Pillowcase Tutorial

Becky has just posted on her blog a tutorial on how to make the Sausage Style Pillowcases we make a bunch of here at the shop. Don't forget that if you donate these or any other handmade standard size pillowcase to the shop we will turn them into ConKerr Cancer.

To go straight to the tutorial, click here.

All of these pillowcases stay locally for children with serious illnesses or cancer at Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, or Akron General Hospital. We just ask that if you can, please wash all the pillowcases and place each one in a quart size ziploc bag (if you make a flannel pillowcase it most likely will only fit in a gallon size bag). And yes you can make pillowcases out of cotton, flannel, or fleece (no sew fleece pillowcase instructions can be found on ConKerrCancer.org).

Also, we are taking part in the Million Pillowcase Challenge along with the other 14 shops participating in the Steppin' Out Quilt Tour (it's still going on through the end of the month!) Our goal collectively for the 15 shops is by the end of the year to collect a total of 2010 pillowcases to donate. Even if you are not participating in the Shop Hop, we will gladly accept your pillowcase donation at any one of the 15 shops. Please contribute and help make a difference in a child's life today.

We are still collecting everyone's name that has contributed a pillowcase, one entry for EACH pillowcase. At the end of every month, we donate a $25 gift certificate to the shop to one lucky winner. So what do you say, help out a great cause and get a chance of winning a prize with each pillowcase you donate, sounds good to me!

So jump on over to Becky's blog by clicking here and get step by step instructions on how to create one of the Sausage Style Pillowcases. It's not a food thing, it's more of how it's constructed. Sorry no pictures today to make you drool, not that sausage makes everyone drool, but you know what I mean. It's a pretty ingenious technique to encase all of your seams - that means no raw edges, at all.

We've been pretty busy with all of you Shop Hoppers traveling around, it's nice to see a bunch of you that live further away! I know we have a bunch of new things on order, from tools and books to yummy fabric. Once it starts to arrive, I will let you know. Stop in and say hi when you're out in Madison, or give us a call if you can't make it out. We'd love to help you with your current project(s) - how'd that 's' get there? None of us work on more than one thing at a time (yeah right?!). Just stop on in and we'd love to help you out in any way we can. Take care and we'll chat again soon!

One last thing, if you haven't heard already, Becky has also posted her first tutorial on Moda's Bake Shop. Go check it out by visiting modabakeshop.com. She posted it on Thursday, July 15th. Take a look and let us know what you think!

What a Summer!

We have had so much fun here lately at the shop (not that we haven't had fun every other day we're here) and we have some show and tell for you. We are currently in the middle of a Shop Hop, we just had two Demo Days recently and we've changed things up a bit in the shop, it's been really busy, but good.

If you haven't already signed up, you still have two weeks left to participate in the Steppin' Out Quilt Tour Shop Hop. We are one of the 15 participating Quilt Shops, all of which are located in Northeastern Ohio. For a list of all participating shops as well as a map of their locations, please visit the official Steppin' Out Quilt Tour website here. Even if you don't think or absolutely know you won't be able to make it to all 15 shops, you can still benefit from stopping at only a few shops. At each shop, if you make a purchase and get your passport stamped, you will be entered into each shop's individual drawing. If you do make it to all 15 shops, you will be entered into each shop's drawing as well as the Grand Prize basket! That's a chance at winning 16 different baskets, all with a minimum retail value of $100.

We recently held two separate Demo Days, the first featuring English Paper Piecing and the second featuring the Strip Tube Ruler by Cozy Quilt Designs. We had no idea how many of you would be interested in these new techniques that have been filling up our spare time! The English Paper Piecing went very well, all of you ladies seemed to take to it like a duck to water! We have gotten in some more shapes, so when you're ready for something new, come on in and see what we have in stock!

This is what the end of the English Paper Piecing Demo Day looked like. To others it might look like a mess, but trust me, this is really a sign of a good day of friends learning something new and having fun.

The second Demo Day we were having too much fun, we forgot to take pictures! This tool is really inventive and you can see more about it if you visit our Facebook page here. If you missed either of these Demo Days, feel free to stop in the shop and ask about either one we've done. We have all of the piecy-parts to show you how they're made and we can do an impromptu demo at any time.

Here are some other samples of patterns we've made. This first one is the Simple Star pattern by Bonnie Blue Quilts. We have had this pattern in the shop several times before, but it's so quick and easy, plus it works well with any fabrics. Only 8 half yard cuts and you too can make the center of this quilt! This version was made with Holly Taylor's new line for Moda, Northwoods Botanical. The best part about this line, it's more wintry but works for Christmas as well, but you can leave it out a lot longer than most Christmas quilts.

This is another Jelly Roll quilt Beth made using a Bali Pop. This is Pandora's Box from one of the many good Jelly Roll books. Bali Pops are the same as Jelly Rolls, just made out of Batiks. We added a small border and used the extra blocks we had made as cornerstones within the border. It's a really good lap size quilt that can be made quickly and easily. We have ordered an array of Bali Pops and they should be in the shop some time in September. We will keep you posted on their arrival.

Come on in and stop to see us while you're out and about this summer. Don't forget, we have several local wineries and restaurants so feel free to make a day of it, come visit the other local shops including a bead shop, a cross stitch shop and soon to open a vintage toy store all within a block or two of the shop.

Long Overdue

I went on vacation and my mind obviously never came back. That and the fact that "I'll do it later" always seemed to fall after I landed on my life-sucking couch and the rest is history. I've really been horrible about updating everyone and I apologize. It's a new month and I'm trying to turn over a new leaf to keep updated on everything. We'll see how it goes.

I have a few things to update you on that are happening in the near future at Cottonpickers. We do have 2 buses going down to the NQA Show in a couple weeks. The Thursday bus is full but we still have a few seats left on the Saturday bus. If you have any questions about this event or the buses, please call us at 440-428-6449 and we can try to answer all of your questions.

Also, we have now joined Facebook. Become our friend and see what Beth has been up to lately. She's been posting pictures of fabric and books as they arrive as well as other projects she's been working on.

Once again this year we are part of the Steppin' Out Quilt Tour Shop Hop. It will run from July 12th - 31st and this year there are 15 shops involved. For more information on which shops are participating and how to get involved check out their website at SteppinOutQuiltTour.com. The passport fee has slightly changed for this year - we are participating in the Million Pillowcase Challenge. As we did last year all pillowcases donated will be given to ConKerr Cancer and stay locally within the Children's Hospitals in the area. They include Rainbow Babies, Akron General Children's Hospital and Cleveland Clinic. To get your passport, you can either (A) purchase a passport for $5 or (B) Donate a handmade pillowcase for a child (ages 2-17). For more information please call us at 440-428-6449.

Alright, getting to the good stuff! I know I am so far behind on updating what fabrics have arrived. Here is the shorter and simpler version. Sorry no pictures, but you can come in and see and touch the fabrics if you wish!

- Indigo Berries by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics - Blues of every shade, they're delectable!
- Cherish Nature by Deb Strain for Moda - the panel is so adorable!
- Ravenwood by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics - Blacks and Greys to go with your scraps!
- Martinique by 3 Sisters for Moda - just yummmmmy!
- Cocoa Express by Jo Morton for Andover Fabrics - the best browns you could ask for!
- Rural Jardin by French General for Moda - Come and get it while it lasts, not much left!
- Garden Song by Nancy Halverson for Benartex (we have the pattern book for this line too)
- More and More Batiks - all sorts from lights, darks, grapes, flowers, etc. Come take a look!
- Desert Nine Patch Kit and Batiks - this fabric is so scrumptious, you'll just love it!
- Fruitcake by BasicGrey for Moda - not your gramma's fruitcake, that's for sure!
- Northwoods Botanical by Holly Taylor for Moda - we're getting kits together for this of Bonnie Blue's Simple Star Pattern. It's really worth checking out!
- Wrapped in Paisley by Kansas Troubles for Moda - they're just yummy to go with the Charm Packs we have!
- Tidings by Nancy Halverson for Benartex - we have the advent calendar with this line!

We have much more to come and I apologize if I missed one or two. I think that about covers most of them. I promise to keep you all in the loop and not fall under the spell of my life-sucking couch. It's hard to resist! Become friends with us on Facebook for other updates and information and we hope to see you in the store soon!

It's been a while since we've chatted. Between the snow and ice the last month was an interesting one. And kind of a slow one as far as new fabric goes. We just started getting in the spring lines and we have many more to come. We have received a few lines so far and more to come soon. I wish I could've gotten these to you sooner, but we were busy getting ready for Vendor's Weekend at the Lake Farmpark Quilt Show (this weekend, come see us. We're in the atrium by the Cafe!)



This first one is called Garden Party. It's the latest line by Blackbird Designs for Moda. We have patterns for this line with these prints and jelly rolls. Come and get them while they last!








The next line I'm going to show you is a big one, a BIG one. We got all 47 pieces in the regular line as well as a few wovens that coordinate wonderfully. This is Looking Back by Brannock and Patek for Moda. All three shelves pictured here are the line.





Yep, all of them. Including this one...




And this one...






And this one.




We have the latest patterns designed by Janet Patek that feature this line available. These pictures do not do the fabric justice, please stop in the shop to take a look for yourself. And let me tell you, they feel as good as they look...and then some! We also have some Charm Packs available (if they last through the Farmpark weekend!)

Here are some more random batiks that we received as well. We have so many coming in that I'm sure I've missed taking pictures of some of them, so come and check them out for yourself.

We also have received Jo Morton's latest line Indigo Berries which I realize now that I forgot to take a picture of. Sorry. We will also be getting in her next two lines over the upcoming months. I believe March is blacks followed by a line of browns in April. I will keep you posted as soon as they get delivered.

And last but not least for the updates, the winner of the February Pillowcase Drawing is Judy Gais. Congratulations and please stop in to redeem your $25 Gift Certificate. Thanks again for all of your donations, we definitely have some really creative and giving customers. We couldn't do it without you. This month alone we received 66 pillowcases to be donated.

