It's official!

The store is closed.  I would like to thank all of my fabulous customers for supporting me in my quilting dream.  

There are a number of reasons I made the decision to close.  The first one is my health.  I am about to begin another round of chemotherapy which will have extreme side effects.  There is no way I could get through the chemo and run the store, and although I have some really fabulous friends who would have stepped up here, it would still require me to be available.  

Needless to say, when the landlord chose to lock me out instead of discussing the issue, I realized that over the next few months, which are the slowest of the year, that I would constantly be under stress wondering if he would do it again if I was late with the rent.  Stress is not a great thing when you are already facing illness.

The other reason is, although I made the right move in terms of location for many of my TTC customers, it turned out that being situated next to a dance studio was not the right move for the business.  As I found with the last newsletter, people were not signing up for classes like they used to and that is a huge part of the business.  There were definite rumblings about the noise which sometimes emanated from next door.

I will not go quietly - the plan is to continue doing my pattern designs and I have some other great quilt ideas up my sleeve.  As I begin chemo on the 10th of July, you may not be hearing from me in regards to new designs and patterns but, I will try to keep you updated on my progress and I did promise to finish my Amish With A Twist, along with a few other projects that I had started in the store.

I would like to send out a huge thank you to everyone who has helped and given moral support over the past two weeks.  Liz, who took over the cash, served as my taxi service and made sure I ate properly.  Leeane and Gail who helped set up the store for the sale, came in untiringly to cut fabric and help with everything.  Linda, my rock, for everything she has done for the past few months to help me get through the tough days.  Laurissa, who is tall enough to reach all the tough stuff and did some major hauling of boxes and bags.
Diannah who can clear a thread rack in seconds and managed to keep Gillian busy.  Last but not least, Gillian, without her I would have just walked away and left it all!!!!  She was the driving force behind the re-opening of the store, the sale and everything that went to Value Village in the end.  She left no stone unturned, if it could fit in the car it made it to VV.

For all who would like to know, the balance of the fabric, books and patterns have gone to very worthy causes.  East Toronto Quilters Guild for Linus quilts, etc.,  Etobicoke Quilters Guild for comfort quilts, Mississauga Quilters Guild for their placemats program and Healing Heroes (Quilts of Valour) for our service men and women.  I am also happy to report that a number of the store samples (7) have been donated to the flood victims in Calgary.

I decided not to take any pictures of the end!  The end is a new beginning for me - hopefully one that includes good health!  I am looking forward to a new chapter in my quilting journey.  Hopefully many of you will come with me!!!

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.

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

A little more......

I have not been idle, just slow!  Tonight I completed Block 4 - Amish With A Twist......

 Block 4 - Pinwheel Block - Amish With A Twist

Back of Block - notice my teeny tiny pinwheels

That's to remove bulk in the seams

As I mentioned previously, the patterns are super in that they give very good instructions and some great tips too.  If you sign up and manage to come for the 1 hour class/discussion you will receive a number of great tips too!  I will also include extra tips with the patterns......

At this point, one third of the blocks are done, along with other portions of the quilt top.  I'm really enjoying this!  Check out my blog - www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com to find out what else I'm up to at the same time.....

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

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

More for you.....

The SALE

CONTINUES.......

We're keeping it going until

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 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 8^th, 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 14^th, 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

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

On a roll......

At 1:30 P.M. today I taught the Urban Pods class.  The class really consists of learning how to use the Quick Curve Ruler (QCR) designed by Jenny Pedigo of Sew Kind of Wonderful.

When I talk about this ruler, I let everyone know that this is one of the best tool's I've come across in a very long time.  I liken it to the "bread slicer".  Personally, as a quilter, I think it's better than the bread slicer.

I let my students cut MY fabric and sew MY blocks (they have likened it to slave labour, but it's very effective).  I do this so that they won't waste their own fabric but will get used to all of the special techniques so, at least four of the blocks in the sample started below belong to my students.....

After they had gotten the hang of the technique, they began cutting and sewing their blocks (I expect photos ladies) and I set to making my second Urban Pods quilt.....Needless to say, once I got started I couldn't stop, so I continued and promised myself I would stop once I ran out of bobbin thread!

As you can see I got 4 vertical rows sewn although the second set is not put together yet (I knew I wouldn't make it to the end with what was left in the bobbin)....

I am addicted to this ruler and how easy it is, not to mention how quick it is!  From about 3:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. with two 1/2 hour breaks to close the store and have a bite to eat - I managed 4 rows....and this was done very methodically so as not to repeat the fabrics!  I hit my stride around 6:30 P.M. and figured out how to layout each row so I could string piece them - broke for dinner and then kept it going.....hopefully I can get the rest of them done next week some time....  Since I started on the store machine, I will finish on the store machine.

Monday I am putting in an order for more rulers and loads more patterns.  I think Jenny has two new patterns that I haven't had in yet, and don't forget I have another quilt in the works - the Urban Nine Patch!  This is definitely an addiction......

I'm going home now - my day off started at 6:00 P.M. - and hopefully I will get some other projects done!  (I'm so not in the mood to clean the house!)

