Monday, November 28, 2011

and more Retreat!

Friday started off great!  Breakfast was served promptly at 10:00 a.m., nothing special - just yogurt and cereals and then the work began.....

Andi's working on her incredible 1" quilt - each block is 1" - she gets donations from all the quilters at Cock A Doodle and so far I don't think she's put a repeat fabric in yet......close to 5,000 squares.....and growing!
 Liz managed to get the borders on to this quilt so next step is layering and quilting......
Lunch was tuna sandwiches with a side of potato chips and dessert were custards that Gillian so kindly brought......Dinner was Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad and Garlic Bread...but we had to save a plate for Karen who was off belly dancing so I held dessert for her return - it was so good I couldn't get a photo fast enough.  I baked a white cake and then iced it while it was still warm with chocolate icing - to die for!
 After dinner we had a visitor....Missy was allowed to come in and join us for the rest of the evening and she behaved like a little lady.  She even brought her own toys......
 However, she wanted to help Gillian sew so forced her to share the chair!  I thought this was absolutely priceless!!!

Saturday, Annadel joined the crowd and complete the borders on her quilt....the girls are busy smoothing it out, but it's ready to be layered and quilted......
 Looks fabulous but you really have to see it in person - the lighting just takes away from the colouring......
 Barb also joined us on Saturday and got the borders on her quilt - just layer and quilt again!
 Karen and Raili brought me some gifties!  The tea light holder which may soon become a pin cushion - hmmm!  The crystal which needs to be blessed and hung in the window and the bendable rooster which is now my personal "Mascot" - his name is Rory and he will reside with my hand-piecing bag!!!!  This way he can urge me on......
 Here he is again, cursing at the Gutterman so I don't have to - it was knotting like crazy but once he had a word with it I think it got a little better......
Of course, Laurissa's area is all organized and clean.....unlike everyone else!  We have all just taken over the classroom and as much space as we can spread out in....well, isn't that what it's all about!!!!  I have to admit she didn't take up much space and still managed to get three balls and a baby quilt top done.....will have to get pics of the balls, they are really cool!
Breakfast on Saturday was the same as Friday - Lunch was one of my absolute favourites, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, but dinner was the absolute best - American Thanksgiving - Stuffed Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans with Mushrooms, Cranberry Sauce and Flaky Butter Rolls - it was sooooo good!!!!  Liz stopped at the bakery and picked up Raspberry Rhubarb Pies for dessert which were outstanding - warmed with vanilla ice cream - mmmmmm!!!
Sunday was the last day so everyone was rushing to get things done and I was busy in the kitchen -  Brunch was served around 1:00 P.M.  - my infamous pancakes with sausages, side of apple butter and/or syrup!  They went pretty fast......sorry no pics to make you drool!

The girls left around 5:00 P.M. and I stayed to prep lunch for tomorrow and continue my own retreat while my Turkey Soup simmered on the stove.....

What did I get done????  I actually accomplished something for a change, I managed to finish all of my flowers for Lithia Park so they are ready to be appliqued onto their stems, etc. and I stayed to cut blocks for a quilt I have designed......

All in all it was a fabulous weekend!  We all had a great time and everyone seems to be pleased with what they accomplished!  I wish I had accomplished a little more but I was also doing the cooking, etc. after all!  Thanks to all the girls for their help in the kitchen and with all the store clean up!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Retreat!!!!

I have to admit I have been looking forward to this weekend with great anticipation!  First, I'm proving to myself I am ready for a marathon 4 day quilt retreat, including all the preparation and cooking that goes into it!  Needless to say, Laurissa has volunteered to be my clean up crew and has been amazing!!!!  I barely put the pot down and it's washed and put away - gotta love it - I'm not exactly on top of the messes I make when I'm "in the kitchen zone"!!!!

Before I share the retreat with you I want to go back to Monday Sit & Sew and share three fabulous quilts -

Gillian made this quilt from seeing a photo - Wow!  right!

Gillian's Quilt - Quilted by Sandy Lindal (gorgeous quilting of course!)

Gillian designed this quilt around some Owl Fabric she picked up and it's pretty cool stuff!
Gillian's Owl Quilt

Helen made this fabulous baby quilt - it's in her Baby Quilt Cupboard, she's trying to get ahead of all the new babies so she has one ready for the next gift.....

Notice the Prairie Point border.......

Helen's Quilt
Now we can continue with our 4 day Retreat!  Started out with 2 participants so I thought I'd have an easy ride!  Whoa - we are suddenly up to 8 but still having a great time - actually that's probably why we are having such a great time!!!!

This Retreat offically started on Thursday at 6:00 P.M.  after Sit & Sew but some people got a head start and were here Thursday as well..... Gail was here Thursday working on Pillow Covers and putting the binding on her quilt which is a gift - absolutely stunning fabrics......
Raili, Karen and Linda also got a head start on the Retreat - Raili Finished a gorgeous top - from a class she had taken previously ....

