OMG!!!

First I must report that the design wall went up - YEAH!!!!! and the first official usage was on Sunday December 9th during our once a month Sunday Stitch & Bitch with the girls, when Cathie D. shared her gorgeous Chirstmas project with us.

I think it's possibly taller and maybe not quite as wide as the Design Wall in the old store but it sure works just as well as you will all soon see.....

CHRISTMAS  CLUB 2012

Let me explain the Christmas Club to you - It begins in January and the cost is $10.00 (our answer to the $10.00 quilt).  The pattern(s) have been chosen in advance and are available at the January meeting.  Homework is assigned and meetings are the third Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m..  If you come without your homework done or if you don't come at all you are penalized an additional $10.00.  This year was a record year for no shows and homework not done and it went towards this years Reveal Party.  At the end of the year it has become customary to have a reveal party and that includes a Cock A Doodle Brunch.....there was so much food we had to use the ironing board for serving as well.

It has taken me 3 days to sort through all of the photos so sit back with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the show!  First of all this year's Christmas Club was unusual as there were two options offered.  The first was the adorable Critter Christmas by Brandywine Designs....

Many took on the challenge of this quilt and the following photos will give you an idea of how fabulous they did and how creative they all are.....

 Virginia made numerous contributions to the "brunch fund" this year but in her defense she is doing the quilt by hand and all those plastic baggies are prepped applique so we must bear with her - So far she has not signed up for next year's Club which will give her more than enough time to finish this year's quilt!

  This is Raili's and aside from misplacing that centre block for an undetermined time period she managed to get her homework done each month.

 Now Karen is our resident non-conformist, if a pattern can be changed - she will change it.  Her critters are amazing - racoon, moose, cat - take a closer look - not quite like the original quilt - but similar......and note - no pieced blocks.....

 This one belongs to Tony and since he is a Long Arm Quilter it was custom quilted beautifully although some take umbrage at the two Santa's - top and bottom.  I have explained this phenomenom as mirror image in order to calm the masses.

 Here is Beth's which also came out beautifully - very creatively Beth used the blue fabric at the top left hand corner of the quilt as the background - however, she turned it over and used the wrong side as the right side was too bright!!!

Finally there is Mary's which is absolutely adorable!  Part o f me wishes I had done this quilt but you have to understand I could not have met the homework deadlines under any circumstances. 

Linda P. also did this quilt and possibly there are pictures on last month's blog but she decided to leave everything at home this month so there is no pic here.

Now we move on to pattern # 2 - everyone had the choice of doing one or the other - or both?!?!  Some of these "keeners" did both!  Pattern #2 was O' Tannanbaum by Quakertown Quilts, Inc.....this was a very demanding quilt, homework wise and so there were numerous contributions to the "brunch fund" but many still managed to get it done.....

The fact that some did both quilts still blows me away....

 This quilt belongs to Linda T. and it's really hard to see how absolutely stunning it is.  Tony quilted this one (although not custom like his Critters Christmas), beautiful.  I marvel at this quilt being completed.

 This one belongs to Raila - one of the keeners who did both quilts!!!  She's still got a bit to do on this one and I note the borders aren't done - have to check with Elaine to see if that was homework!?!

This is Marlene's and it came out beautiful.  Her tree is three dimensional as were some of the other quilts and it really gives the quilt a whole different look. 

This one belongs to Helen Anne and is completed with help from the "pre-made" poinsettas of course which work really fabulously to complete this quilt......

Helen Anne also embellished her quilt with some cute litel buttons and up close you can see the detail of her quilting.

 This is where someone should take away my camera - Nancy's quilt is spectacular - two of the houses are her own design based on a trip she made to Europe years ago.  Her fabric choices are also great.  She added a touch of gold in the border and it would have been great if my camera skills were better so this photo wasn't so blurry but alas the next one also suffered from the lousy photographer......

 Suzi's top is ready to be layered and quilted as well and even in the blurriness of this photo you can see how nice the quilt is.....again I apologize for the lousy photo -

 It appears I took one photo after the other here as Annadel's is also very blurry but as you can see she was one of our "brunch fund" contributers.  However, she does have quite a bit done - nothing a few Sit & Sew's won't take care of.  We' re hoping to see you back at Sit & Sew soon....

 Kristen took this on with the best of intentions, however, with a little one underfoot it is a little hard to find the time to get this one done.  She's also working full time so we'll have to give her a little slack here.  She should be able to make it to next year's reveal with this quilt done.....

 I am so impressed with Flo - she is almost done!  You will note she skipped the house blocks - taking creative license to do so and she has her poinsetta's all picked out - just fussy cut and go!  Seen that before and even her border should go on in a breeze - already striped.....and voila!

