The twins are kind enough to ask about my quilts. It probably gets a tad stretched to come up with compliments that sound fresh, since I do crank them out pretty often.  The other day they seemed legitimately surprised.

"A butterfly quilt! I like it!"

It is, after all, the first time I have tried this pattern. Stars in all colors. One block wonders are a standard. Irish chains, pineapples, log cabins show up regularly. But this was new. I hadn't quite realized it until I saw their reaction. 

The night before I happened to be online watching quilting videos, and one was based on what is called a jelly roll. That is a set of fabric strips, and I bought one when my daughter took me to a quilt show last spring. This would work just fine. 

The butterflies each used three strips, with leftover squares that made a darling border. I finished twelve in one sitting. Off and on during the day I added sashing and the pieced border. That evening I sandwiched it. In the morning I would quilt it. 

Two of the groups I belong to are quilters and chicken keepers. It is fun to connect with others who love them too, online and in person. Well, not so much in person, as I have not been part of a guild in fifteen years. But I did in California, and there were few things that trumped getting to that monthly meeting. 

The notion of joining one first arrived as a suggestion from a fellow quilter. My response still makes me cringe. How could I have been so cocky? So stupid?

"Why would I need to join a guild?  I have seen what there is to make."

Ha!! Seen what there is to make?!?!?! I had barely started back in 1990. But I saw myself as well informed. Blush. 

Being part of a group can go a long way toward promoting growth. A marriage group. An online support system, like moats. A conference. Heck, meeting with another couple that has your back. 

Because all of us need to learn new patterns.