I agree with the others here in that if you can afford it, it isn't harming your health & you obviously love it...then continue to do what you love to do! There are those that think quilting is dumb. Okay it isn't their thing. Golfing isn't mine, but I respect those that love it. Like the other's, there are all sorts of places you can give to. Or make a bunch and take them to a Craft Show or Festival & try to recoup some of your cash. Or have your own Quilt Sale for people to purchase your quilts. But really, if you love doing it, keep on doing it & to heck with those that think it is a waste. And it is cheaper than a Mental Hosp. or a Nursing Home. We have to do things to use our brains to keep us going. Use it or lose it type of thing. Enjoy! It is much better for you than hanging out in bars also. LOL

{{{{{HUGE HUGS}}}}}

I haven't read the whole thread, but it seems to me that your DD and BF is seeking a little attention and TLC of her own. Perhaps you could encourage her to work along with you one of your quilts. Then she might begin to "get it." If quilting is what gives you pleasure and a feeling of purpose, then I encourage you to continue. Good luck.

This is excellent!!!! I am sending this to my quilter friends who are not on this board. For those who love to quilt yet on a tight budget, this is prefect!!!

It is not possible to have too many quilts in this world. It is also not true that no one wants them. It doesn't matter what they look like, it you took the time and love doing it, there is love built into each and every one. Mention it to all relatives and friends and at church or where you visit often. You wouldn't believe how many people would LOVE to wrap up in a quilt full of LOVE. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with everyone!!!!!! KEEP ON QUILTING!!!!!!

Hi,

I assume your DD doesn't quilt. That means she doesn't or isn't able to appreciate what and why you cut up perfectly good fabric and sew it back together again.

I recommend that you look this site up. It should also be listed on the Green Fairy Quilts site. It is a trip that the Green Fairy and her husband recently took to Romania to bring quilts to children and families that people had made and donated for this specific trip.

Warning, have a kleenex box nearby, turn up your volume. It will open your eyes to the generousity of quilters from all over and it will especially open your eyes as to how many, many in the world would love to have a quilt of any type. I know your heart will be touched and that it will give you new motivation. Look how beautiful, probably expensive and definitely creative quilters have been.

After you view this video, watch it with your daughter. It may give her new insight and appreciation for what you do and enjoy. God bless you and may your heart be encouraged each time you sit down to sew!!! :-D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruV5A...layer_embedded
Oops! Forgot to put the site in:

o

Hi, I'm new here, been reading and looking for years. I just want to tell you to keep on doing what you like to do. My husband it a great guy. Never complains about what I spend or my choices about buying things. But he just can't understand that I love to sew and he feels that the time put into quilting is wasted. When he goes to auctions or yard sales and quilts sell for $1.00 or $2.00 he feels no one values them. He doesn't understand that I value them, and that there ARE other people who value them also. I guess you just have to be a quilter to understand. Keep making your quilts. Finish the one you started, put it back and eventually you will have it ready when that special person appears that it is meant for. Don't let your daughters opinion sway you from doing what you love. I know she isn't trying to be mean and I think that you two have something special when you both feel you can honestly say what you think to each other. Keep sewing and creating lovely quilts and don't be so hard on yourself. Re-think selling some of your masterpieces if you need to open space for new ones. I'm surprised at what I've seen for sale. People eat them up!
Hope I've helped you some.

I can not say it any better than what has been said already. Please do not quit quilting and please, please let us know if we have encouraged you to keep on. The world needs all the quilters it can get..good, bad or just learning. We make the world a better place, one quilt at time. :-)
Sending warm quilting hugs!

Quilting is a labor of love. I don't know anyone that doesn't

want to be wrapped in love, and that is exactly what quilts do,

they combine warmth and love to comfort a person who may be

sick,morning a death or someone just needing encouragement

by being shown they are not alone and that someone cares!!

Keep QUILTING and share your loving and giving works to all!!!

I read some of the other replys. My feelings also. You're alive, keep active and rejoice that you can use your intelligence and creativity. It is so sad to see persons that are not able to move and in my view have no quality of life. Who am I to decide if the person is happy and able to communicate with their creator that is exceptional quality of life.
Check out "Quilts for Kids" 11 Effingham road, Yardley Pa. 10967
phone# 215-295-5484 Web address www.quiltsforkids.org. See if their needs fit your desire. Happy Quilting

I read some of the other replys. My feelings also. You're alive, keep active and rejoice that you can use your intelligence and creativity. It is so sad to see persons that are not able to move and in my view have no quality of life. Who am I to decide if the person is happy and able to communicate with their creator that is exceptional quality of life.
Check out "Quilts for Kids" 11 Effingham road, Yardley Pa. 10967
phone# 215-295-5484 Web address www.quiltsforkids.org. See if their needs fit your desire. Happy Quilting

I second this opinion. There will always be someone that will love to have a quilt. Maybe just right now. And one day, when your gone, your daughter will love looking at the things you have made. I once thought some of the things my mom made me before she pasted away, were not at all practical or nice for that matter, but I would not take anything for them now. Love to look at them and think about her......

