What did I do?

We actually closed for 3 days!  That is the first time in 3 years we have been closed consecutively for 3 days!  What did I do????

Day 1 - I slept! ....and watched movies!  By the evening I had had enough sleep so I cut 40 pairs of Sashing Star Points for the Marti Michell quilt.  Then I slept again! (Must have needed that sleep!?!)

Day 2 - I tackled my laundry room and 5 loads of laundry....and since I was downstairs near my studio (hadn't been down in months, except to get things I needed and give it a quick clean). I usually just run in, get what I want and leave so I didn't notice what Simon had been up to....If you remember my Country Haven Quilt that I was working on, well I left everything out on my cutting board including all the pre-cut strips and Simon made the whole pile of fabric Simon's Haven.

QUILTING TIP OF THE DAY - If you have pets, store your projects in plastic containers or bins.  That way when you aren't working on them they are safe from "nesting" animals. (I spent over an hour last night using a lint brush to remove all the cat hair painstakingly from each strip of fabric - serves me right!)  It will also keep it clean until you go back to it!

However, I did manage to finish quilting the Table Runner that Kathy made a few months ago with fabric from Lakehouse....Sharon is busy putting binding on right now.....so it will soon be officially DONE!  That's one project out of the way!  I also worked on backing for a small quilt (I'll show you when it's done)

Then I went upstairs to watch Quantum Solace which was on one of the movie channels and I cut out another 40 pairs of Sashing Star Points so that's done!  I also started cutting squares for my second quilt from Lori Smith's Fit to Frame #1 pattern.

Day 3 - Continued laundry, continued cleaning and went to the store - you knew I couldn't stay away for 3 whole days!  Barb met me there and we baked 4 loaves of Amish Friendship Bread (the main reason I went to the store - it had to be baked that day)......and I did a little work on the Marti Michell!  We went back to my house to watch Julie and Julia (5 stars as far as I'm concerned - Barb and I both enjoyed it!) and I worked on the Hand Quilting Sampler from Alex Anderson's book which I completed last night and which Sharon is putting binding on today. (...will post a pic once it's COMPLETE!)

So - yes I got some much needed rest, and yes I got lots of stuff done that needed to be done but I still need 8 more hours in a day!

Here's what the Marti Michell looks like now!  (I'm still loving it!)  I will be working on Sashings tonight I think......probably just getting them ready!  I also have to work on the newsletter which is now THE PRIORITY!

Now that Christmas has come and gone I can unveil the best thing EVER!  A custom made DESIGN WALL!

About 2 weeks ago we got a call from a husband of one of our customers looking for a Design Wall and where he could get one!  I, without thinking twice said, "Richard can make one"!  Oops!  Well, after getting all the specs and finding out exactly what he wanted - Richard came up with this!  It is

6' x 4' and can hang on the wall either way (horizontally or vertically).  It was made so that the batting can be easily changed or tightened when necessary and it is very sturdy but not that heavy.  He really did an awesome job.  He's already taking orders!  Of course he was ready to murder me in the beginning but after having built the Design Wall in our classroom and one in my home studio he knew what he was doing, so it didn't take long before he came up with a great design for a free hanging model.

On that note, I guess I should get back to that Newsletter so you can all see the great line-up of classes and BOM's we have in store for the New Year!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Merry Christmas........

Merry Christmas everyone, have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

We were supposed to close at 4:00 P.M. today but this is a picture of the store at 5:00 P.M. - those die-hards just can't get enough fabric.  Since we will be closed for the next three days (December 25th, 26th and 27th) - I guess I  can't really blame them.......

After everybody finally left (around 6:30 P.M.), Sonia and I got really busy and guess what?  I got Block 11 done......

.....and Block 12.....

Just a little background here!  When I shop for fabrics and Block of the Month ideas it's sometimes very hard to make a choice.  Originally when I saw the picture of this quilt I wasn't convinced, it just looked too busy......

I really thought the fabrics would just overpower the designs but then they showed me the fabrics and I fell in love with them.......I'm honestly not a "flower" person but these fabrics are so "fresh" looking, I was hooked!  So I had to see more......

