Brick and Mortar Shop!!!!

                THE LITTLE SHOP OF STITCHES
                  IS GETTING A STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's the announcement you've been waiting for, and I've been longing to tell you!  It's official!  We're finally getting a front door to call our own!  :)

The Little Shop of Stitches is making its home at 79 South Main Street in Miamisburg!  The owner of the building is busy doing a lot of renovations both to the interior and the exterior.  It will be AMAZING once it is finished!

The building sits right at the corner of Main Street and Linden Avenue in historic downtown Miamisburg.  The building itself dates back to the 1920's and has a tremendous amount of charm.  It reminds me of an old-fashioned general store.  Quaint, comfortable, AWESOME!

I am proud to be "next door" neighbors with some fantastic local businesses -- Giuliano's Italian Restaurant, TJ Chumps, and A Taste of Wine.  Downtown Miamisburg has a lot to offer, and now it's getting a new quilt shop!!!

There is still a lot of work to be done, and I will keep you all updated on the progress of the renovations.  We are tentatively planning to be open for business around Labor Day.  I am humbled by all of the support and good wishes I've received.  I know you are just as excited as I am!  Please help spread the word to all of your fellow stitchers -- The Little Shop of Stitches is on the map!



Happy Stitching!
Jenn

Her name was Edna.

 

Her name was Edna.  And she was my Grandma.

Her bright blue eyes saw so much of the world.  So much of the people she loved.  Both the good and the ugly.

She smiled at the good and said nothing of the ugly.

That was just her way.

Her name was Edna.  And she loved me.

I know this without question.

Always smiling.  She loved to play.  She giggled.  No need to rush, no need to hurry.  There's always time at Grandma's.

She was always there.  Things were always the same.

Her name was Edna.  She was my Grandma.  She loved me.  And I miss her.

Red, White & You!

 

Happy Fourth, everyone!  

I'm joining in the fun at the Red, White & You Follower-Fest!  It's Patriotism to the extreme!  Come on over and join the star-studded fun!

 

Still Stitching!

I'm still here!  

You know that feeling when you get off the Tilt-A-Whirl at the amusement park?  The feeling that you know you've stopped, but your head is still spinning?

Yeah, that's me.

June has been a true whirlwind of a month!  We had an awesome time in Ohio Amish country.  We posted a few photos of some stunning quilts on our Facebook page.  I am always inspired by such wonderful talent!  I was pleased as punch to be a guest blogger earlier this month for Kristen at Ladybug Blessings.  

We're gearing up for the Original Creative Festival in Sharonville on June 28-30.  I've been stitching up samples, ordering new fabric and patterns, and my now-second grader is home this summer to "help."  It really is cute, the way he is getting so involved in Mommy's shop! 

This is the latest sample from Simply Twisted Designs called Patriotic Twister.  The Twister patterns are extremely popular, and they are easy and fun to put together!

Life is so much better when you're busy!

If you haven't visited the website in a while, I invite you to take a look.  You'll find all of our newest fabrics and dates of upcoming shows.  We've added a fun video tutorial from Riley Blake fabrics to make their Verona apron.  Too cute!

The Little Shop of Stitches is hopping for sure! What are you up to?  Are you traveling to quilt shows?  Are you finding time to stitch?

Here, There, and Everywhere!

I am here.  I am there.  I am everywhere!

Isn't it funny how the internet has changed our lives so dramatically?  Today, I am in the car, driving to Dalton, Ohio to set up shop at the Amish Country Quilt Show.  You are reading this blog post here at Stitched Stories.  

And....

Through the magic of cyberspace, I am also appearing as a guest blogger at Ladybug Blessings today!  Click here to hop on over to Kristen's and check it out!  

FYI -- There is a special coupon code just for Ladybug Blessings' readers!  Happy Stitching, everyone!

Jenn

www.TheLittleShopOfStitches.com

Quilt Market Roller Coaster

We rolled in late Sunday night from Quilt Market in Kansas City.  It is now Tuesday night, and I'm still tired!

The entire experience was a cross between Christmas morning with a five-year-old sense of excitement and a crazy, wild-and-free feeling like Woodstock for Quilters!  My brain was (and still is) on overload.  So many beautiful things, too many for one cerebral cortex to process.

Here is a brief glimpse into the roller coaster of emotions from my first Quilt Market.

I was thrilled to cross the Mississippi River for the first time...

My fingers were crossed the whole time that we didn't come face-to-face with one those infamous Kansas tornadoes!  Thankfully, we didn't.

Sometimes, Market seemed a bit frightening...

Even a wee bit spooky...

But, just around the corner was a friendly little fella...

He had a little group of friends that were very laid back...

As a matter of fact, they invited me in and made me feel right at home...

I was humbled as I attended a lecture presented by Marti Michell...

Giddy when I realized I was standing right behind Eleanor Burns...

And just plain star-struck when Amy Butler agreed to pose for a photo with me!

Such an awesome four days!!!  I am so glad to be home with my family and my own pillow, but I have to admit...I am having Market Withdrawal.

So long, Kansas City!

And The Winner Is...

I must admit my photography skills are not the best.  Regardless, I hope you are able to enjoy a few photos of the winners from the Miami Valley Quilt Guild Show from last weekend.  These are not all of the winners, just the ones I was able to get through the crowds to see.  Nothing can replace seeing these works of art in person, however.  Just remarkable.  

This first one was part of a Joann's challenge.  Beautiful to look at, but the quilt maker said the fabric was not fun to work with.  ;)

 This next winner is a gorgeous whole cloth quilt with an angel motif.

 This quilt won for best pieced quilt.

 

This was made by Maria Elkins, a national award winner.  This was a personal challenge to herself, to make the entire wall hanging with NO PINS!  Just a fabric glue stick!  Amazing!

See what I mean by the crowds of people?  :)  This won Best In Show, and for very good reason.  The winner is to the right in the blue shirt.  (Didn't catch her name.)

Here is a full photo, in all its glory.  It is raw-edge appliqued, and she used her knowledge of trigonometry (TRIGONOMETRY!) to be sure her angles and shapes came out correctly.  I am such a slacker.

The Quilt-Fest continues at The Little Shop of Stitches.  We are already set up for our next show May 10-12 in South Lebanon.  Check our Facebook page for more pictures.  Then, we jet-set to Kansas City for Quilt Market!  Be sure to watch the website for our HUGE Blow-Out Sale later this month!  Happy Stitching!

Quilt Show Day and Friday Funnies

It's Quilt Show Day!  I feel like kid waiting on Christmas morning for the fun to begin!  And, I know I will be just as tired as a worn-out six-year-old later.  But, it's worth it.  An entire day of viewing, talking, and thinking QUILT!  

I will post photos later next week.  In the meantime, please enjoy some funnies at Moda Lissa's blog today.  Today's topic...Out of the mouths of babes.  Happy Friday, everyone!

Love Being Lazy!

Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs is the Queen of Totes, the Boss of Bags, and the Princess of Purses.  All rolled into one!

A friend of mine located one of Joan's freebie patterns online, and I gotta tell ya -- I am HOOKED!  Check it out!

How did I miss this???  This pattern was published on the Lazy Girl blog in 2007.  Apparently, I have been under a rock for five years!  (Or, you know, raising a boy, taking care of a family, working...)  Joan "gave away" this free pattern to her readers and fans as a Christmas gift.  So nice!

This is the "With Love Tote Bag."  One yard of fabric plus one hour of your time and voila!  A lovely, eco-friendly tote bag!  I will so be toting this bag tomorrow!  I chose Ruby Swoon fabric from Moda.  

I just love the colors, very spring-time.  I did not time myself while sewing.  I know it took me a little longer than an hour because I was gabbing on the phone between seams.  ;)  It truly is simple to put together, and if I keep myself from talking, I'm sure the next one will go even quicker.

I had only an hour to spare today, so this one bag is what I have to share -- for now.  Joan explains in the blog post that this same technique can be used with fat quarters for small bags!  Ooooohhhh....I see a sea of adorable bags in my future.

And, I must admit, that when I cook and when I sew I follow the directions -- the first time.  After that, I take the liberty of creative license.  I would love to try Joan's method with wider, longer handles...perhaps some adorable buttons to embellish...maybe even get wild and crazy and try a different lining fabric!  The sample she shows uses grosgrain ribbon for handles.  Too cute!

You see, when you take the Lazy way out, you have room to be creative!  ;)

I will have quilt show pictures to share soon!  Our next show is May 4-5 in Xenia, Ohio.  Hope to see you there!

Practically Famous!

Like a proud Mama, I just had to share!

Our Amy Butler Patchy Pillow project...

...was featured on Sew Cute Tuesday on Creative Itch!

How cool is that?!  Thanks a bunch, Misty!

Photo-Journalism

This week, I've not spent any time with this.

I have bonded a great deal with this.

Checking in a lot of new these.

To create lovely little bundles of these.

And these.

Oh, and these!

Taking great care in preparation for this.

Will you be there?  :)

Friday's Feature - Ruby Blue Quilting Studio

We all have those famous one-liners stuck in our heads.  Those quotes from our favorite movies that stay with us and just pop out when we need them.  

Last week I received a package in the mail.  And the line that went through my head was, "The phone books are here!  The phone books are here!"  Can you guess?  That's right!  It was Steve Martin in The Jerk way back when.

Now, where am I going with this, you ask?

As I opened that package, I found myself saying, "The quilts are here!  The quilts are here!"  Jumping up and down like a marionette, just like Steve.

The Little Shop of Stitches has partnered with Ruby Blue Quilting Studio for a traveling trunk show!!!!  (Cue the exciting music!)

Rebecca Silbaugh and her lovely mother, Beth Safick, were the first quilt-y people I met as The Little Shop was getting started.  (It was just A Wee Shop back then.)  Rebecca is an all-around AWESOME quilter!  She is a pattern-designing, blogging, long-arming and hand-stitching QUILT GODDESS! 

Think I've gone over the top?  Just look...

Leafy Greens...

Starbox...

Charmed Living Casaba...

From Grammy With Love...

Cake Topper...

Alphabet Stitchery - Jungle Animals...

Over the top?  I don't think so!  And, I can say that confidently because I have held these lovely quilts in my hands!  What's better?  You can see them in person!!!

These quilts will be traveling with The Little Shop of Stitches to these quilt shows in the coming weeks:

Miamisburg Quilt Show

Miami Valley Quilt Show

South Lebanon School House Quilt Show

Click on any of the shows above to get more details, such as where and when.  You simply have to see Rebecca's quilts in person.  Gor-geous! 

And, just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

The Little Shop has Ruby Blue patterns and kits online NOW!  With more on the way--as soon as the FedEx man brings me more fabric!  You can never have too much fabric!

So, what do you think?  I have to admit, there is a special place in my heart for Rebecca's From Grammy With Love quilt.  My grandma is 98 years old, and this quilt reminds me of her.  What about you?  Can you pick one favorite?

Happy Stitching, everyone!

Amy Butler Patchy Pillow

I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by people who are willing to lend a helping hand.  I have an amazing support system...those willing to listen to me, those who can brainstorm ideas, and those who roll up their sleeves and sew with me.

Last week, I shared the beginnings of the Patriotic Twist quilted wall hanging.  It remains started, but not finished.  Still in the WIP/UFO pile.  (If you can interpret that, you are a true quilter!)

I'd like to highlight one of my Mom's projects.  She is in the "roll up her sleeves and sew" category.  Truth be told, she probably belongs in a category all her own!

