For me it is a stress reducer. My job is extremely stressful, some days more than others. Looking at my design board where I have my latest project "on hold" is even therapeutic and brings a smile to my face. When I was about 15 or so, I took a test of my skills/interests etc. ... and (according to the test) was very artistic. I never saw that side of myself until I started quilting. I can't draw my way out of a paper bag... but I can create quilts...that others (especially non-quilters) enjoy looking at and wondering how it was made. I love the challenge of learning something new and playing at quilting. When it becomes work... it's no longer stress reducing..so it's important to me to play play play... which means I don't stick to patterns...and I experiment a lot. :lol: