I try to do most of my cutting prior to a retreat because the tables are too low for me to use for any length of time. Then all I need is my 18 x 24 mat, which fits perfectly into my suitcase, along with my 6 x 24 ruler. I use one of those scrapbooking totes on wheels because it was given to me, but I used to use a cooler & it worked just fine. Check around your house & see if there are containers you could repurpose for this retreat. If you do a search here on the site, there are a few threads that people have mentioned all the items they take to retreat. I like a glass wine glass so it's on my list LOL