Craftbug

Quilt Guild

Since I'm learning to guilt, I went to the local quilter's guild meeting last night.  I figured I might as well go and see what it's about and maybe join.  Well, I had a good time and met a lot of nice, crazy ladies, so I joined.

They are a fun bunch of women.  Not all of them are veteran quilters.  That made feel more at ease since I'm just beginning.  One thing that the guild does is make "comfort quilts" for the policemen to keep in their cars to give to children when they are involved in an accident or fire or whatever may have happened.  At least I can help give back a little to our community.

I'll also learn more about quilting.  They meet twice a month and at one of the meetings everyone takes their machines and works on whatever they are making at the time.  They call them UFO's (unfinished objects). Cute, huh?  I will be able to get lots of help if I run into a problem.  The lady that is teaching me quilting lessons is the one that started the guild and she's still involved.  So between her and the other ladies, I should be able to learn quite a bit.

I'm really excited about this.  I know that quilting is not for everyone.  We all have our things we like to do.  Sewing and crafting and now quilting are the things I enjoy doing when I'm not with my family or having to do housework.  Most of the time housework takes a back burner anyway.

Quilting Classes

I went to a beginners quilting class last night.  I have always wanted to learn to quilt.  Both of my grandmothers quilted but my mother and mother-in-law do not.  It's a lost art in my family.  I probably have great aunts and distant cousins that quilt.  I don't want it to end in our family. 

I had a really good time and learned how to use a rotary cutter, the mat, and the ruler.  It's not complicated when someone is there to explain it to you.  I really did learn something in the first session.  I made three quilt blocks.  They are small, 6 X 6, but we are only making a sampler.  I hope to one day be able to make quilts in a timely manner and give them to my children and grandchildren.  I also hope that someone else in the family will take an interest in it and learn how so they can pass it on to another generation.

I have always loved to sew and love fabrics.  I'm one of those people that have stashes of fabrics because I see something I like and buy it and plan on using it one day.  The right project for it has to come along though.  I can't use it for just anything.  I've always loved quilts.  I have several that my grandmothers have given me.  I use some of them and just have some for home decor.  They are priceless to me.

It will be real treat for me if some day a quilt that I have made is a priceless treasure to my children or grandchildren.  I hope they will learn to love and appreciate them as I have.

Craft Shows

I went to a small craft show in our local area this past Saturday.  I really didn't know what to expect.  This show was in conjunction with a Mule and Donkey Show.  So, as you can imagine, the expectations were unsure.  I don't know how many people in our area have mules or donkeys and I had no idea how big the crowd would be.

Well, all I can say is that I'm glad it was inside.  It was at least cool and close to bathrooms.  I only sold $45.00 worth of stuff and that was enough to cover booth space and the cost of the items I sold.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  Living in Alabama, we have a huge following of the Auburn War Eagles and the Alabama Crimson Tide football teams.  I have items that are related to those football teams.  I sold nothing. 

I have just started back into the arts and crafts shows with high hopes.  My husband and I did this many years ago.  We never did very well.  I thought maybe this would be a good time to do it again.  I think I might be wrong or maybe just haven't been to the right ones yet.  I'm not giving up hope yet but time will tell.  I make cute stuff.  My family members like it.  The people seem to like it because they comment on how cute everything is but then they walk away.  I've got time and money invested in all these things and would like to see them walk away with the customers.

So, I guess I'll keep on and see what other ideas I can come up with.  I would really like to make this work.  If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.