West Country Quilt Show 3 days to go...

Later this week The Little House of Patchwork will be heading to The Bath and West Showground for our first ever quilt show, I am both excited and a little terrified.
I've finally finished cutting fat quarters and tieing up pretty little fabric bundles. Tonight I'm trying to get the sign for our stand finished as well as organise things for work when I return.
I'm currently tripping over boxes full of bolts of fabric all ready to go and the other half is working hard on building the stand. fingers crossed for a good three days. If anyone would like some tickets let me know as i have a few freebies, its on 29th, 30th Nov and 1st Dec!

Networking and Spreading the word..

Things are very busy at  The Little House of Patchwork as we prepared for our first show at the end of November. Every day I think of something new we need to do and as we count down the weeks I think it is definitely time to write a 'to do' list.
The other half has been busy constructing some fab shelves so that we can display approx 150 bolts of fabric at the show. They look great
I'm busy cutting fat quarters ready for our stand and umming and ahhing about whether we have enough fabric and whether we are missing anything crucial.
On another hand I've been working hard on the social network side of things and had some hopefully great advice from a lovely lady at Chicken Shed Gifts on how to use Facebook and Twitter to increase awareness and hopefully in time, sales will increase too. Have had lots of new 'likes' on Facebook today so thats a bonus!
I'm now seeing spots as have spent this evening cutting an awful lot of fat quarters of spotty fabric!
Time for bed I think
Night!

A Little House Update! classes, shows and more!

Its been a little while since I last wrote this blog which is a bit naughty of me. Things have been very busy. Lots of lovely fabrics have been arriving and we've been busy getting the website sorted. Our advertising campaign also kicks off today with advertising in Popular Patchwork, British Patchwork and Quilting, Sewing World and Modern Quilting magazines and even a bit of editorial in the last one. Hopefully there will be some more of this to come!

We have also booked to do our first show, The West Country Quilt Show on Thurs 29th, Fri 30th Nov and Sat 1st at the Bath and West Show Ground, Shepton Mallet Somerset. So if you fancy a crafty day out it looks to be a good three days. Very excited and now have lots of preparations to do to get my stand looking good

This sunday is our first class which is also very exciting and I'm busy getting things together for the Cut 9 patch- strawberries and cream quilt
There are a few places left so if you'd like to join us get in touch asap. Info about the class can be found on our website www.thelittlehouseofpatchwork.co.uk
Watch this space for pictures of what we get up to!

I'm busy cutting fat quarters ready for the show, only another 100 or so bolts to cut!

Lots of lovely fabrics on the way....

Things have been very busy at The Little House of Patchwork. I've spent many hours decide on new fabrics to stock and some lovely variegated quilting thread from YLI which are just gorgeous. Some of the colours have already arrived so don't forget to have a look on the website and they'll be more coming over the next few days.
I've been busy working on the website to and sharing lovely discounts with local quilting groups which hopefully they will appreciate
We're also going to have a little editorial in the next issue of Modern Quilting so watch out for copies on the selves at the end of October!

Our Shop is Open!

The Little House of Patchwork online shop is now officially open! Hooray

New Weekend Class Dates

I've decided to add some weekend class dates over the next couple of months. I've always found it frustrating when I've wanted to do a class but its on when I'm at work! So I've decided to add weekend dates for my classes. If you fancy escaping from the housework etc and having some 'me' time why not book a class!
Look forward to seeing you

Fabric!!!

Today I have a rep from one of the fabric manufacturers coming to visit! very excited can't wait to pick some lovely stock for the shop. Watch this space to see what I choose!

Hooray Our Website is live!
The on-line shop will be up and and running very soon, just as soon as some stock arrives!
Visit us at www.thelittlehouseofpatchwork.co.uk

Classes for October and November 2012

Here are the dates and information for the first set of classes .........

Classes will take place at The Regis School of Music, 46 Sudley Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex

‘Strawberries and Cream’ 9 Patch Quilt - Tuesday 23rd October 2012 10am-3pm £25 Booking Code: SC23/10

A great quilt for beginners but also a lovely project for those with more experience. If you’re new to Patchwork and Quilting then don’t worry, we’ll cover the basics of rotary cutting, machine piecing and design. Based on a 9 patch block with a difference!

