Time for another Roll Call?

Married nearly 40 years with 4 adult children (ages 37 down to 28) all married and 8 grandchildren ages from nearly 13 down to 2 (5 boys, 3 girls). DH and I manage a hotel in western Oregon so work 7 days a week and when one of us is not "on the desk" we are "on call". I started quilting seriously about 4 years ago and have most of my quilts pictured in my webshots webpage. Currently I prefer paper foundation piecing.

Hi, I'm forcibly retired by health. I was a newspaper reporter/ freelance journalist/public relations/lobbyist sort of career and never had time to take up a hobby. My two boys (now 21 and 18 and both still at home) took what free time I had, oh and my incredible DH (who is a newspaper editor). But about six years ago I took a quilting class with a friend. It was fun, but I didn't have time what with building my own business. Then in early 2003 I was diagnosed with Sjogrenn's Syndrome and Lupus after a wee bit of falling apart at the seams. My mom sent me a new SM and I took up quilting in self defense against self pity. Works most of the time. I now have lots and lots of fabric and I'm a gadget fanatic and I love notions and trim and I'm trying to learn to be a bit more artsy. Although I'm also still gaining basic skills. I have long periods when I can't do anything but fondle my fabric and read quilty mags. So when I do get back at the sewing machine, I try to go like crazy. Ends up giving me plenty of opportunity to learn backwards sewing. ;) I just inherited a Pfaff

7570 with all the embroidery stuff but don't know how to use it yet. And I bought a Babylock embellisher. Great fun, but I haven't taken time to master it yet.

So I quilt. Don't sew. Not crafty. Have one dog -- Jojo. He's a beast. I live in Washington State about 3 miles inland from Seattle. Love it. I cannot imagine why we spent 20 years in Phoenix.

I love chocolate, but caramel is my preference. My passion, however, is hot, sweet, strong tea with milk and a raisin bagel on the side. Groan. Now we know why Sunny is chubby.

Everybody jump in. I love these lists!

Sunny

I'm John, 66 years old and happily married for 36 years. Both my wife and myself are retired with one dog, Maggie, the Airedale, and no children. We live in central Ohio, and at this time of year wonder why we do so. I am a retired carpenter, woodworker, furniture maker, and full time quilter. We spent most of our lives on the west coast, and about 8 years ago sold out everything and traveled for about 6 months until we ended up here, near where my wife was born. I also am an avid bicyclist, but when the weather is as rotten as it is now, those bikes stay in the basement and feel very unloved. We think of leaving the cold snowy midwest for warmer parts , but just can't figure out where to go. We have a lovely large old house, full of all our things and I have my own sewing room which I love. I love it so much that I have taken over the attic room and it is now the sewing annex. Where am I going to find this kind of a set up, for the price that I can afford, where the weather is nice all year round? That is why we stay where we are. snow and all. Ah well, that's my story, or the short version of it anyway. I am sure you will get to know me as time goes by, because I love this group of folks. They are very welcoming and will do almost anything for for you, for a small amount of chocolate.

Welcome aboard,

John

My turn???

I made my first quilt at 17 -- for my boyfriend (who later ended up my husband! woohoo... still have the quilt!) No other quilting for years and years. Did a lot of cross stitch tho. I am retired only in the sense that with the last move... told DH (dear hubby)... I'll move if I don't have to work anymore... and he bought it! I was basically a teacher in one form or another for 25 years (started out in elementary school... then in middle school... then at Ohio State University... then teaching computer software classes and starting my own computer training and consulting business). Now I'm a full time mom and wife... and occassionally teach a quilting class.

I've been married for 30 years... all to the same guy! We have 3 sons... one in grad school at UCLA; one working and living in downtown Chicago; and the baby (6'3 and 21 years old) is a special needs kiddo who will probably be at home a few more years. I lost my first QI a few years ago (Charlie was a long haired German Shepherd ... a great dog). After a few years... we bit the bullet and added a new QI to the mix... Samson (now 1 1/2 yrs old)... a yellow lab. He is still all puppy. You can see pics of Sammy in my webshots album.

