In addition to the ideas shared by the others, our guild members in January write a New Years resolution....which the person writes on a 3x5 card what they plan to accomplish in quilting by the July meeting. Some of these have been to reslove to complete somethng that is 'almost' done; or learn a new method, clean out the scrap closet. You must bring the item completed, or a picture of before and after what you reslove to do. If you do not complete the project you must bring a yard of fabric. Those who completed the project get their name in a box and the winner drawn gets all the fabric. We also have one meeting where we spend working on the charity quilts -- done with membering bring their machines, irons, cutting boards etc... and we complete the quilts. Members submit completed quilt tops to help speed the process along. We have a table set up each meeting where members can bring their unwanted fabric, magazines, patterns and books... anyone may take what they want... what is not taken goes into the trash... usually there is not much going there. One of the fun meetings was to bring something that you made ENITRELY from your stash -- I am amazed at what ideas everyone has... and often ideas are tossed around for a real fun 'why did I not think of that' kind of meeting. We also take day trips by bus to a fabric or quilt show out of the area. This is fun...get to really chat with the members and go to a new place. Barbara

flyleft, send me an email and I'll give you the whole ugly scoop - I don't want to totally derail this thread into something that I could easily see devolving into a political argument. oakleyok says: "I think we all would like a pat on the back every now and then. [...] It hurts when we do a topic asking a simple question or just to show something off, and all we get is criticism." So SAY what you want and don't want. Say something like "Hey, I finally finished such-and-such, and I wanted some pats on the back from my buddies because I worked really hard and my family just doesn't 'get it' how much this project meant to me. I'm not looking for critiques because I like it the way it is, I just want to share what I did." If you want people to critique something but you're feeling extra thin-skinned (not the best time to post, however), tell people to go easy on you. If you only want them to consider one thing, like a lamp, and not pay attention to the rug or the curtains, say so! "I do get my feelings hurt when I do a topic and the replies have nothing to do with what I ask." I'm sure you'll probably take this as "criticism", but you do need to become better acquainted with the concept of "topic drift". Side discussions do occur, especially in long threads, when person A finds something in a post by person B that s/he wants to address even though it isn't what the OP has asked, but it doesn't quite merit starting an entire new thread. And sometimes the whole thread does drift off into an unexpected direction and take on a life of its own... when that happens you either put on the big girl panties and go with it (because frequently when this happens it can be a LOT of fun) or you shrug and abandon the thread as a lost cause, but it's gotta sink in better that it is NOT about YOU personally when every single post in a thread you start isn't about you and your question from beginning to end. It's just the way forums work.

Well, I think that everyone is again back in hibernation, the weather is very cold here and appears we're in yet several more weeks (or longer) of much below normal temperatures. I don't know about you, but I find it challenging to sort through the seed packages and get things started when it feels and looks like February. But, otherwise, my seedlings are doing great, maybe a bit on the slowish side due to it also being a bit cool in my house, though nice sturdy plants they are and a few rose seedlings are just about ready to pop! Ubro, that's a great pic! This will the first year that I'll again attempt sunflowers, sclerotinia stem rot had really taken hold and forced me to give up on them, though it's time to give another try! I have two types of globe thistle, I think Echinops Bannaticus 'Blue Glow', which is sturdy and somewhat coarse, though a disease resistant plant and Echinops Ritro Ruthenicus with finely cut silver foliage and silver stems, this one is especially very attractive, though susceptible to blight that often makes the entire thing melt away. Though, I had planted the two types side by side and I have gotten a few apparent hybrid seedlings that retain that really nice silver foliage with the added bonus of blight resistant. PNR said ... "I’ve recently recognized I like unique hybrids the most, these are often my favourite plants, from geranium ‘Rozanne’, peony ‘Bartzella’, and petunia ‘Vista Bubblegum’, and ‘Sungold’ tomatoes. I always chuckle a bit when I see my friends just stick with the very old varieties. The same old ancient marigolds and 'Straight Eight' cucumbers with their thick tough skins and less than ideal disease resistance, each to their own :). I guess, that's why I enjoy hybridization work and creating something new and unique that is prairie hardy and disease resistant. Marcia, I grew 'The Fairy' many years ago, it was crown hardy even during winters with very little snowfall. I do though recall those nasty skin catching thorns! Another crown hardy one is 'Bonica'. I once several of these along the east side of the house and laid the canes to the ground for winter and did they ever put on a huge display on those older canes! I now would like to track down 'Royal Bonica'.

Susan ... OMG osh ... THANK YOU very much for all the FUN gifties you sent my way ... You did not need to send all those, but I really appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity, very much appreciated! a lovely card and note ....LOVE the beautiful FLAMINGO hand towels, those are already out and hanging, the fantastic assortment of seeds in the cutest little bag, wow! I plan to get these sown probably Monday ... seasoning, flamingo luggage tag, journal, crossword puzzle book, trident gum, handcream, lip gloss set, honey vanilla chamomile tea bags - cant wait to try this! THANK YOU so much Susan .... I had lots of FUN with your herbs and spice swap Susan and enjoyed learning from your postings!