Quilts at the 2012 Festival of Trees

Detail from quilt titled "Let It Snow!"

Early December brought the Festival of Trees back to the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.  This annual event is a fundraiser for the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.  Each year, countless volunteers put in thousands of hours creating and selling wonderful Christmas items all to benefit this worthy charity.

Row of quilts on display at the Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees has something for everyone.  There are dance and music performances throughout each day and evening on two different stages in the festival itself, and in the lobby area outside.  Quilts, wreaths, trees, gingerbread houses, and other Christmas decorations are for sale.  And of course, there is the food.  Scones and cinnamon rolls are always popular, but our new guilty pleasures are fudge and fresh divinity at the Sweet Shoppe.

"Cock a Doodle" quilt

This bright Cock a Doodle quilt was one of my favorites.  Not all items at the festival are Christmas-themed. Many items are made in honor of a loved one, sometimes someone treated at the children's hospital that this event benefits.

Quilt titled "The Great I Am"

My son didn't want to spend much time among the quilts, but I managed to view a few on our journey through the Expo Center space.  You could easily spend a few hours here, so we mapped out our priorities quickly.  This year we skimmed quilts, skipped wreaths, saw the gingerbread houses, and did a speedy trip through the trees.  Of course we made time for a treat.

Detail of "The Great I Am" Quilt

This quilt, titled "The Great I Am" had squares depicting different scenes from the nativity story.  I liked the colors and the tree squares, but the whimsical features of the animals are what really caught my eye.

"Let It Snow!" quilt

Who can resist snowmen?  This quilt quickly became my favorite of the festival.  Each panel features a different snowman, and we loved looking at them all.

Panel from "Let It Snow!" quilt

With a few quilts under our belts and a favorite selected, we were ready to brave the crowds around the amazing gingerbread houses.  Stay tuned for some great ideas from The Gingerbread Village at the 2012 Festival of Trees.