Farmer's Journal Feature

I can not believe I forgot to tell you guys about this!  Several weeks ago when I was sick, I received a text message.  I was kind of in a daze when it came in, so I kind of read it and kind of didn't.  

Now that's weird.  I only know one John and he doesn't live in Kerry.  And he wouldn't send me text kisses.  Who is this?  I went right back to sleep.  A few hours later it was still niggling at me.  Who is John?  Ah ha!  I finally realized that Kerry has a booming farming industry and that John (still don't know who he is!) must have seen the Fluffy Sheep Quilting feature in the Irish Farmer's Journal.  

You see, I entered the Rural Innovation awards back in December.  I heard in May that I won second place within the Social Media category.  Great news!  Part of the prize was a film about the shop.  I also won a feature within the Farmer's Journal.  So, I wrote the article ages ago and sent it off...and kind of forgot about it.  Until John texted and reminded me.  Anyway, when I was feeling better I went down to the shop and picked up a copy for myself.  Inside (deep inside...) I found this:

A two page spread on social media covering the basics of why it should be included in your business strategy, the basics on the big players of social media and a center page fold of the business that won first prize in the social media category.  Squeezed over on the right, you'll find a little feature on Fluffy Sheep Quilting.

The rainbow charms were a hit with the photographer!  Even though I totally blush with the unflattering photo of myself in a national newspaper, it's great to have a bit of coverage.  Coming in second in the Rural Innovation Awards has been just wonderful for the shop.  I'm thrilled to have participated and would really suggest anyone starting a shop should check locally for a competition such as this.  It will only make you (and your business) stronger.  Thanks for the reminder, John!

Snappy Opportunity!

Forgive me, guys, but I am a bit slow today.  I have been sick for the past 4 days and am only now getting up and around late on day 5.  It hasn't been pretty.

Thankfully, as I was curled up in bed on Thurs a little happy parcel arrived in the post.  The wonderful Sarah sent on two issues of Generation Q magazine.  I lamely flipped through them both just looking at the photos of fabric periodically over the past three days.  Mentally I couldn't take much more in.   

Today I could focus a bit more.  I wanted to show you what I found inside the Fall 2012 issue.  Yep!  Right there on the first shiny page of the first article is a photo that my other half and I took!  A photo pointing the way to Quilty Co Clare.

You see, one weekend nearly a year ago, Sarah emailed several of us in the Galway/Clare area asking if anyone would be anywhere near Quilty.  She had been asked by Gen X magazine to snap a photo or two, but it was a bit too far for her to travel.  I, oddly enough, had plans to go camping down in Co Clare that very weekend and happened upon a Quilty sign.  Knowing I wasn't going to head all the way to Quilty proper, my other half pulled off the road once the sign was spotted and I tried to snap the photo with my mobile phone.  Sadly...I was too short.  Or the sign was posted too high.  Whatever.  Other half saved the day with is 6 foot plus frame and then we were off and motoring back up to Co Galway.  Sarah sent in the photo and everyone was happy.

Apparently, the editors liked the photo enough to publish it in their article, which is super cool.  Thanks, Gen X, for making a sickly chic feel better this week.  Your magazine is filled with quirky facts, gorgeous fabrics, fab interviews and great patterns.  I'd highly suggest anyone flip through one if you see it!