Threadscapes

"Last Autumn"

©2009 by Robin Koehler

Once upon a military- life time, I was afforded the opportunity to own my very own home. We had been nomads for 15 years and wanted to see what all this 'ownership' was about. Starting in NJ with 11 homes to look at, found on the internet, we headed west to St. Louis to house hunt. By the time we arrived, there were 6 houses left...definately a seller's market. We headed out to see the remaining 6: NO, no, eh, no, NO, I love it!! My husband was not as impressed but time was running short and with not too many other prospects, we put in a bid.

In 2003 we moved to Illinois into our very first home and I had a room all to myself for the very first time...no more dining room table. Everytime I was in that room it was like Christmas to me. My imagination really started to soar and skills became sharpened while learning about fabric companies and new techniques. After dreams in other states of starting my own greeting card company or mural design company ("Off The Wall", of which I still have the box of business cards for), I started NESTLINGS by Robin. I grew in leaps and bounds and loved every minute of it even though I had no idea of what I was doing.

The ownership lasted 4 years until we moved again but the dream of NESTLINGS lives on. As with anything, it has grown and changed and now includes art as well as quilt patterns. My art includes inspiration from that beautiful home I was once so fortunate to drive up to everyday and call mine.

Above is a Threadscape of the gorgeous sugar maple that adorned our front yard. Below is a Threadscape of the Mother's Day gift of a rose trellis and rose bush I was given one year by my family. These two lovelies have since sold and moved on to grace another's home but the memories warm my heart constantly. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to have had my own place to decorate and do as I wish along with rising up to my dreams with the love and support of my wonderful family.

"Mother's Roses"

©2009 by Robin Koehler

Late Halloween Goo

First off---HELLO and THANK YOU to my new followers!! Welcome!

I don't normally talk about my personal life here but this is just too cool to pass up... My babies are the bestest babies ever! While I was out of town in October, they came home from college and decorated my house for Halloween as a late bday gift to me. The pumpkins were carved, quilts were hung, cake was made and in the fridge for me, favorite candy in the dish, and a gift certificate to Floyd's 1921 --one of my favorite restaurants.

As an added Halloween surprise, one of the pumpkins molded in the most spooky way I have ever seen....
I loved the way it ooozed out of the openings in the word "Boo". Enjoy!

"Las Flores de Amigas" New Role

This is my quilt, "Las Flores de Amigas", that has been juried into AQS Paducah and Mancuso Mid-Atlantic shows. This year I was approached to resize the block and have it used as a border block in my guild's 2010 raffle quilt. The raffle quilt committee was headed up by Patti Brown one of our local quilt shop owners and designer of the raffle quilt.

I believe it turned out beautifully and I just love it.

First,my normally 24" blocks were resized down to 15". Volunteers from the Crystal Coast Quilters Guild took the new templates and appliqued all 16 blocks. We then had another work day at the shop where the applique blocks were assembled with the 9 patches and setting triangles.

Patti had a photograph, donated by Eileen Williams, blown up for ease in cutting the various components of our scene. I spent an afternoon at the shop tracing and cutting along with Patti to recreate the photograph of

Cape Lookout Lighthouse for the center of the quilt.

This is the final quilt...STUNNING!
"Winter Light"
Queen size

Of course, it wouldn't be this amazing without the quilting talents of Laurie Mayo. Her long-arm creativity just makes the quilt. Now you have to go back through the photos:) Check out the metallic snowflakes in the sky and the feathering in the black background.

This quilt can be seen at The Quilted Butterfly, Morehead City, NC. where you can also purchase raffle tickets. You may also contact me at robin_koehler@hotmail.com for raffle tickets.