The 4th Year begins.........

We would like to thank all of our wonderful customers for coming in to wish us a Happy Anniversary and join us in celebrating the start of our 4th year! We are indebted to you all for our success!!!! Thank you all so much!

Jo-Ann, Barb, Kathy, Sharon, Nancy, Mary and Judith

Friday night we had our monthly Sit & Sew and Lynn brought in this "masterpiece" - isn't this stunning.....but that's not all.......
Check out the back of the quilt........ I love it! Lynn puts as much thought into the backs of her quilts as she puts love on the front! I have watched her painstakingly piece her quilt backs as carefully as she pieces the fronts. A lesson to us all - and not a scrap unused.......

I have been working on a knitted baby blanket the past few weeks (the quilt is already done)! It is for my god son's baby boy due the end of this month. I very rarely knit these days and I will be happy once this is done but, there is a story behind it! When Oren was born I had knitted him a blanket in variegated baby yarn like this one (acrylic) which he "shlepped" around until he was 4......there is still a piece of it somewhere about a 4' x 6' square......so, his first child should also have the same opportunity! This one is made from 100% Cotton so hopefully it will hold up to the abuse!

Anyway - the reason I am telling you all this is because I am a spoiled brat! Instead of sewing with the girls on Friday night I was going to knit that blanket (hopefully finish it)! I said I was going to go sit in one of the big red chairs in the store so I would be comfortable......This is a picture of Gillian, Barb and Sharon trying to get the stupid chair through the door so I could sit with them.......

...actually I am grateful that I am spoiled, however when they threatened to take the legs off I settled for it just being placed outside the classroom door where I could still partake in all the fun.....I didn't get much knitting done because I was falling asleep in the chair it was so comfortable......

Today was the last day of our annual anniversary sale, it was also Block Of The Month (Month 10) so we were busy, busy, busy! After lunch things kind of died down a little bit and Sonya (my new Janome) was beckoning.......so I decided to give her a little workout!

Gillian (one of our Sit & Sew regulars) is doing a project which she has taken upon herself as a tribute to a young woman who, before her tragic death in a car accident worked in an orphanage for special needs children in Bangladesh. There are 31 kids in the orphanage and Gillian has pledged to make them each a quilt. On Friday night at Sit & Sew she was busy cutting 10' blocks to make these quilts....I couldn't stand by idly so I offered to make some too!

Since Sonya needed a workout and I needed some relaxation I stayed tonight to finish the quilt top I started after lunch and then decided, since there were enough blocks I'd just get a second one done while I was at it! Okay Gillian, only 29 tops to go and then we start quilting!

The fabrics she cut are really nice and bright! The kids will love these!...and they will give me the chance to see what a great job Sonya does on the quilting! How cool is that!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

It's all about sharing........

Last night was one for the books - Jane's show of antique quilts was amazing! The first one is a family heirloom belonging to her cousin and is absolutely exquisite.......

Of course, in the store - the show must go on and the customers were busy saving loads of cash on their stash of fabrics.......and showing off completed projects as well as great quilt tops.....(it's a great time to get backing for a completed top with 20%-50% off).....

Jane shared so many lovely quilts with us...........

Jane even shared one of her creations with us - isn't this stunning?????!!!!! It represents her family history as well as biblical references .......

As we watched this amazing show the quilts were folded lovingly and placed along the sides of the room where we could take a closer look and handle carefully.........

After the show, refreshments were served and everyone went shopping........The consensus is we should do this again!

If you missed last night's event and you have the opportunity to see Jane's Antique Bed Turning at another time it is certainly worth it........

One of our customers was kind enough to share some antique quilts in her collection. This one was found hidden in a barn in the Kitchener/Waterloo area......it's actually a legitimate quilt block called Fly Foot but appears to be a Swastika. It was a very popular pattern in the U.S. before World War II.

The other two quilts she was kind enough to bring along are wonderful hand pieced quilts.

Suffice it to say - it was a wonderfully entertaining evening and we all had a great time....

The sale ends tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. - don't miss out!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann and the Chicks

What's happening.......

First a reminder that the sale ends Saturday November 21st at 6:00 P.M. (or thereabouts!)!!! As busy as we have been since Sunday we still have some fabric left....

There were a few bolts that followed a "chain of command" .....you know, one person picks up a bolt of fabric to be cut, the next person in line wants some of that fabric, and then the next person and the next person.....Barb got a little worried that there wouldn't be enough to go around and wanted to make sure she wouldn't be responsible for disappointing anyone.....but it was great to see they all shared.....

Then one of our customers came in looking for a rotary blade....why????.....her husband used her rotary cutter to cut cardboard on the concrete floor of the garage for her son's Egypt project - it made a great pyramid! All we wanted to know is if we would need to harbour a fugitive or raise bail money! I mean seriously why is this man still alive?!! It worked in her favour though, she was able to come to the store 3 days in a row - he felt so guilty and he got to pick the kids up from school!

