Today is National Quilting Day. I celebrated by going to my local quilt shop, one of my favorite places to plan and dream about my next quilts.

I had fun! I bought four half yards that hopefully will end up in the quilt I am designing that is due this summer.

I also overheard several conversations around the shop. People were planning to participate in the regional shop hop next weekend, and were talking about the block of the month quilts they were making and the patterns and kits that they wanted to purchase and make. They were all so excited about current and upcoming projects, it was contagious.

It's a good thing all this goes on in a quilt shop early on a Saturday afternoon, so that customers buy and stores sell. I, however, make a terrible customer. I realized that I just am not your "average, regular" quilter. Yes, I am very loyal, but, I usually make wall quilts or or maybe throw-size quilts. I do use a variety of fabrics in each project, but in rather small amounts.

I also complete only a couple of projects each year. I would like to spend more time quilting and working on Dynamic Quilting, so plan to slow down my volunteer activities over the next year. The day job will have to stay for a while, yet - health insurance until our youngest turns 26 - in 5 years...

I do buy half yards or more, because adding to my stash is always preferable to running out, and who knows when the perfect fabric for my next quilt might be ready and waiting, just hanging out in my stash.

Anyway, I had a lovely time this afternoon on National Quilting Day, and now if I can settle on a final design for the quilt, I can actually use all of those fabrics I pulled from my stash, and the ones I purchased specifically for this quilt!