I tend to be a hermit and before I lost my job I was content to come home and collapse. Now all I want to do is some form of quilting. I 'm hoping to be more involved in this group as you guys are great and support one another. I also think that the more confidence you have as a quilter the more you can open up.. but that's me.
So sorry you lost your sister. That must have been really hard to go through. She must have really enjoyed quilting if she wanted to open a store! Hope you don't feel so alone without her.
Hugs and Love

So sorry for your loss. You will be in my prayers.

I was always pretty social-in fact, when I decided to quilt, I pulled a friend along with me. She worked on two little projects, decided it wasn't her thing, but I got hooked! Now, when she calls and wants to go somewhere and do something, I'm torn-I'd much rather spend time with my sewing machine, but she is a good friend. . .and since retirement, I got "volunteered" one day a week at church-more time away. . .I guess in my heart, quilting is making me a loner!

I guess I have always been a loner. I am retired and on disability and do not get out much either. My closest friend lives 900 miles away in New Mexico. Also most of my family live either in NM or Colorado. I only seem to get out when I need groceries or I need something for my quilting. Jeanniebelle

Loner - hermit - recluse .... all those descriptions fit me. I enjoy being with people but have been hurt too many times so I now stay away from people who have the capacity to hurt me. Cowardly? I think not. I prefer to call it self-preservation and my time quilting fills a void. I enjoy this board as you can voice an opinion and be heard (read) and others comment on what you had to say without being rude, mean and uncaring ............ I appreciate you all!

I am sorry about the passing of your sister. I have definitely made more friends doing this than I would have otherwise.

Quilting has brought me out of my shell. I retired 2 yrs. ago. a month later I went to work at LQS just to be around quilters. I dont work in the shop now, but I do teach a Small Projects Class every month and the Moda Club, and I make samples for the shop. I also meet the first Sat of every month with 10 to 12 0f my friends at the library. We bring our machines and sew all day and have a pitch in. We have been doing this for 2 yrs. Life is good!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

It hasn't made me a loner, I still get out, but I love being alone and quilting is much cheaper than therapy or meds to calm the nerves. :lol: :lol:

I've always been a loner & at this age, it won't change.Maybe some ppl are predesposed to getting into any interest big time, not just quilting?I'm sorry for your loss.

So sorry about your sister. As for the neighbor, if you like the material, buy it. As for this post.......I have found that since this board and quilting, I find myself less apt to go out. So I guess that makes me more of a loner.

Just want to thank all those who expressed kind words regarding my sister. Is it not great to know that there are so many of us loners. I spend a good deal of time alone working in my gardens, quilting, walking, etc. I agree that if someone is causing stress in your life, you are doing yourself a favor by avoiding them. Stress does kill! For those who do feel too alone, we are only a few clicks on the keyboard away. God Bless!

I think it is very important to be able to entertain yourself, to be happy even by yourself, to be self reliant, to do more than just socialize.... on the surface of life. But although we need time to alone to complete our work we also need to share it. So there needs to be a balance.

I don't think quilting can make you a loner. You're either a loner or not. I'm a home body. However, at times I crave some socialization. My DH and I have been in this town going on 5 years and have not met any friends. We're retired. My DH is very outgoing and I'm more reserved around people. I LOVE to meet outgoing people because they bring me out of my shell. Just started quilting, it's so fun and this QB is my new friend.

I had a very good friend of about 50 years who quilted and we corresponded all the time. She passed away and I sure do miss her letters. Makes me feel like a loner and I carch myself checking the mail for her letters. We shared patterns, ideas, and general chitchat.

So sorry for the loss of your sister. How wonderful your thoughts of her can live on whenever you use one of her pieces of material. I think there is a difference between being a loner, and being lonesome.

Personally, I am social when I want to be, but on my free time I like to read, sew and garden. If doing what I like to do makes me a loner, so be it. I raised my kids, took care of my parents, spend time with my grandkids when I can, am willing to lend a hand whenever needed, but my time is now my own, and I love it.

The world needs lot of different people. enjpy being who you want to be. M

Sorry for the loss of your sister. I wouldn't describe myself as a loner. My house is my comfort zone, it's the one place I feel at total peace, and my sewing room is the heart of my comfort zone.