Tomorrow night (Thursday November 19th) is our Antique Bed Turning with Jane Burke. There are a few seats left so if you feel like a night out "with the girls" this will be a very entertaining evening! She's got about 150 quilts and a story to go with all of them! You will be able to get up close and personal with these quilts after the storytelling.....I am really looking forward to it!

Of course we will be serving refreshments.....

Hope to see you there!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann and all the Chicks!

It's Started........

THE SALE IS ON!

....and at 11:01 A.M. this is what the store looked like! Taking advantage of the lull to post this....

If you haven't been here yet......hurry, hurry, hurry!

See you soon!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A Challenge and A CHALLENGE!

First I will share with you my challenge! Wednesday night was the monthly meeting of the Pieceful Nights Quilters' Guild and the members were faced with the "Past President's Challenge". Mitzi asked us to each bring in the ugliest fat quarter we had in our stash that we had ever bought. They were then put into a bag and we got to pull out our "challenge" fabric.......

This is mine! What to do with Abraham Lincoln......the challenge project is due in January so once they've all seen it.....I will share it with you! However, I will let you all in on a little secret! As fate would have it, the same day, while I was at a meeting downtown, somebody (my quilting angel no doubt) dropped by the store to leave me some fabric swatches very appropriate to this project........
Nancy has been a busy little bee getting stuff ready for the sale that starts on Sunday along with Sharon, Kathy, Mary, Barb and I. While we were hanging out on Friday night - Dale dropped by to drop off a whole stack (30) of Preemie Quilts for us to take down to Sick Kids Hospital......

She and her quilting group - Isabel, Pat, Liz, Lynn, Heather, Brenda, Joyce and Martine got together and whipped up some great little quilts which will be much appreciated at the hospital....... So, I'm putting out THE CHALLENGE!

Since we will not have time to deliver them until after the Sale which ends on Saturday the 21st of November - how many more PREEMIE QUILTS can we collect before the sale ends......?????

If you have them ready or can quickly make some up get them into the store by next Saturday.....let's see if we can double, no triple, no quadruple ........ that number.......For the instructions on how to make these Preemie Quilts go to www.cockadoodlequilts.com/preemies.html.

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Hi again!

I am still stuck in the back office drowning in paperwork but I decided to come up for air for a few moments.....and realized it is already November 10th! I'm sure some of you are also scrambling trying to get stuff done for that upcoming holiday I will not yet mention, however,

.....below you will see a gorgeous ________ Skirt for which we have a free pattern if you are interested. I made mine with a "seasonal" fabric and muslin and it is really nice.....Sandy Lindal quilted the tree stencil on for me (way back when)! I believe I made this in 2006 and was in our "seasonal" display the first year....but it is really a "timeless" pattern.......

If you are looking for a quick gift idea (for any occasion) this Rag Quilt made from Yarn Dyes or Homespuns is the ticket. Barb designed it, Sharon put it together and then Barb took it to the laundromat to give it a wash! It is so soft and cuddly...as much as I love flannel rag quilts - I think I like these more....they aren't as heavy yet they are really warm and cuddly too! Hmmm.....I think you may see some more homespuns in the store in the near future.....

Just a reminder as to what's coming up! Rooster Stew III is due today or by Friday at the latest (Elaine you still have time!). The Underground Railroad Club is meeting tonight and Thursday afternoon - there are spaces but call ahead to reserve. Kathy will be teaching Snail's Trail Takes a Detour from the book Scrap Basket Surprises on Friday and Barb is teaching Boxers or.....on Saturday.

The third and final instalment of the Take Away Mystery will be ready on Sunday for pick-up. Psssssst! Same day the SALE starts.......

Brenda Claire is teaching Tumbling Blocks and Make & Take Ornaments on Tuesday November 17th and Christmas Trees on November 19th.

SPECIAL EVENT - Jane Burke will be here to entertain us with Antique Bed Turning on Thursday November 19th from 7:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. and I am really looking forward to seeing this presentation.

That keeps us up to date for the next 2 weeks. Hope those of you who took the challenge fabric are planning on getting your entries in soon - the prizes are really great and it's always alot of fun!

Hope to see you all soon (gotta get out of the back office!)

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

The week in a nutshell......

Last Sunday we had the rare (!?!) occurence when I made a mistake! Well - a mistake I couldn't hide anyway......I double booked a class/classroom event! If you follow the blog you will know that "The Girls from Barrie" (our nickname) come once a month to have a private Sit & Sew (only one of them is actually from Barrie!)....When I prepared the newsletter for the Fall I forgot to look at our store calendar which would have plainly shown the dates they were coming.....duh! Hence last month the formation of the Secret Cock-A-Doodle Club which met at my house.....

