Monday, March 25, 2013

More, more, more.....

It's always a treat when new fabrics arrive!  I am always trying to figure out what I would do with them myself but these are all for you!  They are very rich and you can see the gold and silver flecks in the fabrics if you look closely.  I have been pairing them up in my mind with some of the fabrics in the store and they are great......
 New fabrics - $11.95 per metre

Need a quick baby quilt?  This kit couldn't be quicker.  I think the top took about 2-1/2 hours from start to finish.  The quilting didn't take long either.  The pattern comes complete with quilting tips and is provided by Cock A Doodle Quilts.  This pattern is called Little Lambs.

Little Lambs Quilt - $39.95

The kit comes in 3 colour ways, Pink Polka Dot,  Pink and Blue Polka Dots.  Come on and pick up a couple, it's always good to have something quick and easy on hand for those un-"expected" baby gifts.
 Pink Polka Dot

 Pink

Blue Polka Dots

The pattern is also available on it's own.  Choose your own "theme" fabric and go from there.  It's a very versatile pattern.  You'll find everything you need to complete this quilt at the store......

....and don't forget about that gorgeous Block of The Month - Amish With A Twist!  It's filling up fast .....
If everything goes according to plan I will be working on this quilt during my upcoming personal retreat.  The store closes on Thursday March 28th at 6:00 P.M. and reopens on Tuesday April 2nd at 10:00 A.M..  I will be getting some much needed rest along with 4 days of quilting time!  Really looking forward to it!  Can't wait to show off this quilt top!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann




Saturday, March 16, 2013

Happening at the "Doodle".....

You know how I love sharing customer quilts and this week at the Thursday Sit & Sew I was in luck (actually it was last Thursday for the first one)!

Linda saw that I had the Charm Squares of Fairy Frost from Michael Miller in stock so she brought in the quilt she made from the Charm Pack she bought a few years ago.  She teamed it up with some light grey/white Fossil Fern and a great black sky fabric.  Used the disappearing 9 patch pattern and Voila, an absolutely gorgeous quilt which reads like a color wheel.  It's absolutely stunning and we discussed how she is going to quilt it.  I can't wait to see it finished.
 Disappearing 9 Patch with Fairy Frost

Chris is working on this Lantern Quilt which is for the Momiji Bazaar on Saturday March 23, 2013 at the Momiji Health Care Society, 3555 Kingston Road in Scarborough from 12:00 noon - 3:30 P.M..  She's just finishing the quilting which is absolutely gorgeous.  She's doing a free hand Mctavish which really gives a lovely texture to the quilt.  She hasn't got too much left to do, which is a good thing since the bazaar is only a week away....


Chris's Lantern Quilt

 Closer look at the quilting (click on the photo to get a closer look)

We moved on to Stashbusters Club and Chris pulled out two projects she's working on.  One is from Bonnie Hunter's Adventures with Leaders and Enders and the other is a strip quilt.  The fabric she's using as a background against the strips is striking!  Can't wait to see this one sewn up.....

 Chris's scrap projects

Linda was layering a charity quilt while I was working on the quilt from @#$% which I finally finished at Friday night Sit & Sew.  I had plans to start my scrappy pineapple, I even had printed off the foundation sheets in readiness but like Linda, I was determined to finish what I had started so I guess it will be next month when I finally start using up all those scraps I painstakingly organized.

I was more than relieved when I completed the quilting last night on the baby quilt I am finishing for a customer.  This is the quilt I complained about recently because a sheet was used for backing.  Unfortunately, not only was it a nightmare to quilt because the sheet kept shifting but in the end it was not large enough for the quilt and after squaring it up, Mary helped me by adding on a small strip of muslin and putting on the binding.  I decided to give this new mother a break and hand sew the binding on but a lesson to be learned - NEVER USE A SHEET AS A BACKING!!!!  Got quite a bit done tonight while watching the hockey game - another heartbreaker but at least the Leafs got a point!!!

Now I can move on to my next priority - 9 patch blocks!  I also have to get to the new newsletter (what - again!!! how time flies!)  Tomorrow is my day off and I'm hoping it will be a productive one quilting wise!

Happy quilting!

Jo-Ann

Friday, March 15, 2013

Exciting.......

I am excited and totally inspired!  Have you seen this quilt yet?  I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and I'm sure you will too!  It's our newest BLOCK OF THE MONTH.
  
