Thanks for for charm pack site. I think I will enjoy viewing it and ordering from it.

OMG I can so relate to this....DBF drag races and I must say being inside with fabric is 100x better than sitting at the track sweating it out and watching testosterone (from both men and women) get thrown around. lol

I gave up SMOKING for quilting. I had been a smoker for 20 some years, never in the house or car because I didn't like the way it smelled, but a smoker non the less. I was up to about 1 1/2 packs a day. To make a long story short my DD had a baby, had complications and had to be rushed back to the hospital. I had a 2 year old and a 3 day old and a diaper bag and had to rush from one side of a large hospital to the other and almost didn't make it to see my daughter before they took her into surgery becasue I was out of breath from years of smoking. Went home crying about it that night and DH said well quit smoking then, well all you smokers know that is easier said then done. When I was struggling to quit my DH said If you quit you can have all the money we spend in a year for your quilting. He figured that it totaled about $6100. WOW so after six smoke free months (I quit for good on Nov 3) I bought a Accuquilt Go, and the EQ6, and fabric galore and now I am in the process of trying to decide between the Juki 98Q with the Grace Pro or the Bernina babylock with a Grace Pinnicale and as soon as I can decide I will get it.
I feel better even though I have gained some weight and am working on getting more exercise. I found the QB and am having so much fun that I don't even have time to miss smoking.
So sometimes the things we give up for quilting are good things to give up!!! :lol:

Cleaning house. LOL

Good for you.

I keep exercising b/c I started to have aches and pains quilting. I don't want to stop quilting so I exercise nearly everyday when I first get up. I'm no good at that time of day so I do the Wii Fit Plus for at least 30". I've downsized 16#s and am feeling better and better. I keep my ironing board across the room from DSM and that makes me get up and walk to get to the board. I don't want applique bottom. LOL Give up nothing for quilting. Gained quite a bit. I need to govern my computer time better. I'm still working but not quite full-time. I don't cook.

Let's see......housework, repetitous TV

I've given up having a super clean house! My sewing room is not far from my bedroom and I often go there first thing in the morning. And time goes so fast, pretty soon it's too late to start a cleaning project! I'm retired also so sewing/quilting replaces a lot of my time that I would have spent at work. My children live far away so my hobby fills the gap and since I usually give my projects away, I feel like I'm doing something good and not just for me!

Housework and television - not bad things to give up! And listening to my inner critic.
http://uwillreadnews.blogspot.com/20...ans-we-do.html
and finding out that quilting is a sign of maturity - so the younger quilters are more mature, and the middle aged ones are right on track, and the older quilters are younger in their thinking!
Cheers
Rain

I've given up a lot of outside contacts. The kind where there really wasn't any value to the contact, just a have coffee and gossip type contact. I now do things with other quilters, go to shows, retreats, road trips etc. I enjoy the day and feel good after a day of stitching. We do a lot of charity projects for nursing homes, etc. So our time together benefits the community. I've given up a lot of TV time, but do not miss that a bit. I find most TV shows just are not that interesting. Also hate the violence type shows. Or shows where nasty language is used (this is cable type shows) Haven't gone to movies for years as the film is played to loud and all the violence and bad language just isn't worth me spending my $$. rather buy fabric. grin
I start every day with a 2 - 5 mile walk, so exercise isn't a problem. Love my slow cooker as I can put food in there and dinner is ready when we are. I think we make time for the things we really want to do.

It is hard to give up exercise when you have a large dog and a yard that is not fenced in. Walking 4 miles a day in the fresh mountain air rejuvenates me and gives me time to think of new quilting projects. Love quilting and walking evenly so I guess you could say I have the best of both worlds!

I have given up counted cross-stitch that I have loved to do for years. Sewing quilt pieces is as theraputic as putting a puzzle together and much more productive! My daughters have been very generous in keeping my shelf of quilt projects filled which helps with the expense. This message board has provided answers to all the questions that have popped up from no where so the world is good for me right now!

STRESS!!!!!!! I'm a pre-school teacher and quilting is my way to unwind. Right now I'm making a banner for the school, that had our school mascot and logo on it. "Children's Corner Caterpillars"

Lady Tapioca, try audio books, you can get them at the library, they come on cd, or cassette.

I too had giving up smoking over a year ago but started up again recently and everyday I am mad at myself for going back. It is very hard to stop "cold turkey" but that was the third time I had stopped. I never seemed to lose the desire. I truly want to quit and am going on a bus with a totally non smoking group. My hope is that my will power will hold out this next week and I can say again that I have given it up once again.

I admire your stamina. Keep up the good work.

I don't have a support group, i.e. spouse, etc, live alone so no one to fuss at me.

PS: what is DD and DH?

Jan

Let's see, I've given up smoking and I was a 38 year smoker. Now I have lots of money for fabric. I have gained having something in common with my sister(it's her fault I started quilting!!) I'm not bored anymore tons of stuff to do. I've gained creativity plus a few pounds, but that is from not smoking. My kids and grandkids just love the things that I quilt for them so that is a plus too. I guess it is all in what you like and don't like. In the end they will all have hand made quilts from grandma.

