I also do not belong to guilds and enjoy quilting on my own. There are times when I would like to have a buddy who quilts, but I am choosy about who I hang out with and often times find more friendship in men than women (women, for the most part, are too gossipy and whiny when in groups). I love this forum as it gives me the opportunity to learn from many wonderful quilters without the face to face contact. Once I have figured out the pattern, I love to sit and sew away. It seems to be my "mental therapy" and works quite well! LOL