Yesterday marked 7 weeks smoke-free for me. I can't say enough about the Chantix. I have quit in the past and always thought I could have just one and walk away which I know I can't do. While it certainly isn't easy to do I can honestly say the Chantix made it so much easier. Good luck!

Depending on what you are looking for, some shops have remnants that are usually a pretty good buy also so you might check that locally. Good luck on the no smoking.

I am rooting for you!

I am a smoker also. I need to quit, but right now is not the time for me. I don't smoke in the house and wash my hands before going into my quilting room, so my fabric doesn't smell like smoke. I have soooooo much fabric that I'd love to give you some. What I would rather give you is a quilt kit. I have about 50 of them. I have applique kits if that's what you want. If you pay shipping I will send you a quilt kit. Let me know. I have so many nice kits that I have bought in the last two years so they are new fabrics.

Good for you. I quit probably 11 years ago, cold turkey, and have never been sorry. I have so much more time, look better, feel better and don't get sick as often. Connecting Threads has some really good sales going. I like batiks for appliqueing. Good Luck and happy living.

I quit by going to McDonalds and getting some straws (they're the same width or very close to a cigarette) and cutting them to be the same length as what I smoked. Then I took a strip of napkin about an inch wide, rolled it up and stuffed it into the straw. It takes a little experimenting but you can get it tight enough to make the same restricted air-flow as a cigarette. Carry several of these with you at all times. When the urge for a cigarette becomes overwhelming, SIT DOWN---that's an important part of it or at least was for me---and smoke one of these until the urge passes. They can be used anywhere and simple as it sounds, it does work.
Also, remember that as with any other addiction the urges will come back for a long long time they'll just get further and further apart. Also, identify the places and situations that you normally smoke. Avoid the ones you can and grab the straws for the ones you can't. I also joined a pretty good church around the same time and that's whats kept me off the cigs.

you can do it.......drink lots of water, the nicotine will leave your system in 3 days, it's the hand to mouth syndrome that you have to beat...that takes a few months, but then suddenly it will be over and the demons will be gone........

all of the above mentioned sources for fabric are great........if your can, do some hand work, like yo-yos or applique or something, but not to tedious, that may cause a relapse of the hand-to-mouth thing......good luck if I can do it anyone can....been over 6 yrs now, wow all the money I have saved to buy fabric with.........

Good luck, I will keep you in my thoughts as you quit smoking, it can be difficult but can be done and you will have money in your pocket for fabric!! I really like Connecting Threads, they have a good selection of fabric, the used stores in our town always have fabric to sell. Also, check out your local quilt guild. Some guilds have tons of fabric to share. JoAnn's always seems to have some sort of a sale going on or at least a 40% off coupon which helps a lot.

Congrats on the healthy decision and good luck. Check out items for sale on this board for some great deals.

Good luck quitting smoking. I've never smoked and have heard it is really difficult to quit....you can do it! I purchase from Connecting Threads...they have decent prices and are having a sale now.

If you are doing applique and need some smaller scraps and/or felt, I would be happy to send you a PIF envelope full. All I need you to do is let me know what colors you would like and PM me your address. I think quilting is an awesome way to quit smoking and you are doing a wonderful thing to help take the concern from your children and grandchildren.
And as DebraK said, with the price of cigarettes these days, the money will become available when you quit buying them.
My DD and DSIL quit together and have tracked online how much money they saved and so far it's over $6000. I think it's an app on her computer, lol.
Best of luck hugggggs and smiles to you.

You can do it! That is one of the best decisions you can make in your life to quit! I quit 6 years ago and dont miss it at all!

For fabrics, I get some of mine at Joann mark downs, I get from thrift stores too, people post about online sites here that they like too.

Good luck in your quest to stop smoking. Not long ago, I walked into a small quilting shop and turned around and walked out again. The reason.........everything reeked of cigarette smoke. You don't notice it when you are a smoker, but your quilts and other fabrics in your absorb this smell and it is impossible to remove. Sweeter smelling quilts for your grandbabies will be a plus. Also the money saved.

Congratulations on your decision!! Best of luck to you. There are alot of online places having big sales now.

Does anyone know how to locate a Good Will by the pound? Would love to add this to my must visit.

