Just got news that there is a new quilt shop in Anchorage, which in itself is exciting but the real interesting feature of the store is that they are going to do a stash exchange, which I've never heard of as a regular store feature. Does your LQS have this service?

http://alaskaquiltzone.com/frontpage

The owner, Diana, also has included her perspective on the issue of "wash or not wash" and combining both in one project.

I've never heard of a shop doing this. I wonder if it will be a popular service or a nightmare to manage?

interesting.

They have some great ideas. Wish I lived there. Anchorage is beautifal. Now I know where to go when I come visit my aunt. :thumbup:

I think the stash exchange sounds very interesting! I wish the stores around here did that!

What a great way to thin out your stash of fabrics that no longer catch your eye!
I hope that other shops are taking note of this :D:D:D

Just curious, is that the only quilt shop in Anchorage? My hubby is applying for a job in Valdez, and I was amazed to see that in a town with a population of only 4k, there is a quilt shop... and a guild!

Valdez also has a biennial quilt show that is very well attended - nationally known teachers, three or four days of classes,etc. I haven't gone yet, but hope to do so in the next couple of times they do it. Good luck to your husband on his job. Valdez is one of the most beautiful cities in alaska.

and no, there are many quilt shops in alaska. Our shop hop is state -wide and since most folks cannot travel to all the locations, a lot of get our blocks by mail from the different locations. In Anchorage alone, a town of about 260,000, there are now four quilt shops, including the one that just opened...and all are good. Twenty minutes away is another, three more within 45 minutes drive from Anchorage....and those are just to the north. The Valdez shop is not counted here since it's much farther away. Going south, if you want to do a shop hop over a weekend, you can get to five more...and a sixth one just closed down her small shop but kept her retreat center. Quilting is definitely an active business in alaska!

Not sure where your Aunt lives, but if you make it to anchorage while I'm in town, I'll give you a tour of the shops

Thank you for that information! I would be in hog heaven if we could move to Alaska, I did read about the quilt show in Valdez and it made me want to go even more!