Well, we hope to see you this weekend in Kirtland and as I said before we have many other fabrics coming in over the next few months. It's nice to have really colorful and dare I say - Springy - looking fabrics arriving. I hope it's a sign of good - and warmer - things to come.

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!

It's finally arrived and let me tell you they're even more scrumptious in person than in the magazine ads or even the pictures on the patterns. We have finally received our shipment of McKenna Ryan's All Cooped Up line. You've probably seen the advertisements for it in the last couple months of various quilting magazines and other catalogs. We have the fabric and it is gorgeous! We have a few of the patterns for the Rooster and Chicks appliques, but they're going fast! We are hoping to have kits available this week. Please call or e-mail us if you'd like us to reserve one for you.

As well as the whole line of McKenna's new fabric we also received a couple shipments in the last few days of other just as wonderful batiks. So all in all I believe we have 41 new bolts of batiks gracing our shelves. Let me tell you though, they're not going to last long! Here's what we got in, and yes it's all of these pictured below.

Well, have a great rest of your weekend and please let us know ASAP if you're interested in any of the kits for the All Cooped Up Line. If you haven't seen the fabric or patterns available, you can find a link to Hoffman Fabrics website by clicking here. There are all of the patterns as well as swatches of all of the fabrics included on this page, and as I said before we have them all, but they might not last long. Once they're gone we can't get any more until May. Yuck!



See you all at the shop this week and good luck to all who entered in the Lake Metroparks Farmpark Quilt Show. Hopefully many of you will be getting phone calls in the next few days. Until next time!

Latest Arrivals

I have been slacking a bit on blogging. So sorry but between year end as well as those holidays I just got caught up in the mix and am finally getting back into my rhythm. (Okay weird tanget here: have you ever spelled a word and thought it looked weird? I had to look up rhythm because it just didn't look right but I knew it was right. Weird, but back on subject here.)

How was everyone's holidays? We had family in town and enjoyed some really good times with them, I'll have to put up a picture sometime of all of us. I hope you had a great and safe time, even after the holidays. We've heard a few stories of slips and spills, just remember to be safe out there!

Oh, and before I forget, we drew the name for the ConKerr Cancer Pillowcase donations for December and the winner for the month is Ann Warmuth. Congrats Ann! Once again, thank you for your donations, so far we have received a total of 387 pillowcases for the cause. Thank you all so much!

Alright, I know we are having a slight warm up as far as the weather goes right now, but we have received some absolutely gorgeous and cozy flannels to keep you warm when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Hopefully it won't happen soon, but unfortunately we are in the snowbelt, winter doesn't end til May. But it is coming, right?!

Also, we got a shipment of new Civil War Reproductions in by Barbara Brackman for Moda. Civil War Homefront just came in and we can't get enough of it.

What else, oh! We just got a shipment of new 1930's Reproductions yesterday and I apologize for not having a picture yet. I will take one tomorrow and get it on here to show you. They are adorable and bright and colorful. The perfect thing to cheer up your day when it's looking a little grey and dismal this time of year.

We have several new fabrics coming in the next few months, unfortunately, I can't remember half of them right now. Several new Moda lines are coming in February and March, more Civil War Reproductions are coming in I think every month between now and May (including 3 new lines from Jo Morton), and we just ordered Christmas fabrics that will be here in May and June. I know what you're thinking - we just had Christmas. The good thing to think is this - we order it now, it comes in May and June and then you have several months to get your Christmas projects done, or that's the idea.

I will get organized and post an updated list of what's coming in soon. For now, the only other thing I have to remind you of is it is almost time for the Lake Metroparks Farmpark Quilt Show is just around the corner. Quilts will be dropped off next week and the show will commence shortly thereafter. We will be at the show for Vendor's weekend and we will see many of you at the Show's opening reception. If you have any questions about the show or would like more information, please feel free to give us a call or check out the Farmpark's website by clicking here. This year's featured quilters are Harriet Hargrave and Marti Michell, both wonderful and legendary women in the quilting world. Be sure to go see the show and plan to spend atleast a few hours there, it's never disappointing.

Well, have a great weekend and like I said earlier, I'll be sure to get organized and update you on what we're getting and post pictures of each line when we get it in. Take care and enjoy the slight heat wave.

November Winner!

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was so good, we had family in from out of town and Becky hosted her first Thanksgiving without even a hiccup. It was good and hopefully tonight's dinner will get rid of the last of the leftovers. Don't get me wrong, I love leftovers, but not this many!

We drew for the November winner of the pillowcase donations for ConKerr Cancer and Beverly Scoby is the winner! Congratulations Beverly. You amazed us once again by donating 45 more pillowcases making the total thus far donated at our shop 321! Thank you again.

And last but not least, we again this year are a drop off location for the Madison Chapter for Toys for Tots. We have a collection box for new and unwrapped toys if you would like to bring those in. Or if you would like this year we also have trains that ccan be signed and hung around the store for the donation of $1.

Please stop in and see what new and wonderful things are going on around the shop. We will be having our annual Customer Appreciation Sale in the near future. This year it'll have a slight twist, but we'll elaborate on that later. Once we get the details finalized we will update you on here and we'll be sending out an e-mail with the details as well. Have a great day and we hope to see you in the near future.