Quilt Yarn Stitch! Busy but fun!

So things have changed..... I started my blog while being a full-time mum. I had a passion for sewing and spent most mornings at my machine while my babies napped. But of course, children grow out of naps, they get schedules of their own and suddenly you are a glorified chauffeur and life is dictated to by school runs, homework and meal-times!

As you adapt to your new routines, you find there are new pockets of time and you have to decide how to use them. I was already working at The Quilt Shop in Tuam and loving it...... and it was time to take it a little further. While not wanting to give up my time with my family (though they drive me crazy at times) and other commitments, I was excited by what lay ahead for the shop. Thankfully, I have a nice boss who lets us work around our family schedules and so my work hours changed from weekends to school mornings - ideal!

But between us we had a big job ahead....  

The Team
Ursula, Karen, Me (Naomi), Eva, Roisin (Owner), Nora, Sandra.

So up until now, the shop has been named The Quilt Shop and while it's a very busy shop locally, based on Shop Street, Tuam in Co. Galway and would be considered one of the premiere quilting shops in Galway for it's stock of patchwork and quilting fabrics, notions, yarn, cross-stitch kits and more...... we were getting regular requests asking when all these gorgeous things would be online! However, it was time to rebrand, to let everyone know that it wasn't just a quilt shop anymore. While Patchwork is where our true love lies, the shop has expanded to stock a gorgeous selection of quality yarn, patterns and all things stitching! And so the shop name changed to "Quilt Yarn Stitch"!     

Our New and Improved Logo!

                              

So that was the first major job done, next came the Long-Arm Quilting Machine. That was such a big deal........ being a major purchase, we had to make the right one so we spent a lot of time doing research, getting quotes, organising funding, delivery and training but wow, it was so great to have it finally here and working away. You can often hear the buzz from the machine when you enter the shop..... in fact, passing by on the street, it's normal to see Roisin standing by and working away at the machine. I'm sure passing cars wonder why people stand on the street waving at the upper windows of the shop but it's always a nice distraction for us to see some friendly faces!

       

Roisin getting to grips with the machine during training!

Speaking of shop windows, they were changed too...... all part of the improvements! This has made for an excellent street view of our gorgeous fabrics and a much warmer shop! Win, Win!

       

Next up on the list was the website - oh boy, that was fun (not really). We were lucky enough to have a mega team from the very best website building company in the West of Ireland - DMac Media. to charge forward with that one!  Roisin knew what she wanted - what functions would help to make the very best webshop in Ireland and they worked their IT magic and made it happen. No request was too large, they never lost patience with our lack of technology skills and they made it all as easy and straightforward as possible.



We spent the next couple of months cataloguing every item in the shop - we needed to list every single fabric from Moda, Makower, Winbourne, Camelot, Stof, Dashwood Studios, Northcott, Blend Fabrics, Art Gallery, Kaffe Fassett, David Textiles............ and so much more. 

                                            

That was just the beginning.  We then had to move on to the yarn - listing the double knit, the 4-ply, the aran, the merino...... not forgetting the notions from Sewline, Hemline, Clover, Prym, Olfa, Creative Grids and more..... then the Gifts, the Patterns, the Ribbon, the Buttons ................... stock seemed to grow as we listed, it seemed we would never get to the end but we did it!

                                              

In the midst of this, we held our Annual Sale & our Facebook Sale, classes carried on and we had our little visitors spending time in the shop too, busy as ever!

                        

                    

                           The busiest days - our annual sale!

                   

    Thursday Mornings Class Ladies!

                  

Molly & Kate working on the Rico Craft Kits!

The excitement was palpable the day the website went live! When the first order came in, we excitedly messaged each other - it was working!! Hooray!

