We're a little sad today........

When I opened Cock A Doodle Quilts in November 2006 it was a dream come true for me!  Three and a half years later I am still in awe of the fact that I am living my dream.  Over the past three and a half years I have met so many wonderful people and enjoyed so many moments that I have to pinch myself to see if I'm awake or still dreaming.....I actually dream about quilts!

One of those wonderful people is moving away, Libby has become over the past few years a good friend as well as a regular customer and I can't tell you how much we will all miss her.  When Nancy came to me with an idea she had come up with for a gift for Libby - well it was just the perfect thing!  Naturally, it had to do with quilts!  Libby has always like the "Shipshewana Blessings" quilt - so Nancy had a plan!  Below is a picture of the original Shipshewana quilt that Laurissa made up and hangs in the store......

The past two weeks have been a flurry of "secret" activity at the store.......  She organized a private Sit & Sew so that we could get the blocks done for this great quilt idea and then she single-handedly put the quilt top together along with designing and stitching the appliqued centre block!

After all the planning, knowing the truck would be pulling out today with Libby and Lorenzo in tow, we had to plan a little gathering on the fly to present her with the quilt top, so last night, all the girls who worked on this masterpiece headed over to the store, parked in the back parking lot and waited for the guest of honour to show up.....

I baked and decorated a cake......

We blew up balloons and set the stage........

Nancy package the gift in a beatiful keepsake box and we even added a picture from Libby's Bachelorette Party last June......

Those of us who could manage to get to the store on such short notice arrived at the specified time and parked at the back of the store.......

.....and we waited, and we waited, and no Libby........Finally I called to see where she was????  She thought I was coming to see her at 7:30 P.M. --- A little quick thinking and I explained that what I wanted to show her was to big to lug over to her house which by now was just filled to the brim with boxes.......so she made her way to the store.....

...and opened up her gift.......

....and she was thrilled!  Shipshewana is one of her favourite quilts!

This, of course, would be considered the Cock A Doodle version of Shipshewana.........Nancy designed and stitched a very appropriate block for Libby to remember all of the great friends she made at the store....as well as other friends who she's known from before......

Everyone was amazed at how beautiful this joint effort turned out to be.....raiding the Batik stashes and putting together absolutely gorgeous blocks.......but, now it's time for some cake - Libby wants the piece with her name on it!

We all had a piece with the proverbial tea and coffee.........

......no dainty little piece of cake here, look what's left!  Libby doesn't believe in leftovers.......

There is an advantage to being friends with the owner of the quilt store,  after hours shopping!  I mean honestly, how do you come to a quilt store and not buy something!  Suddenly everybody remembers that they need something or other......So Sharon and Barb put their working hats on for a few minutes and helped out.....

Then a photo op in front of the quilt........

......and finally a great shot of the Cock A Doodle version of Shipshewana - check out the "bling" on the rooster........

I also wanted to share with you the label that accompanies this quilt, Nancy really designed a very beautiful label......

You'll probably have to make this larger to read it - but it's really worth it!

Of course we couldn't end the night without a lot of laughter and Lisa sucking on helium and then singing was definitely a highlight.......

Libby will come back to visit and we certainly will make our way out there to see her and Lorenzo but we'll miss her all the same!

In the meantime.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann and the Chicks