We're blogging, we're hopping, we're Moda!

Welcome to the Moda Designer Blog Hop. Many of you have been following the path of the very talented Moda designers over the past week. Today is my turn to share my hometown news - believe me, it's a short story. I was born and raised in Bennington, Kansas. My parents still live in the same house on the other end of town from the KT studio -  5 blocks away. We don't have a McDonald's or Starbucks, there's no pizza delivery or movie theater. But I can walk across the street to get the mail and not lock my door, grab a sandwich at Westside Ventures (they also have the best broasted chicken strips on Wed. and Sat. nights) and bring back the extra change the next day, go to the bank and not need any I.D., and the UPS guy can leave a box anywhere in town and we'll get it the next day. Pretty good trade.

What we do have is a quaint little soda fountain on the other end of the block, the Linger Longer. Jay & Sharilyn Wagner have renovated the original counter and fountain to it's former glory. My Mom and I were both soda jerks there in high school, making dozens of malts each night for the football players, scooping cones for seniors and kids alike, and mixing Green Rivers for everyone.

Standing in front of the Linger Longer, across the street is the Post Office, Sparks Kennels (the grankids love to go play with the adorable puppies), motorcycle shop, The Dog House (bar & grill) and Romm Chiropractic (people come from hours away to see Dr. Romm and his magic fingers). 

The KT Studio is right across the street from the chiropractor. We're the tallest building in town! Here's my grandaughter, Delainey, on her first pony ride during the downtown festivities the day of the Bennington Rodeo. 

Although Bennington is small (600 citizens), the 3-day Rodeo is a very big deal here and in the cowboy world. For 3 days each June, our population doubles as the competition heats up. Some of the best bulls and bucking horses provide lots of entertainment in the PRCA Rodeo events. The goat roping and mutton busting for the kids is an added bonus. Main street is roped off for a street dance on Sat. night with live music and lots of good old-fashioned dancing in the street. 

After having the KT Studio in downtown Bennington for over 10 years, most people finally know we're not a retail store. I had alot of lookers the first year or so and finally mentioned it to the chiropractor's Mom (his receptionist). She proudly exclaimed she'd been sending them over to shop while they were waiting for their appointment! We got that straightened out right away. When we had quilting retreats for 7 years, it was the talk of the town on the Monday morning after at coffee down at Westside where all the quilters were from. Most folks were amazed that ladies from all over the country would come to little ole Bennington, Kansas to see Charlie Boster's daughter. Funny, at over 50 years old, I'm still my parents child here. I guess it keeps me young. That's small towns for ya. 

Robert and I actually live 2 1/2 miles out of town. On Mondays and/or Wednesdays, my piecer & kit cutter, Lois Sprecker, and I meet at the KT Studio to work on the latest projects. She takes her homework and  brings back a finished quilt. Too cool! I work from my little studio at the cabin (see above) in the country 2 days a week, designing fabric & quilts, writing patterns, and juggling my calendar. Robert stops by the building each afternoon to fill orders and keep the paperwork under control. As much as I love to travel all over the country meeting quilters and visiting quilt shops, there's nothing like coming home to our little slice of heaven.

Comment here by Sunday night to win a Harvest Moon Layer Cake, scrap bundle of strips or a charm/mini charm pack combo. I'd love to hear what you love about your hometown. Winners announced on Monday, Sept. 17th.

I am so grateful and blessed to work with the great minds at Moda and am constantly inspired by all the Moda designers. Each one brings a unique perspective to the quilting world. Check out two more of Moda's designers today, Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts and Malka Dubrawsky of Stitch in Dye.