How sad, yes I see myself the same way.....

sorry for the loss of your sister. For me, I guess you could call me a loner now. I have 2 sisters, but, they both live across the country from me. I saw one of them 2 yrs ago and the other about 6. I talk to them. I had friends back on the east coast, but, since moving across the country to where I am now. We correspond through Christmas cards. Actually, I only know where my one friend is, the others either got sick and passed on or moved. We lost touch. Both my parents have passed within the last 6 yrs. It's me and DH. We live in a rural area. No neighbors across the street. House is vacant. Woman in the Nursing home. Our neighbors across the way are young with small kids. My in-laws who have a house in the next lot from us are here during summer months. No quilting groups in our area. The closest 100 miles. I speak to people in stores and a howdy doodie to some, but, it is mainly DH and I. He watches T.V. or weather permitting will build wood furniture. I used to be more sociable, but, lost my hearing and now, have a cochlear implant which helps. People look and try to figure what the heck I have on my ear. It's fun educating them. But, no close friends. I do my quilting which I love art work and designing and then we travel once a year to visit kids and grandbabies
I have this quilting board and all you wonderful people, whom I consider to be friends. Thank you all

I'm a bit of a loner but always was. I'm perfectly friendly and get along well with others but it part of who I am to like my private times. Thus said, I wish I of not left my husband (now ex husband) alone watching tv so much. I hated the shows he watched but maybe I should have given up having a sewing room and put my sewing maching on a table near where he sat watching tv.

Quilting has done just the opposite for me. I have met so many wonderful people through this hobby that I now call friends. The only problem is that I want to retire so I can spend time with these friends and do more quilting.

Donna - please don't let the loss of your friend keep you from trusting others. Sometimes people just grow apart. If she won't or can't tell you why, it is her loss. I had a good friend that was kind of the same way - but I was the one that pulled away. It got to where I was expected to cater to her every wish. I had to believe the same way she did, and think the same way she did. When I talked to her about this, she was very offended. Having even one or two good friends makes us very rich - I hate to see you seclude yourself like you are. One step at a time...try getting out a little. I have three sisters and I can't imagine not having them. Hugs to all that are hurting.

Sorry about your sister. I'm definitely spending more time home alone, but when i'm quilting, I'm never lonely.

AMEN to that

I'm sorry about your sister, I lost my only brother to brain cancer several years ago and even tho we lived far apart, I miss him.

In some sense quilting has done both for me. I too have health issues, so I can't always rely on being able to go out. I try to, but just not always possible. So being on here is part of my social life and I hope to meet some of the QB members at the Atlanta Quilt show in 2 weeks. But I can always pick up some quilting and do a bit.

Quilting has always been social for me. I think the thing that has forced me toward being a loner are kids. My family and friends all work and I am a stay at home mom. My groups don't like when bring the kids and getting a babysitter is hard. I am thankful for the board since it allows me to connect virtually when live interactions seem impossible.

Hmm. Its been interesting reading all of these. Because I too am a loner. Always have been. Even being the eldest of 6 kids. Our family isn't close and honestly most of them I just don't like. I don't do well at small talk at all. Since moving in with my brother I spend probably 90% of my time alone except for my dog.When I lived in GA it took me a long time to make friends and they were all associated with the humane society.I just don't see the point in making friends and being forced to leave them that and having "friends" stab me in the back has happened too many times. So I come on here to get any social interaction I need and the rest of the time stay with me and Andy. People are always telling me to get out more. To Where??? LOL

So sorry about your sister. In my case quilting brought me a lot of friends. Years ago when I first started quilting, I didnot know anyone else who did. I was a stay-at-home mom and lonely for adult company even though I lived in a large metropolitan area (Baltimore, MD). In a big city people tend to stay to themselves, rarely even knowing their neighbors. Well in the local paper I saw an advertise for a quilt quild in my area. Even though I was scared to death to go by myself I figured if they loved quilting as much as I did they would welcome me with open arms. They did and now 25 years later I have a wonderful circle of quilting friends that I would have never know if I hadn't made that scary move and attended my first quilt quild meeting.

Actually, I would rather quilt than leave the house. However, I am not comfortable around lots of people (just dogs) so I can not blame quilting. I am so sorry about your sister. There is a big difference between being alone and being lonely. ♥

I've always been a loner but feel I have many friends here on the Board.

Sorry about your sister. I'm not a loner. Belong to 3 guilds, and when I worked I didn't have time to do much of anything else. Now all my friends here quilt. I've lost a real good quilting friend 2 yrs ago. She taught me some quilting long distance on the phone. My DH said it would have been cheaper to send me to IA. to learn. I've always been a people person.

But to this day my heart aches, no more close friends for me thank you!

So with that said, I guess I am a loner and just trying to find something to do to fill the void... :-(

Oh dear Lady.... I know we are all different. I don't have many friends, but I treasure the few I have. Try again. Join a group. It's too easy to seperate yourself and start becoming
"weirder". Tis better to love and lose than to never love.
Try only asking questions and listening to the other person, relating to what is important to them. After a meeting or two you can slowly introduce something about yourself (but keep it short and simple!). Do you think maybe I've been there???

Live is too short to waste any of it.

so sorry your Sister's journey ended. i too have lost my buddy of 45 years to bone marrow cancer. i think your sister quilted so much to try and forget the pain - and take her mind from the trials she had to go through. its easy to share things through the internet - but quilting is not as easy as it seams - long hours and lots of thread go into our pieces of cloth - but the end result - oh boy, beautiful. - most people want instant gratification and that does not come with quilting. - treasure her gifts and share them with people you love. c.

I am sorry about your loss.

In a way I think it has. I don't have very many friends that do what I do. Today I had a friend over that sews/quilts and does some other crafting that I do. Sometimes her and her daughter and I will go shopping and make a day of it together. We have fun. I am in a sewing group but most of those ladies live quite a ways away ( an hour or more). I guess I could get involved in a quilt group that meets in the next town over. but they meet at night and really I don't want to go out at night.

I am kinda a loner anyway-having hobbies that keep me busy don't help.but I am ok-we have the board :thumbup:

I was always somewhat of a loner. I am in pain a lot and dont deal well with social situations. I love this board as I can interact and share and visit and all the good social stuff,but at my own pace and in my space.I can be in my pajamas or whatever and not have to worry how I look ,and if I get tired I dont have to sit and try to visit when I just wanna lay down.I truly love people,so being able to have friends and share is a real blessing!!!

Oh, Donna, I am so sorry you lost your sister. My sisters and I are scattered all over the place, so I don't see them as much as I would like. I am a home body, but I do go into the LQS and do sit and sews at least once a month. I do enjoy this website and chatting with everyone.

Sorry to hear about your sister. I am sure it has not been easy, even the task of dispursing of her items she cherished.
I am not sure I am a loner, I spend a lot of time alone, but I prefer being in the company of others and thrive on it. I was in the work force until a month ago due to permanent layoff. Missed the conversation and people. But slowly I don't anymore and dont want to get out there and find another job. (Thank goodness I dont have to-we will never be very well off, but DH and I know being happy is more important than having things.) I have all of your posts to read and reply to. I feel like you are sitting across the table from me sipping on coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, and margaritas or a glass of wine at night. (Wish that were true.) Nope, I am not a loner.

I am sorry about your Sister, you and she are in my prayers.

I have been a loner almost all of my life. I was an only child and had to make my own entertainment. (before TV and the internet). I worked outside the home until I had to retire to become a caregiver. I was a caregiver for my dad with Parkinsons, then my Hubby with Alziemers and then my Mom with heart and walking problems, she died at age 92.

After I lost them I was entirely alone and sold my house in Florida and moved back to Pennsylvania to be near my daughter. I had found quilting along the way and love the act of creating new and pretty things with fabric, so I was content to be a loner. My daughter is always trying to get me to go out and "Meet people", but I would rather stay home and sew or spend time on the computer. I am hearing impaired and have trouble walking due to Arthritis, so that precludes many of the things that I could do "out there". I am going to volunteer 1 day a week at the local hospital, doing computer entry, which they really need help with, to satisfy my daughter and I hope make it possible for me to make a few friends. Wish me luck.

oh yes,,,if you plan on continuing to quilt I would get it. that is an awesome price. if necessary work out an arrangement with her. You will never forgive yourself if you pass it up.

Please do not let one person in your life keep you from making new friends. There are lots of great people out there and I am sure some that would love to be your friend. I moved to wa. from calif. and really missed my friends. started a garden club here and volunteered to keep a free library going and now have 3 wonderful friends. Never let someone else take such control of your life. After all, quilters are some of the nicest people I know along with gardeners. smile....