So she has pulled out yet another project to work on.....
Linda finished this star (and I think 3 more.....???) for a Mystery Quilt she is doing from a store in Moose Jaw that she purchased on line after Elaine blogged about it.


Here are the fabrics that came with the clues.....
Karen is busy with the clues from her Border Creek Mystery.......she's keeping up to date!

Dinner Thursday night was one of my "go to" recipes, Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Rice....Jonathan got what was left, about an appetizer side!  Dessert was Apple Strudels......delicious!

Stay tuned and I will update you on the rest of the goings on over the weekend!
Even I'm set up to get something done, first the hand sewing on my Lithia Park and then I brought two other projects if I get the flowers all done, we'll soon see!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Monday, November 21, 2011

I promised.....

One of my customers called today with a dilemma.  She has some vintage doilies she wants to put into a quilt and would like to know how to go about it.  A few years ago, one of my wonderful customers, Linda, gave me 9 vintage white cocktail napkins with roosters on them which I wanted to put in a quilt.  I am embarrassed to say the quilt top has been done for a few years but I haven't quilted it yet.  I even have the backing I want to use so my only excuse is time!!!! 

In any event - I promised to post the pictures tonight to give you an idea as to how I attached them to the quilt - I used one of the decorative stitches on my machine so that it appears to be part of the cocktail napkin - (photo #1 without flash)
 Photo # 2 - with flash, closer to the actual colour.....if you click on either one you should get a closer look......
...and since I actually found the quilt top (Phew! I was pretty sure I knew where it was!!!) here's a photo of the finished top......
 Now that I have found it and since I have the backing, it's going in the "to be quilted" pile and will be a priority to be quilted......  I just have to decide whether I'll be quilting this one or I'll break down and give it to a long-arm quilter!!!!  Tough decision!

Update on Lithia Park - the petals and leaves are done Woohoo!!!!!  Next phase!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Wow......

Yesterday was busy, busy, busy!  First, Elaine led the Christmas Club - they are working on Welcome to the North Pole and there's only one more month to go before they do the great reveal!  You are all invited and I will e-mail a "formal" invitation in time for you to all partake in the fun!  They have already chosen next year's Christmas Club Quilts and there is a choice of two patterns - come and join in the fun - one Saturday a month - $10.00 - with a few very stringent rules, but really a fabulous time!!!!

Here are the blocks they are working on......




 I can't wait to see the rest of the blocks that were made......I'm really looking forward to the reveal!

The afternoon was also busy - Luarissa had her Waterfall class, the pattern is from Helene Knott's - Postcards from Japan series......they sure got a lot done -
As for me, I am still busy working on Lithia Park and I am absolutely in love with this quilt......I managed to get the 4 centre blocks together tonight after work and I absolutely love it!
I can't wait to get the rest of the blocks done and put together!  I guess I'll be watching alot of TV this week and there's always the Retreat this weekend.....hmmm, maybe between cooking I'll get the blocks ready to go and then get it pieced and quilted!  Best laid plains, but I have hope!

Happy quilting!

Jo-Ann

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Back in the swing......

One thing I have sorely missed over the last 6 months is our Friday night Sit & Sews!  Well, last night was just that and we had a great time!

Dinner was amazing if I do say so myself - Stuffed Roast Chicken, Green Beans with Sauteed Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce, oh and lovely Dinner Rolls......I made an Apple Cake for Dessert.......

After dinner, as usual everyone got to work......Gillian showed off her finished quilt which was quilted by Sandy Lindal and is beautiful!!!!
I didn't get much done (as usual) but the plan was to work on my flower petals for my Lithia Park.  I think I got 3 or 4 small petals done but all of my leaves are now finished - I will soon be just working on the blocks!  I'm certainly planning on taking it home with me tonight to work on so who knows!!!!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I am really back......

That means I'm in the store!  That means we are beginning to prepare for our next newsletter! 

Just a quick note about what I'm working on.....Lithia Park and I'm using something new we have in the store......
I'm using the Diamonds from Paper Pieces that we sell in the store - they are amazing....Nancy loves them, Barb loves them, Laurissa loves them and now I love them!  I started this quilt about 2 years ago with another "product" and I just couldn't get it done....In the past week I have managed to finish all the petals for the 16 flowers and almost half of the leaves!  They are just so easy to use......(I see a quick class coming!)  English Paper Piecing!!!!

I've got it all set up in my room so I can sit and watch TV and stitch away....it's wonderful....
...and you can see all my favourite hand stitching tools!  My Desk Needle Threader and my Needle Dome, my applique pins (Clover) and my 4" Scissor.
We carry all of these in the store......

I'll keep you posted on my progress!  These are the actual blocks....

I'm really excited about this quilt - it's one of those UFO's I thought I'd never get done but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and all because of Paper Pieces!  Who would have thought it....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann