The new depression

Free shipping till Thursday, I believe!

Good deal. Cindy

Polly said: If all of us avoid buying fine fabric at a LQS, what happens to the quilt shop? Doesn't it close?

-------------------------------------------------- Yup, that's what's happening in New Hampshire. I've lost 4 local quilt shops in the past year. I don't really help the quilting economy as I get most of my fabric at yard sales and free from friends and through word of mouth. I make lots and lots of quilts for charity and couldn't afford to pay close to $10 a yard for material. Needles, rotary cutters, blades, etc, I get with coupons if I can.

I run a food pantry and we're going crazy trying to keep up with the demand for food. My heart gets broken every week when I hear new stories of people going without food. One woman even started to cry when we gave her toilet paper. She had been doing without. I'm not surprised anymore when quilt shops go out of business, in this economy not many people can afford to pay almost $10 a yard for material to add to their stash.

Denise

I saw the Bear, Sandy. You're an enabler, you know that? Don't know why but it just doesn't call me like that Catterpitter did. Maybe it's because I have 3 SMs set up in the sewing room just now and every one of them has a fun project underway. And - Moda's Dinosaur Uproar is stomping its feet wanting attention. And - red, white and blue Soldier's Angels blocks up on the design board. Just no time for a bear. Polly

"Sandy Ellison" Btw, Polly, did you see the Brown Bear, Brown Bear fabric?

I came across the kids If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book yesterday. That was one of our favorites and is still mentioned occasionally. Wouldn't that make a fun quilt too?

I am imagining the earthquake feel to the swamp with those Dinosaurs stomping. Yikes! Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

I'm pretty sure this is not appropriate to our group - but: DD reports that she had something that sounded like a mouse scurrying around in a kitchen cabinet. She called the Yorkie who was frantic to investigate. She opened the cabinet door, Yorkie turned, heisted his leg and pee-ed in the cabinet. I don't think they gave the mouse a cookie. Polly

On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 09:56:26 -0600, Taria wrote (in article ):

I can only speak to my experience. We live in a very mixed-income neighborhood. Some middle class families and a lot of low-income and government-assistance family. Because we've managed to live within our means, we're now considered "wealthy." Several people around of us have the attitude that the landlord (us) is rich and so they just shouldn't have to pay us (or even worse should be able to steal from us) and it doesn't matter--we can just go get more. What they don't realize is all the work and sacrifice that has gone into getting us where we are.

Maureen

I should not say this but Dh (resident democrat) after hearing this says you are experiencing hope and change first hand. REsident republican (me) has no comment. We are bipartisan around here. Taria

Polly, apparently your DD's little yorkie is experiencing the economic downturn in a very personal way. Not only did he not have a cookie to give the mouse, he expressed his reaction to the entire notion with the only substance he had in excess. The little fellow is obviously thrifty AND a cogent pundit of our current economic state.

Sunny

The Yorkie was just telling the mouse that was HIS cabinet. :-)

Clear shellac will seal in that odor.

Here's how one quilter makes room for new fabric in her budget...

marcella

I've wondered the same thing. You've expressed it so well. We have a finite system here on earth and NOTHING can keep growing forever. But I don't think anyone has figured out an economic system that can work as a steady state system. Or at least I haven't heard of it.

Right now I'm really glad that DH and I have lived "under" our income and don't have any huge debt load. It may not have been in style to save up for things that we needed but I'm sure glad that we did.

Allison

Make a note. If visiting DD of Polly give the Yorkie a cookie! I kind of like feeding any living thing cookies and often have doggy treats in my pockets for the local pooches. Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

Howdy!

Aiding and abetting: I like that in a friend. ;-)

R/S

I know this thread isn't completely on topic, but I have found it to be one of the most interesting I've read in a long time. Thank you John for introducing it.

Trixie

On Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:16:26 -0600, Taria wrote (in article ):

Your DH's thoughts have crossed my mind on occasion.

Maureen

It's my specialty, ma'am!

Cindy