Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company

Posted on March 15, 2017 by prairiemoonquilts in Travels

I recently visited California for two weeks to spend time with my daughters, and while I was out there, I made plans to go visit Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company in Thousand Oaks. Cotton and Chocolate was voted one of the Top Ten Quilt Shops in American Patchwork and Quilting’s Quilt Sampler magazine, and after visiting the shop, I must say it is well-deserved. They have a little bit of everything, and they provide a LOT of services for their customers.

This year, they are doing the Hazel’s Diary quilt from my book, “A Simple Life: Quilts Inspired by the ’50s“, as their Saturday Sampler Block-of-the-Month quilt! I’m so honored that they chose my quilt for their program.

Since my trip to California was going to coincide with one of the days the Saturday Sampler Club was actually meeting, it worked out really well for me to present “The Life of Hazel Ilene” program to them, and I was honored to get to show them all the quilts from the book.

Marilyn and Jerry are the most wonderful hosts! Funny, kind people that you just love to be around.

Both of my daughters got to come with me to the program, and they made all three of us feel so welcome. My daughters had a really good time, and I was thrilled to get to spend time with both of them together — that is a rare occurrence these days!

Here I am near the beginning of the program: “I solemnly swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth” — the truth is I’m severely un-photogenic!

Marilyn is helping me hold up the little Summer of ’51 tablecloth project from the book:

Jerry’s helping me show the Stars Over Missouri quilt:

I got to see a lot of the first blocks that the group is making! There are ONE HUNDRED quilters making this quilt in this group!!! ONE HUNDRED! I’m so flattered. They each got to choose their background colors and frame colors, so it was very interesting to see all the different frame colors being used. I just loved seeing these:

Marilyn and Jerry showed last year’s Block-of-the-Month top that was made by one of the club members. Last year’s quilt was made from my friend, Victoria‘s, Mostly Manor line of fabric! And you can see in the background Marilyn’s version of the Hazel’s Diary quilt that she made as the club sample.

After the program, I did a book signing, and got to talk to so many of the club members individually.

We had so much fun!

If you’re ever in Thousand Oaks, California, I hope you take the time to look up Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company. You’ll feel right at home there!

(And it’s right next door to a Jinky’s restaurant, where my girls took me afterward to have one of the best chicken sandwiches I’ve ever eaten!)

7 responses to “Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company”

  1. Barb says:

    Shelly, that is so exciting! And to get to be with the girls, too, is just the icing on the cake!!

    We are happy for you. I know you had a wonderful time and were thrilled to be there. Can’t wait to hear more about it.

  2. K. Holt says:

    How fun to see your daughter, be with quilters and see what gals are doing with your pattern.

  3. Rose Marie says:

    This is truly a wonderful day and a wonderful time with your girls. I think Wessal helped you with wardrobe. Just sayin’. And she did a fabulous job!!!! I am so glad that Facebook allows us to travel together even when I am 2000 miles away. Brings tears to my eyes that you are so special to me. Cotton and Chocolate……..maybe I can go there sometime.

  4. Great review! We loved having you visit. There is still this year for a second trip. I’m sure your daughters would like it too! Come by anytime.

  5. Judy S. says:

    Wow! That was great and well deserved. It is a great book.

  6. Wendy says:

    So fun that you were able to be there and to present! Good for you! I love the little tablecloth! And I enjoyed seeing pictures of you!

  7. Susan says:

    That’s one of my all time favorite shops! My best friend and I were customers from the day Marilyn bought the shop. Previously, it was in a corner location and was a nice shop, but what Marilyn and Jerry have done is fabulous. Did you see any of Marilyn’s quilting? I don’t know if she does it for others any more, but my friend had several quilts done by her way back when. I’m so glad you got to experience the shop and to present your program. California quilters love their quilting! I don’t think you are un-photogenic at all. I especially like the last photo – you are so young!

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