Spring quilting!!!!

As much as I love gardening, quilting is still my passion and luckily it is shared my many other quilters.  Babies are born and they need quilts to be bundled in, there are wedding quilts to do and milestone birthdays that deserve our very best gifts - quilts!  There are those dreaded deadlines and so we continue to quilt.....

First I will bring you up to date as to where I am on that gorgeous Amish With A Twist....I have started doing the outside of the blocks....

Block 2

Block 3

I should have more done but as many of you know by reading my blog - www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com, I have been obsessed with The Farmer's Wife of late.  I'm hoping to get more done in the next few days.

I will also share with you some fabulous customer quilts I've been lucky enough to be inspired by....

First Kay and her friend made this fabulous quilt at Laurissa's Bloomin' 9 Patch class....

Cathie has been working on this quilt for about 10 years but that actually includes selecting the fabrics.  It's that fabulous pattern, Yellow Brick Road and it is stunning.....

This pic shows the blocks - she came by one Friday night to "babysit" me (I think it was May 10th) and marked her rows and blocks.

Yesterday we had our monthly Sunday Stitch & Bitch and check it out!  They held it up sideways but - still effective......

Chris never ceases to amaze me with the quilts that she produces and this month (May) at our Stashbusters (Scrapaholics) Club night she didn't disappoint.....

Here are two quilts she did, changing them up but using the same strips....using different backgrounds they look completely different.....

She is also working diligently on one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns and each month it grows.....

Liz came by last week and showed off this gorgeous quilt which I believe is a wedding present and she was getting it off to the long arm... (wish I could take a decent picture - ugh!)

The last quilt and really an inspiration belongs to ????  Okay, I know it is very unlike me but as many of you know I am within my rights to use "chemo-brain" as an excuse here,  I cannot remember who brought this quilt in, so someone has to "own up" and help me out here.....

I would like to introduce you to the new "boss" at Cock A Doodle, in case you haven't met her yet -----  This is Missy!  She belongs to Gillian and when Gillian is in the store, Missy is there to look after us all!

She's very photogenic and loves having her picture taken.....

She also has her own "throne" - our very own Queen of Quilts!!!!  Her favourite spot is on top of the quilt!

Gillian is away for the next few weeks so the "boss" is off for a while.  I have to say, I really do miss her.

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

It must be May.....

The newsletter is on it's way to you all!  Hoping you'll love the class line-up, I tried to throw in a little of everything and there will be more coming.....

Yesterday was Healing Heroes - Quilts of Valour day at the Doodle and Judy brought in yet another completed quilt for which she quickly whipped up a pillow case to match.....

This is a great pattern and the quilt is really awesome - loads of leaves in the boxes.....She quilted the boxes in the ditch and then meandered inside and outside the boxes.  There were another 8 finished quilts delivered to Virginia, then Pat, then Alison as well.  These ladies just keep producing gorgeous quilts.....

I have received all of my blocks for the 9 Patch Exchange and since my dear friend Debbie came in to quilt with me yesterday I began work on the quilt top.  Since there is going to be a reveal planned I will give you this one pic to whet your appetites and you will have to figure out what I'm up to......

Jo-Ann's 9 Patch Exchange Quilt

I am thrilled with the way it's coming along so I honestly can't wait to get it done.  Stay tuned!  I think today I received the last group of outstanding blocks so everyone will receive all of their blocks and they too can make some awesome quilts.  Can't wait to see them all!  It may even inspire another exchange!

Happy quilting!

Jo-Ann

P.S. If you want to see what's happening with The Farmer's Wife head over to Jo-Ann's Creations, Trials & Tribulations.

I am so conflicted........

We have been invaded!!!!  Yesterday two boxes arrived full of gorgeous Asian fabrics......

 Just a taste of the Orient.......

This grouping is more like a meal......all $14.95/metre

Why am I conflicted!  Well you see those gorgeous fabrics (the meal),  I cut some and I have a plan!!!!  Now, I am busy working on Amish With A Twist (Block 9) and the Radical Rail is coming along nicely, so what will happen if I add yet a third project to the mix?!?!  Well, we are going to find out - I'm also writing a pattern for this great project, working on the newsletter and cutting all the fabrics for Amish With A Twist so that it will be ready for pick-up this weekend......

