TUSCAN THEMED FUSED ART QUILT

with Sandra Mollon

JOIN SANDRA MOLLON in Italy

Infused with inspiration, Sandra Mollon’s Tuscany workshop is a truly once-in-a-lifetime creative experience. In the heart of Italy’s rolling hills, you’ll design and create a Tuscan-themed fused art quilt under Sandra’s expert guidance. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, timeless architecture, and the rich textures of the Italian countryside, your work will reflect the colors, light, and spirit of Tuscany itself.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Science and a strong background in education, Sandra brings both clarity and confidence to the classroom. Teaching comes naturally to her, and students appreciate her thoughtful instruction and approachable style. Sandra teaches throughout the United States and internationally, and she also hosts quilt tours around the world.

In her Tuscan Themed Fused Art Quilt workshop, she invites you to explore design, composition, and technique in one of the most inspiring settings imaginable — Tuscany, Italy.

MORE ABOUT Sandra

Sandra is a quilt and textile artist living in Northern California. She saw her first quilt magazine in the late 1980’s, and shortly afterwards began quilting in earnest. Sandra began making very traditional pieces and appliquéd quilts, many winning ribbons. One of her original designs, the “Seasons of Life” quilt won the “Outstanding Large Quilt” award in 2019 at Road to California, and went on to win a purchase award at the 2019 Spring Paducah show. It now is a part of the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum. She is the author of the book “Seasons of Life Quilt, Techniques and Patterns for 13 Baltimore Album Quilt Blocks” published by C&T Publications, released in 2021.

More recently, Sandra became interested in art quilting and thread painting, and for several years many of her art quilts have been award-winners at major shows, including “Best Wall Quilt” at the 2021 and 2022 PIQF and Quiltfest Greenville in 2022. She was also interviewed about her work on her quilt “Toroweep Overlook” by the Grand Canyon Historical Society, and has written about her realistic style for “American Quilter” magazine (Jan. 2021 issue).

WHAT to Expect…

• With Sandra’s expert guidance, you’ll work to make a lovely, Tuscan themed fused art quilt while enjoying an immersive, Italian experience
• This  workshop includes your own kit with fabric, Misty Fuse (TM) adhesive and pattern, so you can easily learn the process of making a fused art quilt – while traveling to this iconic location!
• Sandra will walk you through the entire process, including:
  • selecting the right value fabrics
  • fusing fabric into place
  • adding media, such as, ink and color pencils for added realism
  • finishing techniques, such as, how to quilt and face an art quilt
• To help you prepare for the workshop, Sandra will host a Zoom meeting the month before the event.

ITINERARY

Day 1, May 30: Arrival & Introduction

• Highlights: Arrival, workshop introduction with Sandra, village stroll, aperitivo, welcome dinner
• Dinner

Upon your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport, you’ll be met by our private drivers for group transfer to Città della Pieve. Along the way, there will be an opportunity to stop for lunch on your own before continuing through the countryside toward this charming hilltop town.

Upon arrival at Hotel Vannucci, you’ll settle into your room and take a moment to relax after travel. Then it’s off with Sandra to the nearby studio, where she will introduce the creative journey ahead. She’ll share her vision for the Tuscan Themed Fused Art Quilt, outlining the inspiration, techniques, and design concepts that will guide your work throughout the workshop.

Afterwards you’ll take a walking tour of the village, helping you orient yourself to the medieval streets and daily rhythms of life here. Then we’ll gather for aperitivo, followed by a welcome dinner at Hotel Vannucci — your first shared meal in Italy and the beginning of a creative week together.

Day 2: Creative Immersion 

• Highlights: Studio immersion with Sandra
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll head to the studio for a focused session with Sandra — an inspiring time of instruction, experimentation, and creative flow as you continue exploring new techniques and refining your Tuscan-themed art quilt. With Sandra’s thoughtful guidance, your ideas will begin to take clearer shape, layer by layer.

Lunch will be served at a charming nearby café, offering a welcome pause to relax, refuel, and enjoy the simple pleasures of village life before returning to the studio.

In the evening, we’ll walk together to our friend Cristian’s restaurant for a special organic dinner featuring regional Umbrian cuisine. Prepared with seasonal ingredients and deep respect for local traditions, this thoughtfully curated meal is a beautiful reflection of the landscape that surrounds you — a warm and convivial close to a fulfilling creative day.

Day 3, June 1: Depth & Discovery

• Highlights: Studio with Sandra, Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angeli
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll return to the studio with Sandra to continue developing your Tuscany-themed fused art quilt. Sandra will guide you through her signature techniques, offering expert insight into color selection, shading, and creating depth and dimension — skills that will elevate your artistic expression and bring your piece vividly to life. As layers build and compositions refine, your quilt will begin to fully reflect the Tuscan inspiration that surrounds you.

Lunch today will be served at our friends’ inviting café, where you can relax and enjoy another taste of village hospitality.

After lunch, enjoy some free time to rest or absorb the quiet rhythms of Città della Pieve before rejoining Sandra in the studio for continued hands-on guidance and creative progress.

