I just found this site and thought that I'd register so that I could meet some like-minded quilters.

I live in the northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I've quilted for 33 years now (I made my first quilt when I was 21) and since I've been quilting for so long, I have a large stash and a tall UFO pile. Like many other quilters, I have been working to reduce my stash and my UFO pile. I've been focused on this goal for more than 2 years now. So far, so good!

I look forward to reading this forum!

Welcome from a WVa native who lived in the Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley for the 1st 20 years of her life. For the past 55 years I have lived various places but have a permanent retirement home in Cincinnati, Ohio.

You will find quite a few "like-minded" quilters here. And not all gals.
We have our guys that quilt and personally, I think that helps keep us balanced.

Welcome and be sure to show us some of your work.

June (a former neighbor who visits the area regularly)

Welcome to the board, from Rhode Island. I know you will love it here.

Hello and Welcome from Washington :P

Hi there, and welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome from Southeast Alaska. With all those UFO's we will be so excited to see lots of pictures.

Hi!!! Welcome from Oklahoma!!!

Thanks for the nice welcome today!

June, I just read your comment on my blog. I see we are 'neighbors'. I go in to Martinsburg to do family genealogy (my great great great grandfather was married in Berkeley Springs in 1799!). Like many before me, I was born in WV. I have traced one line of my family back to the 1750s in WV (Roger Dyer in the Fort Seybert Massacre in Pendleton WV) and 1760s with my Keister family (in Brandywine). Last year, I found the original farm and the family cemetery, and even met a cousin. Tracing my family lines has been an incredible experience.

Quilting, Bevanger, Craftybug, and Mgshaw -- I have been in and out of each of your states in our travels. Our 2008 trip took us as far as Idaho and Washington. My husband and I love to travel, but while we're on the road, I really miss my quilting projects.

Alaskan lady, I have not been in Alaska yet, but very much want to visit your state in the near future. Thanks for the welcome!

As for my unfinished stuff, I've been working on the pile for a few years. I usually put some photos on my blog as I work on something (or finish something).

For now, I have been longarm quilting on a 24 year old top -- I made it when I was expecting my second child. LOL It's been on my LA for more than a month now because I decided to make my own templates and quilt custom feathers everywhere. (Boy does that take a long time!) Anyway, I hope to have it ready for binding in the next day or so.

Welcome from NE CA. Glad to have you on board.

Greetings, Pocoellie and Loretta. I have visited both of your states, too. This year, we were in Wisconsin and we were able to see how beautiful the state is in autumn. Pocoellie, I have been into the NE part of CA, in and around Susanville where I caught the biggest rainbow trout ever (at Eagle Lake). LOVED that area, even though we were out there in November!

Here, we're having a cool, overcast day -- one of those days that is perfect to stay inside and sew!

Welcome and Hafa Adai from Guam!

Fancy meeting you on this thread, Terri! :D

(Now I am REALLLY going back to some sewing....)
TTYL

Shenandoah Valley, huh? Anywhere near Winchester? My first attempt at college (though I realized that I prefer life as a homemaker/quilter) was Shenandoah University.

Welcome from the Great White North (Vermont!)

Welcome from Indiana!! We're all glad you're here and now we want to see pictures :wink:

Welcome from Illinois!

Hi Paganquilter. I'm about 15 miles south of Winchester. I'm with you on the choice of lifestyle and career! Much more balanced, huh?!

Hi Joyce. Thanks for the welcome. I'll have to figure out where to post a few photos. I've been in the state of Indiana several times. Beautiful country!

Hi there Mplsgirl. Thanks for the welcome. We've been in and through Illinois (but we avoided Chicago -- it looked so big we were shakin at the size of it on the maps! lol).

Like the avatar photo. You're so young! :lol:

Hi and welcome from Mass.

:

Teehee!!!!! I avoid Chicago whenever possible too!

Very much so! My mother was initially less than pleased that I did not choose to be a "career woman", but eventually she understood. Call me old-fashioned for my age (29), but I just feel in the home is where I belong. And I'm grateful to all the women over the years who gave of themselves so they could make this a choice, and not a necessity!

That close to Winchester? :-) How have the Hornets been doing? ;-)

Let's see some pictures of your work! I can't wait! :-D

I've been lucky to have that choice myself. I worked, then worked at home (telecommuting before it became in vogue), then mother at home without a job/career, then self-employed. I've been fortunate to get the sampling of each and I much prefer not working outside the home.

Hornets? That must be a sports team over at one of the schools.....I have to admit that I don't watch others play sports, sorry!

Paganquilter, Where would I post some photos on this site?

There's a section titled "Pictures" on the main forum list. :-) At the top of that forum, you should see how to post pictures. But that's the place for it.

The Hornets are from Shenandoah University :-D

:D Welcome from So Cal. I have a cousin in Culpeper,VA. Is that near you? I am trying to get her to start quilting but she is too busy with her horses.

judee

Paganquilter, I'll have to scrounge a few photos and post them then.

Hi there Judee. I'm not far from Culpeper at all. Just tell your cousin that quilts are stylish saddle blankets and maybe she'll be convinced to start quilting!

Welcome from Southern California. Sounds like you fit right in. I have a large stash and am working on my large pile of UFO's. Of course, there is nothing like the fun of starting a new project. all the new fabrics and colors are just so tempting!!! :)

My chosen carreer was homemaker and mother as well. I was able to do that for 20 years. However when DH retired from the Navy and went to Seminary 7 years ago I had to go work. Just recently, though I cut my hours back and only work 19 hours, 3 days a week, unless it is tax season. Longing to be a homemaker again, someday!!!

Welcome from born breed West Virgina so nice to have you join would love to see some of your quilts

Hi there Gayle. Your life has also granted you a variety. Working towards not-working sounds like a good goal to focus on in the upcoming years. In the interim, enjoy the journey and keep quilting!

Hello Mountain Moma, sorta 'neighbor'. What part of WV are you from? I was born in Huntington, then when my mother got a teaching job in MD, we moved away from family.

I promise to scrounge up some photos and post them in the next day or so. Today, I'm finishing up a recycled denim tote bag.