One post on QB that started it all
 

A while ago I posted a question about joining a quilting quild because I did not know any quilters in my area. I bit the bullet and joined. Thank you all for nudging me in the right direction. A QB member sent me a pm regarding my quilt guild. We met for a quick cup of coffee which turned into three hours of chi-chat. She ended up joining the same guild and we both decided to leave our kids in capable hands of our DHs and go with our guild to a quilting retreat to Shelter Island. Who would have thought that one simple question on QB would have resulted in a new friendship, meeting a whole group of quilters and having so much fun. Cannot wait for my retreat...it is in March!

How awesome that you have found such a great new friendship because of a post you made here...I hope you have many, many years of quilting together! And enjoy your retreat!

That's wonderful! I'm so glad that you found a new friend and got to join a guild - and go on a retreat! I was in the same boat as you. I live in a town with a large quilt guild however I went to a meeting and did not feel welcomed... at all. I started my own guild and there are a group of active members that get together at least once month, maybe more to sew together. It's wonderful - and several of the ladies I'm beginning to start good friendships with. It's nice having friends with the same interests as you!

Tashana, it's nice to hear a story like yours. It gives me hope. Two friends and I had the same experience as 'yarn of fabric' at a local quilt guild. Although I haven't started one of my own, I'd still like to be a member of one. Unfortunately I'll have to go outside of my own town of Perinton. Maybe some day, I'll be able to say the same as you Tashana! Have a happy Thanksgiving Day!

Doin the Happy Dance for you both!

Good for you both. I know my guild changed my life too.

I took a chance and went to a retreat in another state. They were so welcoming that I go every year. It is all about taking that first step.

When the internet sort of took off, I asked on a bulletin board if anyone in England wanted to talk about quilting or get together when we were there on vacation. A wonderful woman answered and we have had a now 20+ year friendship. Quilting gives such an immediate common interest and quilters are great people.

I could not agree more Tashana. I am semi-retired and found after I stopped working and traveling in my job that I had few friends in the small town we live in. So, I joined a guild and have not looked back since. I have made new friends, went to quilt camp twice, will be going to snow camp in January and made new friends.
Oh yeah, I have learned so much from them and I recently became a board member.
I thank God every day for leading me in that direction.

How wonderful for you!
I have not joined our local quilt guild but I am going on their retreat in January. Can't wait. Maybe that will motivate me to join the guild.

What a blessing it is to meet someone as you did! Oh, you both will have a fun time! Where is Shelter Island located? It was hard to find quilter friends even though I did take quilting classes. I finally joined a quilt guild, and my life has been enriched by such neat friends since then. I am on the board, too, as the treasurer, and I will serve a second term next year, too. Quilt retreats rock! I've gone a couple times.

So glad you were able to join the guild but more importantly, that you have found a new friend. I am retired and have found it difficult to make new friends--they have their circle already. I am an active member of the guild, tho, so that helps a lot.

That is why we love our QB and share with all our quilting friends. Quilters make the best friends.

As an old friend used to say" Squeaky wheel gets the grease!" good on both of you. You'll have a blast at the retreat!

I'm so happy for you!!! I wish I had a quilting buddy. I think that's the best part of your story...you made a new quilting friend. And one on our board. I wish someone from this board lived by me. I live in Cove, Oregon in case there is someone who lives close by and wants to meet up with me for coffee and gabbing. I live by LaGrande, Baker City, and Pendleton, Oregon. Anyone out there live by me???? If so, PM me please!

Shelter Island is located in NY state, east of Long Island. It looks like it could be a part of LI but you do need a ferry to go to Shelter Island. I think our guild will have open sign up for the retreat as of January if there any spots left. It is two nights, three days with five meals. I have not been to Shelter Island before but everybody says that the scenery is to die for. The retreat will be in Quinippet, right on the beach.

Sounds wonderful! How would it work with transporting your sewing machine/notions/projects on the ferry? Oh, a tip for you...I did it right the first time, too. Do bring more than one project (I brought four or five in different stages and finished one of them) because if you don't switch back and forth between projects, you will get sleepy...guaranteed, lol. This year I brought blocks to piece for three different quilts of valor (finished them off at home), stitched pieced wedges together for two spiral runners, etc. Both the retreats were at a dude ranch up in the mountains..great views, and the meals were beautifully prepared, and I had my own room with bath. The price was very, very low because it was off season. On the way home, my carpool buddy and I stopped at a quilt store, :D:D:D.

All of these quilting retreats sound great. Wish I had more time.......or should I say more of MY time. I am retired but feel I need to spend 3/4 of my time with retired hubby and 1/4 for me. He would disagree but I think he truly doesn't. As a group from my LQS, we all went to a friends rental and had a blast. I would love to think about Shutter Island, or California, etc. Ah, someday!

Since I live on LOng Island I will just take my car and load it with everything I need, and than some. We have a small truck and a minivan so which ever I take there will be plenty of room for my toys. LOL. I'll probably take the truck and leave the van to my hubby who will be taking care of the little ones. I have a pattern that I am keeping for the retreat, I will cut it and be ready to go. I am sure I will have a few UFOs by March that will keep me entertained. I can't wait.

Tashana..YOur avatar is the smile of the day for me..Love the little one. Is that a toothbrush???
How old these days?

There is NOTHING better than quilting with friends!!

Quilttiger are you part of a guild? I am in Denver and quilt alone. I moved here from the east coast and miss my quilting buddies terribly!

How great is that? Wonderful story!

How wonderful for both of you!!! When I read that your retreat was on Shelter Island it was like an old friends name. I met my husband there in 1980 and have been married ever since.

Hello Judi! I belong to Adams County Quilters since I live in Thornton, about 15 miles north of Denver. If you Goggle the words, quilt guilds in Denver, CO, a website from Colorado Quilting Council will come up. It lists all the guilds from all over the state. Good source of information since not all guilds are alike. One relates to art quilts, for example. I found it took time to feel comfortable in a guild, but once you know some members and you get to know them, it is great. Good luck!

Judy