A Thank You, 1st Quilt Retreat and It's beginning to look a lot like Easter

I need to start this post with a huge Thank You to  Lynette of What A Hoot Quilts . She was the winner of my Rice Bag give away in February.  She sent me the most awesome thank you note in the form of a mini/post card.

Heck it's way better than the rice bag she got.  Thanks so much.  It's a treasure.

Last week I experienced my first quilt retreat.  What a hoot.  I spent Monday through Thursday with 17 of my Quilt guild buddies.

This is some of what I took.  I had no idea what I might need or how many different things I would like to work on. This photo does not include clothes.

I have been avoiding quilt retreats for several seasons because I didn't think I would like to be cooped up with the same group of people for any length of time.  You know, like having to spend too much time with family  ;-}

I'm glad to report that it was nothing like that.  There were enough people and space that it was just a giant sewing party.  We stayed at the  Luther Spring Camp and Retreat Center in Hawthorne FL.

Beautiful grounds for walking and thinking when you needed a break. Great porches for reading or making calls with out being bothered or bothering others.  Sewing at all hours of the day was amazing.  I think I made it to about 11 pm each night and one morning I was sewing at 7. I understand we had people sewing at 2AM,

Meals were served in the same room in which we were sewing so no time was lost if you were on a roll.  Or if you were in need of a snack.

When in need of a quilty break I found people knitting, beading, reading. I worked on some paracord bracelets and some knitting.

I accomplished a lot.  I made a quilt top that will be going to Canada for the H2H 2018 Challenge. Can't show it today as it is my  post for the 30 in 30 Blog Hop on April 27. Here is a little peek.

This top was started in October after a sew in with Amanda Jean of   Crazy Mom Quilts   It is her pattern Ladder Leap. I had the blocks done when the holidays arrived and they were put in a box and we all know what happens then.

I was so pleased that I got it completed on retreat. Pleased that is until I looked at the picture and noticed I forgot to put on the 2 outside green border strips.  I hope to get to them this week.

We also got some of our guild chapter project, Preemie Blankets for FHFC Nicu for the 4th of July, passed out for sewing. We brought home several completed Mini's (small are 11 inch square, large are 17 inch square) . We do 4 deliveries a year, Halloween, Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July.  The hospital arranges for the little ones to have professional photos taken for these holidays

I also started my Easter sewing of these Bunny bags.

Several members saw them and asked for the link.  When I started looking for that tutorial I found tutorials for this Carrot

and this Cute little Chick

Which turned into this basket full of sweet treats when I got back home.

Well I think I'm all caught up. So now is the time to wish you all Happy Spring Holidays no matter which one you celebrate. In my house we will celebrate Easter and Passover.  Sounds like a food fest to me.