Friendships through Quilting

What I love most about quilting, isn't the quilts at all! At one time it may have been, but my world has changed. I love the way it brings us closer to one another and makes our world a little bit smaller and more intimate. Without quilting I would have never met many of my close friends and certainly never traveled like I have. I really enjoy seeing the country and all the things that make our nation a special place to live.This trip I got to renew friendships and make new ones.

Jill (left), Susan (center) and me. We all attended the red and white exhibit together last year. We met in Lancaster and another time at the PA Quilt Extravaganza. We were supposed to go to VQF together but Susan's husband had emergency eye surgery so we had dinner together instead. Hardly a consolation. This is Susan's yard and it was there that I saw my very first lightning bugs ever! Cool huh?
I met Jill when we were making our Jane Stickle quilt 13 or so years ago. We've had the occasional get together and somehow know our paths are meant to stay linked. She asked me to the show and made all the arrangements.

It's funny how two people can be from the opposite sides of the country and still mange to cross paths! Here is my dear friend Bonnie who just happened to be teaching in Vermont the same year I was attending! She had a grueling schedule and I wasn't on my own so our time was short, but precious.

This is my favorite photo taken by a stranger on the street of Montpelier. Barb V, Sue W, Me and Jill after dinner.
What are the chances that I would be meeting up with Sue in Vermont? She is from the UK and I am from Oregon. We met through unfortunate circumstances (AAQI) but are destined to remain forever friends. (I hope you agree Sue)
Barb is Jill's friend who I have met a few times previous and hit it off  wonderfully. Our common bond at this get together was we both just turned 50! All four of us had a memorable evening together.

I met Regan on Bonnie's quilt cruise! She's another who turned 50 this year and who got the ball rolling to copy Barb's idea for a jubilee quilt! We are all going to have a unique quilt that is made by us, for us.  Regan was staying at the same hotel so we were able to meet up for a little while. We found out we grew up within an hour from each other in Washington state! Crazy! (She has posted quilt a few quilts from the show if you'd rather skip over there instead of reading my blather!) lol

Ann, Me and Jill in Keepsake Quilting. We were invited to a lake house in NH by Ann and her SIL, Betsy.  Another emergency took Betsy out of the trip so Ann was the designated driver from Vermont to New Hampshire! lol I am pretty sure I drove her mad with my picture taking and jumping out of the car! lol Thanks Ann for putting up with me. I was able to meet Betsey when we returned to NJ. What a sweetheart who became a grandma 5 weeks earlier then anticipated!

Randy (Ann's hubby), Ann, Mort and Nan. Mort and Nan own the house we stayed at and they are the sweetest! I am so glad I got to get to know them a little bit at dinner. Ann's hubby hung out with us a little bit. We are both Red Sox fans so that worked out really well:)

Thank you Jill for showing me such a wonderful time and bringing me through 6 states!!

If you ever get a chance to meet other quilters (you know, they are an especially nice bunch) then don't hesitate. One of these times you may make life long friends as I have.