Work and Play
Work and play was the theme for last week. Not much different from each day, right? However, we moved our location for work (him) and play (me) to the beautiful state of Utah. We arrived in Utah a few days early and spent some time exploring a bit of Salt Lake City. I’ll share more about that in another post.
The real work and play began when we stayed at Sundance Mountain Resort. BigJ had meetings for the duration of our stay, so I had time to play.
Upon our arrival at the resort, we were met with this view.
The mountain views were breathtaking. We arrived a little early, so we walked around the resort a bit, and then just sat and enjoyed this view.
Once we got into our cabin, we put our feet up and relaxed a bit.
I had done some research on the resort ahead of time, and I found out they have an art studio. I signed up for two classes – pottery and watercolor.
On Wednesday, I had pottery class. The resort is in what they refer to as their “quiet season”, the time between winter and spring when the resort shuts down for a short period to prepare for the summer activities. It’s much quieter at the resort, and because of that, I was the only student in the pottery class. Tim, the potter, was a nice guy and patient instructor.
I loved throwing pots! I actually was able to make two, but I forgot to take a picture of the second. I didn’t take any pictures during the class for obvious reasons (messy fun, y’know).
Here’s my first bowl. I painted the inside a sage green, and put a brown squiggly stripe on the outside. Once the bowl is fired, it will turn from the dark gray color to cream.
Once the bowls have time to dry, they will fire them, and then mail them to me in about three weeks. I’ll post pictures of them once they arrive.
On Thursday morning, I took a watercolor class. I’ve dabbled a bit in watercolor, so I was looking forward to learning some new techniques and doing some more painting. I had a choice between landscape or still life. Landscape would be the obvious choice, right? I chose still life for a few reasons. It’s more challenging to me than outdoor painting, and the morning was a bit overcast, chilly and wet. I think the instructor was grateful, she was cozied up to the room heater.
So here’s my work. That little snakey looking thing by the wood is actually a branch with flowers on it.
It looks much better in a photo than it does in real life. Ha! It was a relaxing morning; and once again, I was the only student, so we were able to do an entire painting with some deeper detail.
On my walk back to the cabin the sun had come out for a bit, so I stopped and sat here for awhile. So pretty and relaxing.
In the afternoons it was often rainy and chilly, so I tucked myself in the room and continued a little creative play. I enjoy doodling, and these little tiles are easy to bring along when I travel.
Honestly, I could do these for hours. It’s very relaxing.
The afternoon before we left, we drove over to Heber City. It was one of the prettiest drives we made while there.
Just before we left, I noticed this quilt hanging in one of the buildings at the resort. By this time, I was itching to get home to my sewing machine!
I didn’t see any information on the maker of this quilt, so I can’t share that with you, but it was made from a variety of heavier fabrics like velvet, corduroy, etc.
From Play to Reality
I’m happy to be home, and now I need to get busy. Here are the upcoming projects on my to-do list.
- Art to Fabric Blog Hop. This is my first time with this blog hop. I’ll post more on this later.
- Pattern Testing for a quilty friend!
- Fireburst Mystery QAL with TishnWonderland
- Playtime Plus QAL with mmm!Quilts  Â
That should easily keep me out of mischief for awhile, but there’s always those squirrels, so I expect I’ll be chasing a few of them.
New Quilt Bloggers’ Blog Hop
Don’t forget that today begins another week of intro posts for the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. Visit the new bloggers and meet some new quilty friends. Be sure to stop by the host sites too and sign up for the giveaway. You don’t want to miss the prizes from some fabulous sponsors. You can find all the information here.
Ahhh! It’s good to be home! I enjoyed following your blogs while I was gone! You’ve all been very productive!
So what about you? What project are you working on this week?
Wendy
24 Comments
Gray Barn Designs
Ohhhh, the views are splendid! I am so glad you were able to join your husband and have some time to relax and recharge.
piecefulwendy
Thank you!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy,
I have always wanted to go visit that resort – well, and Utah also. It’s one of my missing states for visiting all 50. Ahh, it looks so relaxing and peaceful and the classes sound great. I’m so glad you got to go along! ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
It was relaxing and peaceful. I’m sure it’s a busy place most of the year!
Sandra Walker
Oh those views! The one by the lake reminds me so much of Jasper. Your tiles are the coolest! Do they come blank or with some basic shapes? And that quilt?! I bet you’ll bounce off it with a mini improv knowing you…and be still my heart! The pottery (gotta take a class; on my bucket list) and your watercolour!! Talented talented lady.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Sandra! The tiles are blank, so I just draw whatever comes to mind.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy, thanks for sharing. It looks like a beautiful place. The kind I would love to visit, in the off season!!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Jan! I think you’d enjoy the resort!
Vicki in MN
I so love your mountain view. Hard to believe that pot will turn cream color! And your watercolor is wonderful:) I could almost hear the stream running, great pic’s.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Vicki! Can’t wait for my pottery to arrive!
My Sewful Retirement
I love your Mountain View picture! Looks like you had a relaxing trip – your pottery and watercolor painting look great! Glad you made it home safely!
piecefulwendy
Thank you!
Karen
way back when there was a time that hubby went on business trips once a year and I got to go along but we were never lucky to have a place like Utah – we did get to spend a week in Williamsburg VA (where my sister now lives but didn’t then) and I got free tickets to lots of places and tours — Utah is one of my favorite places to visit – you were lucky to have one on one instructors for pottery and water colors.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Karen. I did enjoy the one on one instruction!
bernie
Wendy what a lovely trip! The scenery you shared is spectacular – I love that you have your hands in so many art forms (ha – no pun intended – thinking of the messy pottery process!). I look forward to seeing the pot after being fired. I think it is magical how it goes from wet, dreary clay to a beautiful color and texture. Is it tricky to know how to paint it since you don’t really see what it is going to look like after firing?
Becca // Pretty Piney
Soooooo pretty. What a lovely trip you had! It’s great that you got to do so much creatively.
I have lots of odds and ends planned for this week–a couple of labels and a hanging sleeve, blocks for a quilt-along, blocks for a BOM, quilting a charity quilt, brainstorming a challenge quilt…and hopefully hearing that some fabric I ordered is in.
catpatches
Looks like a nice trip. I love that part of the country. Your watercolor turned out great. You are a very talented person!
Kathleen McCormick
Sounds like a wonderful trip and great to be able to take classes while hubby was working. I look forward to seeing those finished pots. The painting is pretty terrific… I love when the class is small (individual) and you get everything you need.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Nice feet! Beautiful pots–sounds like that was fun. Beautiful scenery. What a fun week!
piecefulwendy
It was, Nancy! Thanks!
Sandra Healy
Wow! What stunning scenery!
piecefulwendy
It was, Sandra. So pretty!
Sherry @ PoweredByQuilting
That view is something I think would never get old! Your pot looks cute! <3 I'm finally catching up on some blog reading. Jet lag is no fun
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Sherry. I think I could get into pottery! It’s very relaxing!