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OT (somewhat) -- A Good Day

DH and I moved into our new house in early June. We issued kind of an open invitation for our old neighbors to come and visit, but no one ever did. In our new neighborhood, we've waved at people as they've gone by, but we haven't really met anyone but the family who lives next door. So, on Tuesday of this week, we decided we should have an open house and scheduled it for Saturday (today). Off we went, sending e-mails, making phone calls, and even passing out flyers throughout the new neighborhood, inviting everyone to come on over. I figured if we had 25 people we'd be lucky (although I had snacks for probably about 100 to hear DH tell it!). Was I surprised -- I'll be we had nearly 75 people stop by in the three-hour period, and we had such a great time. Considering that about half of them were total strangers, the afternoon went really great. I think I'm gonna' like living here.

And I learned (to bring this back on topic) that quilting is a great conversation starter -- even with people who don't quilt. One of our extra bedrooms was designed to be my quilting/sewing room, and it really drew attention -- of course, the bright yellow paint scheme may have had something to do with that, but that's another story! Virtually all of the women (and a few of the men) either know someone who quilts or have a quilt story to tell! And once we finished looking at the "yellow room" with a WIP in a hoop and all the appropriate books and quilting supplies on display, we went on to the master bedroom, which has an appliquéd rose sampler quilt on the bed. Now, I'm not one to try to focus attention on myself, but it really did feel good to have so many people tell me how beautiful it was and how they wished they had the patience to do something like that, and all those other wonderful compliments (I'm still blushing). AND, I learned today that one of my neighbors, who wasn't able to come to the open house, has a long-arm machine and does beautiful work. Trust me, I'm going to be talking to her very soon! I've been looking for someone to finish up some of my UFOs.

So, it's been a good day. Best of all, the clean-up is all done, and I can spend tomorrow quilting!

G'Night everyone!

Louise in Iowa (who's really tired right now, but feeling good!)

Reply to
The Nielands
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How nice to hear that your party turned out so well! I'm in Central Iowa near Ames, are you anywhere near by? If you need help locating the quilt shops in various towns, I may be able to help :-).

Reply to
Lisa Caryl

That never would have occurred to me Louise, what a great way to introduce yourself. And pretty brave, maybe depends on where you live. Sounds like everything was a success, feel like home yet?

kitty in phx--

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Reply to
KittyG

I'm in Marion, which is in Eastern Iowa (next door to Cedar Rapids, if you've heard of that).

Reply to
The Nielands

Lisa,

I love Ames! I was there in late June to watch my step-granddaughter play in a softball tournament. Unfortunately, there was no time to visit the LQS.

Several years ago, DH played in a golf tournament in Ames, and I spent my time shopping and quilting. At that time, there were two LQSs -- one was on the main street, but kind of back behind Lucallan's if I remember correctly, and the other was a block or two to the north. Last summer we were in town for another softball tournament, and we went to Lucallan's to eat before going to the tournament. The one near them appeared to be closed, but I wondered if it had just relocated.

Reply to
The Nielands

Kitty,

We felt pretty safe! Our move was just from one house to another in the same town, so it wasn't like moving into a new town where we really didn't know what we were getting into! And yes, it feels like home! That's been the amazing part -- from the day we moved in, this house has felt more like home than nearly any other place we've lived (and this is our 8th house in 25 years). Because we built it, we were able to incorporate some of our favorite elements from our other houses (including one in North Phoenix!), and it's always felt "right." Now, if I can ever get around to deciding what I want for curtains or what I want to put on the walls (besides paint), it may actually start looking more like home, too!

Louise in Iowa

Reply to
The Nielands

What a wonderful idea to break the ice. Im so glad you got so much positive feedback from your new neighbors! Diana

Reply to
Diana Curtis

Oh yes, Lisa is in Iowa, so that's why I asked. I see she responded as well.

Reply to
LN (remove NOSPAM)

Hi Louise, Well, the bad news is that Fairlight, the quilt shop behind Lucallan's closed last year. But, the larger quilt shop that was on 5th Street, the Quilting Connection, has moved to an even larger store on Main Street. It's on the corner of Main and Kellogg. It is wonderful! Very spacious, and in the process of gettting even more fabric! Here is a link if you would like to sign up for the email newsletter:

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Thecentral Iowa Fall shop hop will be coming up at the end of September....agreat reason to come this way! There are so many other fun things to do in Ames as well, there is the Butterfly Garden at Reiman Gardens just south of the statium
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, visiting the Octagon Center for theArts
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, where they have had AQS quilt shows inthe past. lol...there is more of course! I'm wondering how far you are from the Waterloo area. There is a great shop in Traer IA, Iowa Star Quilts
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It is on theirMain Street, right under an open air spiral iron staircase. Wonderful place.Cindi, the owner, is great to visit with! Anyway, I hope that you're enjoying Iowa, even with our heat wave!

Reply to
Lisa Caryl

Reply to
Ellison

Lisa,

DH was in Ames this week for a city government meeting that was held at Reiman Gardens, and he told me all about the butterflies -- and we promised each other we're going to visit it one of these days. Right now he's in the middle of a campaign (he's running for mayor), so our weekends are kind of tied up with knocking on doors and that kind of stuff.

I'm in Marion, so I'm about an hour away from Waterloo. I've been to Iowa Star Quilts once, though. My niece lives in Traer, and while the rest of the family spent time in the other shops, you know where I headed! It's a great shop, but it's been quite a while since I've been there.

We're pretty lucky in Marion -- we have two quilt shops here, plus another two or three in Cedar Rapids, and they're all within 15 minutes or less of my house. If you ever get over to this area, let me know, and we can do a shop hop of our own!

Louise in Iowa

Reply to
The Nielands

Okay, it's one of my goals (has been for a year!) to get a Web site set up to share. One of these days I will -- honest!

Growing up here, I remember all the neighbors going back and forth for potlucks, block parties, etc. And whenever anybody in the neighborhood had a home improvement project in the works, you could count on the other neighbors to be there to help. I don't see that kind of thing going on as much any more, and I think that's why I was so excited about the response we had yesterday. Several people told us how much fun they'd had, they were so glad they had been invited, and they wished this kind of get together would happen more often. So, I think DH and I will be the unofficial party planners of the neighborhood. We're almost the oldest ones here, so I guess we'll kind of take on the role of the grandparents who plan the family get togethers! I'm already thinking ahead to next spring -- after a winter of hibernation, I think we should have a block party. Of course, if we actually get some snow this year, we might host a snowman building party. There are still a lot of empty lots around here, and we could have a great time. And you're all invited to come and join in!

Louise in Iowa

Reply to
The Nielands

My neighborhood has a block party every year (weekend after labor day) but I haven't gone last couple of years. Its a bit cliquey.

Reply to
LN (remove NOSPAM)

Reply to
Ellison

Sounds like an excellent way to get to know the neighbours! :)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Reply to
Dr. Quilter

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