I started quilting in 1999 by taking a class titled "Quiltmaking by Hand". I loved it -- but decided I wanted to go faster than that... and splurged and bought a Pfaff 2030 (a real workhorse -- I LOVE IT!) Through the years I have done many bedsized quilts and many wallhangings and crib sized projects. I donate often to various charity raffles/auctions -- especially the one that supports my sons disability. (They got my Harry Potter quilt - -you can see it in my webshots album, too) About a year ago I bought an embroidery machine (Pfaff 7570) on eBay -- but haven't figured out how to make it work yet!

I am definitely a "left brain" thinker... especially in my quilting where I do mostly very geometric, precise patterns (I freak out in working to make points match... even making myself nutty!). I am in definite awe of those creative thinkers who see their quilt in their mind's eye... and go from there. Art quilts fascinate me... and scare the be-jeebers out of me. So for now you'll see lots of traditional block type quilts. I also love paper piecing (after all -- accuracy there is so easy!) and applique. My needleturn needs more practice tho.

I am active in our local quilt guild and enjoy collecting fabrics, patterns, and books! If I spent as much time at my sewing machine as I do on my computer -- I would actually make a dent in that stash!

I currently live in Michigan (born in Ohio... lived in Pennsylvania and Minnesota too!) I do love chocolate... especially dark chocolate (or handfulls of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips!)

As for RCTQ -- I am currently the keeper of the HUG list -- if you want more information on HUGS -- either post here -- or email me privately. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate in our HUGS.

Guess that is probably more than you wanted to know about me.

Welcome to the group! I have learned so much from these people... What a WONDERFUL group of people!

John -- where in Central Ohio are you? I'm a buckeye native... lived in west side Columbus for years... then in Dublin. My mom still lives there.

What are your favorite quilt shops? I always try to hit a few when I visit my mom.

I'll go next........

Married 25 years this next November to the most wonderful man who is a strong supporter of my quilting habit. We have two daughters - 29 (A is searching for a job as an ultrasound tech after going back to school)and 22 (L just graduated from UCBerkeley and is employed as an Art Outreach coordinator for the City of Walnut Creek) and two female chocolate labs - 10 and 2. We are without son-in-laws and grandchildren, so far. My hubby is surrounded by females. Bummer.

In my former life I was a die hard counted cross stitcher. I started my framing business - Finishing Touches - because I hate to pay someone to do what I can do myself. When I transitioned from needlework to quilting, the same thing happened. I transitioned my framing business to a long arm quilting business - because I hate to pay someone to do what I can do myself. My webshots page shows a fair example of what I have done so far.

I love to quilt!!!! I also love to piece but since I have been in the long arm business, my piecing time is rare. I go on an annual retreat with my stitching/quilting/knitting friends ( we are the Twisted Stitchers ) for a week to a rented house in Bodega Bay. That is when I get to do the majority of my piecing... I love it!!! We are also knitters tho some are better at it than I.......

My hubby is planning to retire in the next year or so and then we will be moving to Northern California (near Oregon) to the house we are building. A time in my life I am looking forward to. We both are healthy and have many plans for our future together - which for me - include lots of quilty things!

I have truly enjoyed belonging to this group. It is, by far, the kindest and most friendly, loving group. I used to belong to RCTN yikes! They can be vipers....no offense to those who belong. This is family.

Oh, and I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!! Especially Snickers bars and Scharfenn Berger... I know, not in the same league but both are still good.

That's probably it for now..........I hope more of us speak up!

Next?......................

I'm Gen-live near Columbus, Ohio. Retired RN. Married 42 years-1 son who is married and gave us 2 grandsons. I do very little traditional quilting-having to be so exacting drives me nuts. I like making quilted jackets , vests, purses, etc. My first love is machine embroidery, which can be combined with quilting if so desired. I've also found making postcards is something I like to do. Landscape quilts are my main goal to improve on-I love making that type of thing. Four QIs: all feline. Persian, Ragdoll, Siamese and Himalayan-my babies. I'm one of the strange people that love winter, and we just don't get enough in this part of OH. Gen

My turn.

