Quiltingboard Forums - Just joined this board

Hello, I recently found this message board. I have been quilting for a few years, but recently haven't had as much time to quilt as I would like. I have fallen in love with kaleidoscope type quilts.. One Block Wonders mainly, but I also like the 4 Patch Posie as well. I do want to try some traditional kaleidoscope quilt blocks, and some Stack N Whacks when I have more time. I'm great at making the tops, but can never seem to get the tops quilted and finished.

A little about me, I live in Colorado Springs, and have been working as a Letter Carrier with the US Postal Service for over 30 years. My best friend lives with me, and he is my live in computer geek. I also have 2 cats, Laptop and Tigger. They both love to help me quilt (when I have the time). The very first quilt I made was a Trip Around the World. After I got the first top done, I decided that I wanted to make one for each member of my family for Christmas, so I made 7 lapsize TATW quilts in one year. (I did start the first one in Jan, so I had plenty of time to get them all completed by Christmas). I enjoy the whole process of making a quilt top, from picking out the fabric, to preparing it to cut, cutting it and then piecing it back together.

I don't enjoy basting the quilt or quilting it (I would love a longarm, but don't have the room for one, so I struggle with doing it on my regular machine). I recently quilted one top using machine embroidery, and that was fun, and I plan on doing more like that. At least it looks much better than me trying to do free motion. I need more time to play and practice and right now, I don't have much time to do either.

I look forward to meeting all of you, and learning new things from everyone. Thanks for letting me join.

Diane