I just couldn't leave it like that.......12 blocks done?!  So, since the corner triangles were all cut and ready to go.......

I am absolutely in love with this quilt.....keeps me motivated......

The seventh Block is on the ironing board!  But I thought I'd go home and relax (although Sonia relaxes me).....however, slight snag there!  Around 9:00 P.M. I cleaned up the kitchen, started the dishwasher, packed up my stuff to go home, shut down the lights and locked the door......

Put my bags into the car (it will be a White Christmas after all!) and got into the driver seat and nothing, nada, zilch!  DEAD BATTERY!  Luckily I have OnStar - so unlock, alarm off, call OnStar!  They tell me 45 minutes and you know what?!  It really was less than that - congratulations CO-OP Towing (the last time they told me 45 minutes it was 3 hours)!  Well done!  Took him awhile to get it to turn over but finally we had ignition......now I have to let it run for at least 1/2 hour so, since I live less than 3 minutes away I am hanging out here and letting it run.......

At this rate I'll be waving to Santa as he passes overhead (or I could go play with Sonia some more!).........I could think of worse places to be stuck!  I mean really a "fabriholic" stuck in a quilt store!?!  How bad could that be?

Have a wonderful holiday everyone, enjoy family and friends and most of all - BE SAFE!

Happy Quilting!

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

Way cool.......

So, last night my son called the store around 6:30 P.M. looking for food.  I was on a roll working on Blocks 7 and 8 of the Marti Michell.  The original plan was to go food shopping Wednesday night (that way we would actually still have food in the house for the 24th and 25th - he's a Hoover!) but, Jonathan suggested gently that we go last night, (he didn't want to go Wednesday night, I think there's a basketball game on or something.) so I packed up 3 bags of projects to take home and off we went.

Got home around 8:30 P.M. and positioned myself in front of the TV with my 17" Spinning Cutting Mat and began cutting the 1" borders (48) and the corner triangles (48) for the Marti Michell.  Well - I have found the most phenomenal tool! 

Owning a quilt store does not mean that you have had the opportunity to try all the gadgets and gizmos you stock in the store.  It would be nice but sometimes it's just impossible.  Because I am doing the sample for the Block of The Month, I am using all the recommended tools - Set L Templates,

the Diagonal Set Triangle Ruler and the Sashing Set.  After all it is a Marti Michell pattern so it makes sense to use her tools......

I am completely, utterly hooked on the Diagonal Set Triangle Ruler (shown below) - you know the size of the finished block you want to put corners on, you cut to that size on the ruler.  It shows you the exact size of the strips you need - I had 48 corners cut in less than an hour.....If you've never used this method - I highly recommend it!  I can't tell you how many "on point" quilts I've made and what a pain it was to cut the blocks or corners - this is just too easy!

I added InvisiGrip to the back, or you can get the Sandpaper dots to secure the ruler on the fabric and away I went......I used InvisiGrip on all the Set L Templates as well - really keeps them from shifting while you are cutting.

It was nice to be home for a change last night and got me ready for today......I will remind you what MY desk looked like last week....

Total chaos!  I had to get some paperwork done today and I just couldn't look at this anymore, besides there were bills buried in this mess that needed to be paid!  So I spent 3 hours working at putting things in order and although the next picture may not look like it's in order, I know where everything is!

Personally I think it looks much better now!  It can only get better!  So that deserved a little relaxation with "Sonia".......and so I finished Block 7 -

....and Block 8.......

.....and Block 9........

.....and Block 10......

Sonia and I did very well and Block 11 is almost completed.......I am really enjoying this quilt!  Each block is nicer than the last and I am so pleased with how it is coming together......I've forgotten how much fun the Templates can be - some of these blocks have over 50 pieces but you really don't notice it until you've actually got it together!  Marti's instructions are fantastic, easy to follow and suddenly the block is done!

It's getting late - I finished piecing around 11:00 P.M. and wanted to go home and cut my second Lori Smith from Fit to Frame #1 but I'm not sure I have the energy...