I am 53 and have been married to my college sweetheart for 31 years. She is a 1st grade teacher and I am a traveling salesman. LOL We have 2 adult children, son 27 and daughter 24. 1 grandchild 3 months old. 2 QI's, a Bichon and a Chow/shepherd mix.

Started sewing in 1995 making kites. Made my first quilt wallhanging 2 years ago. Seem to be making more bags and purses than quilts. I own a Janome 6600 and embroider with a Janome 9500. Bought a serger just because last year and made 1 quilt using it.

I spend a lot of time making fabric postcards. I started teaching classes at my LQS last year making postcards and now teach a purse and wallhanging class also.

I was born in Detroit, and now live in Indiana, but spend lots of time in northern Ohio.

I like dark chocolate and bright colors!

When not sewing, I like to ride my bicycle and play golf, oh and flying kites!

Denny in Fort Wayne

/\ / \ / \ \ / \ / \/ \ \ / \ \ / \

Sally Sw> As Cornwoman wrote 'Now I want to

clip

I am Polly Esther. DH, the love of my life for more than 50 years, and I retired to the Swamps of Mississippi. Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of the land records and for all we know we now reside in Alabama. It is easy to entertain us old coots and we happily take on the burden of disposing of anyone who is insufferable. It you have a medical, lawyer or insurance problem, send them on. At last count (and they quit counting) there were

8,500 gators here. I am blessed with some talent, some time and some skills and use them to stitch for preemies and little ones at shelters. Gators make fine watchdogs but they aren't much in the way of company so I am profoundly grateful to be a part of this group. After 40 years working with Justice, I realized that there isn't any and learned to make a killer banana nut bread. It makes a very effective bribe. Polly

i cant decide if i've nothing to tell or too much to tell, so as i'm hot and tired, i'm opting for the lesser of the two. i know noooooooooothing!! j.

Oh, come on, Jeanne. I didn't say anything. Surely you can do that too in

50 words or less. Polly

Hi,

I am 35 and a single mom with 4 kids, 3 boys aged 12, 11, 10 and little girl who is 4. You can find them all on my webshots album. I am about to graduate from university in BSW (bachelor os Social Work) with my focus on community mental health, working with people who have severe and persistant mental illnesses. Its an awsome place to be working :) Only 10 weeks left till grad :):):) I started quilting when my daughter was born, as her grandma is a sewing marvel. But wayyy back when I was 17 I lived with my aunts in California, and they took me to a huge quilt show and I was hooked at that very point I think. I love everything about quilting, the fabric, the notions, the patterns, cutting sewing well ok fine I hate to sandwhich and baste lol. I joined in a few swaps hosted here, and a few hugs, and have grown to love this group very much, though I am often quite busy and dont post as often as i could.... I forgot to mention that little videogame habit of mine as well lol. I need to make me a video game quilt lol. My first quilt was a Legend of Zelda quilt for my son :) Hmmm what else about me... I live in BC Canada now, and we have quite few nice quilt shops, but I hate to admit it, it is cheaper to buy from US online shops and ship it here than buy local :( Though nothing beats a good LQS for insipiration!!! Oh and sadly we arent allowed to have QI where I live :( So I have fish... they dont much care for my quilts though lol

Carissa

Married 7 years, two children: Pillbug (4.5yo, autistic), and Rocky (2.5yo, speech delayed but sharp as a whip). I do a lot of hand sewing while waiting for the kids in various therapies. I've quilted for 4 years now, started when Pillbug was 6 months old. I don't have a lot of time to post anymore, but I do like reading, especially everyone's tips!

In real life, I'm a part time programmer.

-- Anita --

I guess I'll be next. I retired 9 years ago - ran the office for a farm (mostly raised hops [that's what they flavor beer with] and onions) for approx 15 years. Before that I worked a good many years for various branches of the gubmint - Army, Air Force, Forest Service, BLM, Farmer's Home Adm. My DH retired the same time I did after 35 years working at the sugar factory in Nyssa, Oregon. We live in SW Idaho one mile from the Oregon state line. DH still farms, although we have sold off part of the farm, so he just has a few acres but that keeps him busy and out of trouble!

We've been married almost 30 years - second marriage for both of us. I have

3 kids - 51 (son in the Coast Guard), 49 (son who works for the Boise City Forestry Department), & 47 (daughter stay at home mom); 12 grandkids (one who is also in the Coast Guard) and one great-grandson.

Made my first quilt in 1983 for my oldest granddaughter when she was a baby. Last I knew she still has that quilt. I used to love to make landscape wall hangings, but now don't have much time to quilt for myself because I spend most of time as Project Linus coordinator for the Boise/Southwest Idaho/Eastern Oregon chapter. That keeps me plenty busy. We will be celebrating our chapter 10th anniversary next month with a big Make a Blanket Day at Karcher Mall in Nampa, Idaho.

When I'm not busy with Project Linus, I'm either on my computer, or have my nose stuck in a book. I love to read.

We have one elderly canine QI, Sandy who is approximately 14 years old. Since we live on a farm we have numerous cats - Three indoor/outdoor cats - Oscar, about 10 months old who loves to help me on the computer, but isn't quite as interested in sewing. Punky and Jackie, mother & daughter, love to sleep on my ironing board at night, so I keep an old towel that I use to cover the ironing board every night before I go to bed. Outside cats are Blackie, Blackie R (we already had Blackie when our granddaughter Robyn brought the second Blackie to live with us), Willie, and a gray cat that just arrived one day - doesn't have a name. And any other cat that happens to wander through - I think there's another black cat on the premises now, too. Almost all of the cats were 'inherited' from grandkids!

Donna in (SW) Idaho

I'm Di from Vic Australia - 62 yrs old, married for 38 years to same man, 2 beautiful daughters 25 & 20, no grandchildren, 4 QIs, two belong to me and the other two are my daughter's. We also have 2 dogs (not mine). I live on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. I have sewed since I was 11yrs helping my Mum earn money at by making baby overalls at piece work rates. I used to make ALL of my own and girls clothes rith up until they started working almost. I made my first ever quilt for my eldest back in 1982 and no more until April 2005 when I made one for my god-daughter's son. Since then I have been suffering from a severe addiction to quilting, applique and am learning embroidery. I love quilting. I am also tracing my family history and have been successful in making contact with 2nd and 3rd cousin in the UK and the USA. I have been doing genealogy for about 23 years - that also is an addiction without a cure.

I love chocolate, a nice cold beer using my computer, reading, gardening, visiting friends and chatting on the telephone.

I also love this group, I have learned so much through lurking and reading and sometimes posting.

Di

so good to see a message from you, Anita

Thought a pointer to all our picture sites, etc. might be a good idea here too.

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

Hi, I'm 54 married 30 years have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons 9 and 5.

1st Daughter 29 married, 2nd Daughter 24, Son 23. Never made a quilt before, start my first class soon. Learnt to sew in high school and made my children's clothes when they were little. I live in Brisbane, east coast of Australia. One dog 1 1/2 Bella Christmas present from hubby 2006, one cat 9 years PB short for Pooh Bear. I love dark chocolate and flaks. Hubby and I still work full time, can't wait for retirement.

Robyn

Okay, Sally, I'll go! I'm Debi, live in central Florida, work at a veterinary teaching hospital in the radiology department. Do I like animals? Nah...;-) I have 4 feline QI's Ernie of the Many Toes (22 total), a black and white fearless monstrosity that knows how to 'sit pretty' and 'wave' for treats, or just when he wants attention; Jamie, the orange long haired patriarch, named for a book character with red hair and an attitude; Phoebe, a round little black cobby kitty, who, at three years of age, still suckles at night on her 'ninny pillow'. She was orphaned at an early age. And last, my little paranoid Emma, a blue-grey and white shorthaired kitty who was discovered in a shopping cart outside the Family Dollar Store nearly three years ago. My lone canine QI is Clifford, the Medium Red Dog who is simply the best dog ever, except for his desire to clean the yard of the 'debris' other cats leave behind. I am married, my DH being a tech junkie, and constantly tearing down and fixing his computer, and mine (hooray!) My only complaint in that area is that he installed a new video card on my computer and I cannot for the life of me get the colors correct on it now. Ugh... Next...