Victorian Boot

DECEMBER

                                       

There was a time when I wanted to live in a Victorian mansion and be surrounded by everything 'Victorian'.  Not that there aren't still those moments, but tastes do change.  When I started designing my BOM though, there just was NO other option than a beautiful Victorian boot for Christmas.  If only I could find one in my size:)  How do you think this would look with jeans?  What is your favorite time period?

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

QUILTMAKER 100 Quilt Blocks Volume 12 Blog Hop

HEART BURSTS

 

Good Morning and Welcome to the blog hop for Quiltmaker's 12th Volume of 100 Quilt Blocks.

 

 

This block is so whimsical and SO me:)  I love the applique and the swirly vine too. Showing other layouts is usually what I do here but that will have to wait since it will be featured in the Spring:)

Stay tuned for that~

 

Instead, I would like to share with you an easy way to cut multiples of fusible applique.  Many times I hear quilters say that there is too much applique and that puts them off making and loving certain designs.  This particular block has 8 identical petals and is perfect for cutting multiples.  With this technique, you can cut your work time in third (pun intended:).

 

 

For the petals, cut a fabric strip @ 2-1/2" and a fusible strip @ 2-3/8".  Keeping the fusible strip just a tad narrower than your fabric strip keeps accidental guck (the technical term:) off the ironing board while applying.  Cut strip into 4" sections. 

Trace a petal onto freezer paper.  This will be ironed to the right side of one section.  Stack with the freezer paper template on top.

Binder Clips are our friends!  They give the stack stability while freeing up your non-cutting hand to hold without fear of the stack slipping and without cramping up (I know how intense this can get:).  I can cut up to 4 at a time relatively well with scissors that have a light serrated edge.  Cutting stacks of 3 is a more accurate way to do this when you are just starting out.

As you can see with the petals, I didn't put a clip on the side I would start cutting on.  Once that side is cut, I will place a clip there to keep that side together and reduce slipping.
On the leaf, I did place clips on the side I plan to cut first because the leaf shape is quite a bit larger with more chance of slippage.

Carefully cut your shapes and Wa La, I cut out 4 leaves at once without having to trace each and every piece onto the paper-backed fusible.

My other tip for you today is Roxanne's Glue Baste-It EZ Squeezie (in the accordion bottle).  Once I had all my bias strips done, I just placed a very thin line of glue onto my drawn vine guide and then pressed the vines into place.

 The leaf was fused in place before adding the vines so that once they were all in position I could zig zag stitch everything in place.

Here is a link to a previous post with more information on how to figure out dimensions for other applique projects: http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/2015/02/tutorial-cutting-multiples-of-fusible.html

 

NOW TO THE GOOD PART:)))

Leave your comments here before Thursday and I will draw 2 lucky winners for a FREE copy of the new magazine.

 

Don't forget to follow the Quiltmaker Blog to read more fun blog posts this week.

 

If you are interested in receiving my newsletter, please leave your email address in your comment or head over to FB and private message me there:)

Thanks for following along! Robin

 





FALL is HERE!

NOVEMBER

I absolutely LOVE Autumn with its cooler days and bright colors.  October is my birthday month so that brings celebration too.  Does anyone else have a season where your creative juices just seem to flow like a raging river after a Spring thaw?  Autumn is that season for me.  Ideas just pop in and out of my mind and some days it feels as if I won't ever get them all filed let alone made in a lifetime!  I am very thankful for that feeling though- It is INVIGORATING:)  What is your season?
This little boot represents my love of Fall attire and they make me feel fantastic when I am rocking a great pair of jeans with a cool pair of boots:)

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

Oh Witchiepoo...

OCTOBER

                                    
I hope someone else got the reference to H.R. Pufnstuf in that title:)  I loved that show on Saturday mornings, the ONLY time you had cartoons.  As I researched some of the spellings I was surprised to see there were only 17 episodes.  It seems like it took up more of my childhood than that:)
Now that my girls are grown and moved, I tend not to decorate for Halloween as much as Autumn in general.  They were my reason for going crazy and now I am so busy that I sometimes forget to decorate at all except for a well placed quilt design of mine here and there. 
This shoe is sooooo cute though and I do have a perfect spot for it!