Since then we have gone from strength to strength - increasing our stock online and making ourselves known to those in Ireland, the U.K. and beyond. We have become a popular stop for those travelling along the Wild Atlantic Way - bus tours and individuals who can't resist searching for a little something new for their sewing rooms back home. We have a great time with them swapping stories and ideas!  And we haven't stopped working to improve Quilt Yarn Stitch - both in the shop, in the classes and online! We're still having fun - how could we not, we are surrounded by pretty fabric and some really amazing people!

The fun continues every day..... there was the day we did some filming for the Local Enterprise Office with Bulabosca Productions....

                       

And of course we always have Sales Reps popping in and tempting us with new goodies all the time...  this was Alan from Sirdar.  Wait till you see the fantastic yarn we ordered from him, it'll be in stock shortly. I don't even knit and I'm totally in love with it! 


                                         


If you haven't already - please check out our website www.quiltyarnstitch.com and let us know what you think! We love to hear some constructive feedback and take it all on board! I don't have shares in the business but I love what I do and am excited for it's progress so am eager for it's success! 

Ooooh and we still have FREE DELIVERY to Irish addresses and reduced delivery for Europe..........so it's a great time to shop online!

(p.s. if anyone can tell me why my text changes to grey and I can't change it back again, I'd appreciate it) xx

Hexie Love!

My father had a short stay in Intensive Care a couple of months ago, just before he passed away.  We spent long days and evenings at the hospital.  I know I got a few funny looks while I sat in the family room with my little Bionic Gear Bag full of fabric scraps and hexie templates but I've said over and over again for the past 3 years that my sewing keeps me sane at times....... and while my hands and brain were busy, I was able to be there for hours on end.....and it served its' purpose, it kept me sane and one lovely thing I discovered during that tough time is that I love my newest portable sewing project - hexagons!! 


  





Recently, I won a little prize from colourmehappy2 on instagram.  I showed you the picture of my prize in my last blog post but this is it again.........

                               


I made a tumbling block using English Paper Piecing way back when I made my Sampler Quilt but hadn't tried it since.  In my head, I had convinced myself that I couldn't make the points match.  How daft, the papers take all that effort away! 

After a few long days in the hospital, I grabbed my bionic gear bag on the way out the door and got through basting most of a pack of deliciously pretty Moda Mini Charms from the Best Day Ever Range.  How could anyone not be distracted by the beautiful bright colours? 

I tried two methods of basting - firstly, I was using a tacking stitch.  It's easy, it makes the paper or card templates secure but obviously you have to pull all those tacking stitches out later.  And next I decided to use the Sewline Glue Pen from The Quilt Shop (where I work, for those of you who didn't know) and see how that went.  I have had this in my sewing kit for well over a year and never used it.  I thought it was a glorified pritt stick and I just couldn't imagine it holding the fabric securely or for any length!  Well.......... I was wrong!  It was fast, super easy and way more secure than I could have imagined!  I have one less step to deal with when pulling out all the templates too!  Consider me converted! 

When I started, I honestly thought I would string a few together and make a notebook cover or a pencil case but I'm in love with these colours, so I'm going to make a lapquilt.  They're deliciously scrappy together and so bright and beautiful. As time has gone on, I've added quite a few extra colours from Moda's Daysail and another range called Just My Type (thank you to The Fat Quarter Shop for that mega sale) and some random scraps! 

This quilt will be totally different from ANYTHING in my house.  I have 3 sons and a husband, so my house is not what you'd call girlie.  However, check this picture out....... my husband bought me 2 of these footstools as part of my anniversary present recently.  How well does it match?  Now, I'll admit, I'm a bad wife, I took his gift back to the shop and exchanged them for 2 more sedate versions.  They actually have similar colours but aren't so ultra-violet-hi-viz-like......... and they still work great with the quilt!  If he was trying to match something though - he did well!!! 

I'm just about finished piecing the quilt top.  I'll shop it off properly once it's been quilted and bound.   I'd say it's about 45" x 55" roughly.  A nice lap quilt size and I'm seriously thinking about redecorating my livingroom to give this a proper home (alongside my new footstools)!

