER'S SAMPLER for Marcus Fabrics. The rich color palette is as varied as the blocks they create...
Pam explains, "We may not all be quilters but we are all Piecemakers. There are thousands of blocks, and variations, and through our quilting life, we all have our favorites. Piecing blocks is like putting a puzzle together, and conquering blocks we deem challenging is a thrill. That's how we grow creatively. This quilt, with its gorgeous slate blue print background, has a myriad of sampler blocks to put together. They shine like jewels against the blue background. Perhaps a few blocks will soon become your new favorites? If you're a Piecemaker, this quilt is for you!"
During this 12-month program, you will receive the pattern and fabrics necessary to complete the quilt top, including border and binding. The program will begin in April 2024.
Non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 includes the pattern.
Monthly kit fee $28.99 per month for 12 months beginning April 2024
The pattern for this project is only available through the block of the month program.
Finished quilt measures 86” x 95”.
There is not a class associated with this block-of-the-month.
Upcoming Sales & Events
Saturday Sampler Tomorrow!
We're back on track for Saturday Sampler this month (hooray)! Kit pickup begins tomorrow, Saturday, March 9th. Kits will be free this month to all registered for the program. We will resume our regular schedule and rules in April so get those blocks finished up for next month. See you soon!
Magic Word Monday
This Monday's Magic Word is "FRIENDS." Enter the magic word as a coupon code online 03/11/24 to receive FREE SHIPPING! Local customers can repeat the Magic Word at the register on Magic Word Monday and show that you follow us on social media for 20% off one regular price item of your choice! Some exclusions may apply. Cannot be combined with other offers. We will not hold items or pre-cut yardage for this special offer.
Handwork Club
Every Tuesday, 10:00am - Noon
This delightful weekly club is for anyone who would like to work on a hand stitching project while learning new hand stitching skills. It's a great chance to finish our own projects and relax with a fun gathering of sewing friends. No fee to attend. Simply come and join us!
Wrong Price Wednesday!
Every Wednesday our pre-cut fat quarters are only $3.00! Regular Price $3.75.
Time Out at the Wagon (Open Sew)
Every Wednesday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Put yourself in Time Out at the Wagon in our School House located directly behind the quilt shop! At times we all need time out from housework, phone calls, and everyday responsibilities. Bring your current sewing project to “Time Out at the Wagon” and do just that. Marsha is looking forward to being in Time Out and hopes lots of you will join her.
Thank you for supporting your local brick-and-mortar quilt shop!
We feel honored to be part of such a wonderful quilt-making community.
We hope you'll visit us again soon,
Jen and the Girls
at Corn Wagon Quilt Co.
We would love to hear from you!
801-491-3551
cornwagonquilts.com