I have not belonged to a quilt guild since the twins were born. They are not the reason, though their birth did succeed in ousting most of the expendable items on my to do list, as well as a few of the essentials.
Before they arrived, or more accurately when I was pregnant with them and didn't know it, we moved to Pennsylvania from California. In Los Angeles there was a vibrant guild that drew a hundred women to every meeting, all primed to share current projects and learn fresh techniques. We had block of the month challenges, national speakers, and an annual show where we displayed our finest work.
Another venue for enjoying our craft was a sub group called a block exchange. A baker's dozen women gathered to choose a theme and color scheme, then went home to their own machines. Each of us made thirteen identical blocks, and after a few months regrouped to trade them. It was a party as we held and gasped over each other's creativity, and the prize was keeping them. Over the years we did the four seasons, houses, Christmas, and forest animals.
Having a stack of identical blocks was a terrific beginning. Each woman then figured out how to assemble them to best advantage, adding borders and sashing. After another six months we would get together to celebrate our finished quilts.
These decades later I am delighted to have the handiwork of many friends. Several women were exceedingly skillful, much more so than me, in their applique and precision. I am blessed by their generosity, and learned from their experience.
I wish I had a picture of the collection of our finished quilts. The completed quilts were different, even with the constant of similar blocks. We enjoyed the freedom to arrange them, and surround them with our choice of colors. Each was unique.
When I reflect on the gifts God has given each of us... time, breath, a capacity to love... I marvel at the variety in how we assemble them into our own version of life. It is within our grasp to choose which efforts are essential, and which are expendable.