I may be ahead of Elaine in piecing the Marti Michell but she far surpasses me in projects completed.....she gets so much done in a day!  I am in awe - she makes me tired!  On that note, feeling that I accomplished a great deal in this 24 hour day, I will say good night!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

We've been busy........

The last two days have been crazy!  We received two huge shipments from our suppliers yesterday and we have been busy getting everything marked and out...calling customers for special orders and getting ready for the holiday.....

I'm happy to report we have 6 more copies in of FibreArt Montage by Judith Baker Montana (the last 6 didn't last 24 hours in the store!)......it is an absolutely gorgeous book!

We also got in a HUGE shipment of EQ 6 (Electric Quilt) and LOADS of EQ Compatible Software.......EQ 6, EQ 6 Upgrade if you already have EQ 5, and Quilt Wizard if you want to try your hand at designing quilts but don't want to make to big an investment.  NEW in the store are EQ Printables Foundation "paper" and clear overlays and of course the EQ Printable Fabric is available.

....and then there's the compatible software packages......Dear Jane and Dear Hannah........

.....The Best of Quiltmakers 2007 and a lovely Robyn Pandolph book and CD called Stitched with Love.......

and to build up your block libraries in EQ there are - Town & Country Patchwork, Stars & Sets by Judy Martin and AnglePlay Blocks by Margaret J. Miller.......

If that's not enough there are the Classic Applique Series......., Baltimore Album, Folk Art and 1920's & 1930's Applique Blocks........We'll soon be changing the name of the store to Quilters' Computer Cache!  (I can't wait to try out all the software.......I'm thinking I'll start designing in my spare time!)

Actually, in my spare time I made another block - Block 5.......

...and I looked at the photo and noticed something was not right with the world!   So, I fixed it......

and then to top it off, I made Block 6..........Seriously, I had that much spare time......no, not really but we won't get into why I was still at the store the other night until 3:30 A.M. with nothing to do except quilt.......

I am absolutely loving these blocks and the way the templates work so well, I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed doing Marti Michell templates......  My blocks come out very uniform in size and each of these blocks has over 30 pieces.....it's a miracle, not to mention I love the fabrics.......

I am planning on getting a couple more blocks done tonight......haven't checked Elaine's blog to see where she's at but I think I'm well ahead, and I'm off to quilt now!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Dog Day Afternoon......

So, let's start with yesterday before we head for the Saturday Dog Day's..........

The UPS truck arrived with loads of fabric so Sharon and I spent a couple of hours marking, cutting and moving....

First there is - Turn of the Century from Exclusively Quilters.....

..........and for a closer look...........

Then there's some great landscape fabrics........

And last but not at all least, there's Froggie's - adorable, colourful and lots of fun prints and co-ordinates....

And I too, have Block 2 done of the Marti Michell Block of the Month - American Beauty!

Last night was our monthly Sit & Sew and Lynn got her two quilts back from Margaret Mitchell who did a wonderful job quilting them both.......

They are for her twin grandson's - for their big beds........the boys are 3-1/2 aand sound like two handfuls but they will just love the bright colours in these quilts - I believe the fabric is the Califon line that Mark Lipinsky designed for Northcott......

Oh yeah, and here's Block 3 of American Beauty............

Today was our Block of The Month day however, it being the Saturday before Christmas, everyone seemed to be working on everything BUT their Block of the Month........Liz got this cute little paper pieced snowman quilted (She took Barb's paper piecing class a couple of weeks ago and I think she's made 3 or more)........

 

Libby stopped by in the afternoon with the new puppy - Luna, she is absolutely the cutest!  Her paws are bigger than she is.  She's adorable!

 

.....and Karin happened to have Blackie out in the car so he was invited in for a play date with Luna....they had a great time!  If only we could teach them to quilt.....we could double our output!  I'll have to have a chat with Bosley when I get home...he's gotta stop eating the fabric first!

Oh my look at this!  Here's Block 4 of the Marti Michell...........I was really on a roll tonite!

Block 5 is almost done as well - I think I may go home and start cutting sashing, I think I'm going to need it sooner than I thought..........I'll have to go check Elaine's blog (there's a link on the right side of our blog) to see how far she's gotten, but I think I'm well in the lead now.......We'll see if I can keep up the pace!

