The blessing of our "Giggles" group :-)
Have you ever participated in a small group which is an off-shoot from your quilting guild?
Six of us have been meeting weekly in a private home for a preplanned potluck lunch. What we contribute to lunch varies with the menu. Purchasing something from a deli is not a cause for distress. We pitch in to set up the table for lunch and clean up afterward. Timeframe ranges from 11 am to approx. 2 pm each Wednesday.
We have worked on our own projects, as well as, items for charity. From a queen size quilt to table toppers, it is fun to share our stories, stash and special interests. Fortunately, all participants are also avid readers so we share that interest in literature, history, travel, etc.
My DH knows that "Giggles" is a huge mental health break for each quilter and offers community support when our families live so far away. My quilting sisters named the group LOL before I joined. It was supposed to mean Ladies of Leisure, but we were side-swiped when presenting a quilt to a local charity to raffle. The charity representative asked if LOL meant Little Ole Ladies. He was serious!! Granted he was older than we are, but I thought he had put his foot in his mouth..... Well, we've laughed over that one. The following week two gals had a box of faux pearls on the table. Yes, we put on our pearls each time we met until that trick was worn out. :-)
If you have the opportunity to join a small group, I would encourage you to give it a try. :-) We've found a way to deepen friendships, share our talents, and keep the cost to a minimum.