Your daughter has no clue. Quilting is an art of expression, and a mental and physical release of creativity. Have you ever heard of a frustrated artist. Well, I feel it is in our blood to use
our creativity the way we feel fulfulled, and quilting is mine. If
I didn't have my quilting I think I would go crazy. It is a to encourage and inspire others, you need to belong to a group, so
like people can encourage you. Check into the Senior Homes, and any quilt shops or guilds, they will embrase your talents and
you will not be alone in your passion.

Also, have you tried the disappearing nine patch pattern, it is very addicting.

My pastor told me a long time ago, God rewards those that create. Amen. I have over 200 quilts, I keep making them with no one in mind, I love quilting, I will never stop.

I was browsing thru a local thrift store and there were two quilts in the "pet bedding" section. I looked them over and decided that they were better than that. They were really old, cotton batting and old style colors. I got them both for $6. They aren't spectacular or eye catching in color but they are quilts with lots of love in them. I use them as couch covers. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and quilters "behold" a lot of beauty. My daughters all love my quilts and my dolls. Like someone else said, maybe you should try to get your daughter to sit and quilt with you just one time and see if it changes her thinking. linda

Let me tell you a little story. I make quilts for a group in town here.This group donates the quilts we make to either the local hospital, the "Make a Wish Foundation" . or gives them to kids who have been taken out of abusive homes . One of the girls was placed in a foster home and did not like it and ran away and the only thing she took with her was the quilt that had been made by our group!!! That quilt was the only posession she had that was hers!
I would say "GO FOR IT GIRL!! There are a lot of people who need you.Contact you local hospital or ask any church and you will find out in a hurry who needs your quilts . They'll love for it . Keep up the good work . Bobby in Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz county. California

You just made chills run up my spine.

Obviously your daughter is not a quilter. It is a wonderful craft and if you feel the need, law inforcement can use quilts to give to children who are being removed from their homes. This is realy a rewarding thing. I did it a few years ago and they were so greatful to get them. Also belive QUILTS FOR KIDS is another worthy cause, as well as our veterans in military hosp.

SEW KEEP ON QUILTING, DEAR FRIEND!!!!

Thank you for this reply...can i ask a question? Are those 200 quilts quilted or are they the tops?God Bless Quilters!!

You need to quilt! It gives you something to do and you love it!

You could always make baby quilts for the childrens hospital. My friend just made over 30 baby quilts to take to the childrens hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Also you could make the lap quilts for nursing home folks.

Please don't give up, you love to quilt!

Also you could make some Downy quilts (they send you the pattern and all fabric but the batting and thread) you make them and send them back to them. You can order more than 1 kit at a time.

http://www.quiltsforkids.org/volunteer/

You know the kids will appreciate your quilts.

Karen "Craftybear'

First if you didn't hear it from your daughter and it was from another source I would first talk to your daughter about it.
If she does feel that way explain to her how it makes you feel when you are working on the quilt and the self satisfaction that you get from quilting. Even if you never give another one away....and even if after you are gone no one will want them. Explain how much you love the entire process. From picking the pattern, fabric, cutting and stitching.
Everyone has something that makes them feel good. If you stop doing something that you love...especially if you feel that you are being forced to do it, you will become resentful and most likely become depressed.
I don't like talking about death but it is part of life...people might not care about the quilts now....but after you are gone may be a different story.
You are not out drinking, you are not doing drugs, you aren't spending money foolishly on clothing that sits in your closet with the tags still attached. You are appeasing your creative passion.
I don't know if you are married as you didn't say but, if it is not causing any problems in your relationship and you are happy, who is to judge what you do for a hobby. Your daughter and everyone else is entitled to their opinion but they are not entitled to make you feel guilty for something you love.
Since you and your daughter are such good friends it sounds like there would not be a problem talking to her and letting her know that you value her opinion but, you are going to continue quilting. You love each other and I am sure that she will understand that you don't want to discuss it again.
Don't give up your passion..and don't feel guilty for doing it. Life is to darn short.

Enjoy your quilting and if nothing else you could give your quilts to places like Quilts for children or sale them here on the board, Someone i am sure would love them
HUGS Dora

I think your daughter is off base. If you enjoy it, then do it! Beyond that there are so many shelters for families and abused women and children that could use your creations to bring some light and hope into their life. Keep on quilting and love every minute of it!!!