Hi Jan,
It was so good to see you on the web site. Glad you are doing well. The Appomattox Quilt Guild is still going strong. Need to get with you and talk about you doing a class with us.
Bonnie

I haven't given up anything.

However, I have added lots of new friends, the joy of learning something new.

I have given up alot of stress!

The only thing I really gave up was all the hours that I used to have the tv on or reading. I did those 2 much so now I only watch tv in the evening with hubby or read at bedtime. I really was going thru about a book a day which is really 2 much. And of course now I actually have my kids come over to me when I am at the computer looking at this forum that actually come to see what I am doing and to talk with me.

I AGREE..WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

i agree but i have started walking keeps the doc happy

Keep trying, keep trying, keep trying!!! In this instance everyone loves a quitter. It wasn't easy and I used the Rx drug Chantix for the first month. I highly recommend it everyone out there that needs help. If you don't have insurance call Pfizer and they have programs to help pay for it or give it for free. That being said Please talk with your primary care physcian before and really reseach the drug, it isn't appropriate for every one.
Good Luck!!

DD=Darling Daughter Dh=Darling Husband or Darn Husband depends on the day

Thanks!! jan

Actually I am getting more exercise since I keep my ironing board on the other side of the room. The biggest thing I have given up is boredom!!!

I can't say that I have given up anything for the love of Quilting. I never did watch T.V. during the day. I don't turn the T.V. on until I go to bed around 11:00 and then it puts me to sleep. What I gained far out weighs anything, such as many quilting friends and a great wealth of knowledge from them.

I gave up my guest bed..its now where I pile fabrics, cutting mats, etc. because I have nowhere else to do that! I also gave up some of my reading time. I used to read 4-5 books a week. Since I've read everything in my little bitty library I guess its a good thing I slowed down! I've gained a lot more than I've given up I think!

And for those of you quitting smoking....CONGRATS! For those of you trying...KEEP AT IT..YOU CAN DO IT! I'm at 3 yrs., 3 mo. , just got a reduction on my health insurance for being a non-smoker..so even more $ for fabric! Keep trying, its important!!

I'v given up TV time, clean house but really don't care to do house work any way.
I've gained time with mom and sister that are also quilter.
I think that I've gained more than I've given up.

Glorious story! You go girl, and congratulations are the anniversary upcoming!!
Jan in VA

I have been quilting for about 43 years now and to the best of my knowledge the only thing I have given up is a bad attitude. Used to get real crabby and bored, not anymore always have something to do or plan.
Happy quilting :)

Thanks to everyone for the words of praise and the encouragement. If anyone is trying to quit and needs words of encourgement or just to sound off to someone please feel free to PM me, I know how long and bumpy the road is.

Congrats to you!!! Isn't awesome when you get rewarded doubly for doing something that is sew good for you?

Amen!

I've tried hard not to give up the things you've listed (and I think I read the same article). But I definitely have given up TOO MUCH MONEY!

Still, I've gained a pastime that is gratifying in ways too many to list, and I've given AWAY a lot of joy to the people I care about in the form of quilts created especially for them. It seems a good trade off to me.

Dust!!! For some reason, when I've in a manic-quilting mood, the dust just doesn't seem to bother me as much as usual. I just pray no one drops by for coffee during these periods. I would surely be embarrassed.

I haven't really given up anything for quilting. I'm still waiting for the day when I don't have all those other responsibilities tying me down! Oh, and a little better cash flow would help!

I have a friend who goes to our local library, rents the books on tape and listens to them while she quilts or is working in her sewing room. I can't do that, it breaks my concentration but I'm not good at multi-tasking in any area!! :lol:

I feel that I have gained in taking up quilting more. The one thing that has become harder is money, but that is only because my craft money is draastically cut this time of year, because of my insurance I have to pay 100% of my prescriptions for a few months and they can run up to more than $1000 a month. I plan and save for this but it still is very hard when I am doing this.

I didn't give up anything. I do the quilting in the time when I would be sitting and watching tv or reading a good book. I just multitask and piece and quilt while relax and watch tv. Wspecially in the winter.

its give and take. i have given up obsessive reading, gaming on computer.
i hand quilt so i'm still with my family during much of my off work hours.
i've taken the opportunity to make a beautiful queen sized quilt for my son and daughter in law. babie quilts for my grandsons. (i'm still new at quilting)
now i'll start on a quilt for my 80 some year old parents who are living with me and as the 3 of us select the fabric i am both giving and taking.

What I've given up? Lets see, quite a bit of TV, computer time, playing video games, house work not up to par, spending time with my wife and dog, using money that could have been spent on other things to buy supplies and upgrades. After all is said and done, I wouldn't give up quilting for any of this. All other things will work themselves out eventually and it gives me peace of mind to be creating something so beautiful and practical.