Re: Time for another Roll Call?

NOT retired, working full time, living in the state of Washington in the US. (We're on the upper left corner of the "lower 48" states. I'm married (DH collects various things: union labels and comics. He's a terrific geneologist too.) 3 boys, 22, 18 and 13. Two QI cats, Pepper (white) and Jasper (gray and white) and the dog, Meeko--a German Shepherd who is very gentle. Oh, there is the bird too.

I came from a quilting family so learned many things from my grandmother, mothers and aunts. I like to make great big bed quilts. I like to think of quilts as the arms of the maker surrounding the recipient.

I've got way too many things started. I need to finish some. Most of them only need a border then quilting. I need to send them off for quilting. My stash is disorganized but very pretty......

I love quilting and the quilting community.

LenoreL95

Hi All -- I am Sherry from Oklahoma and also in early medical-forced retirement. I always wanted to learn to quilt, and when I finally got the time, I did. Mostly self-taught, internet-taught, and pestering-rctq-members-taught. I took one class. I still learn something every time I make a quilt. I am on the board of directors for our county humane society, and am a real animal lover; canine, feline, bovine, wildlife. I am a recluse and live in Nowheresville with no neighbors. I have two children; one of them is a FedEx delivery guy, who hates it when I order batting because "it doesn't stack in the truck." I have a daughter who is a nurse and expecting our first grandchild in September. And a great son-in-law, also a nurse. Until I made that first quilt and got hooked, I used to sew doll clothes for the local Toy Shop Childrens' Christmas charity. I have five cats and three vacuum cleaners. I don't know why I'm even telling you about the vacuum cleaners except the five cats-part seems to startle people and I don't want you good folks thinking my whole house looks like mohair. I'm on it. :-) I like to read, internet-shop and garden. Love the group, and appreciate the help through the last few years.

Sherry

Egad, I'm surrounded.

Hi, I'm Elly... another Brit, and English woman living on the north coast of Scotland and on a clear day I can see the Orkney Islands just.

Like a few others I mainly lurk but pop in from time to time with a few lines.

I'm retired, been married for 30 years come October this year :) and have two kids 19 (DD and 22 (DS) I've been quilting for just over 10 years. I'm making (very slowly) the DJ quilt and have several others on the to-do list, And have several WIPs on the go. My little house group the KKQs are having an exhibition in August so I'm trying to get somethings finished for then but it's going slowly too:)) I love applique work and reproduction and folk art stuff too. Favourite quilters :- Jo Morton, Kim Diehl, Sue Spargo... just to name a few so you get the idea of the type of quilting I like.

Have 3 rabbits and 1 guinea pig (though technically at least one rabbit and the GP belong to DD)

I like white and milk Lindt chocolate, not so keen on the dark stuff.

My favourite colour is red but lately it is turning more to pink.... ?? My least favourite is green. But generally I like most colours to an extent.

Errr now I'm stuck... how did everyone else manage to write a long post?? As you can tell I too like to use a lot of exclamation marks... maybe it's the Spanish blood I have in me :))

I'm not a sporty person (if you saw me you'd be able to tell that

Normally, I don't add my tuppence to these threads because I am so "talkative" in my regular posts. But, what-the hey -- here goes. I'm in my early 60's, been with DH (my second one) for over 37 years. One DD who is 42, married with my only DGD (Raechel) who is soon to be six. We live north of Atlanta (AKA Magnoliaville) and have been here a bit over 9 years. When DH retires we will move back to Lizard Land (AKA AZ) and live in the small "joint town" of Heber/Overgaard in the White MOuntains north-east of Phoenix on the Mogollon Rim. We currently have

