Hi Michell:
You will love it here. I joined a few months ago and it feels like family already.
I understand about 'hand-quilting' your quilt, that is a big job and I've only done a very small wallhanging and that was enough for me. You may enjoy machine quilting, it has a lot more speed to it and gets the quilting done in no time so you are off to the next quilt.
Welcome from California.