So, my first questions generated lots of conversation - and many did not have great experiences.

My question #2 is this: If a quilt guild is not for you/me where do you meet quilting friends?

I want to find someone who is totally crazy about quilting and fabric like I am. I love the people on this board, but I want someone to talk to and shop with, etc.

I do not want something with cliques, that is political, etc. I guess I just want a quilting friend.

Me too! Wish I lived closer to ya.

Your best bet is probably hanging out at a quilt shop or the fabric section of your local store. If you stay there a quilter is likely to come along. You could also post a notice on a bulletin board in either place or make an appeal for other quilters in your general area on this board. The easiest place to meet other quilters is around fabric.
I live in Carroll County, MD. I manage to hit every quilt shop and fabric store within a 60 mile radious at least once a year.

One of my LQS has a bulletin board where quilters post notices.

Same here

I've pm'ed you.

I have a friend here at work that quilts. We don't get to shop or quilt together, but there's never a lack of conversation :)

the local quilt shop is a great place to meet fellow quilters- if you could sign up for a class or two at the lqs you will be able to start connecting- there may be a local sewing/quilting group you could meet with regularly-
not everyone is able to join guilds...but little sewing groups are all around

I met a lady on a yahoo chat group when I complained I could not find any quilt shops in the area of Florida I was in house/pet sitting for my daughter. She invited me to her guild and to a mini shop hop the day after the meeting. Since then I have joined the quilting bee that meets at her home every Thursday and we have a blast! I wish they lived near me in Washington, but we have a great time together while I'm here in Florida. THIS is what I think is the best part of quilting...making friends!!!

One of our local shops has a Tuesday night get together...we just visit a lot of the times but some bring their projects and machines or do hand sewing also. Occasionally someone will have a "lesson" scheduled but it's not a serious event by any means. The 4th Thursday we play a bingo of sorts using 2 1/2 WOF strips.

You also are allowed to shop after hours for those of us that can't get there during the day...makes it nice for all of us.

even tho I work at JoAnns part time go hang out there on a sat or sun in the quilting section You will meet a lot of super nice people. if the guild is not for you find someone in that guild that has a bee and you like them. some or our bee ladies don't belong to the guild. go to quilt shops as well and see if they have a board you can put a notice on or join a class there. good luck