susannah kate sews: crafty weekender retreat

I love packing for a crafty weekend away! I challenge myself to see how little I can bring but always end up with items I don't need. I'm getting better though! I used my patchwork cargo duffle for the first time.

I brought my Featherweight instead of my Juki and it's just perfect for traveling. I have found that bringing piecing projects work really well for me at retreats. I worked on my 4th of July quilt, Strawberry Social quilt, double wedding ring quilt and my warm/cool log cabin quilt. I also made a zip pouch for my credit cards.

Here we are all being busy bees!

My friend Christina gave everyone these fabulous bracelets and I was just floored! They are SO cute and perfect. Thanks friend! Christina win's the most distance traveled award ... she came all the way from New Jersey! Swag fabric also pictured.

The pillow swap was a success! I love my patchwork pillow top made by Jamie !

The pillow swap participants.

There were so many beautiful quilt tops and completed quilts this weekend. I love Amanda's which she blogged about here. Seeing the quilt in person was amazing - the pictures are beautiful but there is something about touching a quilt and holding it right up to your eyes that cannot be replicated in 2D form.

Jamie's herringbone quilt. She used Maureen Cracknells tutorial and it is gorgeous!

More crazy great quilts!

There was also some fashionable attire being whipped up. We make you model your clothes when you finish!

Banana Bread Beer. Enough said!

I always feel heard, supported and affirmed after these weekends. These ladies and their hearts are what make it so special. You guys are what Crafty Weekender is all about!!!

I brought some silk-screening supplies and we put a Crafty Weekender logo on t-shirts, fabric and bags. I was delighted that several ladies wanted to pull their own screens so we got to work printing.

This is a shot from early morning ... most of us were still asleep but there are always a few early riser, coffee drinking types.

We got our craft on making these adorable necklaces. Crafty Weekender sponsor Stars & Sunshine gave everyone a necklace kit. It was a huge success and SO CUTE!!! They would make adorable gifts for fabric loving friends. Thanks Julia!

The swag bags were so fun this time! I'm always amazed at the generosity of Crafty Weekender sponsors. It's fun to try new products and patterns. That Modern Fabric Shop, Llama Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop hooked us up with great fabric and some fun nick-knacks. Sew Lovely, Sew Pretty donated pink Wonderclips. Zipit sent colorful zippers and included a zipper pull for everyone. SOAK sent lotion, soak product and flatter for us all to use ( it smelled so GOOD ). Auriful sent thread and Poppyprint sent her Make It, Take It book. Elizabeth Hartman gave each person a bunny quilt pattern and the Oklahoma T Shirt company donated a box of cool t-shirts to choose from. Also, I printed a tote bag for each attendee. I loved putting everything together!

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR PROVIDING

SWAG BAG GOODIES AND DOOR PRIZES!