Quilt retreat fun and games

The four quilts pictured here are 4 of the Mystery Quilts that we made at the retreat. It's called The Bean
 Counters Star by Marti Michell.  We used her plastic templates "Q" and "R" and cut all pieces with rotary cutter and mat.

It all started about 10:30 am on Thursday at my home in Lehi.  Preparations began the Wednesday before with the purchase of food and setting up the tables, chairs, lights, ironing boards and getting the cutting area ready. 

Friends arrived and we began with a "getting to know you" game. Raffle tickets were given to those who played.  Two gifts were awarded.  Cathie Zimmerman owner of Thimbles and Threads was so gracious to offer to teach us a Mystery Quilt. About 11:30 we received our first clues/directions....... cut LOTS of pieces.  A couple of the ladies worked on their own projects.  We all visited happily as we worked. 

Lunch was a shrimp lettuce salad with some fun side dishes including a yummy corn/bean salsa and tossed fruit salad.  After lunch more instructions and more cutting - AND more friendly visiting.

Mingled in between activities we did a Quilting and Sewing - fat quarter Bingo.  Time was flying by and it was time for a great chili dinner with corn bread, cheese and chips.  After dinner we did "show and tell" for
more raffle tickets.  Two more gifts awarded.  =+)

Some of us (me being one) we ready for bed about 9:30. A couple of ladies stayed up till almost midnight.  Friday we woke up and began working on our projects.  We had bagels, cream cheese and hot drinks for breakfast. More bingo and then lunch was deli meat sandwiches with various breads to choose from. Back to sewing..............until dinner time arrived and we had a premade chicken enchilada.

It was so VERY fun to just be able to sew and enjoy the company of friends!  A big girl's sleep over with sewing machines and fabric, fun, games and food............can it get any better than that?.

Some things I learned:

1) Games weren't as important to make the retreat fun as I thought it would be
2) Bingo was a hit!
3) Keeping food simple was a good idea ( I did buy way too much tho)
4) It was so fun, that I can't wait to host another Quilt Retreat