I learned to quilt about 20 years ago, when my kids were young. I took some classes at the LQS taught by a woman named Gerlinde Andersen...not sure where she is today, but she was very creative and artistic. While she taught the fundamentals, she also shared her creativity with us. I was very excited to have my first hand quilted wall hanging on display at the LQS for months and yes, I still have it.
My favorite quilts are the artsy/unusual patterns like the OBW, French braid, bargellos...and I love purples, fuschias, greens and blues, so a lot of my fabric is on those colors ...
I only have a few quilts since most of them have been gifts.
No antique quilts, don't enter shows, not in a guild.I try to talk all my friends into quilting, but find it easier to make quilters my friends!
I took a break for about 10 years to go to school and raise my kids and now I am back at quilting while starting over again with a foster child that is 3 years old. Makes it a little tough to find time to sew since I also work full time. So I have substituted machine time for QB time :)
And I quilt because I love the patterns and designs that we make when we 're-arrange' fabric. I love the feel of 100% cotton and the adventure of finding the right fabric. The concentration needed to match seams and plan color schemes takes me away from the worries and tasks that time up most of my days. The satisfaction I get from creating a work of art, and the pleasure of giving it to someone I love, or donating it to a worthy cause.