Later in the afternoon, our drivers will take you into the countryside to a small church set along a thousand-year-old pilgrimage trail — a sacred place that has long held special meaning for local women and mothers. Here, you’ll experience a one-of-a-kind gathering with members of the community. With hearty barbecue, good wine, and abundant neighborly hospitality, the evening promises to be both joyful and unforgettable.

Day 4: Inspiration in Pienza

• Highlights: Excursion to Pienza
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll wind through one of Tuscany’s most breathtaking landscapes en route to the Renaissance jewel of Pienza. Upon arrival, our friend and local guide Bianca will introduce you to the village’s history, architecture, and extraordinary views over the Val d’Orcia, offering insight into why this small hilltop town remains one of the region’s most treasured destinations.

Following your guided introduction, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace — browse artisan shops, sample local pecorino, discover hidden corners, or enjoy lunch on your own in one of the village’s charming cafés.

In the afternoon, you’ll return to Città della Pieve and head back to the studio with Sandra, bringing fresh inspiration from the day’s colors, light, and landscape into your fused art quilt.

This evening, we’ll gather at our friends’ café for an informal apericena — a welcoming blend of aperitivo and light dinner — a lovely way to wind down after a day of exploration and creative work.

Day 5: Refinement & Reflection

• Highlights: Guided church art tour, focused studio time, evening at leisure
• Breakfast, lunch

This morning, before heading to the studio, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the town’s historic churches and cathedral, home to remarkable medieval and Renaissance works of art. As you step inside these sacred spaces, you’ll encounter centuries of craftsmanship, color, symbolism, and storytelling — a powerful reminder of the artistic legacy that surrounds you here in Italy.

Following the tour, you’ll settle into the studio with Sandra for a focused and productive session. With her guidance, you’ll continue developing your Tuscany-inspired fused art quilt, refining your ideas, experimenting with technique, and strengthening the details that bring your design to life. The afternoon offers extended hands-on time, allowing you to make meaningful progress on your project.

This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. We’ll happily provide recommendations for favorite local restaurants, giving you the opportunity to explore the village at your own pace and savor the evening in Città della Pieve.

Day 6: Completion & Celebration

• Highlights: Final studio session, time at leisure for lunch, celebratory aperitivo and farewell dinner
• Breakfast, dinner

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll return to the studio to continue your Tuscany-inspired fused art quilt, building on the techniques and discoveries you’ve gathered throughout the week. With Sandra’s thoughtful guidance, you’ll refine composition, strengthen details, and bring your piece closer to completion — seeing clearly how your vision has evolved from first inspiration to finished work.

Lunch today is on your own, with plenty of inviting cafés and trattorias nearby — a chance to savor your favorite corner of the village one more time.

In the afternoon, you’ll gather for a final wrap-up session with Sandra, offering time to make last adjustments and reflect on your creative journey. As the day draws to a close, you’ll come together with your fellow students for a celebratory aperitivo followed by a farewell dinner at a beloved local trattoria. Over regional flavors and shared stories, you’ll toast new friendships, creative growth, and a deeply inspiring week in Italy.

Day 7: Departure

Early morning transport to Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ACCOMMODATIONS ~ Boutique Hotel Vannucci

Hotel Vannucci began as a project of Vittoria Spinola, daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele II, who fled Pisa (and an arranged marriage with her elderly husband) to start a new life with her lover in Città della Pieve. Here, she and her soon-to-be new husband, Paolo, built two villas that became luxurious holiday accommodations for wealthy Romans vacationing in the countryside. In 1903 one of the villas became Hotel Vannucci, and today it maintains the elegance and refinement of its inception, with luxurious sleeping rooms, marble bathrooms and inviting gardens. A stay here is truly special, nestled just outside the medieval walls of the historic, and unspoiled, village of Città della Pieve.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Daily group and individualized instruction with Sandra Mollon
• 6 nights stay at elegant Hotel Vannucci
• Private group pick-up on arrival and departure days (Rome Fiumicino Airport)
• Private van service to/from all towns and sites included in the itinerary
• All breakfasts
• 3 lunches  
• 5 regionally inspired dinners
• Excursion to Pienza
• Guided church art walk
• Visit to medieval church, Santa Maria degli Angeli
• Opportunities to shop and explore on your own

Not included: Airfare, meals, alcoholic drinks, or transportation outside of that which is specifically listed in the trip package, gratuities for hotel staff and drivers

The Unexpected is Part of the Journey: Sometimes unexpected things come up. If there is unscheduled closing or schedule change, we carefully pivot to include something that is equally as wonderful and interesting, so that the quality of your experience is never at risk. ☺️

DATES & DETAILS

• Dates:
  • May 30 – June 5, 2027
• Trip Price: $3,895 USD – $4,595 USD per person (select room type upon booking)
• Room Descriptions:
  • Standard Single Occupancy: Single bed, private ensuite bathroom
  • Classic Single Occupancy: Double bed, private ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower
  • Superior Single Occupancy: Double bed, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Superior Double/Twin: Double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub/shower combination
  • Deluxe Double/Twin: Double bed or two singles, private ensuite bathroom with tub and shower
• A $700 deposit is required to book your space on this trip
• Arrival/departure airport is Rome Fiumicino
• View our Terms and Cancellation Policy

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