French Quarter Retreat for Mardi Gras (Idea)

Hotel Lautrec Opera
If you can't go to France or even to New Orleans, at least you can pretend!
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This is an idea for a quilter/sew-er’s/women’s/girls retreat idea– which could be for a quilt guild, a sewing bee, or a group of friends just wanting to get together. The daytime activities listed are for the women, but you can also include your boyfriend/husband/significant other in the evening activities/dinner and breakfast.

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It begins with you bringing one item you think is “French”. Give wrap the item. It could be anything- so the possibilities are endless. This is your “ticket” into the retreat. Anything goes!  The gifts get placed into a box for the end of the retreat.

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Every retreat has to have projects and below are several to choose from, along with a link to where you can possibly purchase these patterns, as some are from a few years ago.  These are from my personal collection, and I have scanned in the covers of these so you can see what I'm talking about. You could also substitute your own preference for a project or pattern– have it relate to the theme.  After you see the project/patterns below, you’ll get the idea of what you could possibly substitute.
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This is the quilt pattern that inspired this idea for me.  It can be made with a packet of Fat Quarters in a single fabric collection.  The quilt is 72" x 72".

French Quarter by Joanna Fiqueroa of Fig Tree Quilts

You have to visit their website--

Merveilleux!!

http://www.figtreequilts.com/

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Next is:

"Nudes Flash Needlecase" by Elinor Peace Bailey.  Everyone needs one of these!

http://www.epbdolls.net/

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How about this:   "Weekend in Paris Pillow" designed by Lyn Hosford, published in Need'l Love "French Market Threads" booklet. 

http://www.needllove.com/ 

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Frilly Dilly Bag by Janelle Wind,  http://thejanellewindcollection.typepad.com/

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Petite Gateau pincushion by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts, http://www.figtreequilts.com/

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Cupcake Pincushion by Sandi Henderson, Portabellopixie Boutique Patterns, http://www.sandihendersondesign.com/product-p/sh05cp.htm

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"Primitive Pears" by Trudi Honeycutt http://www.crowsintheatticprimitives.blogspot.com/

Also printed in the Spring 2010 issue of “Prims” magazine.

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Anything from "Let Them Eat Cake" by Susan Maw and Sally Bell (sisters).  I love this book!  I want one of each (project)!! 

http://www.maw-belldesigns.com/Maw-BellDesigns.asp 

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I think you get the idea, right?  Anything yummy!

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Play french music in the back ground.  Joanna Figueroa's blog has some nice music on her playlist.

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FOOD SUGGESTIONS

Breakfast: You must have French Market coffee, which is Chickory and coffee. Just remember to use HALF of what you normally would for regular coffee, otherwise it will be way too strong.

http://www.frenchmarketcoffee.com/

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Beignets, coffee from Café du Monde  http://www.cafedumonde.com/beignet.html 

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Pain du Chocolate

http://dinnerwithjulie.com/2010/02/06/pain-au-chocolat/

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Croissants

http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2006/10/19/croissants-step-by-step-la-confection-des-croissants/

Pastry chefs would groan at this suggestion:  Walmart's that have bakeries have croissants.  They'll have to do if you have no bakery in your neighborhood.

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LUNCH

Chicken Salad on Croissants

http://southernfood.about.com/od/chickensalads/r/71214a.htm

Soup du Jour (of course)

Your choice of soup

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DINNER

Chicken filets in Orange or Apricot Marmelade

(don't have a recipe for these- you'll have to search for one you like)

Risotto

After dinner drinks:

Hurricane

http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/3226/

SNACKS

Chocolate Truffles

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EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

Movies

I picked these because they either have to do with something French, France, or New Orleans.  I like "Chocolat" because it takes place during Lent.

“French Kiss” with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline

“No Mercy” with Richard Gere and Kim Basinger

“Chocolate” with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp

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Before going home, have everyone pick a going away gift from the gifts that were brought as a ticket, as mementos of the weekend.