np3

This has helped me understand the ones you have planned and I am getting the supplies I need to make a few more for you. I'm sure we can come up with "prizes" too!!!

caspharm

My LQS when I lived in California has had mystery quilts complete with a murder mystery, where most of us had a part. They also did a "spa" retreat at the quilt shop.

I know the guild I belonged to in California has members offer classes in their specialties, like mini-seminars. The new one I belong to in Las Vegas is having an mystery quilt option as well as just a sew-in. They also booked a one day long-arm class somewhere near the hotel (that had limited seating).

thrums

I like your idea!

First night... each guest writes down all of his/her fears and trepidations about quilting. Place them in a small paper bag. Build a camp fire, fire in fire place or open one large trash bag. Add the small paper bags.

Happy Treadler

I'm the coordinator of our annual TOGA - Treadle On Gathering & Academy, and I'm LOVING these ideas! Every year we do a raffle (people bring things to donate), and an ugly fabric swap (to get rid of your hideous stash, we pull names and those pulled first gets to pick first). We're also doing a theme this year - it's in Blue Ball, Pennsylvania, so our theme is "Blue" (blue quilt block swap, blue food, drink, decorations, etc.). Just a few ideas... How about everyone brings a fun hat to wear? We also do a lot of demos & classes, and have an 'afternoon tea' the day before.

marthe brault-hunt

Our Guild organizes a quilt retreat every year, we work on our projects and usually work on a common quilt that will be raffled at our next show for a couple of hours, We are divided in teams for the meals,the team that prepares Saturday night supper prepares a meal with a theme, Polish, Caribbean, Cajun, we are given the recipes and it help us to know each other better. It is also a way to put in evidence new members or the discreet girl!

Ragann63

I'm a fuddy dudd...haven't enjoyed any of the silly games played at quilt retreats, especially the ones involving fabric. My mom and I both take good fabric cut to the correct dimensions and almost always come home with junk fabric cut poorly. We go to retreats to relax, sew and learn. The best thing we have seen non-sewing wise so far - a huge snack table where everyone just put out whatever! We have done some great classes where the purpose is to start the project and learn a new skill, then take it home to finish it and we have done one really nice mystery quilt. I prefer an open area with the ability to smooze at one's leisure, not forced interactive games.

Gabrielle's Mimi

I went to a camp in MI and everyone had to bring 5" charms...that year the theme was polka dots. We had to bring as many squares as there were people. The leader took all our charms and sorted them so that we all went home with an assortment. I think there were 60 in our group, so now I have 60 polka dotted charms...and strangely enough, there were only 2 repeats!!!

lclang

Strip poker - everyone brings fabric strips and plays cards to see who can win the whole pile!

fleurdelisquilts.com

I have a puzzle table with a quilt-themed puzzle for any one to work on when she needs a rest.

Everyone is asked to bring a used, unwanted magazine, one FQ, and one small tool or notion. I bring extras and put together gift bags for everyone to take home. (I buy gift bags at the $ store.)

We do one small project and everyone brings one or two UFO's to work on. We have time for show and tell.

reginalovesfabric

we swapped walmart bags full of scraps we were tired of. I found some potholders with turkeys on them at a yard sale and since it was close to Thanksgiving, I gave everyone a potholder or two.