;-) I've been reading here off and on since the site was pointed out by a fellow guild member who posts here. (Hi Sue!) Today I tried the "What's my quilty name" and decided that now that I have a quilty name it was time to actually register.

I've already learned a lot from just peeking in once in a while, and hope to be able to spend more time here in the future.

I've been quilting for a couple of years - mostly donation quilts for our local battered women's shelter and quilts for the Soldier's Angels organization which distributes them to wounded soldiers. I've done some machine quilting, but only in the ditch or echoing so far. Several of the other quilts have been tied. Guess I've been more interested in 'cranking them out' than actually taking my time and enjoying the process. One of these days I'm going to make a crazy quilt for me. I've started collecting fabrics and trim and such, and have a lot, just not in the colors I see in my head.

I'm also planning to learn to hand quilt one of these days, as I've got a partially finished Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top that I'd love to complete. I won it in a raffle, and don't know a thing about it's history. It's all original 1930's fabrics, with a yard of "that green" to go with it. It even has the little cardboard templates that someone used in making it. I wish it could talk. I've never been a thimble wearer, so I have to get used to that first. It would be a heinous crime to finish it by machine quilting, so...one of these days... My hubby laughed when I won it - imagine - trying to win another UFO!! :roll: Does sound nutso, huh?

Anyway, it's good to be here where I can learn a lot more from more experienced quilters.

Welcome from another newbie.
I hope your not in the path of the fires out there.

Hi! Welcome from Oklahoma!!! So glad you decided to join us!!

Hello, and welcome from North Carolina.

Thanks all!

Ms Sage -- I am here in the LA area. We can definitely smell the smoke, but aren't at risk. A couple of years ago the ridges above us burned. It was a humbling site to see the flames cresting over the top of the hill. It was as if it was alive and devouring everything near it and looked unstoppable. I feel so bad for the people who have been burned out today, and those that are still in the possible path of the destruction. It has to be extremely scary for them.

Welcome from just up the road from you! I'm just above Thousand Oaks off the 101. This is a great place to be!!

I am "Her Majesty Compulsive Stash Enhancer" It so describes me!!

Welcome HM from Alaska! :D

Hi and welcome from Mass.

Welcome from Texas

Hi from OR, or rather, Vicountess Drooler over vintage quilts :roll:
I don't drool exactly...... :mrgreen:

Welcome from NE CA.

Hi Hot Mama! I haven't tried the name thing yet, I'm afriad I'll end up with Psycho Stitcher Extraordinairre with UFO's in the closet.

Hello & Welcome from Washington

Welcome Hot Mama from Spain :D Is that you on the bike?????

Yep, that's me. Wheeeee....

Welcome from Georgia, 2 wheel woman. Glad to have you with us.

There are lots of alternatives to traditional thimbles on the market these days. Keep trying until you find one that works for you. I wear a thimble pad and love it!!

I'm a hand quilter and it is a very enjoyable pastime and portable. I've worn out thimbles, you get your own technique going and no one does it exactly the same. One thing I was told when I first started it to rock the needle and it makes a difference. My mother in law was a quilter and she could get nine stitches on a needle. I'm lucky to get over five. but I enjoy the process.
The good work you do on the gift quilts shouldn't be overlooked. I know you make the day of the recipients. It's always nice to know someone is thinking about you and the quilts remind them of that daily. Good Work

Sorry I am late on my welcome, but WELCOME anyway.....

Welcome from Indiana!!

A warm welcome from West Virgina you'll love it here