Blown Away!!!!

Where to begin?!?!  Well let's start with Fiona's Art Gallery.....In order to give her students a little inspiration - she brought in a few of her pieces.  They are all absolutely fabulous as you can see.....

 Saturday's class - Photo to Fabric started with a large pot of coffee and a room full of very talented and keen students....they got to work right away and began creating their masterpieces.....

 In a roomful of organized chaos the "process" began.....everyone working on a different photo pre-screened by Fiona....

 Then there was lunch. but after a little fuel, everyone's creations began to emerge.....

 Linda has recreated Zooey to a tee!  Still evolving but so true to life!

 Gail's creation is also true to life and coming out amazing.....

 This is Onyx and Claudette has done an absolutely amazing job......

 Rita is doing fabulous with her flowers.....working outside the box and loving it.....

 Mary has chosen this gorgeous floral to work on and what you see here is the fabric on top of the picture.....

 Lorece chose a horse for her first piece - wait until you see this one done.......

 Liike I said before - organized chaos.........

 ...and finally Mitzi chose to do the twins - they are coming out fantastic! 

This was by far one of the best classes we've run!  Everyone came away satisfied with their creativity and their progress....and a plan to meet up again in May to show off their progress and complete their work!  The best part is - Fiona has agreed to teach it again so keep your eyes open for our upcoming newsletter because it will surely be on the list.....

One of these days I too will take a day off and do this class!  Honestly - I will!  It's a challenge but I think I'm up for it!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

I'm thrilled!

First, because we've made a few changes at the store!  We have moved the patterns off those "unmanageable" turning racks (I think that's what Barb called them today - or maybe she used a "stronger" adjective!  ...and yes she has been urging me to do this for a few years now!) and put them on THE WALL!

 The second thing that is thrilling me, is that I have been working on revamping my Beginner Machine Piecing and Quilting class and I have developed 3 quilt tops for my students to make.  By the time they finish this class they will be advanced!!! It's designed to give them a thorough overall look at traditional quilting, so my first project for the class is a Rail Fence Table Topper.  I dipped into my stash and came up with this.

This second one is my absolute favourite quilt!  This version is called Amish Shadow and is done in solids.  I can't wait to quilt it - I'm already planning the designs.....

 Neither of these two quilts take long as one is a Table Topper and the other finishes at 42.5" square.  The third quilt is a Sampler and also a wall hanging but it'll be awhile before I can show the prototype as it's still in the works.  I finished the other two tops this week so I have to get back to some other stuff real soon.

STASHBUSTERS CLUB

Gillian's quilt (lower left) is definitely a "stashbuster" and is loosely based on the book Liberated Quiltmaking II by Gwen Marston -

 On the upper right is Linda V.'s blocks for O Tannenbaum, her Christmas Club quilt - she's got them all done!!!!  Lots of hard work here....for a Christmas Club update on the blocks already done check out Elaine's blog - www.crazyquilteronabike.blogspot.com (or click on blogs we follow at the side of this page) - she's pretty current!

 This is what Karen was doing - along with knitting a lace shawl!  I guess you can "stashbust" your yarn stash too!

 ....and I was really working hard, lying down on the job again!!!!!

Missy joined us Thursday night (Gillian's dog) and she thought lying down on the job was a great idea.  Needless to say we had a great time!

You should join us - it's the second Thursday of the month - 6:30 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. - bring your dinner (we've got snacks) and your scraps, strips, fat quarters, etc. and we'll get busy making some great scrap quilts.....we've got some great ideas and some great free patterns.....It's alot of fun!

Just give us a call to book your spot...in the meantime!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A quick post before bed!

Trying to not burn the candle at both ends but some days there's no choice.  I just posted a great quilting tip for Half Square Triangles on www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com.  Check it out!

Also wanted to mention that Stashbusters Club meets this Thursday night at 6:30 P.M. and it's Sit & Sew this Friday night.  There are still a few spaces left on both evenings.

Sharon was busy, busy, busy today and I'll be sure to post a picture of what she was up to soon.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A gorgeous day!!!!

