|
|
|
|
June brings the start of summer, with longer days, warmer weather, and gardens in full bloom. Let's not forget the weeds that are also in full bloom as well! At least in my garden. As far as warmer weather, it's not so evident in Ireland yet, other than a recent hot spell that lasted only a few days. As schools finish for the summer holidays, excitement fills the air and families begin looking forward to trips, outdoor adventures and a more relaxed pace of life. It's a month that marks the transition from busy routines to the freedom and fun of summer. Of course, if you live in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed and it's completely the opposite.
|
Did you know that most of the posts from each monthly Newsletter are not lost once the email goes out? If you delete the Newsletters after reading them, you can always find the posts in the News & More section of my website. So should you remember something that you would like to read again, you will be able to find it there.
|
I will also be adding a new page to my website listing previous monthly newsletters. This will be available in the drop-down menu on the site for subscribers who would like to re-read any previous newsletters. It will also give anyone who happens to stop by the website a taste of what the monthly newsletter is and perhaps encourage new subscribers.
|
The craft fair season has been going very well so far. Red Bridge Quilts is participating once again in the Burren Arts & Craft fair in lovely Ballyvaughan (Clare). The craft fair is held every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the village hall. I normally participate every other weekend. You can check my social media posts (Facebook and Instagram) to see if I will be there any particular weekend. If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello and visit all the other lovely stalls. You will find handmade Aran knitting, beautiful handmade and hallmarked silver jewellery, gorgeous handmade ceramics, scientifically handmade soaps, lip balms and creams for specific needs, wonderful artists and photographers and much more. It's well worth a visit. Plus, Ballyvaughan is the gateway to the Burren, a very unique geographical area. Also nearby is the Aillwee Cave, a stunning creation of nature. For poetry and nature lovers alike, The Flaggy Shore offers a beautiful walk along this part of the coastline of Galway Bay. This area inspired Seamus Heaney, one of Ireland's most loved poets, to write his poem "Postscript", often called "The Flaggy Shore". Then continuing on from Ballyvaughan, one can easily reach the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Really, one can make a full day out taking all this in.
|
|
As a reminder, Red Bridge Quilts offers free standard postage to anywhere within the island of Ireland. So those of you lucky enough to live on this beautiful Emerald Isle always have this advantage should you choose to order anything. All other destinations will incur the normal postage charge unless the total reaches the 'free postage' amount. We also offer a free local pick-up service for everyone.
|
|
|
|
FEATURED CONTENT THIS MONTH
|
Quilting news and tips
|
New this month
|
Following are the new posts up on the website this month. They are a gathering of various topics and articles from the world of quilting. I hope you find them of interest.
|
|
|
|
1
|
We know that kids learn best when they are having fun. It's no different when you want to teach kids how to sew. Obviously, we must take into consideration the age of a child. For example, it could prove very difficult to teach a four-year-old. However, it would normally be much easier with an eight-year old. But where to start? Familiarize the child with a basic sewing machine. Let the child's creativity flow and have fun.
|
|
|
|
2
|
Whether you sew by hand or by machine, embroider, do cross stitch, quilt by hand or machine, or simply mend clothing, you will have to thread a needle. Do you sometimes have problems threading a needle? Are you losing a lot of time trying to do it? Lisa from "A Spoonful of Sugar" shares her top tips for threading a needle. These are simple tips to make this process easier. Check them out and give them a try.
|
|
|
|
3
|
For many children, the last day of school is usually the "best day of the year". This held true for the author of the "Grandma's Corner" series. This nostalgic series relates various memories from the author's time growing up with her grandmother, an avid quilter, in the early 20th century. This particular story is lovely and might remind us all of our last day of school all those years ago. What wonderful memories!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As promised in last month's newsletter, I finally finished the Hootsie Owls Baby Quilt. And it is lovely! With sweet baby owls and coordinating squares, it's perfect for a baby boy or girl. The flannel backing fabric features a collection of small woodland animals. The seams are top-stitched with decorative stitching which adds to the uniqueness of this baby quilt. The soft and cosy cotton flannel fabric will keep baby warm and comfortable on those chilly days. Read more in the Shop.
|
|
|
|
|
Since last month's newsletter, the Songbirds Wall Hanging was sold, so I made another one. Then IT was sold. This is the latest one in the Shop, finished just a few days ago. As you can tell, it's been a very popular product. The bird images appear on vintage-style post cards and represent 15 different songbirds, mostly North American. It is very striking, and you can read more about it in the Shop.
|
|
|
|
|
This Birds of a Feather table runner was made since the last newsletter, but has since sold. I never had time to get it in the Shop! There will be another one available in the next few weeks. If you are interested, please keep an eye on the Shop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top Stitching
|
|
|
|
Whether you quilt or sew, you are sure to use top stitching once in a while. When using top stitching, the stitch length is usually lengthened so that it stands out from other stitching.
|
|
|
|
|
At Red Bridge Quilts, I use top stitching on all my tote bags. Look closely and you can see it running around the top of the bags in order to keep the seam between the outer part and the lining separate, as well as giving a decorative touch. You'll also see top stitching along both edges of the straps on the bags.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I also use top stitching occasionally on quilts. I sometimes use a straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch, and at other times I use a decorative stitch. I used a lovely decorative stitch on the seams of the Hootsie Owls Baby Quilt, as well as zig-zag stitching all along the binding. Both of these give this soft and warm flannel quilt a very special touch. You can see this in more detail on the listing in the Shop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under my needle
|
|
|
|
Two projects are under my needle at the moment. Both are necessary in order to replace items that have sold recently The first is "The Kiss" wall hanging, and the other is the "Birds of a Feather" table runner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking for a Gift?
|
Do you know someone who loves quilts? Or someone who appreciates a handmade item for the home? A Gift Card from Red Bridge Quilts takes away the hassle of trying to choose just the right gift. You won't have to worry if they will like what you choose or will want to return it or exchange it. Let them decide what they'd really like!! See RBQ's Gift Card options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know?
|
With every online order from Red Bridge Quilts you will receive a free quilted glasses case. These sturdy 100% cotton cases will protect reading glasses as well as sunglasses. The photo shows a few of the cases from the current selection.
|
|
|
|
|
Red Bridge Quilts offers a Longarm Quilting Service. This means that if you are a quilter, and either don't have the time, are afraid of doing the quilting yourself, or you would like to have a professionally finished look to your quilt, then you might have a "longarmer" do the job for you. I have been "longarming" since 2018 and have hundreds of different designs/pantographs and more than 100 thread colours from which to choose. Contact Red Bridge Quilts for more information.
|
|
|
|
I hope you have enjoyed reading this newsletter. Please feel free to share it with anyone you think might like to read it. As always, thank you very much for being here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vectors designed by Vecteezy
|
|
|
|
|
   
|
|
|
|