In gearing up for quilt show season, we've been busy like bees making samples of some of our favorite patterns.  This is Amy Butler's Patchy Pillow made with three fabrics from her Soul Blossom collection.

It is such a nice size at 26x14 inches -- not too big, not too small.  How awesome as a gift for a new graduate moving off to a college dorm or first apartment!  I love that it is reversible!

This pillow received lots of compliments at our first quilt show.  Our next one is coming up soon at the end of April.  This one is extra-special to me because it is in my hometown, and where someday The Little Shop will have a front door.  Click here to see details on the Miamisburg Quilt Show.  If you can make it, we'd love to see you!

Friday's Feature - Patchwork Mountain

I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but it bears repeating.  One of the best parts of this "job" of mine here at The Little Shop of Stitches is meeting such wonderful people.  Equally wonderful is meeting their quilts.

Say hello to Diane Alders.  Diane is the proud owner of Patchwork Mountain in Erie, Colorado.  Let me tell you, that pride comes through loud and clear in her quilts.  In her own words, "Quilting is my true passion. Combining fabrics and seeing the finished creation of a handmade quilt is such an enjoyment."

As I began exploring the world of Patchwork Mountain, I realized I was staring at the computer screen with my mouth hanging wide open.  No, I wasn't drooling!  Simply in awe. It's like having my own quilt show right in my family room.  

Teal and Purple Batiks.  Simple, elegant, beautiful.

Sunshine.  Such an appropriate title for such a cheery quilt.

Delightful Purple, Green and Black.  I have a soft spot for purple.  And, I must point out, that even if you are not a quilt lover (and I don't understand why you wouldn't be), just look at this VIEW!

Spring Beauty.  The quilt and the gorgeous background.  All is right with the world.

Diane also offers smaller quilted items for your home, such as table runners.  This one has a pine theme -- she is in Colorado, after all.

Square table toppers, this one done in springtime batiks.

And pot holders.  "Cups a Plenty" -- love it!  I know I could have used an extra cup today!

Beautiful fabrics, carefully selected, artfully pieced and quilted with pride.  Diane has built herself something wonderful in Colorado.  I hope you take a minute to visit her on top of Patchwork Mountain.

Sew, Twist -- LAUNCH!

I was lucky enough over the holiday weekend to sneak in some sewing time.  ;)  Not a lot, mind you, but just enough to get a project started.  Sometimes getting started can be the hardest part.

The twister idea in the world of quilting is not a brand new idea.  However, it was something I'd never done myself before.  They fascinate me, with the twisted colors and squares all askew.  With the summer months rapidly approaching, I decided to try the Patriotic Twist pattern from Simply Twisted Designs.

It uses the Lil' Twister template ruler by Country Schoolhouse.  Simple enough. 

Now...for the fabrics...

That didn't take long.  Moda's Marble Stars came jumping off the shelves!  "Pick me, pick me!" they said.  Who am I to argue with patriotic fabric?

The process really is simple.  Cut and sew squares, then add a border.  Align the lines on the ruler with the seams on your squares, and cut again.  Reassemble like a jigsaw puzzle, and PRESTO!  

Again, this is just the beginning.  Red and white twisted stripes are on the agenda for this week.  I wanted to try my hand at twisting, and I had a good time doing it!  Shoulda been playing Chubby Checker in my sewing room!  ;)

Now, for the "LAUNCH" portion of this post.

I could not be more proud to announce...

The Little Shop of Stitches' website is live!!!!!

 It's been a work in progress since January, but I invite you all to click above and take a tour of the site.  It is still in its infant stage, but I feel just like a proud Mama!  A HUGE thank you to the awesome folks at Like Sew Websites for doing such a fant-abulous job!

Please take a look around and come back to comment telling me what you think.  I value both positive comments and constructive criticism.  Happy Stitching, everyone!