Am I a joiner?

As I sat at the TMQG table last Saturday at the Quilter's Guild of East Texas quilt show I was tickled by the irony. Me, who has never been a "joiner", recruiting others to join the TMQG. *giggle* I enjoyed visiting with the ladies who stopped by the table. We were all on a "fabulous quilts high" with extremely beautiful quilts everywhere we looked. Heck, I even enjoyed visiting with the guy who told me about his gallbladder and how his bad one reinforced his belief that he has native American blood. Don't ask...it's a very long story.

So, about this joiner thing... Yeahhhh, I don't usually. I'm not sure if it stems from my aversion to taking on responsibilities, or my desire to always get my way in all things. Neither of those traits work well in a group setting. I get frustrated because it's so obvious to me that my way is always so right! Hahaha! I started thinking about our current members and who needs to change to better fit what I think they should be in the group. There's Rhonda, the president. The organizer. Always planning and doing. Ugh! She needs to lighten up! Well, wait. Better rethink that since nothing fun would happen if somebody didn't plan it. How about Kate? I'd change her name to Pollyanna because she's always cheerful and positive. Gag!!! But, that sure did help when I messed up my gravity quilt cutting. Hmmmm. Maybe having a Pollyanna isn't so bad. And as I went down the list of members I realized we all bring different strengths to the table, and different talents. Individually we're decent folks with different paths, but together we're a force of creative nature! My favorite trait of the members of the TMQG is their patience with my kind of crazy. 😁 Whew!!!

That brought me back to me. (But, it's always all about me!) I was welcomed into this group at a time when I needed a new interest and new friends. I've made some lovely friends, learned so much I didn't even know I didn't know, and had great fun. I look forward to time spent with (as my family calls you) my "quilty buddies." The TMQG just gets better and better! If anyone reading this is considering being a part of TMQG but afraid you might not fit in, visit us three times and then decide. Because, we've been waiting for you!

-Angie Clemons

Choose Kind...

Choices

We all make a bazillion choices every day. From the mundane (what's for breakfast?) to the important (is this fabric best for my next quilt?) to the life altering (how do we treat this cancer?). Sometimes there are consequences to our choices. As members of an organization or group it's imperative to remember that choices made regarding the group will affect the entire membership. There's no room for personal agendas, negativity, or selfish decisions. The Tyler Modern Quilt Guild has made choices we can live with...we choose inclusion, we choose fun, we choose kind.

It's important to be kind. Not just to others but to ourselves. I don't know about y'all but I can be hard on myself. I have a hard time living up to my own expectations. It spills over into my quilting and I start judging my own work based on how I see the beautiful projects my friends do. It's true that I'm not as skilled as some others, but it's also true that I really enjoy the creative process. Completing a project gives me the feels in my soul. I will continue quilting and sewing. I do it just for me. I can already see improvement since joining the Guild. Turns out those ladies so much more skilled than I are also teachers, helpers, and morale boosters! Yea!!!!

The TMQG is a safe place where we can learn, practice, experiment, and grow as quilters and sewists. Don't let the word "modern" throw you off your path to this group. We support and promote ALL styles and types of quilting. We encourage you to visit if you want to spend some creative time with like-minded people. For instance, you may want to be a member of the Big Guild but can't take off work for morning meetings...join us! Several of our members belong to both. You interested in art quilts? Cool! You teach us what you know about art quilting, or we'll add you to that bee and you can learn with us! In addition to quilting I've learned about bag making and how to use my serger for making garments. 

Oh, by the way, I may need to borrow some matches to light a fire under my...uh....self so I'll start sewing these gravity quilt blocks! Ack!!! 

Until next time, happy quilting!

-Angie Clemons

Choose kind.