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

I LOVE October!

Hexie Pumpkins

Not just because it is my birth month, but we have somewhat cooler temps in FL (80s instead of 90s) and pumpkin 'everything' comes out of everywhere:) and my FB feed gets bombarded with beautiful Autumn pictures that I am so envious of!  My energy levels jump off the charts (usually) when surrounded by all that color and crispness.  Here in FL not as much but I can feel a difference than before all the aforementioned.  I just want to design design design!

 

This year I haven't had as much time to do so since I was still playing a bit of catch up over my crazy summer and preparing for my trip to Virginia to teach workshops at the Fairfax Quilters Unlimited guild.  If you are in the area, contact them and come play!

Beaded Holly class



Seahorse Workshop

Make sure you tune in for the November, Quiltmaker 100 Quilt Blocks Blog Hop of which I will be participating in for the release of Volume 12.  I have a fun new block in there.
In other good news, I have 2 quilts to finish when I get home for upcoming magazines so stay tuned for that as well. 
If you read this particular post because of the pumpkins, maybe you don't know about my shoe BOM.  Scroll through a few other posts and if you are intrigued, you will want to watch for the fun October boot next week:))

In the meantime, keep quilting!

When LIFE happens....

It has been one crazy summer!  I started out after market looking for a bit of a mix up to refresh my mind and spirit so I took a part time, summer job at a local quilt shop.  Boy did that mix things up!!  First day on the job, I meet a Checker Distributor rep. who encourages me to resubmit.  For those of you who don't know, that is the biggest distributor in our industry.  So I do..... 
In the meantime I took on a hand quilting commission.  As a reminder, this is another job of mine that you can find on my SERVICES page. Tell your quilting friends:)
At this point, I am working 3 part time jobs. No big deal, right?
 
Well Checker picks up my whole line of designs mid July and there are a couple of steps to accomplish that I slowly work through  (between other jobs) until I have a surgery in August.  Then I spend recovery SLOWLY putting together 46 sets of 36 covers for their sales reps. Now the first order has come and will ship out today.  WOOT!! :))))))

The hand quilting commission is almost done with only 3 borders to quilt.
I have a workshop coming up in October that has a few more steps to accomplish.
The part-time summer job will be over in a few more weeks and then I will be back to F/T designer:)) Which means getting new designs out to all of you! 
It was an exhausting but amazing and exciting summer!!  Autumn is just around the corner and is my favorite season so I can't wait to see what it brings:))

Now onto shoes....



AUGUST

I live in Florida where it stays hot longer but August is HOT everywhere usually and so we all like to where a strappy sandal occasionally:)  August shows off a half flower that could also be interpreted as that hot sun some just love! 

SEPTEMBER
 

September is Back to School month and who doesn't love a comfy sneaker?  I went with a denim look and added a bit of graffiti for those of us that used to draw on our jeans and then get yelled at for not appreciating the cost of said jeans:)

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time. 

The templates for every month are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:) 

Minneapolis Spring Market Part 1

WELCOME TO MINNEAPOLIS

 I found this photo online and it is a beautiful and

artistic shot of a wonderful city!

So after MONTHS of working hard designing, quilting, writing, editing, photographing, packaging, and packing, the day finally arrives:)

Here is my booth, with sign, showing me the way to my home away from home for the next few days!  You can see the many booths beyond me....

 To the right, Bird Brain Designs and one of the fabric companies.

To the left, Quilting (magazines, etc.) and of course you can see the Giant NORTHCOTT box in front of us:)

Our entry to quilting magic!

Above and Below, NESTLINGS by Robin displaying all new baby quilt designs including spring frogs and baby bottle rockets.  In addition to babies, we have a new BOM of shoes...one for every month.

