When my children started to hit their mid and late teens I realized my focus in life had to shift as they would be leaving home soon. At the same time I was watching my elders entering retirement with no plan...which had obvious negative effects. So I started to search for something that would keep me learning, could be done even if I was confined to a chair, and that connected me to a community. Quilting ticked all the boxes! I made incredible friends at week long quilting retreats, learned so much my brain hurt, there is always a new skill to master, and to my surprise I started to gain colour handling and design skills....things I never thought I would gain. I can match the day's quilting to my mood...tackling something new and challenging on some days, making simple strip sets on days I just want to work without thinking too hard. It is meditative, regenerating, relaxing, challenging, comforting. And like so many here, I love making baby and charity quilts, and lap quilts and mug rugs as gifts.
Oh and turns out I love buying fabric! I have a huge stash which really suits my quilting style, which is increasingly improv. That stash gives me a good paintbox to work with.