Hey Paws -- I have a very good friend in Gilbert I go to visit every few years. In our younger lives we were roommates back around 1982-3. I had started quilting very young in life, so was quilting when Barb lived with me. Back then, she knitted and it took her a few years but she started quilting herself. Once she found batiks, it took off! She does beautiful work.
But for now, I'm still sticking close to home, so waving from the Seattle area.