rural iowan
 

I was born on a farm in western Iowa, my parents divorced when I was young and I moved to a town where I learned how to sew and quilt from my grandmother and graduated high school. Got my degree from ISU in Art, and after some personal tragedy went on to graduate school. Continued sewing and quilt making, created my own designs, painted and dyed fabric, and discovered Project Linus. After some more turmoil, and a lot of time spent caregiving I finally got married last June. I moved to a rural area, and 3 quilt/fabric stores in the area have closed in last year. I also left a great group of quilters, who are now about 85 miles away.

My mother is a long arm quilter, and I have her starter machine. I've gotten more interested in applique projects. I have about a dozen works in progress, and for past 4 years have planned/designed a BOM type project.

So I miss my hand quilting group who would listen and let me vent, and then being a few decades older than me, would vent themselves, or give advice.

Welcome to the Board. You will find a fine group of quilters here and always an ear or two to talk to. Been there done that with mother-in-law. I got everything that should have been thrown out but she really wanted to keep in the family. Daughter didn't want any of it. Anyway, after she passed away I was able to get rid of it. Hope our life goes smoother. Enjoy your pregnancy. I moved from New York to Iowa for a couple of years (due to husband's work). The people there were so nice to us, always including us in fun things to do. I really learned a lot about pigs. Had a lesson from one of the girls I worked with. Her father was a pig farmer and I now appreciate all the hard work that goes into caring for pigs. You will enjoy it here.

Welcome from Dallas Tx. You can vent here and we will listen and maybe give unwanted advice, but we will still be glad you are here. There are a lot of good quilters here and they are giving with their knowledge.

Welcome from Adrian, MI

In our Singles group I was known as the EAR !!! Welcome to the QB. We are here to help one another... Hugs and a prayer for you, Omacookie

Forgot to tell you I remarried in 2011. Life goes around and comes around. We must take the bad with the good. More hugs, Omacookie

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Hi from Ohio!

Welcome to the board!! just know that life can gave you hard times, but it will give much joy too. [I fell like I have to real look for the good sometimes.] know that we are good listen and sometime talk backer.HA HA hope you enjoy it here.

Welcome to this great group!

:) welcome from se TX -- do any of the handquilters from your group email??- I really enjoy emailing and chatting with my quilting buddy where we vent and share and just chat (the weather is a big topic!!)

Consider this board another 'member of the family' - lots of great folks who are caring, kind, and willing to listen to your troubles. Having quilting to fall back on in troubled times really took my focus off those things I couldn't change and folks who were unkind to me and helped me to use my creativity to make things for others who could enjoy them and be thankful. Turn a negative into a positive using your quilting.

The hand quilters are all in my grandmother's age group 70+ and not very tech savvy. (not that you can't be tech savy at any age). I recall a conversation with my grandmother after I joined facebook and someone said I should have photos of my quilts there.

"Grandma I need to visit to photo the quilt so I can put it on Facebook, since you don't have a digital camera, or e-mail, and can't facebook send it to me" as she is on facebook.

"I have a digital camera, and an e-mail address, but I have no idea how to attach a file and send it. While you're here could you teach me?"

So 120 miles, a tank of gas, a lightbulb, and a few weeks later...I finally got the picture. Spent the weekend going over how to download pictures from camera, how to name files, and folders, how to use web camera, how to scan, how to print what you've scanned downloaded, how to attach files, how to upload files to facebook.

It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed every moment.

Welcome from OHIO! I'm sure you will find new friends here and probably some wise advice as well.

Hello, welcome from Nevada!!!

Hi Shelly welcome to the board from NE Ohio.

Howdy from Oklahoma! Welcome to the Board. You have reached sanctuary! There are no quilt police here and no judgements, all quilts ART. Everything is going to be alright. So glad you've joined us. Here's a sisterly hug!

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)

Welcome from S CA!

Welcome from Spring, TX