A Very, Very Good Day

I just had one of my best days... ever!

And it wasn't just because I got to go here. Though, this was pretty amazing. 

I'd heard of Hamilton, Missouri, and how Jenny Doan has put the city on the map since buying up several stores to expand her quilting empire. Goodness knows, I passed by that Cameron, Missouri exit on I-35 quite literally hundreds of times when traveling from West Des Moines (where I lived for more than 22 years) to Kansas City, when visiting my family. But I'd never driven that extra 12 miles east from the Interstate, to Hamilton. 

Did you know that James Cash Penney put Hamilton on the map the first time? He was born in Hamilton, and after becoming successful, returned to his hometown to open the 500th J. C. Penney's store. It's now one of several Missouri Star Quilt Company store fronts.

That particular store is where I found quilter extraordinaire, Angela Walters, signing her latest quilting book. She now has four books under her belt (check out Shape by Shape), offers several Craftsy free motion quilting classes, and is simply a really nice person.

Angela and I had met before, at a Kansas City MQG meeting, but it was my Flourishing Palms name that brought recognition to her face. Just like old friends, we had a nice chat, even talking about her recent trip to Australia, visit to the Blue Mountains (one of my favorite places in Australia), and her workshops in Katoomba. 

Later in the afternoon, I had the chance to meet Alexandra Ledgerwood of TeaginnyDesigns, and author of Improvising Tradition. I've been one of Alex's Instagram and blog fans because her modern designs are always fresh and innovative.

In just two of the half-dozen Missouri Star Quilt Company shops, I gave a great boost to the Hamilton economy! Alex's book is among my purchases as well as the elusive In-R-Form Plus, a fusible foam product for making bags. Crafty Gemini friend, Vanessa, (also president of the Gainesville, Florida, MQG) made a video with Jenny Doan, using In-R-Form Plus to sew a tote bag. That's all it took for the product to sell out and become unavailable, for several weeks, on Amazon and Missouri Star! 

But the most wonderful, fantastic, super-special part of being in Hamilton, Missouri for four glorious hours, was getting to spend time with these dear, dear women - quilter best friends from the Des Moines 'burbs who were, and will always be my besties.

L-R: Bug, me, Mary, Michelle

I made our meet-up plans with Linda (AKA "Bug"), and knew Michelle was coming too, but I didn't know Mary would also be there. Literally running to meet them, I embarrassed myself by crying. I knew I missed these precious women, but I surprised myself with how much I miss them. It's been three years, come May, since we've been together, so my heart was full to bursting over our reunion.  God blessed me when He placed these women in my life at Lutheran Church of Hope, and strengthened our relationships through quilting with Hope Quilters and Stitchin' Mission (my interdenominational ministry that's no longer exists).

If today was a foretaste of heaven, the real heavenly reunion is going to be phenomenal! Linda