Warm welcome wishes from another Iowan :D Glad that you found us :D
I'm not far from CR. sort of in the middle of nowhere...lol. I too have been to Pine Needles....The Cottage Rose and Connies. I am looking forward to seeing your creations in the quilt shows at Hawkeye Downs maybe? (I'm only about 40 min SE of CR.) Please try to post pics of your work as we all love to oooh and aaaahhhh and drool over all the pretty fabrics and labors of love here.