As promised..........

I started packing up the "studio" last weekend and really haven't gotten any further due to circumstances beyond my control, but |I promised I'd share those pictures with you all so you could see that I too am a fabriholic!  So how many of you can relate with this........

Then there's more here........

......and more here.........

..and I haven't actually opened all the drawers yet.......there are already 4 boxes packed and you can't see the books from any of these angles.......HELP!  I'm drowning!  Only kidding - actually for the first time in my quilting life I have started to sort my fabrics by colour!  What has gotten into me?????
   
Yesterday was my Beginner Quiltmaking Class and as you can see by this picture, Sara is on her way to completing her first quilt........

She's working on a Variable Star for her last block!  I'm so thrilled with all the work she put into this, since I designed the quilt, I am just thrilled.  The other students are slowly working on their quilts too and I honestly can't wait to see the finished products.....

Barb was hanging around for awhile and she showed off her new tool caddy!  When we were cleaning out my bedroom at the house and the closet I came across this "makeup bag" - I didn't want it so we threw out all the old makeup and Barb took it home.  It really works out well as a quilting tool caddy!

I actually got stalled on the packing in the house because I only have until the end of the month (this Sunday) to clean out my mother's apartment.  Barb and I spent the day at my mom's packing up the kitchen and filling about 10 garbage bags with the junk.

It took me a while but I finally found a charity to take some of the furniture and the kitchen stuff - Furniture Bank - the only catch is, I have to pay to have it all picked up!  I just couldn't abandon that furniture - it is old but in good condition and usable.  They do issue a donation receipt.

Around 7:00 P.M. we took all the disability stuff, the walkers, the shower chairs, the "potty" chair, etc. which my mother had along with a hand crocheted afghan and some other useful stuff over to the Baycrest Hospital for the patients to use.
Again, my mom had alot of this stuff from my grandmother as well as some for her own use and I really couldn't just leave it there......

We arrived at the store to find the Patchwork Sampler B.O.M. well under way with Laurissa at the helm.  I don't know what I would have done without all my wonderful "chicks" and teachers who have really picked up the slack when I haven't been around, they are amazing!  ....and I have to say, my customers don't hesitate to pitch in and help also!  You are all amazing!

Soon - I hope to be back to full time running my fabulous store and quilting!  I can't wait, I'm really itching to get back to my "Sonia" and "Bernie" (Janome and Bernina)......

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann 

Talk about crazy......

The third Thursday of every month a fabulous group of quilters are meeting at Cock A Doodle.  They are known now as The Art Quilt Club.  I will not post pictures from these "secret" meetings, you would have to join the club in order to see how incredibly talented these women are......

But, a funny thing happened the other night and I just had to share it!  The "talent" were all in the classroom discussing where to show their work, how to price their work and critiquing their really incredible work when I heard the front door open and two women walked in.

They seemed to be only interested in the cards we keep on the front counter, you know, for long arm quilters, etc..  When I approached them I got the feeling they were more in the market for a custom quilt to be made and I was actually half right!  They wanted to know if I knew any "contemporary" quilters!  How bizarre is that?!?!  They showed up on the night when the Art Club meets - I asked if possibly one of them was psychic!

It seems that they are looking for someone or a group of quilters (fibre artists) who would be interested in doing a project for the Science Centre relating to stem cells.  If anyone who reads this blog is interested in getting involved I suggest you sign up for the Art Club meeting in November.....or give me a call at the store (me being Jo-Ann) and I will connect you with Mary Salus who is heading the Art Club at the store.....

Speaking of me - I spent today with Mary but Art Quilting was the last thing on our minds as we cleaned out my mom's apartment.  I am happy to report that about 10 bags of clothing have been donated to a number of great charities and after the Contents Sale tomorrow and Sunday what ever is left will go the same route.....

You have all been very patient with me the last two months and I am so appreciative of all of your support.....I promise, once all the turmoil in my personal life has been dealt with (hopefully very soon) I will get back to "the love of my life", my fabulous customers and my quilt store and focus on your needs - all of them!  Be advised though I am scheduling a one week burnout after all this is over! Ha, ha!  but only if I have time!

I wish I had some projects to share with you but the only project I'm working on right now is packing!  I will post a picture of the studio tomorrow just so you who have stashes can relate....ha, ha!  The funny part is - going through all the fabrics, kits, tools and supplies - nothing seems to be going into the discard pile!  Sound familiar?!?!  I've packed 4 boxes so far and haven't even made a dent yet.....my plan is to live until I use it all up!  My goal is to get back to working on all my projects really soon!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Jo-ANN

Crazy Quilters!

At Cock-A-Doodle Quilts we have earned the reputation of being just a little crazy so when I scheduled Melinda Bula to teach at the store, as always, I did it with just a little trepidation!  I mean, my customers know that we are just a little "off the wall", but inviting an "outsider" into our midst can be just a little intimidating!

I hadn't actually spoken to Melinda - I mean e-mails travelled back and forth through cyberspace, but somehow I just knew she was my kind of "crazy".  I happily anticipated the York Heritage Quilt Guild meeting where I would finally meet her and hear her speak - and I was not disappointed.  The first thing she said last night in her lecture was that she was born in a sanitarium!  It was at that moment that I knew what I had already suspected - she was crazy like me and we were going to have a fabulous day today!

