A friend and I combined the Washington state shop hop with row by row in late June. I am also collecting rows closer to home in the Vancouver area of BC. The rows are quite varied in the interpretation of water, and in quality but I am doing a quilt using sea creatures and scenic. I have not bought any kits and have managed to get 3 rows done so far.
Will I be able to get my quilt first into a store for prizes? Not likely. But it is fun, nonetheless. Next quilt from the rows will be a rain theme.