Bryce Retreat

I am here in beautiful Bryce Canyon City at a quilt retreat. This is a working retreat for me. I will be teaching two classes and doing a Texture Magic Trunk Show for the group.

This is a winter retreat that has been held for the last 17 years at Ruby's Inn near Bryce National Park in Utah.

Out of all the National Parks I've been to, Bryce is my favorite. The stunning beauty of the etched red rock formations take my breath away.

Because it's winter, I won't be hiking the trails. But we live close enough, that I will be back soon.

The Winter Retreat is the creation of Bonnie Miles, who by the way, does all of the work herself.

The Syrett family originally settled in Bryce in 1916, and the decedents of Ruby have run the Inn ever since.

Bonnie can take up to 250 participants, and every year there is a long waiting list of those who try to get in.

There are a wide variety of classes taught by local talent, and several vendors line the main conference room. When the registration first opens up, I know of some ladies who spend $17 to overnight their forms in order to get the classes they want.

Last night was "Meet The Teacher" and Show and Tell. We were asked to bring quilts that were made from previously taught classes.

This Diamond quilt made with Kaffe Fassett fabrics was from a class Bonnie taught last year.

Last year I taught a "Fun & Done" class (and I'm teaching it again this year). One of the students liked the technique so much she went home and put her own blocks together in this quilt. Beautiful!

One of the vendors gave Bonnie an apron last night. They wanted to make sure everyone knows who is in charge!

Bonnie does a wonderful job of keeping track of all of us, and making sure things run smoothly.

Bonnie was raised in this area and she and her husband just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.