On top of that, another two boxes of fabric have arrived!  More gorgeous Asians......can't wait to get into those boxes, it was all I could do to leave them alone and do what I had to do today.....tomorrow is another day.

More to come......

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

What a great week......

First of all, you had to be there.  Have you ever seen 7 women awe struck?!!!  I mean sitting with mouths wide open in awe!!!!  We sat and watched while Anne filled the design wall with her Dear Jane -  she has 3 blocks left to do....it is absolutely stunning, and it took her 4 years to complete - there are some pretty tough applique blocks in this quilt.  There were many she did over because she just didn't like the way they turned out....pretty awesome quilt!!!!

Needless to say, this inspired me to get back to my Farmer's Wife - two blocks done tonight....check www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com. 

Then I watched as Gillian started on her Stashbusters Quilt, she was determined to get the blocks done and has, as of today, only 10 more to do, to have an 80 block quilt.

Check this out......done with strips......

For the record, I have not been idle myself.  I managed to continue on with my Amish With A Twist....

Block 7 - Snow Ball Block plus Square In A Square cornerstones for the inside border.

Sometimes I take scraps a little too far and I just couldn't resist using the left over triangles for something, so here are my leftovers from Block 7.....

Block 8 - Flying Geese Block

....and of course there were leftovers here too.....

I am now also halfway through the Radical Rail quilt which is coming along nicely - I have 15 blocks done....

FYI - the fabric has arrived and I am already cutting Instalment 1 so those of you who are doing the BOM - Amish With A Twist - you will very soon be hearing the news that the kits are ready to go.....It's so exciting!

Tomorrow I will be (hopefully) finalizing class dates for the new newsletter so that will soon be appearing in your inboxes.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Back on track......

It took a couple of days for me to recover from the wedding!  It was a long night and a dream come true for all of us who were a part of it!  The happy couple is recuperating in the Bahamas for the next two weeks (too bad they didn't need their godmother to go along **sigh**)....I'll post a pic on my blog (www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com).

In the meantime, I finished block 5 of Amish With A Twist and it came out awesome .....

Block 5 - Star Block - Amish With A Twist

Completed it last night.  Tonight I came home and worked on Block 6 (there were errors....oops!), it took a little longer than expected but it too is done!  Note, I also got two more sets of strips for the border done.....

Block 6 - Hour Glass Block - Amish With A Twist

So... Block 7 is also on it's way to being done, along with another extra.  I love the way this pattern is coming together.  Nancy Rink really did a great job with this.  As you prepare the blocks you are also preparing all the other parts of the quilt so at the end it will just be a matter of putting it all together.  Some nights I wish I could just keep going, but we all know what happens when you do too much, mistakes happen.....and I hate un-sewing!  (back stitching)

Yesterday was fun, Rochelle dropped by to show off her finished quilt.  It was one of our great Mystery Quilts - the one night mystery!  She did a great job and she says her daughter loves it.....

Rochelle's Mystery Quilt

Today was a fun day for me, Linda came by to get some fabrics for a quilt she wants to make.  She got some of those fabulous Champagne Beiges.  I'm actually in the middle of designing a quilt using some of those fabrics (not putting down Amish With A Twist!) and will have a pattern ready in a wee while.

Liz came by with lunch, what a treat!  Then I had a great afternoon checking out some new fabrics for the store (I'm excited about some of the great new stuff that's coming - which prompted a few more quilt pattern ideas!)

Late in the day Lyn and Jessie came by - new quilters and so we set about getting Lyn started on a great quilt with some charm squares she had.  I hope she comes by and shows me her progress,  it's going to be awesome!

Okay - I think I'll go back to Block 7.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Come join us......

Stashbuster's Club

Thursday April 11, 2013

6:30 - 10:00 P.M.

$15.00 (includes dinner)

(2nd Thursday of every month)

 

I'm going to start work on a pineapple quilt.  Chris is working on something, not sure what.  Gill has a bunch of strips to work with and Linda, I'm not sure which project is being worked on - but we are all determined to get those scraps into quilts.......

 

 

If your looking for some great ideas  to use up scraps and make some quick quilts - this is definitely the place to be......there are spots available so come join us!

 

Happy Quilting!

 

Jo-Ann   



What I did on my Easter vacation.....

Before I share my vacation with you, I want to put a picture up for posterity.  I have the most amazing customers, don't think I don't know this.  You are all so good to me, which brings me to the photo.

One of my customers, Esme, who lives in South Africa, made a rare trip to Toronto to visit her son and his family.  She came by the store and brought me a most beautiful gift.....aren't they gorgeous, and the scent was truly amazing!  Now this photo will preserve them forever!

A gift from Esme

Between Monday and Thursday Sit & Sews there is always lots of production going on.  You know how I love sharing some of these projects and this one is no exception.  Linda finished her charity quilt for York Heritage Quilters' Guild.  The fabrics came from the guild stash so the 60's look is not Linda's choice bur she did a great job with what she had - even if she did have to raid Raili's 60's stash to finish it.....

 The front

The back

Now, we get to how I spent my Easter vacation.  Four days, Friday to Monday, it was great!  Let's see, I did laundry, I cleaned a little which prompted list making (ugh), and some quilting!  As I had planned, I got started on Amish With A Twist.....

Amish With A Twist

I started from the beginning - Block 1 - Rail Fence.  The neat part about this Block of the Month is that you are making other parts of the quilt as you are constructing the blocks.  Below is the Rail Fence block, plus strips that will be the inside border in two colour ways.

Block 1 - Rail Fence - Amish With A Twist

Then came Block 2 - Four Patch Block.  This is where I got a little confused!  When you look at the quilt, you see 12 different blocks, so when the cutting instructions told me to cut strips for the four patches, I thought, why would I waste all that fabric to make one block?  Well that prompted me to take a look at the quilt and guess what - this one actually makes 3 of the same block, 2 of which are for the 2 opposite corners of the large border, plus strips for the inside border.

Block 2 - Four Patch Block - Amish With A Twist

The last one I managed to finish was Block 3 - Nine Patch Block.  This one is also very straight forward and there are no extras here, just the block.  So that concludes "package" #1.  I've shown the leftover fabrics here from the first installment.

 Block 3 - Nine Patch Block - Amish With A Twist

A few tips for this BOM:

1 - Read through each pattern carefully before starting.

2 - Check your cutting instructions for all three patterns before beginning to cut so you can plan your fabric.

3 - Work on one block at a time and all the extras and it's as easy as pie....

I haven't finished any more blocks but Kay was in today to do some quilting and I managed to cut out the next 6 blocks plus the extras for installments 2 and 3, so blocks and tips will be forthcoming soon.

I have to say, I am really enjoying this process.  It's been awhile since I did a Block of the Month and one of my favourites is the variance in the blocks.  This one may actually end up on my bed, once it's done......That may be one of the reasons I haven't painted my bedroom yet!  Holding out for the perfect quilt!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

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

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

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

Been a while......

I'm not sure where February went!?!  Did any of you see it whiz by?  I know that it's been a pretty busy month schedule wise for me so I get where the days (and nights) went, but I feel like I missed something....  I know it's also a short month which partially explains the speed at which it went by, but I still feel like I missed something....

Many of you had the good fortune to escape the "winter blahs" this month and I hope you all had a great time, wherever you chose to travel.  March will be here in a couple of days and I've got loads planned for the month...stay tuned for the news!

I thought I would share a little project I'm working on for one of my customers.  I am sharing this project with you because this little project is causing me a lot of grief!  

I have, in my short career as a quilter (about 13 years), become a "purist", especially after my struggle with this little baby quilt.  My customer decided to back it with a bed sheet.  She asked me to just quilt each square about 1/4" in from the seams.  Ordinarily this would not be difficult, however, with the bed sheet as backing it is constantly shifting.  I have pinned it 4 times so far after having to take out a number of my quilt seams.

 Baby Quilt

Back of baby quilt - pinned

You can see by the above photo, that even though it is pinned, if I continue to quilt it, I will have a number of tucks.  Alas, it has to be pinned yet again.  I'm not 100% sure why this is happening, only that the sheet seems extremely slippery and as I quilt it, it moves around.  Hopefully only a few more "pinnings" and I will be done. It's definitely taking a lot longer than I anticipated.

I can't wait to get back to my other quilting projects!  Finishing all of my 9 patch exchange blocks (yes, I am a bit behind), quilting my Amish Shadow, working on my Urban Nine Patch and starting (yes, I said starting) one of my scrap projects.....

