From the horses mouth......

Poor Barb has been left to keep you all updated.  I'm back, well sort of, just a short post!  The discomfort doesn't really allow me to sit for long periods and the past week has been spent doing a lot of lying down and a lot of sleeping.....that can't be bad!

Today was a milestone for me.....I've been downstairs twice, took my first REAL shower and even had my first outing this evening.  A short trek with Rich to the store to pick up a couple of items!  Scared Mary and the ladies at the Art Quilt Club but it was great to see all of them too!  Lisa, Fiona and Carolyn and Mary welcomed me with open arms and I felt the love!

Thank you all for all of your good wishes and prayers, trust me I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for those!  It has kept my spirits high through this whole ordeal and hopefully it will only be uphill from here....the staples come out tomorrow so I am well on my way to a speedy recovery!

I will try to be more diligent with my blogging just to keep you all apprised of my progress if for no other reason.....Last night I even tried doing so hand piecing but the neuropathy (a side effect of the Chemo) is really affecting my fingers so it's very hard to manage too much at a time....again, will keep you posted.

I miss you all and I send all my love to everyone!

Happy Quilting!


Jo-Ann

Up-Date on Jo-Ann

Hi All,

I thought Jo-Ann would have posted by now but I guess not because many of you have been contacting me directly for information. So I thought I'd better update you.

Jo-Ann was released from hospital last Friday. She's at home a doing well. She tells me she is uncomfortable but not in pain and feeling a little stronger each day.

She hopes to be back in the store by mid-November. I know she appreciates all your comments (I read her the ones on the left after the last blog post) so please feel free to leave one for her. One way or another, I will make sure she hears about them.

I'm sure she'll be along one day soon to post again herself.

Happy Quilting,
Barb

Today was surgery day ...

Hi All,

As many of you know, today was Jo-Ann's surgery. She had to report to the hospital at 6:00 am today and for anybody who knows her, this is an ungodly hour!

I got a voice mail message from her friend Mucie at about 3:00 pm (of course she called at the only time I was on the phone all day!) to say that Jo-Ann was out of surgery, out of recovery and safely in her room and that the doctor said that he was happy with how the surgery went! GREAT NEWS!!

Jo-Ann just called me a few moments ago. She's not in any pain, I think perhaps because the epidural has not yet worn off. Although she sounded a bit dopey (more so that usual!!), she was in good spirits.

That's all for now. I'll post again if there's anything to report. Or perhaps I'll have her dictate a post for you.

Cheers,
Barb

My Heroes........

...consist of a group of women who meet monthly in the classroom of Cock A Doodle Quilts!  I am so blessed to have my shop chosen as their home,  They are a great group of talented women who love to quilt and with open hearts continue to make quilts to support our service men and women around the world....

Alison McDonald is their liason to Quilts Of Valour and helps to distribute these quilts to the injured soldiers and their families.   We still call our group Healing Heroes but the quilts ultimately go to the organization known as Quilts Of Valour.

Once in awhile Alison drops by to see us and it's such a treat, and she usually brings treats - today it was Cider Nuggets from a place in Hamilton and I have to say I had my fill - they were cinnamon divine!!!!!

Of course we got to show off a number of quilts that were dropped off at the store for the "Heroes" by Sandra...... 

Alison had mentioned the need for children's quilts the last time she was in so Sandra dropped off two kids quilts that are adorable....

Here's one.....

...and two!

But - she didn't stop there, she also made a few fabulous larger quilts......one....

 Two.......

 Three......

 Four......

Five.......

 Six.......

.....and they all came with matching pillowcases or bags! She's been a busy quilter! .....and then two more from our girls at the store!

 Fabulous colours in both!

 Caught a snap of Alison checking out this one!

 Alison shared one of her own quilts with us - it's an absolutely stunning batik, which she quilted on her long arm of course!  She did an amazing job and is quite an accomplished long-arm quilter - (pick up her card at the front of the store)!

 I'm not sure you can see the quilting and I apologize for that (my lousy camera skills), I should have gotten closer but these days if I don't have to get up I don't! 

For me it was a real treat seeing everyone in the store, the last time I was there for "Heroes" was back in May......it was a real treat for me today! 

If you want to make a quilt for Quilts of Valour - they are looking for lap quilts made from 100% cotton fabrics, including flannels and you can drop the finished quilt at the store anytime, just tell us it's for Healing Heroes, Quilts Of Valour and put a label on the back with your name.

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A special guest....

I really meant to post this a few weeks ago!  I got an e-mail from a lovely lady visiting from Australia who wanted to know if she could join us for our monthly Sampler Club Meeting ( Dear Jane, Dear Hannah, The Farmer's Wife and Nearly Insane - to make it easier, Nancy renamed it the Sampler Club)!  Of course, we always welcome quilters!

Linda came by and shared some amazing stories and a wonderful quilt she made for her daughter who lives in Toronto......

Linda dyed all the fabrics in this quilt herself and the pattern is a take from the Ricky Tim's fractures......it is absolutely stunning!

We were absolutely thrilled she shared it with us........

 It really is a stunning quilt!

The best news is - she comes quite often to visit her daughter and I'm going to try to talk her into teaching in the store, she also had some absolutely fabulous ideas and some great projects......possibly this time next year!

Certainly I will try to keep in touch with her - she was an absolute delight, we loved looking at photos of her quilts and projects and we all had a lovely evening.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Yes, finally......

I know I have been remiss in blogging but as usual I have an excuse!  Actually, I have a few excuses!  One - I've been working in the store alot since the beginning of the month and it's taken it's toll on my energy levels - I get home and collapse!  Two - there is the technical problem, I either forget the camera in one place or as happened the other day - the battery died!!!!!

Last Thursday we had the Border Creek Station Mystery Quilt Reveal!  I took alot of pictures but as usual not enough - so take a look at how gorgeous these quilts came out, each so different!

First - one not quite finished and on the right the Lazy Lap version - both absolutely gorgeous!

 There are four visible here - all so different........

 One on the table and another two on the left......

 Unfortunately, I didn't get a good one of the front hanging quilt which is done in fabulous pink flannels.......

 We had a large group show up and we all waited patiently for the guest of honour - Sherri!

 
Another gorgeous quilt......

Most of our mystery participants only got tops done but there were two completely finished quilts.....one on the table,  I hear the binding was finished around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning........

 Sherri arrived but confessed that she didn't do the quilt this year!  However, she brought one of her fabulous pineapple quilts to share.......

She gave us some really great info on next year's mystery and even I signed up for the new one!  Because we all know I have "no" projects on the go.....I need at least one more......

 Here are two more quilts.......

 After all that - I had to share this quilt -  it is Helen's 2009 Border Creek Station Mystery Quilt and it is just stunning........and it has been quilted,  Sandy Lindal did a fabulous job! 

 .....and on the back - another quilt?!?!?  She used her left over batiks to make the back - it too is stunning!

The new Mystery is out and I challenge you to sign up - 8 clues, October to May - then we give you June - September to finish and share!  It's a lot of fun trying to figure out what Sherri's up to and I can't wait!  One tip, if you're going to do it - buy baggies!!!!  It will be a great distraction while I'm on the mend - yet again!  Sign up before September 30th so we can get those first clues in......

Happy Quilting!


Jo-Ann