Amish With A Twist
89" x 106"

This is our upcoming, beginning in April, Block of The Month.  It is a 9 month program priced at $24.95 per month.  You will receive fabric and pattern packs in month 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.  The kits contain fabrics to complete the top and for the binding.  The backing fabric kit will be available for $89.95.

The quilt, designed by Nancy Rink, uses Centennial Solids by Marcus Brothers. The pattern is designed for Beginner to Advanced quilters alike.  Beginning in Month 1, you will receive fabrics and patterns for 3 blocks, with many quilters tips and detailed instructions.  For those picking their "package" up in the store a short class will be offered to answer any questions and help with construction.  Each time you receive a pattern, you will also receive Bonus project sheets.  These will allow you to try out different techniques before you make your final blocks for your quilt.  With your patterns there are also some great ideas for future quilts or quilts to work on now while you hone your skills to make this gorgeous quilt!

You can choose any background colour you like - it doesn't have to be Black (mine is going to be black because I love it like that), envision it on Navy, White, Grey, Purple, Brown!!!!

Check these out:



HOW TO SIGN UP  (There are NO Sign Up Fees at Cock-A-Doodle!)

1. Come into the store, check out the poster and the fabrics (I've got a kit I haven't started yet!), sign the list and fill out the monthly charge form.

2. Call the store, we'll put you on the list and fill out the monthly charge form for you. (From out of town or the U.S. - call toll free @ 1-866-432-9678).

3. E-mail us at cockadoodlequilts@bellnet.ca, with a phone # where you can be reached or an address and we will phone you for your info or send you the charge form with a S.A.S.E. to return to us.

How easy is that - we accept Visa or Mastercard.

Now, I am going back to finish my quilt from @#$%, I'm almost done!  Then I have to do my 9 patch blocks for the exchange, yes, I am behind a little!  BUT THEN, I get to start my Amish With A Twist store sample.....(and also work on my Urban 9 Patch!!!)  Sew many quilts - sew little time!!!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann


Thursday, March 14, 2013

More for you.....

The SALE
CONTINUES.......
We're keeping it going until
SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2013
 
 
 


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Technology....

Being in business today requires that you know your way around a computer.  I have to say that, as much as I know how to do, there is always something that baffles me.  It appears that when our e-mail went out on Thursday evening announcing our BIG SALE, some people only received a portion of it, while others received the whole e-mail.  It is frustrating to say the least, and I'm sure, because we are talking about a computer, that there is a logical explanation for this, but neither I nor my "web" guy have any idea what it is.   For those of you who got the first paragraph of the e-mail and have come to check out the blog......

This is what's happening in the store.....

Thursday March 7, 2013

Hi everyone!

If you read the blog or you visit Cock-A-Doodle Quilts on Facebook you already know what’s new in the store, but you don’t know the BIG NEWS yet, just in case you haven’t been keeping up with “social media” I thought I would drop you an e-mail.
  
Now for the Big News

FRIDAY MARCH 8th, 2013

MARCH MADNESS
SALE
FABRIC & PATTERNS
(MINIMUM 1 METER CUTS)

10% - 50% OFF
How it works! 
The % is determined by the Inventory # on the item.

Items beginning with:-
                108000                            10% Off
                107000                            15% Off
                106000                            20% Off
                105000                            25% Off
                104000                            30% Off
                103000                            35% Off
                102000                            40% Off
                101000                            45% Off
                100000                            50% Off  
Our biggest sale ever!  The more that disappears, the more new stuff in the store!  This store is smaller and I have no room to store anything so the more that goes, the more room I have for the NEW STUFF!!!!!

THE SALE starts Friday and goes until Thursday March 14th, 2013 so, don’t delay, get in and get first pick on all those great fabrics.  It’s a great time to stock up on fabric for borders, backings and bindings.     

 Looking forward to seeing you all!

I apologize for the problems.  Hopefully once we have moved to the new website with our shopping cart, these things will become a thing of the past......I can only hope!!!!
  
Happy Quilting,

Jo-Ann

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Today.....

Once a month a fabulous group of quilters come in on a Sunday to Stitch and Bitch!  As much as I look forward to having Sunday off to just stay home and veg - I enjoy more the monthly gathering of this family and friends who come to hang out in my store and create some really awesome projects......

Usually there's a Show and Share and then they get down to working on current projects.....today there was no show and share and I was way behind  the eight ball on taking pictures of current work so no pics today.....

I actually was a little tired after lunch so I lied down on the couch to take a nap.  I tried turning off the lights but they complained that they couldn't see so I had to hunker down with my head under a quilt.  And so was born, the "Talking Quilt"..... little comments from under the quilt persisted all afternoon....it was actually quite fun!