Of course there's all the other "store stuff"  I have to do too, so taking it one day at a time.  Splitting my days between quilting and book work.  Getting the new website ready to launch - so busy at night too!  Gotta get back to it!

Happy quilting!

Jo-Ann

The first week......

2013 is here and things are happening at the "Doodle".  The first meeting of "Healing Heroes" (our Quilts of Valour Group) was held last Saturday - January 5th.  The group has been meeting here since September 2007 and in that time have sent 246 quilts to our armed forces.  Here below Peter and Pat are showing off an additional 4, ready to be packed up and sent.

 

On Sunday January 6th we had our first meeting of the "Barrie Girls" - okay at this point pretty much no-one is from Barrie so we can just refer to them as the Sunday Stitch 'n' Bitch group.  Gail showed off this really cute snowman she did from a kit that she had bought.

 Cathie showed this one off at the end of the day - her Florida Snowballs - which is from our free Snowball pattern.  She changed up the borders a little and made it her own.....It was on her UFO list.  I let her stay a little longer too, so she could finish up another one of her UFO's and now they are ready to go to the long arm quilter - Cathy Petrie.  Can't wait to see what she does with them, always come back amazing.

We've already had 3 Sit & Sews this month and the newsletter should be in your e-mail at any moment as I completed it yesterday.  Will send another e-mail to my "web guy" today to make sure he gets it out.  Tomorrow night is the first meeting of the Scrapaholics Club and it's filling up quickly.  We'll be tackling strips.....should be great fun!

My next job is tackling the Mystery Quilt for March and getting a couple of long awaited patterns written up so I can kit some fabric.  In the meantime - check out all the great classes coming up.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

2013........

It's here!!!  Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Have you made any resolutions?

Are you ready to take on 2013?

Quilting Resolution Tip

If you are anything like me - there is the UFO resolution - to finish more UFO's!  

First, make a list of your UFO's and list also, the reason why it is a UFO.  Was it a class piece, was there a mistake that had to be fixed, etc.  Do you need some help to complete the piece?  You just don't like it - could you make it into a Charity Quilt?  Are you ever going to finish it?  Should you donate it and let someone else finish it?  

Rather than add it to your UFO list, decide what you really want to do with it. That is my resolution for 2013.  Rather than continue to harbour all of these projects and list them every year as UFO's - I am choosing to sort them as they should be sorted.


On that note, there is always help - join one of our Sit & Sew's - Mondays, Thursdays or the third Friday evening of the month.  If it's a hand piece make it the fourth Friday evening of the month.  There is always someone who can guide you if you have a question or need some help.  Or you can book a "private class" and get some of those "old" projects completed.



I think that my biggest problem is finding time to quilt so that is really my first resolution - find more time to quilt!  I am off to do just that!  I am working on so many projects at this time I cannot count, but first things first - I have run out of basting pins so rather than buy more I am finally attacking the pile of quilts that need to be quilted.

The first is the one I posted the other day on my personal blog - Jo-Ann's Creations, Trials & Tribulations! www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com.

This is a rare day off for me so I am going to enjoy it....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

There are no words......

From the day I opened Cock-A-Doodle Quilts, over 6 years ago, I knew that my customers, each and every one of you, are amazing.  You have all proved it to me over and over with your support and actions.  There are no words to express how grateful I am, you motivate me and no matter what I face in terms of challenges - you are the reason I get up each morning and face the day.....

I now have a new "friend" at the front desk to help me greet you all when you come in, and although she does not have a name, her chest pin tells you that she belongs.  Marjorie dropped her off yesterday - and she has taken a place of honour in the store!  A gift that she knew I would cherish....

If you look closely, you will see that she even has a paper shopping bag from Cock-A-Doodle along with fat quarters and all kinds of goodies - even a few bolts of fabric!  Marjorie says she's ugly but I'd like to say here and now that she is beautiful!  ...and we can all relate to her vest pin - Fabric Addict!  The pattern for the "Diva" is from Amy Bradley and Marjorie has made her come to life.....

Funnily enough my new "Diva" has a friend!  About 12 years ago when I first started quilting I came upon my first Scrapaholic Diva -  I think the two of them should shop together.....oh my, the damage they could do!

 Just in case I don't get to the blog again before Monday I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  I am about to make some of those resolutions we all make around this time of the year and I promise - more blogging will be on the list!  (Oops - I think I said that last year too!)

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann