Since you are getting the "don't have permission to create tags" message, are you putting something in the tag field? If you are, you can only use existing tags, shown towards the bottom of this page:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tags/ Tag doesn't mean the same thing as thread. To start a new thread on the main page, click the "post new thread' button, type a title in the title field, type your message in the message area, IF it fits any of the tags shown on the tag listing, you can add it there (or leave blank if it doesn't), then click "submit new thread" button. If that doesn't work, there is a glitch, and you should contact administration.