GET PUMPED buttons to spread the word about the most comfortable shoes you will ever own:)
This group of booth mates should look familiar to you by now.  Have friends will travel and they actually like to be near me too:)
Go figure...We try to be near one another at Market since we usually travel alone and may have to go to the bathroom at some point!  (NO, I don't mean we need other women to come to the bathroom with us:) 

Meet Susan Marth of Suzn Quilts.  Her booth bloomed in Dresden Plates this year. I know we shouldn't covet but, oh man do I want that quilt directly behind her!  I may have to make one in Red for myself:)

Here is Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods.  She has a fun way of using traditional designs and making them her own.  Look at how cute that Christmas pattern on the table is...reminds me of Christmas Crackers.

Susan Knapp of The Quilt Branch with her booth mate Karen. Some really neat designs going on over here including a bag so big you can pack for days in it!  Who doesn't need one of those??

Have you met Cheryl?  THE Cheryl Sleboda!  She stopped by and she is too cute which matches her web name: Muppin:))))

When in Minneapolis......We had the opportunity to eat at a local landmark that will unfortunately be closing: Nye's Polonaise   Wow, the whole atmosphere takes you back including these cool glass lamps.  Delicious food too.  I had a polish soup that was so comforting that I could have eaten a whole pot!

I hope you enjoyed Part 1...stay tuned for part 2:)

Red, White (Cream?), and Blue

JULY

I am a tad behind this month but technically it is still July as I write this so HAPPY 4th of JULY:))
As busy as I am, I am not too busy to decorate my home to include my new shoe!
And, this year, I was able to spend the 4th with one of my lovely and brilliant daughters.  It was a down home holiday with grilling, a baseball game, and fireworks that we were directly under!

I find that our patriotic tendencies fall into 2 categories:
Red, White, and Blue....OR....Red, Cream, and Blue.  Which one are you?  I confess to loving a softer cream and was able to have my cake and eat it too with this design.  I used my beige/cream in the background so that the white would really show.
This class pump is perfect for a classic holiday don't you agree? :)

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time. 

Since it is now June 15th, the templates for the June shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

June Brides

Were you a June Bride? 

GET PUMPED JUNE

I had known that the tradition of June brides related to days when baths were infrequent and so June was a warm enough month to get a bath AND there would be flowers available to help mask body odor as well.  Very Romantic!
It goes back even further though to Roman times when they celebrated the festival of the deity Juno and his wife Jupiter, who was the goddess of marriage and childbirth, on the first day of June.
Both traditions aren't necessary anymore though and yet it continues...

I was not a June Bride since we really didn't even decide until June to get married.  Then being a poor military couple, we needed a few more paychecks if we wanted to have any kind of honeymoon at all.  Are you getting the idea we jumped into this?  You would be right:)
The year was 1988 and I so wanted my anniversary to be 8-8-88. 
I should have done so but we needed one more paycheck for the honeymoon and the naiveté of youth blocked rational thought of getting married on my chosen date and doing the honeymoon a couple of weeks later. Oh well, 27 years later it doesn't really matter:)

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger.  

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time. 

Since it is now June 15th, the templates for the June shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

Butterflies on the Wind

My grandmother loved Butterflies and although they aren't my 'go-to' décor, I can appreciate their beauty and think of her whenever I see one.  May was also her birthday month so Happy Birthday Grandma:)

 

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger. 

 

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time.

 

Since it is now April 15th, the templates for the April shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS.....

Are you humming along yet?
Tulips are one of my favorite flowers and I couldn't let April go without finding a way to add tulips to the design.

The Polka dot is from an Easter dress that I made one of my daughters when she was about 4 or 5 years old.  This little remnant has been sitting in my stash for a VERY long time:)  The print is a bit large scale for the size of the shoe but I love it.  Print size/scale is always a consideration in applique templates, but here I decided to throw caution to the wind and play with placement of the Polka Dots in the shoe areas as well as the binding.
 

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger. 

 

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time.

 

Since it is now April 15th, the templates for the April shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

The Luck O' the Irish:)

MARCH

 

                                     

 

I am 3rd generation Irish on my Mom's side and Green is one of my absolute Favorite colors so what better way to wear the Green but in a shoe with an adorable shamrock as the strap cover!  Plus, I don't have to get any blisters:)

I would suggest keeping to greens that read as solid.  St. Patrick prints may give it too much of a kitsch feel.