Please don't give up on your love of quilting. If you need someone special to give your little one quilt to - may I suggest giving it to someone who has just gone through a house fire and lost everything they had. I know that when you receive a quilt after an event like this it brings happyness and comfort, and that feeling lasts everytime you wrap up in it. I can not think of a better place to give a quilt that you have put time -LOVE- money into. We all know as quilters that the fabric from the local quilt shop has SUCH A NICE FEEL TO IT!!

Also you can explain that people spend money on other things that are bad for them. Quilting is a scource of happyness, math skills, fine motor, and many other talents. Just think every time you quilt you are excercising your brain. At least that is what I think.

you might also check with your local police dept. if they take a child out of a drug house or meth house, that child is taken out in nothing!! not even a diaper and a warm quilt sometimes is just what they need and then the quilt stays with the child..just a suggestion...my kids don't always understand my passion but they know it makes me happy

I have a ariticle that was written rspically for people like you and me wish I could send it to you. Written by helen kelly title feeling good about quilting, would love to mail it to you if I had your address elise

I love to quilt! My grandson is only 3 years old and I have made him 3 quilts already and I just bought fabric to make him another one. I am also making a king size for my daughter. I am very careful what I do with my quilts. You can't just give them to anyone. As you all know they are a lot of work and expensive to make.
Have you made table runners or tote bags?

jfowles, Ask your daughter what other ideas she has for you to do besiides quilt? lol
Seriously though, contact some high end gift shops and see if you can put any of your quilts on their shelves to sell. Make yourself some beautiful labels and tags on strings to pin to the quilt, telling a wonderful short story to a person or child about the feeling one gets as they cuddle up into a quilt. Visit these shops to get ideas. You can start yourself a little business that will keep you in lots of fabric.
quilting blessings,
marla

You should not give up your quilting especially where you love it. We all need to do something for ourselves that makes us feel good. It is not a bad or destructive hobby that you have so you should continue. I hate to say it but someday you will not be able to quilt, but you will still be able to give quilts to family or friends and it will be a special gift from you that you had made in the past.

I also disagree with your daughter. There are lots of organizations out there looking for quilts to give away. The Linus Project is just one of them. Perhaps your local nursing home could use them as lap quilts for people in wheelchairs or even on their beds. Around here, local police and fire departments always have kids quilts on hand in case of need of a child. Please do not stop quilting. Your daughter is not a quilter and does not understand the joy you get from it. Lots of people need the warmth of a quilt.

Project Linus! nursing homes for the washable sturdy ones.
or post them for sale on etsy.com or similar forum. They're more valuable than your DD thinks!

A friend made a quilt for each of 29 children in an orphanage she feels strongly about. The wonderful photos of each child as they disbelievingly receive their own quilt with their own name embroidered into a block are just priceless. No quilt police qualms there; they loved them!

Plenty of organizations would be pleased to get your quilts. I make more for people I don't know than I do for people I know.

I figure that I don't drink, smoke or gamble. I love to quilt, it is relaxing, gets rid of stress and is productive. If it makes you happy keep on truckin and ignore the negative comments.

Continue to do what you love. Your daughter just doesn't get it. I only give my quilts to people I know will appreciate them. You could also try the shelters for women/kids. They would love something homemade with the love you put into it!

If you have quilts you won't use, donate them.

To a church to raffle.

To a nursing home to someone who needs a hug.

To a Vet's hospital.

Baby quilts to all sorts of charities.

And keep up the good work!

more ideas................

Check with your local police. Around here, they like to keep a few small quilts in their cars for when they have calls where kids are out of their homes for whatever reason (fire, abuse, whatever). The blankets can keep the kids warm as well as give them something they can call their own in case they need to relocate.

Please, please give them away yourself. You did the work, you deserve the gratitude of the recipients. There are plenty of places needing blankets

I work with the elderly and can tell you having something you love outside of work is very important. Most of who I see have nothing to do - I mean nothing. Their time is spent with their thoughts and it would make me crazy. They don't get around well, have no interest in tv, live alone so they sit and wait for someone to come over to talk to. Never ever give up what you love to do. When you get older and retired you will have something that makes you want to get up in the morning and gives you joy. It will fill your days and keep your mind alive. It is so sad to see during the holidays someone counting how many there is till a person will be at their home.

Don't you dare give up something that makes you happy. I work with a quilt ministry and we make quilts for individuals in life-altering situations (illness, surgery, divorce, death) and it's been the most rewarding thing I've ever done. People taking chemo especially love having a quilt to take with them to snuggle under, there are elderly people in nursing homes who have little to no family and would love such a precious gift. There's so much joy in giving them away than putting them on the foot of your bed. Keep sewing and find someone to give them to that would brighten their day. You will be doubly blessed.