HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Well, it was one interesting year.  In a way, I'm glad it will be over soon and then again, it had so much possibility.  Looking forward to new possibilities in 2017.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Happy New Year!  See you next year.  Announcements coming.

I just love the quilting and embellishment on this piece.

This is going to be a great show. Amazing quilts, vendors, boutique, demontrations, tea room....come on down and saunter a bit, you won't be disappointed.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.  If you are on your own, work it and enjoy the solitude - many wish they could.  

Just love this little table mat - free pattern from Quilter's World.   
● Access the free pattern: http://bit.ly/2aU9nxG

Check out this disappearing pinwheel video - this looks like fun.
https://youtu.be/5pD0CY2ShtY

Well, ok, not such good news.  So much debris had been pushed into the shop that it was virtually impossible to retrieve anything that may have survived the damage.  So onward we go.  As soon as I get settled in a new abode, and get a new sewing machine and supplies, there will be tutorials and other interesting posts.  Thank you for your patience. 

Good news!   Plaza tenants can begin the recovery of items within their shops as early as next week.  Happy happy!

Looks like we'll be hearing more about the cause of the fire some time this week. 
http://london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=923029

The shop telephone number has now been forwarded to my cell phone so you can reach me now. If you get voicemail, I may be driving or on the phone with someone or .......leave a message and I'll get back to you.

We're also having a Facebook Giveaway - we reached 380 'likes'.  Click on the link on the right side to join in the fun.

Update:  We should be able to start recovery of shop items some time within the next week or two.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, survived that ordeal.  I'm hoping at least one sewing machine made it intact - I miss the humming that emanates from them as I work on a quilt project.  Best music to the ears.

One of the most frustrating things one has to do is ......wait.  Still waiting for the Fire Marshall's report to be released.  Then the recovery process can begin.  A Fire Sale may still be possible - won't know for awhile.    Waiting....waiting.....waiting.....  Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Hope y'all are having a good summer.  I remember the sunsets behind the shop - amazing colour. 

Update:  Still waiting for the Fire Marshall to finalize his report and release the building to the tenants for recovery.  Had hoped the telephone would have been adjusted by now but service provider is slow to act.  Email is active.  Life is certainly interesting. 
Here's a trip down memory lane - our colour class with Heather Stewart. 

Update: Our email address will continue to be active: cornerstonequilts@execulink.com. The shop telephone number, (519) 518-0110 will also be active, as of Thursday, July 7th. There were a few individual orders still outstanding and I am making every effort to fill those as soon as possible. If there is anything you would like to order, we can do that for you, with the exception of fabric at the moment. Thank you for hanging in there with us.

Update: Was able to get up close to check out the damage from the outside looking in. Cleanup/demolition guys took out what was standing yesterday so I doubt there will be a fire sale. Never saw anything like this in my life. Meeting with insurance people tomorrow morning. A lot of decisions need to be made, not just by me but by all the shop owners and the plaza landlord. My heart goes out to all of them and they are in my prayers. Thank you all for your kind words of support and concern. It has lifted my spirits.

Hoping to see the shop up close within the next few days.  Can't see the classroom at all.  Some things might be saved if the damages are more smoke and water related.  Thank you all for your well wishes.  My heart goes out to my fellow shop owners - their losses are huge.

As many of you may know by now, the shop was destroyed by fire last night.  12 other business in the plaza also were destroyed.   Obviously, we will not be able to participate in the Row by Row Shop Hop this year.  Not sure at this time what we will do - hoping some things may be salvaged.  Will post more as I know more.  Hope everyone has a happy Canada Day.  Mine will be a quiet one.

Opera threads, made in Portugal, 100% cotton, sizes 5-30.  Love the colours.

The 2016 Row by Row Shop Hop begins tomorrow, June 21st!!!
This is our row.  Make sure you drop by, say 'hi' and pick up your free row pattern.  Sign our guest list so we'll know how far you've travelled.  See you soon.

I am so excited about 2 new books that came in today! Double Wedding Ring Quilts by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, who created the wonderful modern Double Edged Love quilt, which has been seen in most quilt magazines. Also, Felt Wee Folk by Sally Mavor, who creates the most adorable little people from felting (we'll be doing classes on these throughout the summer).

 

Fancy Forest and companion patterns from Elizabeth Hartman are at the shop...and....the new Sue Pelland Hearts & More book...  and....new Studio 180 patterns from Deb Tucker.  Check out What's New @ Cornerstone!



Let's Go Fly a Kite - a Kimberbell design.  Isn't this bench pillowcase adorable?  I really need to get a better camera as this photo doesn't do it justice.  Drop by the shop to see it in person and pick up a pattern.  More Kimberbell designs available.