3 once female but now neutered cat babies, but only one is a true QI as the other two have only been with us since mid-January. Hobbies and work -- I have been a machine quilter for over 30 years and make everything from baby quilts to huge monster quilts. I don't like to make quilt blocks with lots of little pieces so a 6" nine patch is about small as I will work and then only if absolutely necessary for something like a Hug Quilt. I am a professional seamstress and have worked on just about anything that will fit through the sewing machine :-). Yes, I have made wedding gowns and men's suits and NO I don't do that anymore. I can knit just a teensy bit and crochet a bit more than that. For handwork, I do any and all types of needlework -- hardanger, pulled thread, drawn thread, counted work, cross stitch, needlepoint, and all types of general surface embroidery. I am a model stitcher and actually get paid to do needlework :-). I HATE gardening (I really, Really, REALLY DO NOT like it) and just about anything involved with a yard and garden. Unfortunately for me, I like having a pretty yard to look at so I work in the dirt a lot. I don't like it but I do it! I am a voracious reader of just about any sort of fiction except what I call "quickie stories". I am enthralled by the Outlander series (Diana Gabaldon) and have read the books about five time in the last 2 1/2 years. I do have a college degree (B.S. in Organizational & InterCultural Communication) and worked in that field for just a bit. DH and I love to travel and I have been fortunate enough to be able to go many wonderful places over the years we have been married. I have visited such exotic places (for me anyway) as Tahiti, Japan and The Czech Republic. Less exotic holidays but equally memorable are trips to Ireland, Germany, the US Virgin Islands and four Caribbean Cruises. When we lived in Lizard Land, we went to Hawaii thirteen times and have made another trip there since moving to the East Coast! Next year we hope to go to Scotland and also make another trip to Ireland. I guess you could say we like to travel. So -- that's about it. OH -- I just finished taking a weaving class and am taking a class today on how to dye silk! I like to learn new stuff so continue to take special interest classes. Now, I really have gone on long enough. I am a "yapper" and I freely admit it -- LOLOL! But then, I'm Irish (almost 100%) so what else could you expect?!?!? CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

I got tired just reading all that! How do you find the time?

Judy from Mass

Small world, TM! My soon-to-be ex-sonIL's father lives in Heber since his retirement! :)

Now you can feel secure in the knowledge that if you ever go on vacation there are plenty of us who can easily pop into your sewing room and check your stash for moths. We are just considerate like that. Got batiks?

NightMist

I'm a bit of a lurker too. Mostly I read the posts and add my two cents when I think I can contribute something different, but there are so many people here that jave such a fund of knowledge that it's rare that I can.

I'm from SE PA near Philadelphia and have been sewing since I been knee high, but only quilting in for the past 5 years or so. Mostly I prefer traditional quilts with a twist. At the moment I'm trying to teach myself the finer points of machine quilting but I have a looong way to go yet.

I've got a wonderful DH who doesn't complain in the least when I indulge my passion for fabric or takeover all the available space for my projects, a teenage DS who thinks everything I make is wonderful and an aging QI of the black labrador variety whose shedding I'm constantly waging war against.

Diana H - Gulph Mills, PA

I wanted to reply to this thread so you know who=92s lurking and enjoying the group so much! I joined the group about 2 years ago when I started quilting. I=92m a bit shy about posting but try to once and while when I have a question or comment. Unfortunately I=92m very new and have little wisdom to share, yet(?) :)

I=92m in my early 40s, born and raised near Rochester, NY, living in the San Francisco bay area now for over 13 years. I live with my DB and 2 QIs. DB is a Brit from Leeds who was a computer guy but now is in art school. I adore my 2 QI=92s -12 year old felines. Both Bean (blue eyed Abby mixed breed) and George (dark tabby) Love to help by lounging on any fabric spread out on the floor. I almost lost Bean to a blood clot to the spine last month but she pulled through and is now my miracle cat!

In my 20s I did lots of counted cross stitch and some =93easy=94 clothes sewing. My Mom quilts and has since I was young but I just got bit by the bug recently. Now we have a great time talking =93shop=94 and shopping for fabric when we=92re together.

The DB and I are on an adventure traveling the Bahamas and East Coast on a boat through December. Then I=92ll return to my job as a research study manager. I love needle turn appliqu=E9 and hand piecing. I=92m currently hand piecing a civil war repro fabric DJ and a Quilted Diamonds. I should finish the DJ and QD within, oh, 15 years maybe, if I=92m lucky?! My goal is to finish before I retire! There is a great guild in my area that I=92d like to be more involved with when I return from my trip.

I consider chocolate to be food of the Gods =96 especially milk chocolate. Add nuts and/or fruit and, oops, I=92m drooling. I=92ve been accused of using too many !!! more than once.

I=92ve learned so much from the group =96 it=92s wonderful!

Steph - SF bay area

My name is Joanna and I have been on and off the group since the beginning of time. I'm self taught in quilting and sewing. I actually failed home ed in school because I couldn't sew a pair of shorts together. Then in my early 20's started making jeans for myself cuz I could never find a pair that fit just right. Then made fancy western shirts cuz I couldn't afford to buy them. Then about 12 yrs ago I decided to be a surrogate mother. And of course I just couldn't let that baby go without giving something big to her. So I made my first quilt, with no clue to the rules. Been quilting every since. I continue to make my own bike shorts for sleeping in but other then that don't ask me to actually sew. Quilting takes all of my spare time. I prefer panel baby quilts right now but have done others.

