By Patricia Belyea
Have you ever gone on vacation and not wanted to go home? I think that happened to Jennifer Peterson—but in a quilty kind of way.
In 2018, Jennifer attended a five-day independent study session with Ricky Tims at his headquarters in La Veta, Colorado. At the time, she was ready to abandon quilt patterns but had no idea how to move forward. Her time with Ricky was magical. Jennifer returned home transformed, her creativity expanded tenfold.
Two years later, Jennifer went back to finish her project with Ricky. You can see the outrageously freestyle quilt behind Jennifer that she completed in the second session.
In 2022, Ricky put his headquarters on the market. Jennifer bought the building with a bold vision: to create an art retreat center where others could also experience creativity, community, and rejuvenation.
The Timeline
End of 2022 Jennifer purchases Ricky’s building
2023 First floor remodeled
2024 Upstairs renovated with new bedrooms and bathrooms
2025 Five retreats offered
2026 Ten retreats offered
GALLERY/WORKROOM
MISTY MEADOW BEDROOM
PETER MAX BEDROOM
Estelle Center for Creative Arts
As a child, Jennifer found refuge in visits with her grandmother Estelle—a visual artist who worked in clay and paint. Estelle valued time spent making art and deeply influenced Jennifer’s way of being in the world.
As an adult, Jennifer gravitated to fabric and quilting. It was Estelle who delighted in everything Jennifer pulled from her project bag — her loving supporter.
When it came time to name her passion project, Jennifer knew exactly who to honor.
JENNIFER WITH HER GRANDMOTHER ESTELLE
Why Am I Teaching at Estelle?
I learned about the Estelle Center through a student and reached out simply to learn more. Before I knew it, I was being interviewed on Zoom as a potential teacher.
More than once during that conversation, I said, You don’t need to hire me just because we’re talking. The door-to-door journey from my remote home would take two days each way so it didn’t seem feasible.
ME WITH AN INSERTED CURVES QUILT
Jennifer and her right-hand gal, Sunshine, persuaded me to teach at the Estelle Center this April. Why did I say yes? Because of their generous spirits. They spoke zealously about wanting to provide both a play space and an emotional space where people could truly be their creative selves.
An Invitation
I’ll be teaching Creativity & Inserted Curves, a workshop filled with challenges that stretch enthusiastic quilters.
Inserted Curves is a piecing technique I developed for adding arcs and curved shapes into quilt tops, opening up new design possibilities.
PROCESS STEPS FOR CENTRUM QUILT, A WORKSHOP PROJECT
This is a full five-day workshop, beginning with a Meet-and-Greet on the eve of Day 1. The experience will be immersive and fun.
My invitation to you: join me. There are five spots left in this springtime retreat.
The Estelle Center is in a glorious place, far from the pull of everyday responsibilities—a center designed to propel you and your creative spirit forward.
STUDENT WORK
An Extra Delight
There will be a Japanese Textile Pop-up Shop at the Estelle Center with lots of yukata cottons!
Creativity & Inserted Curves
Five-Day Quilting Retreat
Meet & Greet: SUN April 19th @ 5:30 pm:
Workshop: MON April 20 - FRI April 24, 2026
Estelle Center for Creative Arts
La Veta, Colorado
+click here to learn more or register
A Few Logistics
- I am flying into Colorado Springs, late morning, on SUN April 19th.
- Sunshine will pick me up in the Estelle shuttle van that leaves at 1pm.
- The van holds six so there is room for you!
- There are bedrooms upstairs at Estelle, an Inn next door, and AirBNBs closeby.
- I'll be staying upstairs in the All That Jazz room.
- I will be heading back to the Colorado Springs airport at 9am on SAT April 25 via the Estelle shuttle van.
BOSTON SEAMSTRESS BEDROOM