A few new items arrived - see them at What's New @ Cornerstone Quilts.

Just a note to let you know that we are switching from 200m spools of Aurifil thread to the 1300m spools.   If you prefer the smaller 200m spools, check our supply and stock up now.  

They're here!!! The new 100% Canadian-made, Mother Nature's Batting made of 100% Eucalyptus in Queen size, 96x118"!

 "Chemical free, fire retardant, non-allergenic, antibacterial fiber, microwave safe! Will not separate nor bunch, nor beard. Contains no resins or glues, may be quilted up to 8" apart, and warmer than cotton. Has a longer fiber than cotton and will last a lifetime of washing." Great for hand or machine quilting.

Received this little gem last week from a customer.  Thought I would share a bit of Spring with you all.



Had a wonderful time at the Quilts in Bloom Quilt Show in Shedden on Friday and Saturday. This is always a wonderful show. Fellow vendors were Cynthia from Cherished Pieces and Heather from Heather Bell's Sewing Studio. Here are photos of some of the quilts on display....



Goin' to a quilt show! In Shedden! 

This Friday & Saturday - Quilts in Bloom once again will explode with colour and beauty. Being held at the Southwold Keystone Complex, 35921 Talbot line. Hope to see you there. 

The shop will be closed at 2pm today and the two days at the show and will reopen Tuesday, April 12th, at 2pm as we'll also be Vendor of the Month at the Huron-Perth Quilt Guild meeting in Kirkton that morning. 'Tis the season....and the Row by Row Shop Hop is coming up June 21st. Lots of fun coming your way!

Refresh by Moda. If you're in need of bright, Spring-enthused fabrics, especially considering how drab and cold the weather has been lately, drop by the shop and feast your eyes on these cuties (coordinating yardage available too).



I just love it when boxes come in the door.  A really big one came in today carrying 118" wideback muslin in white and in natural.  And cradled oh so sweetly was the Refresh collection by Moda, wonderfully refreshing for Spring - charms, jellies and bolts.  Photos Wednesday.

What's New @ Cornerstone?  Click the page link above.

There are some shop closures during the week of April 5-9th.  See the sidebar on the right. 

Hope you can come to the Quilts in Bloom Quilt Show in Shedden next week, April 8 & 9th at the Southwold Keystone Complex (35921 Talbot Line).  Admission is $5.00.  Come and enjoy the beautiful quilts that will be on display; the Lunch Room features the most amazing meals; and the Merchants' Mall will be filled with fascinating fabrics and 'quilty things'.  Something for everyone!

Two large boxes of notions arrived this afternoon.  A lot of exciting new stuff (more info later), and we're now restocked in English Paper Piecing papers in hexagon, 60 degree (diamonds) and tumbler shapes.

Update:  Doc likes the progress of the elbow.  No visible support needed.  Yay!

Heading to the doc's office this afternoon for an update on my broken elbow.  The shop will be closed briefly from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

New goodies are on the way!   Refresh by Moda, Morris, Miss Scarlett all coming this Spring.

Did you know EQ Printables made inkjet cotton fabric on a roll?  This would be great for printing those landscape photos, growth charts, bellpulls, tablerunners, etc.  More to see at What's New @ Cornerstone Quilts.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by to help us celebrate our 4th Year Anniversary and Sale. It was a whopping success - loved to see so many friends and wonderful to make so many new ones. There was much laughter and sharing today. Our winner of the Kona Giveaway (Cinnamon colour) was Ruth Ann W., and the winner of the Trace-n-Create Lone Star Template Set was Merry P. Congratulations ladies!

Come and help us celebrate our 4th ANNIVERSARY SALE!
Saturday, March 19th - 10 am to 4 pm
35% off storewide!!
Free Kona Giveaway!!
Find all 3 jewels (ruby, emerald, sapphire) which will be hidden in plain sight and you can enter to win a Trace-n-Create Lone Star Template Set....

 ...and a few surprises thrown in for good measure, too...

Kona Carnation is new to our Kona collection of fabrics.  A wonderful shade of pink.  If you have a favourite Kona colour you would like us to carry, drop us a line and we'll do our best.

Two new stencils arrived today, the Oak Leaf 5 1/2" Border and Corner.   They are gorgeous.

Also a Creative Grids ruler that is new to Cornerstone Quilts:  The Angle Finder.  Create easy mitred corners on your binding for 60, 90, 120 and 135 degree angles. 

You can see them all on the What's New @ Cornerstone page.

Only a few spaces are open for the Garden Path Bedrunner class for Thursday, March 24th.  Don't miss it - sign up now!

The Learn to Hand Quilt class for Monday morning, April 4th, is filling up fast - only 1 spot is available as of this date.  We may offer another morning session as demand arises.  There is still room in the Tuesday evening class, April 5th.