I'm married and have two girls at home aged 5yrs and 2 yrs. Although I am a mother or surrogate to others. I'm currently pregnant with #8 another surrogate for a wonderful couple. I've lived all over Alberta, and a few places in Ontario. Alberta is home though, it's in my blood. I've had many careers and currently just being mom is enough. But I will have to go back to doing something I get paid for by the end of the year.

Currently I'm working on a baby panel quilt for this baby. I don't allow myself to get more then 2 wip on the go. Just don't have the space. I still have a lot to learn but I love it and will continue as long as God allows it. Next I'm hoping to do a Nascar quilt for our bed. Both hubby and I love Nascar. I have a whole bunch of pillow panels for it. I has to be larger then a king size so I might send it out to be quilted. No QI's. We gave our dogs up last year because the children were just too hard on them and they deserved to be free. So I miss them terribly but when the kids are a little older we will get another.

Thanx to everyone that has posted in this thread of love it. Take Care Joanna Alberta

Hi, My name is Judy and I live on an Island in the Pacific - sounds great eh! Actually Vancouver Island in BC Canada. In winter, we move down to Arizona I live with DH and my beloved dog Spike. I started quilting about 3 years ago under pressure from a friend. My first project - a king size quilt. I've done a few wallhangings and am now doing a queen quilt. I enjoy reading the posts as I'm always open to learning something new.

My turn! I'm Liz, married 17 years, with a house in the Boston suburbs and a cottage in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. We have a 13-year-old DD, and two QIs - Midnight, a black Lab, and Jethro, a Lab-chow mix who looks like Midnight's litter mate. I taught myself to sew about 10 years ago, figuring a sewing machine is just another power tool. Made lots of cute little-girl dresses, but only Halloween costumes these days. Started reading RCTQ back then - you guys are my guild. I've made quite a few quilts from recycled blue jeans, backed with polarfleece. Not rag quilts, but traditional pieced patterns. I enjoy optical illusions and impossible objects. This fall I went back to work as a chemist after being home since before DD was born. I'm living proof that it's possible to go back after so long, but work really cuts into my sewing time! I sing soprano in a local chorus, and am approaching the ten-year anniversary of having a benign brain tumor removed, which put an end to the epilepsy I lived with since my early 20s. Next! Liz

Maybe we can have a meet-up next winter! I go just about anywhere for a good quilt show/shop!

Okay, guess it is my turn. I am Ginger in CA, living on the central coast about an hour drive north of Los Angeles [or 3 hours drive at least if done during commuter hours, which seems to be all the time!]. A cyber member here since January 1999, quilter since 1987. Cross-stitcher, needlepointer, crocheter, writer. Specialties seem to be southwest looking and Celtic style quilts. Really like paper piecing for the accuracy. Really prefer the designing/color play/piecing of a quilt, and would happily turn over the actually quilting to someone else!

Single, no QIs, working full time plus for Superior Court. Previous working experiences include training racehorses [14 years], being an accountant/technical sales/HR [10 years], working in an oil refinery's coker-sulphur acid plant, and law enforcement support. Distinguished expert marksman in rifle and pistol iron sight, both right- and left- handed, and proud of it.

Happy to be part of this cyber family where many long time friendships have been made and a lot of knowledge from other members has been gleaned!

G> Following the discussions on who everyone is, it might be time for > another Roll Call.

The closest fabric shop is Joann's Fabric & Crafts, 6 miles from my house. I don't know of any others that would be half way for us both.. But we could check on it! Barbara

Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary of getting the brain tumor removed!!!! So happy it put an end to the epilepsy. Barbara in SC

I am Debbi in SO CA. Have been a long time member of this group, but have not been too active lately. I have been divorced for considerably longer than I was ever married. I have to offspring-- DD is 22 graduated from PITT last year and is currently working for The Mouse in Orlando in the Wild Animal Park teaching about the animals and the environment. My DS is 19, went through a lot since he was born since he was a very sick baby. He is now in his second semester at the local community college. He has his first girlfriend. My son had to move in with his father in December when I had to give up my big house and move to a tiny one after

18 1/2 years. I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and now that I don't have his child support, my temp positions would not keep him fed. I am currently a full time student at the local community college (with my son) getting my early childhood development teaching permit. Hard to go back to school when you are ancient. I am also back at my temp job until May 19, I am training the poll workers for our stupid waste of money special election.

Debbi in SO CA

Sally Sw> Following the discussions on who everyone is, it might be time for > another Roll Call.