Weirdosities looks like a good word to me. I'll borrow and use it sometimes if you don't mind. In our family, we've created a lot of new "words"; I can't think of any at this particular moment but I'm pretty sure some of them are rude.

I'm asked the same thing all the time...why don't you sell them?
Well...no one really wants to pay the price just so I can recoup what I spent and I just like making them. So, I make them, give them away and everyone is happy.
Now, if someone were to ask me to make one for them, sure...not a problem, but they WILL pay for everything!

That is exactly how I feel. Don't make it a job. I will lose interest quickly. I make them because it is fun. I love to hand quilt. The cutting and sewing/piecing are just things I have to do
to get to quilt them. That's also why I don't quilt for people.
I do it for me and those I love. :thumbup:

the question "why don't you sell your quilts?" is a compliment.

don't be confused or offended by the question. be grateful for it. it means the asker does recognize and appreciate your talent and efforts. she/he believes others would also recognize them and be happy to pay you for your work.

the answer is easy. "I don't have the time to make some quilts for gifts and some for profit. So, I choose to make them as gifts. My "profit" is your happiness."

Whilst I agree with everyone, and I can certainly empathise with Earthwalker, I think Patrice has nailed it. Thank you all and next time MDH makes fun of my "obsession" I shall admit to being a Weirdosity and proud of it!

How is it that quilters can GET it. We all come from such different backgrounds and yet the fabric pulls us in.
I do both gift and commission quilts. I do get a certain amount of joy from the reaction of $$$ recipients, but the JOY from a giftee is such music to my soul. I feel as if I have given a memory along with the quilt.
Really how philosophical on a beautiful Sat am. Let's go quilt
With Joy,

If you were to get paid for your hours of labor making a wonderful quilt, you'd be paid about 8 cents an hour.........and that is not counting all the money for fabrics and materials..........and the expense of your sewing machine, electricity, etc,, etc!
Friends always say to me, please, just put a price on it and I'll buy it.........! For me the quilts are only for my pleasure, and if I choose to give them as special gifts. No one could actually pay enough!

I totally agree. If I had to do it..the joy would be gone and it would just be another job.

Maybe there is a difference between quilting as an expression of my love for creating and quilting because it is an artistic talent with which I can add to my income? Although I think both reasons for quilting involve a deep love for the art and there will always be some quilts one can never part with.

For me parting with a quilt is like giving a piece of myself away... it always leaves a little hole in my heart that only the joy of knowing the recipient loves it can fill up again.

I agree. It' sort of like that charge card commercial - Fabric $50, Machine $1000, finished quilt - priceless! I always think that if the people I gave them to would realize their monetary value, they'd be shocked. And I would never buy a child a $500 gift, but I'd GIVE them a baby quilt - go figure! :-D