A few more goodies arrived late this afternoon.  I'm drooling over this fabric (so to speak).  Check out What's New @ Cornerstone Quilts.



We reached 300 page 'likes' today on our Facebook page! Time for a Giveaway!  Need a small iron and board for classes or retreats? Here are the Clover Wedge Iron and Clover Press Perfect Mini-Board.  Go to www.facebook.com/cornerstonequiltsmore to enter the Giveaway. 

 

French General Sampler Embroideries now at the shop.  Can't wait to get mine done.

Shop will open at 11am on Wednesday as we'll be at the Opening Day of Prim&Pauper, Maker's Market (specialty artisans featured under one roof), here in our plaza. That is, barring any foreseen or unforeseen circumstances, such as a horrible winter storm.

Talk about a coincidence.  A customer came in today and remarked how much alike one of our fabrics was when compared with the top she was wearing.  What do you think?

New class posted under Class Schedule!

Check out the Gallery page for today's Fabric Bowl class results.  It may be an older craft but not everyone has seen or made them.  Today was so much fun. 

From my vantage point at the shop, it looks like these 2 diggers are expanding the Hyde Park Lagoon.  Probably in preparation for the 2016 Hyde Park Regatta.  ;)



Only 1 left each of Creative Stitching and Creative Texturing, by Sue Spargo.  Great for wool work, but not only......

There is no wind - the snow is gently falling to earth and there's lots of it - my car is getting buried - the roads are iced and snow covered though traffic is moving slower than usual. We'll be closing at 2 pm today, rather than 4pm. Stay safe and warm everyone.  My car is facing Hyde Park Rd on the left, covered more so now than when this photo was taken.



If you're looking for white tone-on-tone fabric, look no further.  We now have a great selection of 10 bolts on hand, including a wonderful paisley.

It's difficult photographing white fabrics and getting it white,

so please forgive the bluish hue.  At least you can see the paisley

which was the goal.

We are beginning to carry another line of solid coloured fabrics, this one from Northcott, Colourworks Premium. This morning, black, white, offwhite, cream, chocolate and butter yellow were delivered. More will come.
As well, Toscana, also from Northcott, came in this morning, 6 bolts in grey range and beyond. This is a great blender.

Look what the storm brought in today - Painter's Passion - all 26 bolts of Spring delight in the Blue and Purple Passion colourways.  Get a headstart on your Spring projects.  Click on the link to see all the fabrics.  http://northcott.net/product-detail.aspx?fbid=18&colid=894&colorid=1398

 



If you are looking for a hand-quilting frame, we have a gentleman offering one for sale, made entirely of cedar wood.  If you are interested, please call us for more information - (519) 518-0110.

The new January/February Quiltmania magazine is here.  Join our Reservation list and we will set aside a copy for you and there will be a 10% discount for each issue.

What's New @ Cornerstone:  Black Tie Affair, 365-Day Town & Country Quilt, Quiltmania!

Price Alert! Due to the fickle Canadian dollar, we will be raising prices on Superior threads and Kona cottons, effective February 1st. Stock up now at current prices and save.

New products to help you with your projects are now posted on What's New @ Cornerstone!

On Saturday, January 23rd, we're having a

2-for-1 POP-UP SALE!!!

Buy 2 metres of fabric, get 1 free!*
Buy 2 fabric remnants, get 1 free!
Buy 2 pre-cut fat quarters, get 1 free!*
Buy 2 spools of Superior thread, get 1 free!*
Buy 2 books, get 1 free!*
Buy 2 patterns, get 1 free!*

Come and join in on the fun.

*Of same or lesser value

A really fun collection is new at the shop, I Spy in the Amazon.  A great panel and border print with 12 coordinating fabrics, all sporting critters from the Amazon.



This is not an announcement I want to make. The recent posting regarding the new Cotton + Steel collection was made before all the bolts were taken out of the plastic coverings they came in. Every one of them had an unpleasant odour, so much so that we needed to return the entire collection to our supplier, who is unable to replace them. I am sincerely sorry that this particular collection will not be offered and apologize for jumping the gun and making the announcement that they had arrived (I was just so excited about it).

It's 2016 and another exciting year of quilting looms ahead.  Classes, shopping, specials - everything we quilters love to do awaits us.  Exciting things will be happening at Cornerstone Quilts this year, including an interactive online website, EQ7 classes, just to name a couple (don't want to give it all away in one swoop). 

Come and see us soon. 

Yes, I'm still on vacation/inventory time but while counting fabrics today, the Cotton + Steel order came in.  I am sooooooo excited about this collection.  Can't wait for you to see it when the shop reopens next week.  So many possibilities......