I’m off to “Quilt Camp” shortly. The boot of my car is overflowing with equipment and supplies for my Sumptuous Surfaces workshop with Susan Mathews. However, I know it is essential to find room to squeeze in these extra things:

• Red wine with a screw top - This avoids having to compete for space (and recognition!) in the communal fridge and means you never have to search for a wine opener. Food at quilt camp is typically of the artless but edible “apricot chicken” variety. A wine accompaniment makes it seem better somehow.
• Mozzie Repellent - not that I have ever had to use it but with all the rain we’ve had over the summer…
• Comfy Cushion - along the lines of Caity’s rant about chairs, I have learned that it is desirable to stack two of the horrible plastic quilt camp chairs together and put my own cushion on top to achieve a workable sewing position.
• Colourful Quilt - utilitarian grey woollen blankets are standard issue at quilt camp. It’s nice to add some colour with your own quilt and this is the only time that my Tropical Spectrum quilt ever gets an airing.

Some would add ear plugs to the list but I don’t see the point. My room mates don’t snore and I am resigned to the likelihood that I will get little sleep on the first night in a strange bed. The second night I tend to be so exhausted that not even the chatter and laughter of the party quilt campers keeps me awake.