I have to start working on the "other" Block of the Month quilt too!  All the fabrics will be arriving on Monday and that one is machine applique so I have to start cutting right away......

I also started the newsletter today and I have to say - we have some really fabulous NEW classes coming up as well as another weekly Sit & Sew day......I'm getting excited and I really need to get home and get to bed....

Tomorrow is another day....

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Jo-Ann

Okay, so it took 3 days.......

I promised to take you to the "Dark Side" three days ago but for me it was just yesterday! You know what they say......."time flies when you're having fun!"

As most of you know I have been in the throes of giving up my "other" business and it has been taking up a large part of my days and nights. The last three days was spent racing to complete two year ends for the accountant and I just came back from delivering the second one to him in Unionville. Phew! just under the wire......but done!

Then there is "cause and effect" which created the "Dark Side". Beyond the classroom is the kitchen and then there is THE DOOR! The one that says "Private Office - No Entry Please". Up until Tuesday it was also referred to as the "Cold Storage" because beyond that point there was no heat! Hence "cause and effect"! "Cause there was no heat the effect was catastrophic! I will give you a rare glimpse at what no heat caused....

This is my office, heated for the past three months with a space heater......Side A......
....and Side B - it is also due to the fact that I have to combine my "old" office with my store office that chaos has reigned (that and the lack of heating)!

...and the REAL cold storage where there was absolutely no heat - our storage room! There was no way anyone could stay in there for more than 5 minutes once the temperature started to dip......

From this angle it only looks worse........

......and now for the real "Dark Side" - my son Jonathan! (Great scowl) He was playing with the camera and I told him if he didn't stop I would post this pic......guess what!

On Tuesday they finally came to install the duct work that is now FINALLY heating the storage room and my office.......they took apart the ceiling in the classroom........

.......the ceilings in the kitchen, the storage room and my office and I finally have heat!

My goal, along with completing a few more outstanding year ends (my companies, of course) is to get those two rooms in order - hopefully before New Year's! All I need is TIME!!!! (that 4-letter word again!)

I'm sure you all remember Country Haven - one of my favourite quilt patterns with that gorgeous fabric from Kim Diehl (no mine is not done - you're kidding, right!) Well just to jog your memory - look at the picture!

...and now look at what one of our customers did! Martha brought this quilt in today and made sure I got a look at it......not only is it the Country Haven pattern but she did it in a "quilt as you go" method! I should have taken a picture of the back - it is done in a checkerboard with the greens and the beiges.......isn't it gorgeous! When I first saw it - it looked familiar but I couldn't figure out why! How different the same pattern can look in another colour way and yet so completely effective!

You may all think because I haven't posted anything yet that Elaine is winning the Marti Michell challenge, but I'm not so sure! Here's Block 1 of the "Light" version of the quilt! (Take into account I've cut all my blocks now) ....and I am halfway done Block 2!

News from the storefront! (Enough with the back rooms!)

We have completely replenished our Sashiko cabinet and added a few great Japanese fabric packs - Charm Packs with 40 fabrics and 1/2 metre cuts! Along with loads of thread and Sashiko panels.....there are some books on the way as well - Barb thinks we should do a class and I'm agreed with that! We may even show you how to embellish these panels.......I can see places for beads galore!

Last, but not at all least, Nancy spent the day making tags for our pattern racks! She got out the old Print Shop and the laminator and went to town. We think it will make it alot easier to find things.....along with our pattern books! We've also gotten in quite a few new ones......

.....the rest of the day Nancy and I spent debating who was the "Start A Project" queen! I'm still not sure who's in the lead - her or me! Hmmmm! Do I see a resolution coming soon????? We'll see!

All I know is - I just looked at the clock and it's almost midnight so on that note I will close the lights and head home to bed......(I just started reading The Lost Symbol - so I can't wait to get home!) Tomorrow is another day, another block and we've got Friday night Sit & Sew so I'll be cooking up a storm.....

Nite all and Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann