It was Spring Break for my kids last week. And that typically means we head to Southern Utah to explore some of the National and State Parks in our State. And of course, because it's my tradition (see here, here, here, here), I hauled along a quilt along to photograph somewhere along the way. 😉
It worked out nicely because this quilt just got quilted and binding in the car works so well for me. (Thankfully, my husband loves to drive, we're typically on long, straight roads, and I don't get carsick.)
You may remember this scrappy log cabin quilt that I started last year and the quilt top pictures in the wind from last fall. It was such a fun project to make! (And I think I only made a dent in my drawer of red scraps. I could probably make another version this big again. And that's just the reds...)
I can't wait to get this quilt washed so that it's extra soft and drapey. It'll be a fun one to just haul around and use. If you want to make one of your own, check out the scrappy log-cabin block tutorial in this post.
It's also part of our Sew Goodness challenge for March! You can use your scraps to make one of these blocks and mail it to me and we'll use them to make quilts for Project Linus. You can check out all of the details here.
For the backing and binding I used some of the Gingham Girls prints from my first fabric collection, so that makes it even more personal and sentimental. I decided to use some of the yellows on the back, just to give it another pop of color.
The charming setting for this photo shoot is the Mary Ann Schow house in Escalante, Utah. I would love to own that house.
The state of Utah was largely settled in the second half of the 19th Century, primarily by early Mormon pioneers. I'm a sucker for old pioneer homes and buildings from that era and Escalante had many still standing. This is an old Tithing office built in 1884.
Loved this old mercantile + lots of surrounding 19th century homes made of the same brick.
An mid-20th century service station in the tiny town of Boulder, Utah on the way to Escalante. Love those old gas pumps!
Part of our trip was to hike the slot canyons of Grand Staircase National Monument including the Peekaboo and Spooky slot canyons. Whoa. It was an adventure!
The slot canyons included climbing up and passing through very narrow passages. The setting is pretty incredible. I don't get claustrophobic, but I came close through some of them though! I will admit, I felt pretty hardcore getting through there.
And definitely couldn't have done it with out my husband and teenage son to pull and push me up in a few places. 😉 I'm definitely getting older.
We also hiked to an oasis in the middle of the plateaued desert at Upper Calf Creek Falls. My photography doesn't do it justice.
On the way home we stopped at one of my favorite National Parks - Bryce Canyon. It's just mind-blowingly stunning.
(This time around I did not have my husband perch on a precipice holding a quilt. Another sign that we're both getting older.)
So there you go! More glimpses of amazing Southern Utah, quilt included.
Also, I reminder to send me a scrappy quilt block for Project Linus! You can even fold it up and put it in a regular envelope if you want. Email me at amy@diaryofaquilter.com for mailing info. THANKS!!
happyquiltingmelissa
We hiked there last year, so much fun!!! And ya, I got a little claustrophobic as as well and was grateful for my kids to pull me through. And Bryce is always amazing!!! I was just up there for a retreat and am always blown away by how incredible the scenery is. Your quilt is so cute too, love all of that red!! What a fun scrappy finish 😉
Lenore
Gorgeous quilt. What a fabulous place to visit. I love your photos. A little far for me to travel at the moment ........ but one day.
billiemick
Very pretty quilt!
Karen Seitz
I love your travelogues!!! And quilts too, of course. 🙂
Debbie Glassford
Gorgeous. I love the backing. How I get that good someday!
Marianne Ballash
Beautiful quilt and travel pictures, thanks for sharing.
Jenny Coyle
Not sure which I love most...the quilt or the scenery! Wonderful post, great eye candy in every shot.
Helen Stephens
Hi Amy,
I love your quilts and your blog. So inspiring!
And such a timely post - today we started planning our trip to hike in Utah next year, and up pop your wonderful photos!
Looking forward to visiting the South West, though I probably won't bring a quilt!!
Greetings from Oz.
Amy
So exciting! I hope you have a wonderful trip! And don't worry, they'll still let you in all of the national parks without a quilt. 😉
Darlene
thanks for sharing the pictures of Utah, I just loved seeing them, on a 'bucket' list of states to visit. I live in Wisconsin
Leslie K.
Love the quilt and all the pictures. My husband and I live in Virginia and a vacation in Utah is on our bucket list. All the pictures you post of your beautiful state confirm that we need to visit soon....before we are too old to do some hiking and truly enjoy all the national parks have to offer. (Unfortunately, we no longer have any teenagers to help me up and over!) Thanks for sharing! (And I did return to your earlier pictures of your husband holding the quilt at Bryce Canyon....love your stories!)
Rosemaryflower
This is a place I have never ever ever seen before.
I have been all over the world, but not much of US. Gosh, these photos are incredible, and I looked also at the ones from where your hubbs held up the churn dash quilt.
Incredible. I do have claustrophobia .... not sure about walking in those narrow crevices.
These photos are just beautiful
Thank you so much for sharing your adventure, Amy. I love the quilt very much.
Donna B
Your quilt looks bright and fresh, and warm and cozy, all at the same time. One of my very favorites!
Lissi
Thanks for sharing your trip! Gorgeous photos, and I LOVE that quilt!
Robin VanWingerden VanWingerden
Awesome pics!! thanks for posting 🙂
Linda
I love the quilt and the not having to have a pattern to work to. But you must sort your fabric somewhat, yeah sure the color of red, but does your fabric stash just have contemporary/modem type fabrics? The reason I ask is because my stash is a whole range from reproduction, to civil war to contemporary to traditional floral. I really struggle with sorting and trying to control the outcome. So is mixing all styles of fabric work? The other thing my stash does not have is the low volume fabrics. Don't you feel those are a must? I would like to really give this a go, but maybe I am too structured. It is sometime hard to let go and just go for it.
Thanks for all the lovely quilts you share. You are awesome!!!
Amy
I totally think you can mix fabrics - I used modern, reproduction, contemporary, etc. in this project. I even threw in a few darker red fabrics that could classify as Civil War and I like the different shades of red they provide - gives the quilt more charachter.
I do, however, purge my scraps every once in a while. No guilt - I just chuck (or giveaway) the ones I don't like or don't inspire me anymore. It's so liberating AND I'm so much more likely to use the ones I still have.
Mary Otte
I am home sick. I was raised in southern Utah. Many weekends spent at calf creek. My mom was raised in Escalante. I wish she was still alive to enjoy these pictures. Thank you for the memories and ideas
gloria Courtney
bright,happy quilt, but really love the scenery. Someday maybe...
Lea Brummett
Lovely! That backing makes the quilt even more special!
Claudia Dimond
Beautiful pictures and quilt. I visited Bryce canyon but now see what I missed. I'll have to visit again.
Lucinda Fenske
Red is my favorite color, I love your quilt. I don't sort my scraps by color, but may have to start!