It's nice to slowly get my motivation back for sewing, it feels like I was off-track for the past while (understandably) but I feel like I'm getting somewhere again and it feels good!

Handwarmers, Totes, a competition win and more........

My main "thing" is quilting but after finishing a couple of big quilts, lately I just needed a few small projects that I could start and finish fast!  And the fun I've had! 

First I made the Fabric Wreath that I showed you yesterday.  Check out my first ever little tutorial if you haven't seen it already.  It's a no-sew project so suitable for everyone!  You will see the Tutorial Link at the top of the page, under the header!

Then, I made a few hand warmers for my mum and a good friend, Georgie who has Reynauds Disease so always has blue hands in the cold.  I filled them with rice and added a few drops of cinnamon to give them a nice smell. 

Next, I wanted to make something for my friend who has recently taken up crochet.  We've been friends since we were 10.  I have always been the one who was into "make & do" and always had a box of some craft or other in the corner whether it was glass painting, jewellery, card making and eventually, my total addiction, sewing/quilting and it's lovely to finally be able to share the love of making with her.  So, when I found this pattern online, I had to buy it and make it up for her.

It was my first time making a tote....... I have to admit, the base was a bit of a challenge so it's not perfect but it taught me alot!

I get fierce excited when I start to see a project come together so it takes a little longer because I need to stop regularly to admire it....... hence this picture of it before even adding the lining and it's turned right side out!

  It's a Crochet Tote.  It has a fine big center to hold up to 5 full balls of wool and then all the way around there are different sized pockets to hold the crochet hooks (or knitting needles), scissors and any other related notions!  I chose bright and cheerful colours because she's young and funky (just like me, ha ha)! 

And finally, I had bought some of the Gorjuss Fabric about 6 months ago and just didn't know what to do with it but finally, FINALLY, I cut into it and made my friends two little girls some bags.  I did some straight line quilting on them (which I love since I haven't mastered free-motion yet) and they turned out cute. 

It's hard not to turn out cute when you are using anything Gorjuss by Santoro........... it's just adorable!

I used a stem stitch and added their names on too.  You can't see the names because I hadn't gifted them when I took the picture so I covered it up with a bit of selvedge!

Now, before I go.............check out my little "win" on Instagram.  I entered a little competition with @colourmehappy2 and I won!!!!

I got orange chocolate ( my fav) (well, one of my fav's), a funky fat quarter, a mini Moda Charm pack, some wonder clips and hexie templates!  EEEEEEEEEK, I'm going making hexies!!!!! How cool...........

Daft pic won't rotate properly - sorry!

Samples, Samples, Samples...

This week and next, I'm busy making samples for The Quilt Shop in Tuam.   They're simple little projects to show what can be done with certain items in the shop. 

Last week, I showed you the little cushion made with a Moda Mini Charm pack and Perle Cotton.



This week, we got a gorgeous bunting panel in and I was so taken with it that I bought one for myself along with taking one to make as a sample!  I think the patterns and colours are very similar to Orla Kielys patterns...I've a little obsession with her bags so that's probably why I like this so much. 

Bunting is very satisfying to make.  It's probably one of the easiest items to sew up and sometimes it's great to have a start to finish project done nice and fast!  

So once I had that panel made up, I pulled out another one I had bought a couple of months ago.  This one is super cute too but it has presented a bigger problem.  I think I'm going to have to redecorate my little boys room because I'm dying to hang it and it doesn't currently match at all!!  I'm easing my husband into the idea! 



So for this week, I have two small samples to make using 2 x 10" square pack each with 10 different colours.  Should be fun! 

 

                                                  

3 Years, 4 whole cushions

When I was younger and didn't know how to sew, I was envious of people who could make their own cushion covers.  To me, it was so complicated and I couldn't understand when they said it was "sooooooo easy" and "easiest thing in the world to make".  Nope, cushion covers were definitely complicated!

Fast forward to almost exactly 3 years ago and I took my first sewing class called "Getting to know your machine" with Pippablue in Galway.  I had taken a notion to buy an Argos Value Machine for a whopping €50 but didn't even know how to thread it, much less make it go!  I was reminded of this a couple of months ago when chatting with my good buddy Heather (who blogs here).  She said she remembered my excitement at that first class.  I went on a hunt to find the picture we took when we finished up.  Oh I was so nervous and delighted with myself that day.  Check out my first ever, teeny tiny cushion......... I'll admit, it's still on a chair in my bedroom, even more dwarfed by the size of the chair!




After that class, I didn't sew for months.  I was a little daunted by the thought of ruining beautiful fabric by actually cutting it up!  When I joined my quilting class a few months later though, I got over that and when I finished my first quilt, I made this cushion from the gorgeous nautical range by Sarah Jane called Out to Sea.  I made it for my son but eventually I "borrowed" it and it's sitting on the top shelf in my sewing room because........ well, it makes me happy!

                                                  

After this a whole 2 years went by before I made another cushion.  To be honest, I was procrastinating.  A soft green velvet cushion on my couch had worn out/shredded/wasted away and it needed a new cover.  I just couldn't get the motivation to use a dull fabric.  When you're used to the beautiful quilting fabrics we use, upholstery fabric is just BORING!  But finally, last week, I got it done.  It's the one in the center......... blends in pretty ok, doesn't it?

Excuse my poor tatty couch!

So that was it, I got my mojo back with that boring cushion out of the way so today, I grabbed a bunch of scraps from a gorgeous range of fabric from The Quilt Shop and sewed them up and finally, FINALLY I have a proper girlie cushion in my house!  It took less than an hour to make this 18" cushion. 

Feel free to squeal at the girlishness........I did!

When you live with a hubby and 3 male children, you don't get many girlish things in the house.  My small boys are happy for me - well, they were after they exclaimed in disgust "what is that girlie thing doing in our house?" while pointing and screwing up their faces.  I explained mummies need for pretty and they're ok with it.  I might even manage a few more!

Modern Quilt Guild of Ireland - Sept '14 Quilting Retreat

Cindy - Organiser Extraodinaire

Last year I joined the Modern Quilt Guild of Ireland, drawn in by the most gorgeous creations I kept spotting on facebook.  They are a very active group, hosting meet-ups, swaps and getting involved with Bee Blessed.
Due to location and/or bad timing, I haven't had the chance to meet up with any of these stitchery-queens until last week.  I wasn't working, I didn't have family commitments and if I do say so myself, I deserved a day out doing something I love, so I signed up for the Quilting Retreat which just happened, very fortunately, to be in my hometown! 

From the outset, I was very impressed with the organisation.  Cindy, from Fluffy Sheep Quilting e-mailed me with a schedule for the day, directions, times, carparking details, food details and so much more.  Honestly, she thought of everything!  The room that was booked in Galway University was comfortingly close to the carpark so we didn't have to hump our machines and gear too far into the campus!


I'll be honest, I was nervous!  I'm well used to some of these girls online personas from instagram and facebook and deliciously pretty flickr pictures but to meet people in person!  Ooooh, that scares me! 

I encountered Anneliese from mailfromthecheekymonkeys first when I got to the room and she said "Oh, you look different to your pictures"!  Seriously, that's everyones nightmare, right?...... I mean we all just put our somewhat-passable pictures online but we like to think that in real life, we look like our "best" pictures.....right??  She's a sweet chick though and I relaxed pretty quickly.  Cindy arrived in the room then and there was a bit of organising to do before everyone else arrived. 

Anneliese & Eva  (& Kristina in the background)

In total, we were a group of 14........ a nice, comfy group from Galway, Portlaoise, Limerick and Cork.  There were three shops represented - Fluffy Sheep, Pippablue, and Wrap It.  So, we had lots to check out, some fabric to pick up and even some gift options!!  All three shop owners were sewing alongside us for the day too which was nice, it was great to put faces to these store-fronts and get to know them a little bit.   

We received really cute tote bags full of goodies which was a really lovely surprise!  All of the sponsors of our little retreat were very generous.  They included......

Aurifil - a fab selection of different weights of thread!
The Crafters Basket - a pack with some charm squares, ribbon and buttons
The Quilt Shop Tuam - some gorgeous fabric and a money off voucher
Fluffy Sheep Quilting - more fantastic fabric
Lisnaweary Quilts - yet more delicious fabric
Pilot - an erasable pen

And that wasn't all, we also were given a selection of vouchers for online purchases from other shops like Vibes & Scribes, Slaney Handcraft, Rags for Linda, and Seams Sew Simple.

Our super tote bag of goodies!!

The kettle never got a chance to cool down as we tucked into the lovely fare that the women brought - there was chocolate, brownies, buns and flapjacks to name but a few, but we promised ourselves we'd work it off........ eventually!

As the afternoon wore on, we got right down to work, there was a queue for the ironing and cutting tables at times as we all wanted to go home with something substantial accomplished. 

Áine, Ruth & Erin (& Cindy, well her reflection anyway)

I was working on my Storm At Sea quilt variation.  I got my head down and worked away but didn't get half as much done as I thought I would.  An 8-hour sewing day is not something I get to do often but I guess I did more chatting than I realised!

Storm At Sea work-in-progress

I did finally finish this quilt top this week though, well, at least, I finished the paper piecing side of it, I just need to add a couple of borders to "grow" it a little and then I'll bring it to the blog in all it's glory! 
 
The last thing to mention about our lovely Quilt Retreat though was our little part in Bee Blessed.  I had heard the name before but really had no notion what it was.  When we got our details for the day however, we were asked if we would like to make a couple of blocks for "Bee Blessed" and our colours were to be green & blue on a white background, with the finished quilt being for a boy.  The world was our oyster as regards design, as long as the blocks were 12.5" unfinished.


 I decided to make a little row of  houses with different characters in the windows and doorways - because every neighbourhood contains all sorts, right?  Even monkeys and pirates!!!  However, I didn't double check the size of my pattern and ended up doing a bit of re-jigging to make it size up properly but it worked out ok in the end.  

My second block was a simple colourful star.... nothing to write home about but it fit in well.  In the end, there was quite a lovely selection of blocks, I think it will make a lovely quilt and can't wait to see them put together, it's the first time I've been involved in a community quilt!

My poor blocks could seriously do with a proper iron......whoops!

If you are interested in learning more about Bee Blessed....... click here.   Sarah can answer any questions!

So that was our day...... a lot of sewing, a bit of shopping, alot of chat, even more coffee n' cake....... it was BRILLIANT!  Can't wait for the next one!

A little something different - for me!

This week I got to do something a little different.  Along with one of my buddies in our sewing class, we made fabric covered boxes.  We used kits available at The Quilt Shop, it came with pre-cut sturdy card, box corners and precise instructions.  All we needed to add was our choice of fabric and some pva glue!

I've been dying to use this funky range of fabric for AGES but couldn't decide what to make with it.  Well, this was the perfect chance and I chose to use the umbrella design.  It has lots of colours in it and there are some beautiful co-ordinates in the range but I picked the red spots to co-ordinate with it........because it's a little more girlie!

 If you like getting crafty, this is a super project,  you get to mess around with glue and for a change it's a no-sew project!

And we got to bash around with a hammer............ great for working out the frustrations of the day! ;)

This box is about 13.5" square.  It's called a block box because it's useful for storing your 12.5" patchwork blocks flat. 

 

I know this box is going to get great use......... I have been putting in the blocks I'm currently working on, they're not 12.5" but it's the perfect spot to keep them until they're ready to be stitched together!

 

 

It was easy to make but it does take a little time - all in all, I would say about 3 hours but in that, as this was my first time making one, some of that time was spent checking and double checking that we were doing it correctly.

I think you end up with something a little funky for your efforts!