Farm Girl Vintage Catch Up

Thank you so much for all your kind words on my previous post, it's so lovely to be back blogging again!  As I promised here's a little snippet of what I've been up to whilst I was away.  My main focus of stitching has all been around Farm Girl Vintage and it doesn't seem possible that it was back in April when I started my sampler quilt, what I do know is that every little stitch has been so much fun!

Here's my progress so far..... 31 blocks made......

I've also hung some of my blocks up in the shop..... I was so nervous doing this, because it would mean that my 1/4" seams would be laid bare for all to see, rather than sandwiched inside a completed quilt.

There is so much I love about Lori's book, the incredibly clear instructions, the mass of different projects and also the range in style of blocks available for you to choose.... there's a super mix of traditional style quilt blocks like these ones ....

..... mixed in with her unique and instantly recognisable fun blocks like these.....

It's hard to say which block so far is my favourite, but I'm very in love with the Patchwork Pumpkin Block...

I've also been having some Quilty Fun (Lori's first book) .... and a couple of weekends ago, I made the Fall Leaves mini quilt.

So I still have 17 blocks to make to complete my Sampler Quilt, but obviously I'm already planning ahead and as I am sure you have all heard....... there's a new Quilt Along starting in January using Lori's gorgeous new collection Calico Days.

The Bloom Quilt that Lori has designed, (which will be available as a free pattern) comprises of a wonderful collection of appliqued blocks, which are made using templates designed specifically for it. 

Sounds like fun doesn't it...... in the meanwhile though, I am very happy to keep myself busy with my sampler quilt and it's a done deal that I will be returning to Farm Girl Vintage for future projects again and again!

I have so much to tell you!

Oh my goodness doesn't time fly when you're having fun.  How are you all?  Sorry I've not blogged for a while, I didn't intend on having quite such a long break, but I'm so happy to be back and I have so much to share!

For those of you follow me on Instagram and Facebook know, Pretty Fabrics and Trims now has its very own dedicated space.  

Since opening our website in 2012 we based ourselves in Mum's house, slowly and steadily increasing our stock as our business grew.  However earlier this year, the realisation hit, that we had definitely outgrown the space available and it became evident that new premises were required.  After a long search and couple of false starts, we finally found a lovely light and airy space which felt just right.  To be honest it was harder finding a new home for all our lovelies than it has ever been finding a new house!

It was very much all hands on deck, with lots of painting to be done, shelves to be built (more shelves to be ordered as we couldn't quite believe just how much fabric we had!), fabric bolts to be labeled, fabric to be cut............. Mum and I certainly couldn't have managed this all alone, so thank you to all our family who helped!

Finally, on the 26th September, we got up very early, hung up the bunting and then rather quietly opened the doors......

  

So we're now three weeks in and we're rather thrilled with how it's looking.......we still haven't got over the excitement of having all our goodies in one place!  Oh and the smell, do you know what I mean,... that smell of fabric...sigh!!!

I must emphasise however that whilst it is a delight to embark on this next step of our business journey, Mum and I will never forget our much appreciated online customers and friends, which is why our bricks and mortar shop open hours are limited to enable us to maintain the very high custom service standards that we always endeavour to provide.  You can find our shop opening hours and address HERE and we hope that if you are in the area that you will pop in and say hello!

As you can imagine, my sewing time has been limited, but I have managed to squeeze in a few makes which I share more photo's of next time. 

It's very lovely to be back!