It really was an exceptional day today and what a day for the St. Patrick's Day Parade!!!  We set a record it seems......absolutely glorious!
I was very busy teaching today - Beginner Machine Piecing and Quilting and I have to tell you, I am really excited about this class.  When I first started teaching this class I had designed a quilt to highlight certain techniques and blocks and it was an "okay" quilt and pattern but I just wasn't happy with it.  Since the last class in September I have completely "revamped" the class and am much, much happier.  Last night I spent 5 hours on EQ6 designing my "ultimate" beginner quilt and I am soooooo pleased.  You can get some excerpts from my personal blog - www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com.

Right now - I am bringing you up to date about what's happening at the store.  Thursday was Graduation Day for our Sock Knitters - and we have two completed socks to show off -

Linda V. finished her first sock -

Cathie finished her first sock -

- and there are 4 more "firsts' on their way to being finished.  We are very quickly running out of sock yarn at the store, I'll definitely have to get some more in - more colours too!  I just love the way these variegate......So we've made a pact with the sock knitters - they are allowed to come to Applique Club and work on their knitting!!!!  We may have to rename this monthly Friday nite group to - Just Don't Bring A Machine Night!!!!  Any kind of hand work goes!

Many of you ask me what Barb is up to these days, well aside from working in the store Sunday afternoons and helping me out in every way she can (especially with computer related stuff!) she's busy "beading"!!!  How does this affect us - well, take a look at these gorgeous Scissor FOBs we are now selling in the store -

 Personally I just want to grab them all and adorn all of my scissors but I am restraining myself so that you can all have your pick - I can't wait to see her new ones - she's working on MORE!!!!

Okay - I really have to get back to that Mystery Quilt so I can bring that gorgeous bolt of fabric back to the store......

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

We've got it!

I have been a very busy "bee" the past two weeks!  At what you ask?!?!  Check it out!

Our new DMC tower is filled up!  Right next to

a great assortment of #8 Pearl Cotton

That's right, we now carry the full range of DMC Floss.  It took nearly two weeks to get it entered into the inventory and a lot of cursing (and help - thanks Barb!) to get it onto the carousel but it is ready to go.....I'm just thinking of all the projects I can use it on!!!!

We've had quite a few classes this week also which were really fun!  Fiona was in on Wednesday evening to teach Photo Expansion and wait until you see what her students came up with..... 

 Fabienne's bicyclette.....

 ..the extension is so amazing!

 Florals always work well with this extension.....

 Check out the cutest little sewing machine ever!!!!

 Kay also chose a floral photo.......

 Helen chose a beach scene......

..and used hand painted fabric, sometimes that's what works!

One of these days I am going to take advantage of this class - I already have something in mind and I know I can even use some of that floss I just showed you to do a little embellishment, make it 3 dimensional as well as extended.....As usual it is only time that is not on my side!!!!  Every once in a while I do treat myself to a class so maybe the next time.....

Today Laurissa was in to teach Rain Drops - everyone loves that quilt so at least once a year it ends up as a class....there is however, another Judy Neimeyer pattern that I adore and I really want her to teach that one...so first I have to get the fabrics in and then I can take the class!  Here's what came from today's class -

This is Cheryl's - done by hand....I might add!

This one belongs to Gail S....bright and beautiful!

Gail H. is working on something completely different!

Her Lucky Stars quilt - but check out her hand dyed fabric!

I think I may just get some of this into the store - it's gorgeous!

Jean has started with some blues and greens - awesome!

This one is Lucy's and I just love it - like sunshine!

I think everyone is pretty happy with their progress and the end result will be absolutely spectacular!  Whether you do this by hand or by machine this quilt is gorgeous!

Barb dropped by this week and she was wearing this spectacular necklace which she made.....I had to show it off again, in case you haven't seen it before....I really love these colours too!

I can't do this blog without mentioning that on Thursday Linda V. was able to show off one of her "house" blocks for the Christmas Club - I'm so proud of her - this is quite the achievement and an awesome block....

Now I can show off one of my "beginner" students.  Sharon has been working diligently for weeks on her Yellow Brick Road and here are her blocks, all ready to be sewn together.  Looks like her daughter will have her quilt pretty soon!  Way to go Sharon and next week we do borders!!!!

And lat but not least, our sock knitters are about to graduate this coming week!  Looks like we'll be knitting socks for a while to come so we've decided to keep a few choice sock yarns in the store....check these out!

It's been a busy week with another busy week to come - drop in and see us!  There's always something happening at the store, and the coffee or tea are always available....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann