I began Willow Cottage Quilt Co close to 9 years ago. I am often asked how I went from veterinary medicine to owning a fabric shop. Well, it happened gradually and before I knew it, I not only had a wonderful business, but an incredible team of people that help me every day. In fact, we are growing again and adding another person to our team later this fall! It really does take a village, and I am so grateful for all these wonderful people who help every day to keep Willow Cottage growing. Let's meet everyone, shall we?
That's me! Willow Cottage was named after our former home that had the most magical Weeping Willow in the front yard. I started Willow Cottage Quilt Co when my kiddos were small, and I was on sabbatical from my veterinary career, having sold my practice when my husband accepted a new job in a different city. I absolutely love all things English Country, slow living, and the beauty of keeping house. I feel so strongly about how important it is for everyone to have a creative outlet in their lives. Quilting and sewing is my absolute passion, and how lucky am I to get to submerge myself fully in that world each and every day!
That's my Mom! Here we are in 2000 when I was graduating veterinary school. I am an only child, and my Momma moved to Alberta to be closer to her family (let's be honest, mostly for the grands!). My Mom grew up in a very creative household, her sister being an accomplished fine artist, her Mother being a talented interior decorator (by hobby, not trade, but she had such a gift!). My Mom has dabbled in quilting, garment sewing, knitting, rug hooking and more! She joined the team 3 years ago. One of my favourite things about working with my Momma is with every order she fills, she comments on wishing she knew what people were planning for their purchases. She loves it when our customers share their makes and show us what they're creating!
That's my daughter! Madelyn just turned 16 and has worked for us for 1.5 years. She is an accomplished equestrian and spends most of her spare time at the barn with her best boy Louie, our handsome horse. Madelyn loves working with the fabric and has been making her own projects and quilts! She even has a stash of scraps she's been collecting!
Laurie, or Super Laurie as I like to call her, is the most recent addition to our team. She began working with us in February and is an incredible quilter and sewist. She earned her knickname from her prolific and absolutely flawless sewing. She is so talented and we are so lucky to have her! She cuts most of our kits, and makes many of our samples. She will also be teaching classes in the future. Stay tuned!
Liliane and Alan own the company Reel Space. They help me (and many other accounts!) with all those techy things that are beyond my limited tech abilities. They help us with our social media campaigns and advertising and Liliane also helps with my social media posts. She is the one who creates those beautiful reels. I like to call Liliane my hand model, though I secretly pretend those are my young, beautifully manicured hands with the olive skin ha! It is so fun collaborating with her to bring you all those pretty posts.
I reached out to Victoria, who owns Virtually Yours, about a year and a half ago when I needed a new website. My previous website was something I did myself, and for many years it was great, but we were growing and I knew I needed a new, professional website. Victoria saw my vision and created a website that I adore. She helps me maintain the website and create marketing materials such as our newsletters. She has become a friend and a sounding board for all my (at times) crazy ideas!
Special mention goes out to two very important team members. Blair, my husband, who gave up his workshop so I could build the studio in that space. Yup, he's a keeper. He is not only lifter of heavy boxes, hanger of all the things but also the biggest supporter a gal could ask for.
And last, but not least, is Willow, our resident Westie. You may have seen her on our insta posts or if you've visited in person. She's my Mom's little girl and official mascot of WCQC.