Reversible Patchwork Bag - Tuesday 30th October 2012 (Half Term) 10am-3pm £25 Booking Code: RB30/10
A fun reversible patchwork bag, just right for the beach!

Use up left over fabrics from other projects or treat yourself to something new. Join us for a fun and go home with a brand new bag! They make great Christmas presents too!

Patchwork Cushion - Tuesday 13th November 2012 10am-3pm £25 Booking Code PC13/11
Learn how to use 1/2 square triangles to create interesting effects and produce a beautiful cushion! The possibilities with this technique are endless. Spend a relaxing day with like minded people

PICTURE TO FOLLOW - the last one of these I made now belongs to my mum and I'll need to pinch it back to photograph it!

Finishing Techniques - Tuesday 27th November 2012 10am-3pm £25
Booking Code FT27/11

In this class you’ll learn techniques for backing and layering your quilt. We’ll try a variety of methods and find one that works best for you. You’ll produce a binding sample and learn how to produce beautiful handmade binding to coordinate with your quilt top. We’ll also cover how to machine quilt your project and have a go at free-motion quilting! A perfect follow on class if you've started a quilt but aren't sure how to finish it! 

If you'd like more information or to book a class contact me on 07870559912 or email littlehouseofpatchwork@gmail.com 

Progress.....

Things are progressing in my search for a venue to hold my classes. I was hoping to hire our local community centre as its cheaper for residents of the village. Unfortunately its dominated every day by the playgroup until next spring when they complete their building work and that means there isn't room for us! Initially I was a bit disappointed, its just round the corner and would have been really easy but it wasn't meant to be. After numerous phone calls to other places without much luck I was starting to feel like my plans for the 'Little House of Patchwork' weren't going to happen. Everywhere was either booked up or far too expensive, then the other half had a bright idea!

I made a phone call, had a chat with a very nice man who seemed keen to help and tomorrow I'm going to view what I hope will be the perfect venue for my classes

Fingers Crossed! 

I've also been sourcing some lovely fabric and threads .....................yummy! Its certainly going to be hard to keep within the budget! 

Step one... A space to call my own

I have a dream.... and although it may not be quite as significant as Martin Luther Kings, it is in itself rather exciting.
It all started with a rainy trip to the garden centre in an attempt to get my lovely little boy to have a nap....and there it was...a log cabin!
For a while I'd been hypothetically talking about how one day it would be nice to teach patchwork and quilting classes. Suddenly here was my answer, a space of my own to unleash the fabric stash, have my machine set up full time and more importantly room enough to teach in!

The cabin is not here, yet! The other half is considering whether he could build me something better but either way inside my head I'm already there.  I've moved in, the fabric is unpacked and the teaching space is ready to go! Watch this space.....

In the meantime I'm off to check out the village hall!

One fat quarter at a time....

I'm writing my first ever blog whilst watching the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. As a country we are marking the end of what has undoubtably been a successful few weeks for British Sport and for Team GB as a whole. You only need to spend a minute considering the time and organisation that has gone into both the opening and closing ceremonies to know that Britain really can put on a good show when they want too. But I didn't set this blog up to talk about the Olympics. As the UK celebrates country-wide success, I am hoping that this blog will mark the start of a successful venture for me personally.

After years of working hard academically it feels like its time for something a little more creative!!
Over the years I've tried many different crafty activities but my real love is fabric and more specifically patchwork and quilting. I admit I am an addict, a fabric addict that is... I just can't resist the wide variety of colours and the possibilities they present and so stored in a collection of boxes and bags, under beds and in cupboards, hides my 'stash'; lovingly folded and waiting with anticipation of some greater purpose.

I've decided that it's time to take my obsession one step further and to share my 'addiction' with others. I'm a teacher by profession and perhaps also a little by design and so I've decided that now is the time to bite the bullet and start my own patchwork and quilting classes! The prospect is exciting but also a little scary!

So here is the purpose of this blog; to mark the start of something new and hopefully successful!

Do look in and see how I'm getting on and if you fancy learning a new skill or perhaps just taking some quality time to indulge in your own fabric addiction, then do join me for a class when I'm up and running!