Last year, some of us went to a retreat in north Texas. The group of women who meet and do the retreat every year have a tradition: there is a hostess who brings a block or a technique for everyone to try. All the blocks completed are eligible for a drawing. The person that wins the drawing takes all the blocks home. That person becomes next years hostess. They have to bring those blocks back the next year in a completed project. That hostess is responsible to bring the block/technique for that year.

So, last year a bunch of us participated. Our very own NICU nurse Won the drawing! We were not able to attend the retreat this year. Pam and Linda (Warm Buns ) decided to put those blocks into a tote bag for each of us. They even embroidered our name on the bag! It is so beautiful and I just had to share it!

WOW!!! What a keepsake!! Such a great bunch on this site!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing.

What a great surprise. That is really something!

.... aaahh .. that really is sweet and really pretty ..yes, very nice people on here.

What a great gift! Did everyone get a bag made from their own block? And what is the name of the block or is it one somebody designed for the event? Looks like a nine-patch with additional squares appliqued on top????

Quilters are such great friends!!

Very nice indeed!

The hostess brought the fabrics and I believe she showed us the folded flower technique. I picked that block from the Marcia Hohn site, I think. I'll see if I can find a picture of all the blocks. (I can't find those pics just yet...but someone else may have them. Not sure where I put them!)

I was surprised, but I think that is the block that I sewed!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Will Quilt for Chocolate,

I got mine too . Thank you Linda and Pam! I'll have to take a picture to post.

Here is a picture of all of the blocks. We had to use at least one of the folded flowers in our block.

gorgeous. What sweethearts.

What a nice surprise and so very thoughtful of them. A wonderful reminder of your time together and of special people. That is a beautiful tote! Love that block and the colors.