Hi from Upper Michigan! (I will actually be near Chicago in a few months for a wedding.)
And I totally agree with you! I really dislike the quilting part, but love the rest. I have 5 quilt tops to be quilted right now, and I really need to just make myself do it. I tried a week or two ago, and now I am ripping it all out.
I took a class at my LQS a few years ago, but then never did it until now. Anyway, my first stippling attempt did not go well. I guess I'll try doing some straight lines when I get the stippling ripped out. I am using a "practice" quilt I made for the back of our couch so I am not going to ruin anything overly expensive.
I wish I could afford to send all of my quilts to a longarmer, but I just can't justify the expense, especially since I have quit my job to be a SAHM. If I ever go back to work, I will start sending them out again.