I quit on Jan. 13, 1995 after smoking for 41 years. Should have done it long before that. When I found out I had lost 30% of my lung power, that gave me the incentive. That tells me how addictive it is. Good luck to you. I tried many times over the years, but just had to get to that certain point, and the patch really helped me; along with every aide ever imagined; like tapes, cards, poems, etc. Use whatever you can. It all helps. I am sure I wouldn't be alive now if I hadn't quit. Stay STRONG, GIRL!
Judy

I want to thank each and every one of you for your offers and support. It gives me such a warm cozy feeling to know that there are so many out there that are 'on my side'.
I work at a Veteran's hospital on a long term psych ward and have already told my co-workers that for a while I will not want to be involved in taking the guys outside for their smoke break. So far everyone has said that they understand and are supportive about it. We'll see when it actually happens. I do work with a great bunch of people though, so I'm optimistic about the support at work.
Thanks to you all!
Carol B

Wow, will be thinking of you and your desire to get off the cigs. I quit (again) 6 years ago and think I have finally got it beat, however, I quit for 13 years one time and then went back when my husband had a stroke. This time I have been through the loss of a beautiful 6 yr old grandson and my mother and I have resisted the smokes. Pulling with you all the way, it can be done, but as you know you can never let your guard down.

By the way, when I first started quilting, I bought 100% cotton garments at the thrift stores and also used denim from jeans I bought for $.50 at garage sales. The first quilts don't have to be made from LQS quality fabrics. Just have fun, relax and enjoy the process.

I quit-only because I wanted to-you got to want to quit for real, or it don't work-JoAnn's is always a possibility, or Hancock Fabric's is another-I live in Murfreesboro, and we have both-Good luck-and Grandchildren are always the best reason to quit-just stay firm.

I know you can quit! Don't give up. Most medical insurance companies charges much more for premiums for someone that is a smoker so money is saved there too. Also some car and house insurance rates go down for non smokers. More money saved!

good luck to you, the first step is making up your mind that this is what you want-going on 14 years now for me best decision I could have made

Good luck to you! I agree stitch-n-frame is having a good sale. Check thousandsofbolts.com as well as this one that is unfortunately going out of business: bestfriendsquilts.com.

Good luck to you. Quit cold turkey thats what chain smoker DH and I did 5 years ago and never missed it. Feel so much better. But your the one that has to make up your mind to do it. Not easy, but great results. You can do it. Be busy, chew gum or bite on a pencil or chew on a tooth pick.

One of the crazy things I did when I quit was to take an imaginary smoke break. Lean back, bring your hand to your mouth, take two or three deep breaths...the craving would go away and got less and less as time went by.

I also went cold turkey in 1998 its mind over matter they say!!!!!!

I sat down next to a guy at work the other day while out on a break and he was smoking one of those electronic cigarettes. He said that he was about 14 days into using it and it was working for him. Has anyone used one of those? He said it was about $30 but if it works, it would be worth it.
Carol B

I bought one but it cost over $90. It works! You can get tobacco flavor with real tobacco or other flavors like pineapple. I bought the tobacco flavor and the pineapple. But it's not the same thing as a real cigarette. I guess it's the next best thing. I use it in airport terminals. It's a vapor cigarette. It looks like smoke is coming out, but it's steam.

Congrats to everyone on here who have quit.
JAK, congrats on your 7 weeks.

Nell, I'm in Murfreesboro, too. Do you make it to the Goodwill on the first Saturday for thier 1/2 price everything sales? And do you know where the GW pound store is in Nashville? I've never been there, but heard that there is one. I'd like to go to it and find an abandoned wedding dress for the embellishments on it.

nhweaver, just call your local Goodwill and they should be able to tell you where their closest one is.

I know I said it already, but I can' offer enough thanks to everyone for your encouragement and good wishes.

Carol B

You can do it, 23 years ago I did and 21 years ago my dh did. He chewed gum all the time and I crocheted until I wore my fingers out but we did it!

Congratulation on your decision. Some helpful things - get a new toothbrush, cinnamon gum, use vinegar to clean the ashtray in the car, take a quick walk when the urge hits. Good luck quilting should really help-

Congrats on quitting smoking! You might try putting an ad on Craig's List. Maybe someone will be glad to sell some of their inherited fabrics for cheap.

January 15 will be 5 smoke-free years for me. I had tried everything but had no luck. when Chantix (prescription) first came on the market, I asked my doctor about it and he couldn't write the Rx fast enough. He almost did a happy dance. It was so easy with Chantix.

Good luck with kicking the habit. One feels so much better after quitting - my lungs will celebrate a tenth smoke free year in August. Keeping your hands busy and drinking a glass of water everytime you want to reach for a cigarette really takes off the edge.

I quit smoking via Chantix! That was about 6 years ago and yes, I had some really strange dreams, but they were no scarier than teaching 6th grade, which I did for 40 years. I kept telling myself that the dreams would go away when I quit the drug & they did. My pharmacist told me I would only need 1 prescription and that's all it took. Guess part of my habit was a stress reliever after dealing with those 10-12-year olds. Now I say I don't know which cost more, quilting or smoking!! I prefer quilting!