Spending the evening watching the "Boob Tube" and just relaxing - should be getting some quilting done but I really haven't got the motivation....

Gotta get my strength up for next week!  You'll soon know why!

Happy quilting!

Jo-Ann

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Today....

 
Today was all about the Healing Heroes for Quilts of Valour that meet at the store the first Saturday of each month.  These ladies and gents are incredible.  Today they added another 12 quilts to their incredible total (well over 200 quilts).  I am so honoured to play a small part in what these volunteers do, even if it is just to provide space for their gatherings.....here are the 12 quilts.....some of which I know who made them, some, unfortunately I did not get names for......
 
FYI - the pics are unedited due to a glitch with my camera (and the photographer probably!)......
 The above quilt is made by Rochelle
I tried to crop it on the camera and messed up the whole photo
It appears again behind other quilts that were photographed
It's a great little pattern and goes together pretty quickly
 This one is also Rochelle's, another great pattern
 Not sure who did this one but yet another great pattern
I think this one is Sylvia's (I know she brought it in?!?)
It's the 1,600 Inch quilt
There's Rochelle's quilt in the background - really nice job there! 
 This is another 1,600 Inch quilt
 I think this is Sandra's - lovely pattern
 Another 1,600 Inch quilt
 Definitely not sure who did this one - but it's a lovely flannel quilt
 This one was done by Violet - closer look shows the great pattern
 Judy did this one - great autumn colours - really bright
 Peter put this one together and did the awesome quilting
He and Bill worked on the great design - mixed 9 patches
done in a trip around the world pattern
Again - Peter put this one together and quilted it beautifully
 
 
They sweep in at 10:00 A.M. and begin working.  They spend the whole day working hard on piecing, quilting, binding, etc.. and at the end of they day they go home with loads done and more to do.  They bring them all back done....it truly amazes and inspires!!!!
 
 
Thank you Virginia for all those years ago asking me to be a part of this undertaking!!!!  You have all made me feel, in many ways, a useful part of this group!  I hope we will all be meeting together for many years to come.....
 
 
For anyone who wants to donate quilting fabric or a quilt to Healing Heroes, please call the store for more information....
 
Happy Quilting!
 
 
Jo-Ann


Friday, March 1, 2013

More, more, more.......

Wow!  Thought I was just going in to kill time today it being a short day for me.  Hydro sent us a notice that they will be "upgrading" our service (the whole plaza) and the power would go off at 5:00 P.M. so I closed today at 4:00 P.M..

Around 1:00 P.M. in walks the delivery guy with a big box and wait until you see what was in it!!!!!

Here we go, more to whet your appetites!  As if yesterday wasn't enough -


 Ombre Hand Dye Strip-Its!  40 strips x 2-1/2" $52.95
 Free Pattern - Prism Quilt
Free Pattern - Rainbow Square Quilt
 Free Pattern - Weave Quilt
 Just waiting for you all to get one!

 Champagne Lights - absolutely luscious creams - $11.95 per metre

First of all, I want to point out how unfair this all is!  One of my resolutions this year was not to start anything new unless I "had to" make a sample for the store....  As much as I am salivating to do one of those Free Patterns for the Ombre Hand Dye Strip Its, I am well aware that these will be gone before I can even pick out the quilt I want to do!!!!  Hopefully I will be able to get my hands on more of these - they are to "dye" for.

Those creams are also calling my name and guess what, I already have a quilt pattern in the planning which absolutely REQUIRES a piece of each of these creams, so I'm in luck!  I'm hoping these will also remain available for awhile as they really are great neutrals.....

Before I'm off to enjoy my few extra hours, I wanted to share a photo I received today from one of my students.  This quilt is from the Urban Pods class where we used the fabulous Quick Curve Ruler....

Anna used a dark grey with white as well as chartreuse fabrics that were sprinkled with grey.  The photo doesn't really do the fabrics justice but the quilt came out absolutely awesome!
Anna's Quilt from the Urban Pods Class

I'm thinking I should really try to get some quilting done in those few extra hours or maybe some cleaning or laundry - that would be good!  But, on the other hand, I could use a little rest!  Hmmmm.....just not sure what to do!  While I'm deciding I think I'll catch up on some e-mail!

FYI - Tomorrow is Healing Heroes for Quilts of Valour from 10:00 A.M. to closing.  Come on in and visit us, sew a seam, press a seam, cut a strip!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann