Hi, I'm Delia. I'm a SAHM and I've been quilting as much as I can (which, unfortunately isn't all that much) for a few years now. I finally got a high-speed connection like the rest of the world, so I thought I'd go ahead and join the forum. My little ones are getting bigger and consequently I'm hoping to find more time to quilt instead of just collecting fabric. As it is, I'm working on a bunch of UFO's and still running out of storage room for my stash. It's still okay to buy fabric even if you're not quilting, isn't it?

Anyway, glad to finally get the chance to join the forum!

Welcome, Delia! You have just found the friendliest place on the internet!

Hi, Delia, to BC!

I am in Lowell, MA, near the NH border. Where in NH are you located? My Mom was from Lakeport, NH, and we spent a lot of time there as kids. After I married, we lived in NH for several years before my DH's job took us to MA. My boys, who are in their twenties, were born in Keene. I would love to move back to a more country setting.

I was a SAHM and only worked part-time sometimes when my DH could be home or while they were in school. I did not have time for much sewing and quilting while they were growing up.

My favorite "local" quilt shops are in NH ... lots of nice quilt shops there. Many I am still hoping to visit sometime soon. I like to do the shop hops to find new ones all the time.

I think we have decided here on BC that is is okay to "collect" fabric ... it is just like having a coin or stamp collection ... only someday we may sew our collections into quilts.

Hi Pat,

I'm in Lyndeborough, NH which is over by Milford. If you do the shop hops, you may have visited the Bunkhouse Quilt Shop, which is about 5 minutes from my house (Heaven!). It's on the North of Boston Spring Shop Around. I'm originally from MA (Clinton) and have family all over there. Nice to meetcha!

Delia

Welcome to Block Central Delia and of course it is ok to collect fabric... in fact it is almost a necessity juet to collect it.. we need things to pet and stroke as well as sew with my dear
Have fun on the board Delia hope to see you around
Jacqui

Hi Delia,
welcome to BC. We used to live in Greenville,NH. which wasn't too far from Milford.

Trina

Delia ... only 5 minutes from the Bunkhouse Quilt Shop! ... lucky you!

I love this shop! I first visited it for last spring's Shop-Around ...

(for those who do not know what we are talking about and are in the northeast ... here is the link ... this is a fun hop: http://www.millgirlquiltshop.com/springtimeshoparound/ )

... and it was my favorite stop. I have been back two or three times, but it is a bit of a drive for frequent visits. Last time, my daughter and I went on a quilt shop adventure and the apple orchards were picking. I usually stop at the NHQE when I head out that way, too.

I am hoping to do the Shop-Around next month. Have passport and lunchbag, will travel. It would be on Saturday, I think. The shop in Townsend will be the new one to me this year and I have not been to Chestnut Quilter since she moved to Hookset. The Manchester location was better for me.

Are you doing the shop hop?

Pat,

Yup, doing the shop hop this year, probably on Saturday, too. I haven't been to Chestnut since she moved, either, but I hear she has a nice big house that she's set up shop in now and I can't wait to see what she has. The shop in Townsend is very small, but cute. She's big into the jelly roles there. I'll probably be focused on the MA shops mostly on Saturday since I'm going with my Mom and she's from Clinton. I have to say, though, that I don't look forward to hauling myself all the way out to Newbury. The last time I went there, the ladies who were working there were a bit stand-offish. Hopefully they were just having a bad day and this time will be better.

It's definitely a nice way to spend Mother's Day weekend!

Delia

Welcome!
I found that when I was a SAHM, I never quilted. But both before and after, I quilt. Now, I do it to shut my mind off from work issues. I find I sleep better that way, interestingly enough.

But I am really really trying not to build up a stash....I did that with scrapbooking and DH would kill me if I did it for sewing/quilting too.

So my goal is "one quilt at a time" -- it also helps me finish them quicker... because I get tired of the pattern and want to move on!

Good for you for finishing your UFOs!!! Please post pics when you get finished with them!

ruth

Well, Delia ... I am off in an hour to do the Shop Around !

I am adding a stop in West Concord, MA that is not a part of the hop, but looks ot be 15 minutes away from The Quilted Crow. It is called Quilter's Way. Here is the link should you be unterested:
http://www.quiltersway.com/

I have never been there but someone told me about it once and said it was a nice shop.
I am starting in Boxborough, going to Concord, then to Townsend and then to NH.

I think I will get to the Bunkhouse at about noon ... just in time for the lunch goodies ...

Might then visit NHQE in Merrimack and have a real lunch at Panera Bread.

Then I am going to Chestnut, making my way to PineTree and back to MA for the the Red Barn and the Acorn. Then we will go to eat a nice seafood dinner somewhere on the coast.

My DH does all the driving. I do all the shopping. We both do the eating. It is my Mother's Day outing.

We should have made plans to meet up somewhere, but it might have been difficult if you are trying to fit all 7 shops in on one day, too. We drive a red Jeep Wrangler, so if you see one parked in the lot with MA plates, it just might be us.

I am sure we will cross paths. Have a great day!