 

As always, the pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger. 

 

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time.

 

Since it is now March 15th, the templates for the March shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

TUTORIAL: Cutting Multiples of Fusible Shapes

I know a lot of people love the look of applique and then decide it is too much work. 

Well nothing good comes from NO work but today I want to show a way to make it a bit less:)

 

Usually patterns that call for fusible applique have you trace each piece separately onto the paper-backed fusible you are using, cut each template out, fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric, and then you cut the actual fused fabric template out.  A lot of my patterns are written this way but most of my patterns are small wall hangs and it is the more accurate way.  I personally don't mind sitting and tracing/cutting whilst watching a great movie or two:) 

Today let's do things a bit differently....

Step 1.  The first bit of information you will need is the actual size of your template. In the photo above the template is 1-3/8" long x not quite 3/4" wide. For ease of my demo, I am using a precut 2-1/2" strip.  When measuring your template and cutting your strips, leave a little extra...  The actual strip would be cut @ 1-3/4" wide.  

Step 2.  You will cut your fabric strips up to a 1/2" wider than needed and your fusible an 1/8" narrower than your fabric strip. 
Actual fusible cut @ 1-5/8" wide for this template.  Cutting the fusible narrower allows that bit of wiggle room so that you aren't fusing glue to your ironing board...Ask me how I know:)

Step 3.  Cut strip into sections that are the size needed for your template. Remember earlier I said the Actual template is 1-3/8" x not quite 3/4".  I will cut my sections at 1-3/4" x 7/8". 
Make a FREEZER paper template and iron it to the right side of one section. Make sure all sections are fabric side up or you may inadvertently get a reverse piece where you didn't want one.

Step 4.  Cutting: I can cut up to 4 sections at a time with a wonderful pair of scissors with serrated edges which help to grip the fabric as it cuts. 
The other way I keep a good grip is with a small binder clip.  BINDER CLIPS ARE YOUR FRIEND! You could pin your layers but pinning tends to distort the stack.

Cut one side of the templates just to the outside of that Freezer paper template. 
In the photo, you only see the binder clip but remember you will be holding the rest of the stack with your non-cutting hand so slipping should NOT be an issue.  Gripping the stack of sections well, carefully reposition the binder clip to the other side and cut.

Remove your Freezer paper template and Ta-Da, 4 for the work of one.  Repeat this process for as many pieces as pattern calls for. When you are done cutting applique pieces, proceed to the next step of your applique process.

In these last two photos I wanted to show you to think beyond the rigid straight up and down positioning of templates.
In the top photo you will see that this template is longer than 3" and my strip is a 2-1/2" precut.  It will use up more fabric to cut my sections to fit this almost 3-1/2" template. 
In the bottom photo, I can rotate the template to fit within the 3" x 2-1/4" (fusible) and this may allow me to cut at least one more from this strip than doing it straight. 

A note about templates being reversed...
Since you are working on the right side of the fabrics, no need to reverse templates unless needed for mirror images or the pattern has already reversed them. 
Remember that most of the time the pattern templates are reversed so that you get Exactly what you are seeing on the cover.  It would not matter if things were done the other direction unless there is lettering.  So don't spend time worrying about whether you remembered to reverse or not.  Use all the templates the same way and you will have a lovely applique quilt when you are done!
Enjoy:))

LOVE

February 'LOVE' Get Pumped BOM

FEBRUARY

Soooo many choices to reflect LOVE....do I go shiny? Do I add lots of hearts?  There was a version of this shoe where the heel consisted of about 7 hearts descending in size.  It seemed a bit over kill and I just love the simplicity of this one:)  You will see I did keep the idea as a quilting suggestion though. Plus I just happened to have a piece of this Fantastic batik still sitting around and it was the perfect size!

 

This heel represents what I would like to be able to wear.  I probably could pull it off with a great pair of jeans and cute top.  The bigger problem though is how uncomfortable I would be in these shoes and I am all about comfort:)

 

This LOVEly pump is 12" square to fit on the originally designed (by me) Ackfeld metal hanger. 