She is a delight and I'm pretty sure her students today will agree me - a fun time was had by all and they learned some great techniques!  I bet they all send out the most fabulous Christmas Cards ever! ....and from what I could see today, it won't stop there!  Melinda has some other great patterns for cards that they can all have a ball with - and once you know this technique - well the sky really is the limit....

I couldn't resist hanging her quilt from Candy Cane Lane on the design board to admire all day along with some decorative stockings she brought with her.....

Claire took one of the classes Melinda taught for the Guild and brought her work along to share with us.....

The class got off to a great start, Melinda showed them how to prepare their fabrics.......

...and then the creativity began!  They worked with Christmas Trees and Stockings and as you'll see in the next photos, each and every one of them is an art piece to be proud of.......fabrics flew, were exchanged and changed and Melinda inspired a bevy of activity which resulted in amazing art!

You will note, I am not naming names here, that way if you are the recipient of one of these cards you will be doubly excited!  Melinda did not just sit back and relax, she too worked vigorously creating her cards.......

She really used some great fabrics (some of which she found in the store!) and really had a great time working alongside the students......

Lunch was served - Chicken Caesar with Warm Baguettes, Strawberry Shortcake for Dessert and everyone got back to work!  It was a full day but I'm pretty sure that everyone left inspired (a little tired too!).  They all worked very hard (we know by the large bag of garbage we disposed of with all the off-cuts and little pieces of Steam A Seam 2!)!

After the class Melinda and I went out to dinner at ZETS on Old Airport Road right across from the JAZZ hanger.....Chicken Souvlaki was chosen meal and Melinda had her first taste of incredibly good Greek food!  I have to say - it really is the best deal going and we both enjoyed it!  We had company too, Liz and Barb joined us for dinner and then rushed back for their Baltimore Album class with Laurissa.....

After dinner we headed back to the store for Melinda to sign some books.....Kristen came by with her quilt and Melinda just loved it!  Actually we all loved it - it's gorgeous......

Here's Melinda, after a very long day, admiring the quilt from afar........

I couldn't resist making her open up the suitcase and showing off her other amazing quilts!  I love all of her floral quilts...........

As much as I love all of the quilts above - my absolute favourite is this one......(and she says she's going to make a pattern!!!!)

It was time to pack up and get Melinda back to the hotel - she has an early flight tomorrow morning.......what an amazing day!  Melinda really has inspired me and once the dust settles I really think I may try my hand at a little personal creativity!

Today was a much needed "holiday" for me!  It was just so enjoyable and I was able to put aside all the turmoil I have been experiencing the last few weeks and really just "go with the flow"..... I am exhausted but I'm also smiling and one of the reasons is that Melinda promised that she will be sure to come back to Cock-A-Doodle the next time she comes out east.....and she'll definitely teach again!

Tomorrow I go back to dealing with the priorities in my life - but tonight I will fall into bed and dream creatively - thank you Melinda!  You made my day!

By the way - Melinda's Blog will now be accessible from our blog if you'd like to keep up with what she's doing! (http://www.melindabula.blogspot.com/)

Happy Quilting and Creative Dreams to All!

Jo-Ann

Note to self......

Get organized!!!!  Focus, focus, focus!  Okay, not really working so well but I know I'm on the right track........and as soon as I get my brains back I'm sure it will all start working just fine!

So - what's new, well Kathy just finished the most awesome quilt, and it's a FREE pattern......

Just ask for a copy and it's yours!  I can imagine this in blues and yellows with a white background or multi-coloured would be really cool too!

I haven't been in the store too much in the past few weeks (stuff to do!) so on a rare visit the other day, Simon happened to jump into the car with me and off we went.....he soon found a comfortable spot and Barb had the camera ready.....

Hopefully things will soon get back to normal and I can spend all my time quilting!  (Okay, not all my time, but at least some of my time!)  Taking one day at a time and being thankful for the small accomplishments seems to be the best I can do right now!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

As usual....

I am running around like a chicken without a head!  I should apologize for taking so long to get back on the blog but I won't!  What can I say - I have been busy to say the least, and as much as I would like to fit all the things I want to do into one day, I have finally realized that I JUST CAN'T!

Pictures do, however get taken and I do remember what they are (a minor miracle these days).  Last Sunday Karen stopped by to give me a "Private" showing of what I missed at YHQG meeting in September - mostly her mystery quilts which are really quite fabulous!  Her fabric choices are always striking and never what we expect......check these out!

 These next two pieces are some of her fabulous challenge entries.  I love these two - there is always a message although for the life of me I can't remember the names of these two pieces.  (Sorry Karen - I was only half there on Sunday.:-) 

Also, on Sunday the girls were in for their monthly quilting Sunday and Gail showed me this adorable wallhanging  - I love these patterns and am definitely going to order a few in (if I could only remember who does them)

Just thought I would add here that Carolyn is doing The Evening Bag tomorrow nite and I think Barb and I are gonna sit in on this class cause I have lots of strips to use up......and I haven't had a chance to quilt in a couple of weeks - I really miss my quilting time!  However - I do have a few things to take care of before I can get back to my daily quilting.....  There are a few spaces left in the class if you have a yearning to quilt tomorrow night.....

Gotta get back to my list of things to do (will try real hard not to leave it too long next time!)!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann