hand one of the administrators a few scraps of fabric and lets see what they can do, as i have always felt, quilting is from the heart

teetee, your absolutely right quilt making has to come from the heart or it would never get done. Cause it takes a person with alot of heart and caring to put all that heart and love into one just to get it finished. My mom-in-law used to say (passed away last year) that I had to much heart, so she was glad I became a quilt maker. She said it kept me out of trouble, and my mind and hands busy. She was my biggest fan!! She never was bored when I needed to use her brain for some quilt ideas, and she was always willing to help even though she didn't make quilts herself, she crocheted. But she encouraged me every step of the way and that is what all quilters need, from old to the new ones. Cause this can get frustrating at times. But for me, its worth every minute of frustration, stress, to the fun and joy of the completion when you can step back and look at the great work you did.

i have not made hardly any quilts. i want to quit but don't really have the time--working full time. the few times i have made quilts, they seem to be treasured. i made one for a sister 30 years ago. upon her death, my other sister spotted an old quilt in her belongings and knowing how much i love quilts, sneaked it away for me. when i received it, i kept looking at it thinking it looked familar. lo, and behold, the quilt was very tattered but i recognized those awful stitches. she had kept that quilt all those years, had used it until it was worn out and had laundered it and put it into something to perserve it. in my grief, i threw the quilt away knowing i would probably never restore it. :(

How wonderful to know she treasured it for so long and how sad that you threw it out, sometimes don't you wish you could go back in time and change things?

every quilt I have made and given away has been greatly appreciated....and only one has gone to a quilter. Even though people might not know the amount of work it takes or every detail that goes into making one, MOST people still appreciate the work and the gift. I made a comment before about most people not knowing what goes into making a quilt, but then again I don't know the amount of work and detail a carpenter puts into their furniture...but I still greatly appreciate the work they do.

I realize that some of you have had bad experiences with recipients of your gifts and I'm sad that that has caused you to swear off of making gifts for people unless you know beforehand that they would appreciate it.

If you are making quilts for the love of quilting and giving them to people you love, then continue to do that, regardless of reactions from a few. I don't feel there is any reason to tell someone how much it costs (unless they are going to pay you for it) or how much time it took - to me that sounds like seeking glory for yourself instead of honoring the recipient of the quilt with the gift, which is really what it is all about, for me.

i thought about keeping it but needed somehow to not keep it. my sister committed suicide and that about destroyed me. she had schizophrena and all the quilt brought more sadness. i really don't regret throwing it away... i took a long time hugging the quilt, sniffing of her laundry detergent (the smell was still there) and keeping the quilt wouldn't bring back her----

(((granpee))) it probably wasn't easy sharing your story, but each one helps us all along our way. thanks.

I don't mean to veer off the topic on hand here, but i would like to say that I am so so amazed at how giving all of you are. I made one quilt so far, and it is like my baby, I don't think I can give it away. I am working on another one, and I don't think I can give that away either, I guess am still in my selfish ages, LOL,maybe I will gorw out of that when I have kids and such. And don't get me wrong, Il ove my family and friends, but during the process of making my quilt I was getting attached to it someway, and THIS is why I am quilting, it is becoming a passion of mine. I consider myself a giver, and I think my family and friends would agree, but man I am so amazed by all of you who make all these quilts to give away, and I am humbled by it. It sadens me to know that some people can't understand and treasure that.

Just felt that I need to share that with you, I've been reading this thread for a while and just humbled by how giving you all must be. I respect that immesly. Thanks for showing me that. ( Great, now I feel like I need to be giving aways quilts, LOL)

Candi

good news! i talked to one of my daughters and she said she retrieved the quilt of my sister's that i thought i had thrown away. i guess i will be restoring it after all.

That's exciting Granpee.