 Okay - you might ask what quilt is this!  Well it's the same one you've been seeing turned into a spiralling wreath.  Linda V. took creative license and with her engineer background has managed to completely change the pattern - her houses will appear in the 4 corners and I promise to follow this quilt for you until completion as I beleive it is going o be spectacular.....

I'll bet you are all thinking that these ladies had their plates full with meeting the monthly deadlines for their CHristmas Club homework but don't be fooled.  In addition to the beautiful Christmas Club quilts we were treated to a short Show & Share.

 This one belongs to Marlene and it's absolutely stunning - pieced, appliqued, quilted and bound - although I did not get the name of the pattern.

 Karen shared her Border Creek Mystery quilt - quilted by Tony T., I believe it is the quaintly queen version and it came out lovely - only binding to do on this one.

 Mary found these bird fabrics at home and decided to get creative with two absolutely gorgeous wall pieces which are stunningly threadpainted.

 She then found this free pattern on Jillily Designs and made a series of throw pillows for Christmas - I absolutely love this pattern - check it out on their website.

Helen Anne completed the top here of Lori Smith's Sampler Quilt and her choice of fabrics is beautiful in vibrant pinks, purples and greens......

Oh, did you think we were done - not by a longshot!  Some of these women are real gluttons for punishment!  They live for deadlines and so they also formed a Tinners Group - if you don't know what a Tinner is, let me give you a quick explanation.  You pick a theme, you do a block, you add some fabric and stick everything into a tin or box.  This tin or box gets passed around to all the participants who add blocks according to your theme.  This is done monthly and here's what happens......

 Nancy made it very easy for the others - she chose a pattern, provided her background fabric and asked the others to add leftover fabrics from quilts they had made - the result are Butterfly blocks which she can now make up into a quilt top.

 Karen's theme was Wine, women and Song and she provided the music fabric.  As you can see - everyone got creative here....it was wonderful!  She's still missing two blocks but the theme prevails.

 Randy the Rooster (lower center) provided Elaine with her theme and I believe her backgrounds were all black and whites - again there are two blocks missing but what creativity here.

 Marlene chose Blue and White as her theme and there appear to be alot of star blocks although I don't know that this was part of the theme.  I can't wait to see this one done up into a top......

 Suzi chose Houses as her theme and look at the array she received - I foresee another fabulous quilt here!

 I may be wrong - because I got side tracked here but I believe this was Rhonda's Tinner and the theme was penguins - a great group of blocks here.....

 Linda P. chose Autumn as her theme and the centre block is her inspiration - the others just continue to underline the creativity of the group.

 This is Kirsten's tinner and I believe the theme is Snow, snowflakes, snowmen!!!!  These will make a fabulous top.

 Liz, who couldn't make it to the Reveal Party had chosen the 12 Days of Christmas as her theme and provied the Partridge in a Pear Tree block.  Everyone did a fabulous job with this one and again the creativity was fabulous!

Check out this block from Liz's quilt - 10 Lord's a Leaping !  Note the sign - Lord's Leap - Elevation 10!!!!  Who would have thunk it!

Linda's theme was hearts and she really got a great array of them for her quilt top.....

I have to say that projects like these really challenge the imagination and our creativity but they can also be time consuming!!!  Kudos to all the participants in the tinners and I sure hope to see some finished quilts from these fabulous projects.....

The group has gone ahead and picked next year's pattern as well which will agian meet on the third Saturday of the month (excepting July and August).  Join us if you dare - only kidding, it's really a lot of fun.....

Here's the project for the 2013 Christmas Club...

Bringing Home the Tree

This quilt is pieced and appliqued and finishes approximately 39" x 40".  Once Elaine breaks it up into segments it's quite manageable.  If you are interested please give us a call and we can put your name down on the list - remember - there is homework!

This has to be one of my longest blogs - hope you all enjoyed the show and I will try to include all the finished quilts when they are done and as they are done - it's great to see these projects come to completion!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann 



...and again!!!

...time flew while I was busy doing something else I guess!  I also appear to have left the camera at home so the only picture is Bedazzled Daisy which is really a reminder that the class is on Saturday and we have a couple of spaces available.......

This is Carolyn's newest class offering and it's going to be great fun doing it.  Come spend the day with us, lunch is, as always, included and you don't even need to lug your machine......

Before I forget (and just in case time gets away from me again) our In Store Retreat starts on June 28th - Jul 1st.  You don't have to come for the whole 4 days - you can sign up for 1, 2, 3 or all 4 days.....but if there's a project you need to get done we can motivate you, assist you or teach you how to put it together.  No distractions and all meals included - you can't get a better deal than that!!!!

Today was Sit & Sew and as you all know lunch is included.  I am always racking my brains for what to serve and yesterday, being my day off, I did just that....  About midnight I finally came up with an idea and with a little help from an old recipe book I was able to finalize the menu.  The girls were so impressed that I decided to share the "recipe", especially the dressing with all of you.  This really makes for a nice summer salad - no cooking involved unless you add the chicken.....(however, you can get pre-cooked chicken at the supermarkets these days - so it is possible to do no cook).

Okay - here goes....

Greek Salad with Chicken and Mint Vinaigrette

6 cups assorted salad greens

2 cups cut-up cooked chicken

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 medium tomato, cut into wedges

1/2 medium seedless cucumber cut lengthwise and into slices

1 small green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

2 medium green onions, sliced

12 Kalamatta or large pitted ripe olives

Prepare salad ingredients in large bowl.  Toss with vinaigrette.

Serves 4

Mint Vinaigrette

3 tbsp. lemon juice (I use a whole lemon)

1-1/2 tsps chopped fresh mint leaves

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1 small clove garlic, finely chopped

Shake all ingredients in titghtly covered container.  (I use the Magic Bullet which really mixes it well and draws out all the flavour from the juices - if you have a small blender - that will work too!)

I served it with warmed bread and butter and it really was delicious!  The best part of course, was it took less than 1/2 hour to prepare.  So quick, easy, no cook - who could ask for anything better on a humid day!

Enjoy this recipe and check for more on our blog - I'm pretty sure this is not the first time I've posted one.....

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

Join us!!!!

Tomorrow evening is the first 2012 meeting of the Applique Club (or as Jonathan named it - the Applecake Club)!

We call it Applique Club but we've been known to take on some knitting and crocheting, a little beading and hand embellishing as well as english paper piecing, so basically it's the - "as long as there isn't a machine involved" club!!!

Join us for a light dinner and dessert and some great conversation as well as a few laughs......




Hoping to see you there!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Words fail me!!!!

Before I share with you the reason why words fail me, I will do a little catching up....All the "Special Orders" arrived on Thursday so I spent the day pricing, etc. Last night was our monthly Friday night Sit & Sew, where many of us catch up on each others lives.  Condolences go out to Linda who's sister passed away this week, losing her long and brave struggle with cancer.  Our thoughts are with you Linda. 

On a happy note Barb celebrated her 29th Birthday again so I baked a cake, nothing too extravagant - I haven't gotten back into the cake decorating as of yet....

 Like I said - nothing fancy!

 For fire safety reasons we didn't put ALL the candles on the cake.....

Barb had no trouble blowing out these...

Now I will share the reason I am speechless!!!!  First a little history......This is our second year of Christmas Club and this year's pattern was Welcome to the North Pole!!!!  The participants had their reveal party today along with a wonderful brunch courtesy of Linda who attended every month but, not being an avid appliquer, was a bit hesitant to participate!  It was a lovely gesture on her part and even I enjoyed preparing it - she picked up the bagels.......

 Bagels, cream cheese, Lox (smoked salmon) and eggs, fruit and vegetable platters.....

They all had a lovely meal....

Then it was time to reveal the quilts - we entertained a few guests for this!!!!

This explains why words fail me -

 Kristen's masterpiece!

Check out the details....

 Marlene's masterpiece...

Check the details.....

 The ladies shop - in the centre....shoes on the first floor!

The quilt shop - complete with quilts....

 Here's Judith's.......almost done!

This is Flo's - another masterpiece in the works......

Here's Mary's - sensational and completed, the binding's even on!

A friend knit her the hat for the top of the building.......

Mary's a bit of an over achiever - she did two quilts, the binding isn't on the second one yet.....

I'm sure she'll have it done shortly - two sets of grandchildren, so two quilts!

This one belongs to Nancy, she had some design help from her niece.......the bakeshop (pink cupcake)!

 Check out the Fire House.......

 ...and here's Kathy's, bright colours just popping.....

Check out the lime green house - fabulous!

 Raili's came out fabulous too - and she was up until 3:45 A.M. to put in the last stitch!

 Check out the North Pole Casino....

 The Las Vegas Pin......

 The North Pole sign has a poker chip on top!!!!!

 This is Karen's, the top is done, complete with polar bears surrounding the North Pole.....and pregnant reindeer (you had to be there!!!)....

 even her backgrounds are fabulous........

 This is Linda's Christmas quilt - which explains why she "catered" the brunch!!!!  You actually have to complete the blocks Elaine chooses each month to do the quilt for only a $10.00 charge......This is actually a mystery quilt which Linda did and completely redesigned!!!  I love it!

Last but not at all least is Beth's, really colourful and loads of embellishments!!!!

How do I know that they had a great time doing this year's quilt - simple, they've all booked in for next years Christmas Quilt Club......it's going to be another fabulous offering!!!!! Actually there are two to choose from....

Hope you all enjoyed the quilts!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann