.

Absolutely! Signing up for TQS is one of the best decisions I've made

I think it's time to say there are both healthy and unhealthy addictions. From a "mental health" prospective I know quilters are among the most mentally healthy, and mentally resiliant group of people I've come accross. For the most part, they are happy with themselves or they wouldn't pursue a pastime that requires lots of time being pretty much alone. At the same time, they find ways to gather in groups to share their skills, to give encouragement to one another and to find ways to serve their larger community. They laugh. They really laugh alot. They have skills and talents that allow them to put their deepest feelings of loss and love into physical form (baby quilts, wedding quilts, memorial quilts, art quilts/wall hangings). All these activities release powerful chemicals in the brain very similar to the anti-depressants your physcian prescribes - very similar to the oppiates to which drug addicts become harmfully addicted. The ones our own bodies produce are not harmful to our health. Instead, they enhance our well-being. Are we addicted? Perhaps, yes. But is it a bad addiction? Only if we can't cut into our stash and allow the creativity to flourish.

"Hi, my name is Terri and I am a quiltaholic" - is that the kind you mean Terri? Well until they officially make quilting, and chocolate, an addiction I think you have permission to go and support your LQS - and lucky you are to have a LQS!

Well, my quilting sisiters, I have a small confession to make. I already told you that I've given into temptation to do this sampler, althought I have * a few* other projects on the go. I told you I was going to stick to my stash.....and I still might, after my final decision is made. However, a 'quick' trip to the LQS this afternoon turned into $70 of new stuff, that MIGHT look good in the sampler. Oh dear, it there a support group for quilters? (besides this forum in which I know everyone supports everyone in their habit! LOL! - that's not the type of support I think I need...on the other hand.

Terrie
aka crocus999

Renata, your little quilt is on its way to the UK. I'll let you know when it arrives. Can be anything from 4 days to three weeks, depending if it gets stuck in customs or slips straight through.

Limbania, I have some really pretty old fabrics sitting on my shelves. Many of them I still really love, but some of them not so much anymore. I am also finding that the things I am buying now I am loving even more. I am learning so much about color, vision texture and design and my tastes are changing. I need to use what I am buying because it is what I am most enthusiastic about. I must use the old stuff too. There are some older pieces that I loved dearly at one time and now I know they will never see the front of a quilt they will make lovely backing. I need to make room for my evolving needs and tastes. My fabric closet will not get bigger. We have got to keep one another motivated to use our stash.

Thank you BJ, Rita and Renata for the encouragement!

Renata, so wonderful that your quilt got purchased!
By the way, love your name, it's my DD name, although hers spells Renatta, she's 7. So if I ever misspell your name, now you know the reason

Rita, love your new avatar, that smile looks great on you!!!

Won't get tired of saying it. The participants in this forum are the best of the bestest (probably not a proper word but, you know what I mean )

Better go get started on the sampler now. Fear no more...

Thank you Lois and Renata for bringing a new perspective about fabrics sitting on the shelf (in my case, also in boxes, closets or just on a table top ) been a waste.

I LOVE fabric. I enjoy admiring and petting it. One of my biggest thrills is to plan/design a quilt and find the perfect fabric. But, once I have it in front of me, there's this almost terror to cut it and even worst the possibility of messing up and turning it all into waste. I too grew up in a home where nothing could be wasted. And until this day it is very well ingrained in me. If you add to that the "paralysis for analysis sindrome" I 'm very prone to... Well, you get the picture
Now with this new perception on waste, I'll just have to get me started with all those projects that have been neglected for so long

Terrie (Crocus), Welcome. I couldn't resist either. I need another project like a hole in the head, but I am enjoying it and I have fabric needing to be used.

BJ, your fabrics are oh so pretty! Green is such a happy color. Looking forward to seeing your next block!

Crocus999 (sorry I don't know your name... ), welcome aboard the Sampler Classroom, shipmate! This will be fun.

Limbania, I have only made one AAQI but watching Clara's smilebox inspired me to make more (and I just found out my little quilt sold, which makes me happy because somebody must have liked it ). Looking at all those little quilts made by TQS members made me feel the love with which each one of those were lovingly crafted. I know you will get the same enjoyment out of making yours.

Oh BJ you are sooooo lucky living near Jinny Beyer's shop. Or are you? I think it would be a constant drain on my purse.

Limbania, I look forward to see your forays into the art quilt world, especially if they end up as AAQI quilts.

Wendy, you are welcome.

Thanks Rita

Limbania55 wrote:
Thank you so much. Oh that's great that you are going to try some art quilts! I HOPE you will share your results when they are done. The neat thing about art quilting is you USUALLY don't have to be as accurate as the wonderful mathematical puzzles of traditional quilting. But it has its own challenges.

Reetzbobeetz wrote:
It would go nicely with Flat Rita's latest outfit. I bought that fabric from Jinny Beyer's studio (I live more or less in the area...aren't I lucky?)