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Sometimes.....

It just gets too busy for words.....and I can't keep up with what's happening in the store.  The past two weeks have been pretty much a whirlwind of activity.  This of course, is a good thing.....so I will start with Friday Night Sit & Sew which happened last Friday night and we were packed to capacity.....

Here's what everyone is working on or showing off!!!!

 Liz made this awesome quilt for her daughter and you will notice the argyle right away.

 She took it to a retreat to do the couching of the yarn and spent most of the retreat working on it but this labour of love looks absolutely awesome.......

 This is Rita's Valentine Bargello from the class with Carolyn.  It is so fresh looking and she was auditioning borders Friday night so she could finish it.

 This picture loaded backwards  - it's Linda's version of Bonnie Hunters Mystery quilt which she was working on in the photo below - it is going to be stunning.

 Linda working on the blocks

 Cathie is doing a quilt with Bali pops (which by the way, she says were not cut exactly to 2-1/2").  This is going to be gorgeous and is for her son.

Here's another one of Linda's projects, another Bonnie Hunter - I think this pattern is from Adventures with Leaders and Enders?!

 Here's the quilt Teresa is working on - what a great kids quilt!

Saturday was Christmas Club - nothing to show yet as this was their first meeting - here's a picture of what they are working on.  There's still time to join the club -  I think this month's homework has something to do with the background......

Monday is Sit & Sew and was another busy day but our "quasi" boss showed up and kept us on our toes - Missy's favourite spot is definitely the couch where she rules supreme.

I had an extremely productive Sunday for the first time in weeks.  Usually I spend the day reading, cleaning, relaxing (sleeping) or just plain old vegging out but this Sunday I was motivated and finally completed my Lithia Park top. You should come in and see how gorgeous it is - this picture does not do it justice and it will be in the store for the next few weeks until it jumps the queue for being quilted (I have a pile at home that are on hold)....

FYI - we have all the Paper Pieces sizes to make these flowers and if I am not mistaken the pattern is still free on the McCall's Quilting website.

 I also managed to get a little work done on my Urban Pods on Sunday but ultimately completed the top sans the two borders on Monday night - just in time to teach the class Tuesday afternoon.  There's another class on Saturday afternoon if you'd like to learn this technique - I do have to caution you though - once you get the hang of it, it is highly addictive.  If you check out my blog Jo-Ann's Creations, Trials & Tribulations! at www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com you will see the block I made for the Urban Nine Patch - gorgeous!

Finally - there's the new stuff!

Quilt Album 

Only I would jump at something like this but I just had to see what it was all about.  I am a huge advocate for documenting your quilts as well as labeling them.  This product is stand alone software that gives you all the tools to type in detailed information and print out formatted pages for your albums and slide in photos of your quilts and the quilting process.  You can also design greeting cards and labels and the front cover says - It's easy and it's fun!  I sure hope so, because from everything it professes to be, it is just what I've been looking for.....

I'm wondering what my great-great grandchildren will think of all the quilts I've made.....???? 

 $39.95 (and worth every penny)

Sensational Small Quilts

This is one of those books that has it all and from a number of quilters.  I'm always looking for a book that will harvest more than one quilt.  There isn't one quilt that I don't want to do here - and the beauty is that even though they are touted as "small" quilts, they are easily modified into larger ones if needed.  I know, we are always "collecting" those books but this one is definitely a motivator. 

 $24.99

Red Heart - Heart & Sole Sock Yarn

I bring this in regularly for Barb's Sock Class and it sells out quickly.  This time I added all kinds of great colours to our usual repetoire of Faded Jeans, Razzle Dazzle, Berry Bliss and Green Envy.  We now have Spring Stripe, Antique Rose, Toasted Almond, Tequila Sunrise and Rustica.  I have to tell you, I am tempted to grab two of each for myself but in all honesty I have not even finished my first sock yet and since I have no where to store this stuff I'm keeping my hands off.....

Paton's Classic 100% Wool

This is for the new knitting class we added - Lace Scarf that Barb will be teaching on February 11th.  Gorgeous colours again, Magenta, Lemongrass and Orchid.  They are all hard to resist.

Red Heart $6.59                Paton's $9.49

Kona Fat Quarter Bundles

This is one of those times when I hate owning the store!  I just want to grab one of each of these and hide it somewhere rather than share it with you all.  These fat quarter bundles are great for applique or a monchromatic quilt - the new rage of course!  It is really all I can do to keep my hands to myself!  I can already see the quilt......

Yellow - 22 pces. $62.00  Green - 23 pces. $65.00

There are a few new bolts of fabric that have arrived over the past two weeks as well - some much coveted Kona in Navy, Brick and Spice and a gorgeous Red & White Polka Dot which you can get a look at in my blog - it's in my Urban Nine Patch block.  The Kona is priced at $8.95 and the Polka Dot is $12.95.

I think that's about all the news for today (for the last two weeks actually!)  There are always new things coming in and if you need anything special - don't hesitate to call, we can usually get a special order in within 7 days.

I'm going to go see if I can do some more damage to my long list of things to do!

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