Thanks for the long arm advice

Thanks to Kathi, Judy in AR and Judy in Ohio for your advice. I met with the long arm (is that 2 words or one?) quilter this morning. She doesn't have any cats, neither she or her husband smoke.
She showed me several quilts she had finished. Also a photo album of others. We picked out a soft cabbage rose for the overall quilting.
I think she will do a good job. I already had my cotton batting so I took it with me.
She is leaving for VA. in 2 weeks and said it will be done either just before she leaves, or just after she gets back. I'll post again when I get it back.
Sara in Fla.

Kaitlyn's quilt

This (hopefully!) is the picture of Kaitlyn's graduation quilt. All of the fabrics are from the Blank Textile Ovarian cancer research and awareness line, Inspirations. I incorporated the label into the backing in a big friendship star. Kaitlyn's mother died of ovarian cancer in Jan 2007. Her only wish was to live long enough to see her only child graduate from high school. I couldn't do that! But hope this will please Kaitlyn.

questions for long arm quilter?

I'm thinking about taking a quilt to a long arm quilter that is sort-of in my neighborhood. By that I mean she works out of her house, and is within 10 miles of me.
What questions do I ask other than pricing? I know to ask if she smokes, has a cat, but what else should I ask? Do I get references?
I met her briefly at my quilt guild meeting several months ago, but don't know anything about her.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Sara in Fla.

Trip X Two progress report

It's been a long time since I've checked in! I got this far on the design wall but just couldn't sew it together. Went on to some other projects and finished two up before I returned.
I just had to make some more squares. I went to the closet and in a big rush, I grabbed one piece after another and before I knew it I had three more runs of fabric to use. I've been sewing and sewing and can't wait to see what I have. Instead of being so fussy, I concentrated more on color values. Maybe they'll be ugly. Who knows?
In case you missed the first installment of this adventure, I'm including the website -

http://picasaweb.google.com/millyquilts/SewSew#