 

Hopefully you have already signed up for the Starter Kit.  If not, this BOM is open enrollment so still plenty of time.

 

Since it is now February 15th, the templates for the February shoe are available for purchase on my website BOM 2015 page.

 

**NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR:)

Originally this project was set up so that you would pay for the templates and they would be an immediate download.  Due to a VAT (Value Added Tax) put into place overseas on digital products, I had very limited options as to how I could keep the digital aspect but not be subjected to a very disorganized new law.

 

When you pay for the templates on my website, a payment notification will be sent to me.  Once I have received this notification, I will then email you the PDFs of the templates.  Please be sure that your email address associated with Paypal is correct so that you can receive these files.  I will email within 24 hours of payment.  Thank you so much for your understanding.

**End of message**

 

I am very excited about watching this BOM progress and seeing how all of you use different fabrics to achieve a new shoe each month.  Please share your progress on my FB page.  This is also where you will find additional tips about how I went about making these sweet shoes.

Happy Quilting:)

The SLOW STITCHING / SLOW CLOTH Movement

There has been lots of talk about this 'Movement' recently on multiple boards across the quilting community.  How many of you have heard of this movement? 

 

It has been around for a handful of years now when Elaine Lipson spoke of it, and has gained momentum since Mark Lipinski took it up.  I myself am very happy that there are quilters discussing the merits of not rushing through every quilt. 

 

My 2 cents--

I find it difficult to watch our industry push quicker and easier, all the time!  Yes, sometimes there is a baby coming and we want to get a gift done but sometimes we could take the time to start earlier and not rush.  It isn't like they just pop out....There is usually a 7-8 month lead time!

When I am around quilters who profess to "Love" quilting yet they spend all their time and money trying to find the cheapest-quickest way to 'get it done', I have to shake my head.
Why, if you are passionate about something, do you want to 'get it done' (said in the tone of rush)?  To me, being passionate about something is savoring it, loving the process, and taking time to appreciate what you are doing whilst doing it vs. get it done quickly so you can move on to the next thing. 
With all the gadgets and time saving techniques, I honestly don't see people getting it done quicker, just piling up more stuff and UFOs. We do have many tools to help us do things quicker and I am not saying to get rid of them.  Where would we be without the rotary cutter?

Full disclosure:

I have a ton of UFOs mostly from trying out new designs (oh, and that 'Squirrel' syndrome:)).

I do a lot of machine, fusible applique because it is quick and easy and it allows for me to get pattern samples done in a method that appeals to the consumer.

8" x 11" ALL hand embroidered
The mini included in Pumpkin Trellis

If I had my way though, all my applique and quilting would be done by hand!  FULL Disclosure--NOT the piecing, can't stand to piece by hand and I am awful at it! There is something so soothing about putting each stitch in and this probably explains my new love of English Paper Piecing.

In the Mark Lipinski article, he talks about the conscious meditation with each stitch.  The article starts to sound a little too 'new-agey' at times but when I really think about it, isn't that what I get out of it?  I can get almost meditative, tune out the world around me, lower my blood pressure which is so needed right now:)  I believe every person could use one thing in their life that makes them feel this way (working on cars, wood working, knitting, cooking, etc.) I have met many people who say they don't have the patience for hand work.  Maybe not, but I bet there is something in your life that you can throw yourself into that makes the world around you slow down. 

Who remembers learning about the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century?  We can re-familiarize ourselves with it and start our own now (everything old is new again:)).  Try shutting out some of the technology of today that is making us all "too" busy.  I don't believe we are "too" busy because we do make time for the things that are important.  Facebook, games online, etc are all easily put away for 20 minutes a day to feel the accomplishment of doing something with our own 2 hands!  IT is all about priorities....now I am starting to sound preachy-sorry!

Slow Cloth has the immediate notion of doing it all by hand and I would love to see more of that in the industry and my guild, but it also means slowing down to appreciate what you are doing without rushing the process. Remember WHY you started doing this (or any) particular craft/art, your health will thank you.

Find your 'SLOW' and let me know what it is:)