Right in my Backyard...

I haven't mentioned this before, but there has been a sign at the end of our road (just 8 miles from my house) at the Cagle Community building which said: Quilting every Thursday 9-12, Everyone welcome, Learn to Quilt.
It has been there all summer and I have never stopped in. Shame on me. I sent my husband instead, and he reported that it was a bunch of old ladies (of which I am ONE!) who were doing hand quilting. So I knew it was not for me. But, get this, he told them about me and gave them my website and padded my resume. Oy.
I dismissed the idea of ever showing up to really find out what goes on there.
 Until...the new sign read: Quilt Show Sept 7&8, 9-4.
I thought we could stop in and sneak a look without being noticed. ha! If you have seen my darling Dave, you know his bald head is a beacon and they immediately recognized him and welcomed us both in. I immediately turned shy, not kidding, and mumbled "I can't live up to his hype". ( I usually never shy away from being Mrs Quilt Star, but I did here.)
We were right on time and there were just the quilt show workers in attendance and they were my age or younger. So there.
Why would I have any misgivings about hanging out with these gals?
I have had a history of joining quilt groups and have always been a one person minority. I don't do traditional quilts, mostly. And when I show my fused work I have gotten some off-putting responses from the diehard traditionalists. (What are you going to do with THAT?)
How does one explain art quilts to quilters who think I am wacko?
It has been made clear that I am not what they think a quilter should be.
1. not a pattern in sight
2. fused not sewn
3. hand dyed fabrics, not prints
4. machine everything
5. not a bed quilt
6. a hang it on the wall quilt.

But here's the thing...lately I have been making real bed quilts. QAYG has gotten me turned in that direction as you know, Faithful Reader. And I have gone so far as to propose a lecture demo at the yarn shop to share this wonderful technique and as an aside, to try and find at least ONE person who wants to play QAYG with me. I want a quilting girlfriend. Or two. Or to be greedy, three. Someone who gets it when I have a FO to share. I miss my big group of quilt artists from IL and all the fun we had together, wowing each other with our new works. Being inspired to be more clever and make Kool stuff.
I have even prayed about it. Seriously. I have asked to meet a quilting girlfriend.
Could this local group be answered prayer, be IT? Gulp.

I thought lots of the quilts at this small, no, tiny show were really nice. How's this one for yummy colors? Batik rainbow pieced by hand and machine. I was disappointed that so many were sent to a machine quilter who squiggled over everything, a pet peeve. But who am I to quibble since now I am straightline quilting over everything.
Can you tell I am still hesitant and sitting on the fence?

There were a few really nice tops for sale and I thought about buying them up, as the price was a steal, but then Do I NEED MORE TOPS to quilt? NO.
But I'll say it got my juices flowing and I do have tops in the closet waiting to be quilted. Perhaps not just straight lines this time? Hmmm.

Later in the day we stopped at an antique store in Chattanooga, looking for a dining room piece, and of course they had lots of old tattered and stained quilts for sale. What a contrast. But I am reminded that quilts outlive their makers, and I can have that kind of legacy, if I want it.
I really liked this top with inset praire points along the border. I am assuming the quilter was stuck with how to quilt it, (try straight lines, I wanted to suggest!) and so had it for sale. I may have to include this in my next new piece.
I am thinking maybe I might stop in next week, and bring the three QAYG quilts I have at home (the others are at the yarn shop on display). Maybe I'll find a friend, one that lives right here on my mountain.