It wasn't so bad that I did it in October but I did the same thing in November and December.....again, duh! I truly hit a home run with this boo boo!

This month we combined their Sit & Sew with Laurissa's Orchard Temple Class and it worked out quite well. As usual we started with Show and Share and Gail made these great Halloween wall hangings from a Patchabilities pattern. I am definitely looking into getting some of their patterns into the store.....they're great.....
Uma is working on a UFO - these hydrangea are just stunning and it is all hand appliqued, 3 dimensional for a Guild Challenge.......

So - while the ladies from "Barrie" were working away on one side of the classroom.....

Laurissa was teaching the hand applique class - Orchard Temple on the other side....you should see the amazing fabric choices these ladies made. I promise to post the results as soon as they bring them in to show us.......

Here's the original that Laurissa made......the pattern is called Orchard Temple from Helene Knott's Postcards from Japan series......

She's (Luarissa) busy working on Mount Fuji - hopefully the next class in the series.....

Monday came pretty quickly and since we had loads of hot dogs left over from our Halloween Party saturday night I threw together a great meal. Made Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans and Hot Dogs - it was a treat that we don't get too often and one of my favourites.......Effie brought dessert!

.....the girls are always busy, busy, busy but this is one project I needed to share mid-stream. Gillian is at it again - this time with denim squares from old jeans which she has cut up. This quilt is going to be amazing! I really can't wait to see the finished top and guess what! She has enough blocks for two quilts!

If you remember last week I showed you the new fabric line Flower Show III - well Nancy bought 4 fat quarters and came in on Friday with this....

It is a 3 dimensional wall hanging - Vase on Table - she will be doing up a pattern and definitely teaching the technique as a class in our next newsletter......

Ruth came in yesterday with her completed Orion Star....a kit she purchased at Hobby Horse a few years ago with some added fabrics from Cock A Doodle. She sent it out to her sister to have it quilted and it is just beautiful........

Check out the close up of the quilting........

Last but not at all least - I would like to introduce you to SONIA! She has lived the past year in a box, undisturbed and very lonely, her owner more than content with her predecessor decided she would put her up for adoption!

I met Sonia on Saturday and felt that I needed to give her a home! Currently she is living at Cock A Doodle but she may be relocated depending on my mood.....She's a Janome 6260QC and she purrs like a kitten (until she gets her first "hair" ball)......in any event I think Sonia and I are going to get along just fine......

Now all I need is the time to spend with her and we will both be happy......

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Happy Halloween!

They tell me I gained an hour this weekend?!? Well I don't know about you but I seem to have misplaced it.......I'm 2 days behind in my blog.....

October 31st was Halloween and what would that be without a Mystery Quilt! 11 Quilters showed up for the fun and unfortunately I didn't get pictures of the costumes that some of us came in but you can check them out on Elaine's blog I'm sure! http://elaine9703.livejournal.com/

I gave out the first 2 clues and everyone got to work while I took the dinner orders.....

Kathy helped in the kitchen and that way we got dinner on the table pretty quickly.......

The condiments were taken from the "witches" back room.......

...and dessert was served on the witches special tray......I mean how else do you serve "Poison" cupcakes.......

Everyone worked very hard.........(even Libby got to clue 3 of 10!)

...and after the 10th clue - I revealed the Mystery.......

What I love about a Mystery Quilt is that everyone's is so unique.....This is Lucie's top finished! Her focus fabric is a Safari Animal Print - really nice!

This is Elaine and I messing around taking pictures of each other taking pictures........you can see the other side of this picture on her blog....

This is Elaine's - reminds me of a bumblebee! It came out great and I really like her choice for borders......

This one is Claire's - she used Betty Boop as her feature fabric - it's great and she managed to find some great borders in the store to go with it.......

This is Marion's fabric - they had it up on the design wall but I was in the kitchen cleaning - ugh!

This one is Liz's and it's almost finished.......great feature fabric too!

Raili almost managed to complete her top and her focus fabric is gorgeous!

Karen was ahead of us all - she was working on two quilts at once - can't wait to see these done! One of them has 2 focus fabrics!

Kathy has her top finished and the first (possibly last) border on! It's really hard to see the fact that the blue fabrics are all different Indigo designs which she got from Callisti Quilts.....(sp.)

She's also just getting backing for last year's Halloween Mystery which she just completed - way to go Kathy!

I think the ladies all had a great time and have left with some pretty awesome quilt tops almost completed.......

If you've never tried one of our Mystery Quilt nights - they really are a lot of fun and we keep them fairly easy and achievable in an evening.......so the next time you see it on the"menu" don't be afraid to sign up!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann