The Asian Invasion......

Talk about a busy week for me!  Thursday night we, Linda cutting and Gillian and I packing, were busy getting the Amish With A Twist first installments ready for pick-up.  In the meantime there were 4 large boxes of fabrics to unpack.

That happened on Friday - first 12 bolts of Kyota, which this picture (of course) does not due justice to.  I've already started a project using 6 of these fabrics - you'll see it further down the page.  

 12 bolts of Kyota next to our gorgeous Champagne Lights

Then there are an additional 17 bolts of Honoka from Anna Griffin which is absolutely gorgeous!  The feel of this fabric is gorgeous too!  Oh, and I started yet another project - check below...... 

 Anna Griffin's Honoka

I have a new spot for great new fabrics - it's Jo-Ann's Treasure Chest - a place where I can put all my favourites.....

 Check out my Treasure Chest

Introducing Riley Blake - Serenity!  It is absolutely stunning!  You really have to see this in person and I will tell you that it is going fast.... The Friday night crew and the Saturday bunch has already had their cuts.....

 Serenity by Riley Blake

Okay, okay, I know!!!  Yet another project on the go!  This one is at the store and I'm gonna try for a "block a day".  It's a Bento Box - and I'm using those fabulous Honoka prints from Anna Griffin.  I can't wait to see how it evolves but I had to, because I had a dream......seriously, I dreamt about this quilt Friday night.....

 New Project - Bento Box with Honoka

Of course there is still the Amish With A Twist on the go - Block #9 is finally done (there was a slight lull there while I got other important stuff done).

 Block #9 - Star Diamond Block

Then of course there are my little extra blocks I made from the left overs.

 Leftovers from Block #9

Block # 10 - Square In A Square is also done.  There were no leftovers with this one (unfortunately). 

 Block #10 - Square In A Square

Do you remember the Radical Rail - I've got 20 blocks done!  That's two thirds of the quilt top!!!  Almost there.......

 Radical Rail - soon to be a pattern and a class

That didn't stop me - here's Block #11 - Hole in the Barn Door, again no leftovers for blocks, but that's okay, I have plenty for an "extra" project.  I'll keep you all posted on that idea.

 Block #11 - Hole in the Barn Door

This is project #3 -  Nine by Twelve!  It's made from 6 of those great Kyota fabrics and the first 3 rows are together.  Working on the next 3 now.....

My Kyota Project

I spent the whole afternoon quilting away and it was wonderful!  I love it when I have a day to quilt.....amazing what I can get done!  We'll be kitting a few of these great projects too!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A quick note.....

To remind you all that the sale starts tomorrow - Saturday November 13th, 2010!  That the Birthday cake looks luscious!.....and even if you're not in the mood to shop - we'd love to see you, as always there's a coffee or tea with your name on it so drop by and say hi!

I would also like to share a project that Annadel brought in on Thursday, it was one of her first quilting projects and it is just awesome.....who wouldn't want something this gorgeous under their Christmas tree?!?!  It's a crazy quilt tree skirt with fabulous embellishments....

In addition, just so you all know where to look in the store for the NEW stuff - here's a preview of some of the new orientals that arrived the day before yesterday......and YES they are on sale too!  They are delicious!

I thought I'd share this photo with you as it is a rare peek at what Simon (my cat) gets up to during the day.  I came home the other afternoon because I had forgotten something and caught him napping......it seems he has a favourite afternoon spot......

Pretty darn comfy and I must admit right now I'm a little jealous - oh to be a cat on a sunny afternoon!

On that note - I am off to bed, need my "beauty" rest - it's going to be a busy day tomorrow!

Happy Quilting (and shopping!)

Jo-Ann

As usual....

I am running around like a chicken without a head!  I should apologize for taking so long to get back on the blog but I won't!  What can I say - I have been busy to say the least, and as much as I would like to fit all the things I want to do into one day, I have finally realized that I JUST CAN'T!

Pictures do, however get taken and I do remember what they are (a minor miracle these days).  Last Sunday Karen stopped by to give me a "Private" showing of what I missed at YHQG meeting in September - mostly her mystery quilts which are really quite fabulous!  Her fabric choices are always striking and never what we expect......check these out!

 These next two pieces are some of her fabulous challenge entries.  I love these two - there is always a message although for the life of me I can't remember the names of these two pieces.  (Sorry Karen - I was only half there on Sunday.:-) 

Also, on Sunday the girls were in for their monthly quilting Sunday and Gail showed me this adorable wallhanging  - I love these patterns and am definitely going to order a few in (if I could only remember who does them)

Just thought I would add here that Carolyn is doing The Evening Bag tomorrow nite and I think Barb and I are gonna sit in on this class cause I have lots of strips to use up......and I haven't had a chance to quilt in a couple of weeks - I really miss my quilting time!  However - I do have a few things to take care of before I can get back to my daily quilting.....  There are a few spaces left in the class if you have a yearning to quilt tomorrow night.....

Gotta get back to my list of things to do (will try real hard not to leave it too long next time!)!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

I am impressed!

Yesterday morning we very carefully took Chocolate Straw Beary off of "Gonzo" (Libby's long arm machine) and it came out fabulous!  We loaded up quilt #2 and two hours later - voila!  Another quilt top done!  Of course, now I'm behind because they have to be squared up and binding has to be made and put on but that's my plan for this morning.....

After lunch Libby decided to load yet another quilt - this one had already been spray basted awhile back but because I used the Sulky spray baste, most of it had dissipated so we decided to try "floating" the top - wow, is all I can say!  Gonzo is very accommodating.  She is also custom quilting this one - we really want to try as much as possible!  I know I seem to be obsessing about this whole process but you have to understand - Libby had the machine delivered in May - had 2 days of intense instruction and then went out to garden for 3 months!  What we have done in the past few days are her real "first" attempts at getting going and she has done a spectacular job.  She'll tell you it's Gonzo but let me be the one to clarify, he only does what you tell him (oh my, can I marry him!) and if "he" messes up, trust me, it's your fault!

In any event, I am not allowed to leave until we have another quilt "properly" loaded so I'm being held hostage until she completes the custom "floater" that she's working on now!  Could be very late before I get out of here tonight!  Oh well, it's not like I have nothing to do......

It's truly not a hardship staying longer, I love it out here!  Quiet, (except for the passenger train that goes by a few times a day), no major distractions and I tend to focus on my quilting projects.  Weekends at Libby's truly motivate me!  I always come away feeling I could quilt all day!  I think a trip out here once a month is a must - (well maybe not that often)!

Okay, back to business, I have to get another quilt squared off, make up the binding, mark a quilt, cut a "new" project, embellish some blocks and finish piecing it, make some more stems and much more!  ....and I'm going to do that all today!  Yeah right!  Like I said, I always bring too much, but you never know what you will feel like doing when you're on a retreat!  See you all soon!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Breaking the silence!

I know that I constantly repeat myself when I say this - but time flies!  I say it as if you don't know!  It's hard for me to believe that it's been 9 days since my last blog.....but believe me they have been busy days.....

First, as many of you know, the newsletter has hit the internet and with that there has been a flurry of class sign-ups!  We have an amazing line-up of teachers and classes and we can't wait to get started.  Our year end is August 31st which is why absolutely NOTHING has arrived in the past few weeks but things will start moving right along some time next week when I start placing orders again.......

At the moment I am on "holidays" - I have "retreated" to Libby's again for a few days to quilt and play with "Gonzo".  Gonzo is Libby's long-arm machine whom she has named Speedy Gonzales, Gonzo for short.  We are having a great time, learning how to use Gonzo and have managed to finish one quilt top so far (not one of yours Liz, she wants to play?!?! with mine first in case we screw things up - ha, ha!).....with a few stops and starts!  We haven't taken it off the rollers yet - we'll do that this morning so we can get used to the way he loads up but this machine is truly "state of the art" and I know with some practice Libby will be pumping out quilt tops.  This one came out fabulous!

I would send you pictures BUT in my haste to get out of town on Thursday night I left my camera on the kitchen counter at home and Libby sent her camera up to the cottage with Lorenso to show the "boys" all the great pics of the house and all the improvements.....

Suffice it to say we are getting loads done - girls weekend (we miss you Suzie!??!).  I finally got the binding on Ditch Flowers - it should be hanging in the store some time next week!  However, Libby is lusting after Ditch Flowers so I have to make sure to check my bags before I leave!  Of course I brought loads of stuff to work on, way too much but I do have plans to get lots done!

On that note I will go back to quilting!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Unusual!

I have been pretty good about not neglecting the blog but it seems it's been 12 days!  This was completely unintentional!  Time flies when you're having fun...so they say.

I just finished reading Elaine's blog (it's on the right side of our blog page - Quilters Quilting Quilts), and she is finally home from one really spectacualr trip!  She biked the Dempster Highway - that's right I said biked!  You can now pretty much read the whole trip and hopefully she'll get some pictures up soon.

So - you want to know what I'm all excited about?!?!  Well - I've been working on our newsletter (first hint!) and I have some fabulous news!  First, Anita Zobens of Cotton Mill Threadworks will be teaching two classes, on September 25th - Applique Buffet and then on October 13th - Open Thread Bar (if you missed it the first time, here's your chance - it won't be happening again for quite a while)!

That's not it though!  Mark your calendars - October 20th - Melinda Bula is coming!  Don't know who she is - look up Candy Cane Lane (Christmas Club Ladies will know and she is going to do a book signing for all of you in the evening), then look up Cutting Garden Quilts or better yet - go to http://www.melindabula.com/ and check her out!  She has agreed, actually it was her idea, to teach a class on October 20th!  She is developing another book which will be next year - making fabric cards and she is going to teach it here FIRST!  How cool is that!

....and that's not all!  Are you ready for this!  Hillary Rice is coming to teach a 2 day class - Imagine and Create - November 27th and 28th - you asked for a weekend - you got it!  Don't know who she is - check out http://www.mestudios.ca/
and see her gorgeous textile art!  By the time you finish that class you'll be doing it too!

Okay - I'm going back to quilting and the books for a while.  I'll try not to make you wait another 12 days for a post.  I hope I got you all excited about what's coming up!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

We're always busy.....

We are all up to something at the store!  Let's see, Kathy is working on a sample for the store on fabric that will soon be in stock, Sharon is working on another great sample on one of our many fabulous patterns, Barb is working on a sample which she is really enjoying - NOT, and Nancy just finished this lovely little gift for me!  I love it - it's an original and she used the homespun as a background fabric......it's hanging behind the cash and I'm sure she'll tell you how she did it!

On Monday I FINALLY put the binding on SWEET TEA!...and none too soon for me!  I will share some of the label steps here....

First I basted the area where I wanted the label placed on the back of the quilt (then placed it the wrong way....still works though!)

I then turned the quilt over (without checking direction of course - do as I say, not as I do!) and basted the label to the quilt.

It was then that I finished the quilting.....so you see the quilting is the first anchor for the label. 

After sewing on the binding, with a Pigma Pen, I wrote the information that is on the label onto the inside of the binding......I know, you might think it's a bit of overkill but when you take the time to piece, applique and put approximately 40 hours into quilting a quilt, then lovingly hand sew on the label, sleeve and binding - you want to be sure that it's identified as yours!

So I have been sitting on the porch (in this lovely weather!?!?) the last couple of evenings sewing on the binding.....it's nice, a needed change!  I have also started quilting another UFO - a small wallhanging I did a while ago from the Bubblegum Basics line - it's coming along great!...and since I seem to have hit this amazing period of productivity, I have started piecing another quilt top......I have not as yet checked my temperature or anything (this seems so unlike me!)  I am actually focused on all three projects allowing almost equal time for all.

What was really cool this morning was, I was waiting for the coffee to finish brewing and managed to chain piece about 20 strips of the blocks I am making.....just because it was there and ready to go!  Of course, this only works because I have the Bernina ("Berni" - original name, eh!) set up on the dining room table).  I may just revisit the suggestion that I move my quilting studio upstairs!  Of course that would take time - time away from actual quilting, so for the moment, Berni in the dining room will do - and it's all Libby's fault because when I got back from Libby's about 3 weeks ago I never took Berni back down to her usual spot in the studio!

Speaking of Libby - it is also her fault that I now have a dilemma which I need some help with.  Because she made me go to quilt stores and twisted my arm until I bought a bunch of magazines I really didn't want!  (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)  So I happened to mention to Barb and Fiona that I wanted to make a certain quilt, in one of those magazines!  Fiona dared me and Barb "double dog dared me"!  I mean honestly can you believe that - anyway, here's my dilemma!  The magazine is Quiltmania Issue 70, but the quilt is a 3 parter (don't you just hate that) so I need Quiltmania Issue 69, and Quiltmania Issue 71 to complete it!  If anyone has these two issues and is willing to part with them I would be very interested in obtaining them.  The upside is, I can't start the quilt without those two magazines!!!  Hmmmm, that may be a good thing!  But seriously, I really do love this quilt and even without the dare and double dog dare would love to do it!

Now that I've brought you all up to date - I am going home to quilt!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Jo-Ann

It's a Mystery......

I've been a busy bee all week, doing all kinds of quilting and book work and errands with my mom so I have a few things saved up for next week's blogs.......However, last night was the Mystery Quilt and it was a full house so I wanted to get it posted as soon as possible....

The day started out crazy as usual!  First a trip to Costco to shop for dinner - then I had to go shopping (for all the stuff Costco doesn't have!  Ugh!)  Back to the store and my day really begins......

Firs, Jean stopped by to show off these gorgeous placemats she made for her sister and to get fabric to make many, many more for Christmas gifts for her daughters.....aren't they gorgeous!  The pattern is from a Quilt In A Day book, the name of which I have forgotten but will find out so we can order it in....

Before the Mystery Class started we were treated to some great Show & Share.  Claire and Lucy brought their finished quilts from the last Mystery.

Claire, if you remember, did the Monster Quilt and it came out fantastic....

She also wanted me to point out that there is a Scottish monster in his plaid kilt no less!

Lucy did two quilts with the fabric she had - for twin bunk beds - she added extra borders and one row to make the quilts a little bigger......hers, were an animal theme and they came out fabulous!

Before we got started with the clues we were busy admiring Heather's new machine - It's a Janome Horizon - Memory Craft 7700 and it is really state of the art.  It even has landing lights (lights above the LARGE opening).  It is really a gorgeous machine - Heather use it well (and I think she's going to name her!)!  Yes I am crazy but I figure with the amount of time I spend with my sewing machines, and I do talk to them quite often, they should have their own identities.......so in my very humble opinion they should have names!

As Barb will attest, I have a habit of leaving things pretty much to the last minute, like meal planning!  Although I know my customers have their favourites I like to change it up a bit when I can and last night was one of those nights.....

I made Pineapple Soy Sauce Chicken with Stir Fried Vegetables and Vegetable Pork Egg Rolls.  Barb made the rice (I can cook but I can't do rice and pasta without burning them - duh!).  It's a simple recipe - just marinate the chicken in Soy Sauce for a few hours - put it in the baking dish and put slices of pineapple on top and pour the juice from the can over it - bake at 375 until done - moist and tender every time and tasty too!  The egg rolls came from Costco - I think the name is Minh - they are in a purple box in the freezer section and they were delicious.  The stir fry vegetables also came from Costco - International I believe and they come with a very nice sauce packet.

Dessert was "to die for" and was half devoured by the time I got the picture.......Rocky Road Bars!

Nancy says I'm never allowed to make them again because she ate 3 the other day!  I think they were a hit!  There is no easier recipe in the world!

I was walking around Metro the other night and they have these touch screen computers in the store now with recipes and stuff!  That's where I found the recipe.....

1 package of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chips, Walnuts and Miniature Marshmallows.  Grease a 13" x 9" pan, spread the cookie dough on the bottom, top with Chocolate Chips, Walnuts and Marshmallows (leave a 1/2" perimeter around the side of the pan so things don't stick).  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, cool, cut and serve!  I mean seriously - how easy is that and they taste like HEAVEN!

Okay - enough of that, back to business!  So last night's mystery quilt was revealed rather early as the pattern is an extremely obvious one.....

Most of the girls got quite a bit done, as usual and Lucy shared her completed centre top.......the feature fabric is M & M's - so cute!

Annadelle also got most of hers done and has decided to make two kid's quilts rather than one lap size......her feature fabric is Mickey Mouse

Karen, of course, is working on 3 quilts - this one uses Lavender Fields fabric which is a beautiful fabric of a Tuscan farmyard.  The other girls wouldn't let me photograph them until they were done so we'll have to wait and see what they look like.....

Now I can get back to working on my quilt designs, Sweet Tea (yes I know, still not quite done! But very close!), and a few other projects I have on the go.......not to mention the book work!

Off to quilt today!  Hope you are all having a great "long" weekend.  By the way I will be preparing the next newsletter over the next couple of weeks so if there are any classes on your "Wish Lists" feel free to e-mail us or call the store.....We've come up with quite a few on our own but we really do like the customer input!  Just wondering if anyone is interested in a Doll Making Class for a change - I have an opportunity to get a "Feature" teacher from "down under" and if there's enough interest we can certainly go ahead......let me know!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

A week?!?!....

Really, a whole week has gone by since I blogged!  It is amazing how quickly the days go!  I do have some pictures to share, of course, as always!  They are from Friday.

The first is from Barb's Paper piecing class on Friday afternoon, a couple of the girls actually got quite a bit done -

Then I was busy in the kitchen making a Pineapple Upside Down Cake for dessert and Barb made a wonderful Greek Macaroni Salad for dinner for Applique Club.....

Barb had gone outside for a break and called a bunch of us outside to see the sunset - I got a very blurry picture but Nancy's are probably much better, we took quite a few....would make a great landscape background (without the ugly building of course)! 

I've started a "quilting" journal which is different from a "quilt" journal.  My quilting journal is to record how much time I spend quilting and what I am working on whereas, my quilt journal is more the story behind the quilts I make along with copies of labels and pictures.  The quilting journal really has a dual purpose - it keeps me focused on the projects I am working on as well as making me aware of the amount of time I actually spend quilting.....I'm enjoying it and it really motivates me to work on something, anything, almost every day.....it's like a blog in a book - ha, ha!  (Actually, isn't that what we used to do before blogs!)

To keep you all posted, I am still quilting Sweet Tea (taking forever, but I want to do a good job - kinda overshot my completion date), I am still hand-quilting Ditch Flowers and I am about to put the last border on the Mystery Quilt for this Friday night.  In addition I am busy designing a quilt pattern and am working on the actual quilt......so I guess you could say I'm keeping busy, staying out of trouble!

Barb noticed the other day that our linoleum floor in the kitchen and classroom is a quilt pattern - duh!  Only took her nearly 4 years!  I'm kidding but she wanted to point it out so I took a picture for her!  LOL

Back to all my projects - it's been a productive day!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann