Yes, I love to go to shows. Yes, it can inspire me to recreate a quilt I have seen. Most of all it give me a chance to see the wonderful fabrics that my LQS has in action. I might love a fabric but not know what else I would use with it and see it in a quilt and there I go, off to use it on a new project. I also just love the art of it all. We have all gone to art exhibits where we did not buy anything. My DH even plans quilt shops and shows whenever possible into our 2 week holiday trip each year. Sometimes he will let me know about them, others he just stops in front of one and tells me he thought I would like to spend some time playing (and not to drool to much) Not all of my sewing projects have been keepers, but he sure is.