June Nestlings

June in Chicagoland was lovely. The temperatures stayed 'unseasonably' lower and there was usually a nice crispness to the morning air allowing for open windows and listening to birds chirping to start my day. That is now over...

Here is what else my June included along with lots of stitches and sunsets:)

Two patterns, Dogwood Stars and Just Hangin' Out, are both now available in my Etsy shop. If either has been on your radar, they're worth a closer look. 

And for those of you following along with my magazine work, I gave a peek at some of the sampler blocks I started using the fabric from those projects as a memory for myself. 

Seeing those come together never gets old.

I have put them on my calendar to slowly work on in between my design work and my commission work so stay tuned for more peeks.

June wasn't all business... I posted some sunset pics that remind me why evening concerts or a back patio can be some of the best studios there are. That's where a lot of my summer stitching happens, and I'll defend it as the perfect workspace until further notice :). 

My backyard views make every stitch sew worth it.

I also shared some thoughts on self-assurance this month. 

Through the PT and OT that I have been doing for my FND, the Calm App has been a terrific support. So, every now and again for my #reflectivefriday I will post one of their motivational prompts. 

Can't believe I am almost 60 and am just learning to breathe and be kind to myself!!

And big news (for me:), Botanical Beauty is almost finished...the top anyway. This quilt has been a labor of love. 

I think some quilters look at my designs as hard. None of what I design is "Hard", but they can be a time commitment. No one says we have to have a quilt done in a weekend! I like to enjoy the process on my heirloom designs and have my quick ones too.

Believing in what you're making even when it's slow, matters.

July is here tomorrow and I have a surprise class announcement. 

Join me for a new design and a fun twist on an old technique.

Here is the perfect weekend project-LOL.

 
Mod Poinsettia: Curved Half-Square Triangles Without the Curved Piecing!
Yes, you read that right.
This two-hour class introduces a clever technique that creates the look of curved piecing without requiring curved seams. Using my original Mod Poinsettia design, you'll learn how to achieve that flowing, modern shape entirely through straight-line piecing.
Whether you're picking up a rotary cutter for the first time or you've been quilting for decades, this technique is approachable and very satisfying. 

Everything is doable one step at a time and by the end of class, you'll have all the skills to finish this fun holiday wall hanging AND have a new trick up your sleeve.
What you'll learn:
-The curved half-square triangle technique (straight seams only!)
-Fusible applique' tips
-How to press for crisp, clean results
Come ready to be surprised and inspired by the simplicity. 

All details are in my June newsletter. 

Sign up HERE via the secure pop up:)

Limited Seats!

Thank you for being here! 

See you in July because there's plenty ahead worth sharing.
Obviously, I couldn't put a whole month's worth of posts here so I hope you will take a peek at my IG or FB feeds for the other stuff.

Keep Stitching~

May Muster

HI!
Been awhile since I have written here and while using my trusty thesaurus to find some alliteration to go with May round up, the word 'muster' came up and that has a very military connotation which was perfect.

This past month I have been working so hard to post more consistently to social media, have a theme and engage more...It is exhausting but also fun and productive.

I know the algorithms don't allow for everyone to see everything all the time. I also know that not everyone is on my newsletter list.

So, what you missed in May...

I started the month with a baby theme as the family shared thoughts about our little's upcoming birthday and the end of the school year and how fast they grow!!

Baby Bottle Rockets and Binky Blooms were 2 of the first in my Nestled Babies series back in 2015 long before I was even a Bobbin (grandma:).

Click the pics for the patterns.

These little cuties are in the pattern queue too and I am excited to get them into the world. I Loved my sewing cards as a kid but they wore out since they were cardboard. My pattern will be fusible applique' with metal grommets for ease of stitching.

Dear friends came to visit this month too and we always have SO much fun and SO many laughs!! They were the perfect excuse to take the Architectural River tour downtown...it was AMAZING and we had perfect weather. The boat took you up the river but also out onto Lake Michigan where the best city views could be had as they gave you all the info about the interesting buildings that make up the skyline.

That means I closed out May on a patriotic theme partly because I have been having way too much fun designing patriotic table runners for this summer's celebrations and partly because Memorial Day would end the month.

Star Trio Runner and Tulip Star Runner are the first 2 releases, and they are both quick and easy. Star Trio is all piecing, and the Tulip Star has some fusible applique'. They are designed to be weekend projects that can be easily quilted yourself at home.

Obviously, I couldn't put a whole month's worth of posts here so I hope you will take a peek at my IG or FB feeds for the other stuff.

I also invite you to join my newsletter. Sign up HERE via the secure pop up:)

Lastly, here is one of the blog posts I shared this month. It is close to my heart due to the way my Coast Guard and quilting lives converged. GO CG!

Keep Stitching!

Stars of Peace #11

 Welcome back for block 11, In Flight

This month's block is BB#1124, 
and attributed to Nancy Page 
(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

The original block name is Wild Duck.
I altered it to become a plane because,
for better or worse, aviation changed not
just how we travel but how we war.
As soon as man finds a new way to
do something, he sadly finds a way
to use it as a weapon.

Below are the links to how aviation

changed the world.

Balloons

WW1

WW2
My grandfather was completely 

enamored of flight and wanted to fly

in WW2. Sadly, for him (thankful to us),

his eyes weren't good enough.

It was extremely dangerous.

He instead put his knowledge and strengths

to flight in another way by being a part 

of building the LEM that landed on the moon!

How does aviation affect your life?

~Keep Stitching~

Stars of Peace block #9

 Welcome back for block 9, Shooting Star.

This month's block is BB#1128b, Blocks and Pinwheels and

attributed to Old Chelsea Station (a mail order company 

started in 1933, Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

I renamed it Shooting Star.

As much as I like pinwheels, 

the new name felt more in line

with the theme of this quilt along.

There were so many stars along the way

who contributed to the birth of our nation 

and the continual upkeep of our values.

I know somedays it feels like a struggle to 

still believe, but we must, just as they did!!

We must believe and we must shine in 

a way only we can.

Find what is important to you and aim 

for the stars with all your might!

~AND, Keep Stitching~

Botanical Beauty block #9

 Celebrate!

Did you know that the very first use 

of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July

was on the first anniversary of our 

declared independence, July 4th, 1777!

In 1776, then-future President John Adams 

sent a letter to his wife, Abigail, 

outlining how the country's declared 

independence from England should be celebrated. 

He wrote that the day should be marked 

with "pomp & parade, with shews (shows), 

games, sports, bonfires, bells and illuminations 

from one end of this continent to the other 

from this time forward forever more (sic)."

The next year, a July 4th fireworks display 

in Philadelphia began and ended with 13 rockets, 

according to American University historian 

James R. Heintze.

"The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, 

and at night there was a grand exhibition 

of fireworks, which began and concluded 

with thirteen rockets on the commons, 

and the city was beautifully illuminated," he wrote. "Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal."

By about five years later, the fireworks 

shows included a wide variety of 

types of fireworks such as serpents, 

wheels, table rockets, cherry trees, 

fountains and sunflowers.

So there you have it: 

We celebrate our independence 

with fireworks and picnics because 

that's the way our founders 

intended it to be.

It is quite the spectacle now

with towns going bigger and

better all the time.

I still love a great show but am 

also aware now how these

can affect veterans.

As to the origin of my block above, 

maybe you remember it from 

another quilt of mine published

in AQ magazine a few years back,

Rockets Red Glare.

So, even if you aren't up for 

making Botanical Beauty, there

are other fun patriotic quilts to make:)

Keep Quilting:)

Botanical Beauty block #8

 Welcome to block #8, Homestead.

This is a modified block from my Village Square 

quilt a few years ago that was published in

American Quilter Magazine.

When I named this block, I was

thinking about how the colonists came here

then had to set up a new home.

Having done that my whole life via 

military transfers, I can't imagine how

much harder it was for them!!

My process was very involved and sometimes 

difficult and yet I didn't have

to clear my own land or build my own

home when I arrived.

My food was already grown and in a 

nice grocery store for me to pluck 

necessities off a shelf for my family.

The Homestead Act didn't come until 1862.

Before that the colonists had to endure rough 

terrain and build roads before they

could even get to a spot to clear for a home.

During the war, soldiers and troops could

just plunder what you had already 

grown for your family...No protections.

They were badass!

My trials pale in comparison and I am 

so grateful to those who stuck it out and 

prospered in the face of adversity.

IF you are new to our quilt along,

the FULL pattern is available as a 

PDF digital download HERE.

Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.

Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.

All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.

This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!

Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 

be shared with others!

The pattern is required for the QAL.

My accompanying posts and videos

will not provide any measurements.

I will be providing technique

tips and history tidbits.

The QAL is taking place in 

my FB Group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 with blog posts

adding additional information.

Make sure all your notifications

are turned on so you don't miss anything.

If you aren't a member yet, please 

answer all 3 questions an agree to the 

rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

HAPPY QUILTING:)

Stars of Peace #7

 Welcome back for block 7, Community.

This month's block is unnamed but

attributed to the Dakota Farmer of 1926.

It is also listed in a Grandmother Clark

booklet in 1932

(Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia).

No matter what we call it, it is a

beautiful star block that I named,

Community. This piggybacked well 

with last month's Neighborhood.

They both make me contemplate my

youth and how those different

communities shaped me whether they

were the military community, church, or

my school clubs, teachers and friends.

In reference to the Revolutionary War,

there were so many women who saw

a need in their community and found

a way to help. 

One such woman was 

Esther de Berdt Reed.

When you click on her name above, her

page will tell you how she used her

privilege to aid George Washington.

The connection to sewing and how we

use this skill to aid our communities today

is important to remember and pass along

to generations that follow.

~Keep Stitching~