HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019

How did I celebrate?  Very quietly:)  My year review is already done by completing the 31 day blog challenge.
If you missed it, you can read about it Here, Here, Here, and Here!

I am not picking a word this year as so many do.  Instead I will keep plugging away with the skills I have been nurturing in 2018 (hopefully a bit better though:)

I will have at least one new magazine project out this year and one in the works for 2020.
There are 3 lectures with signed contracts and 2 workshops.  If it isn't signed then it isn't scheduled so you can still get your empty calendar spaces filled:) 
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS  and WHAT'S NEW
My test for Appraisal Certification is in August and lots to learn between now and then!

My wish for us all is a touch of personal peace and loads of Quilting!! 
I also want to thank every single person (you know who you are:) that helped me keep my business growing this year!!  

CHEERS TO YOU! 

IF you read all the way to the bottom, message me through FB and I will send you a Free Jingle Penguin Pattern:)

Day 19: 2018 Review A-M-J

APRIL -- MAY -- JUNE

Top row is April.

1. Our back yard this past April when my sweet husband planted some more trellis climbers in red just for me:)

2. Me in front of "Robin's Wreaths" in Paducah this past Spring...So Exciting!

3. Baby lambs at my friend, Brenda's, when she had our whole guild up to her place for lunch one gorgeous Spring day!

Middle row is May.

1. "FEATHERBERRY" is published.  Love this sweet little wall hanging because it is so simple and vibrant!

2. We went to a LIGHTNING playoff game!  I think you know I love hockey but the playoff games are even more fun and LOUD:)

3.  Treasure hunting in Virginia payed off with this amazing late 1800s quilt with Wondrous hand quilting.  I know it is hard for you to see and I could look at it all day!!

Bottom row is May/June.

1. Me teaching my mom how to do a selfie:)  I helped her set up her new phone this past summer so she is more 'modern'-haha:)

2. My actual copy of AQ Magazine showed up and my name is on the cover....Finally a Cover Girl. We dream of that moment, don't we?

3. We took a trip up to St. Simon's Island (beautiful!!) to see our niece get married. It was a beach wedding and she looked Lovely! It was a fun weekend with plenty of family catch up and couple time for Jim and myself too:)

More reviews coming so stay tuned.

Pop over to see who else is blogging...

http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2018-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/

Day 12: A Goal Reached!

Goals keep us focused and motivated even when they seem a bit too far off.  I feel it is good to have attainable and 'unattainable' goals because you really just never know!! Plus when one goal is achieved, you have to set a new further goal.

Years ago I wanted to be published and I meant a book but I started with a magazine and then another and another.  It challenged me.  When my book was rejected multiple times it hurt but I kept submitting to magazines.  I still love getting into magazines and this year I hit the jackpot..."Robin's Wreaths" was chosen to be the series quilt in AQ Magazine.  What an honor!! You can read more about it HERE.
The very first issue I shared the cover with Jane Sassaman!!

This past June the magazine hit the shelves and I started my first Facebook Group, "Robin's Wreaths, AQ Magazine" so that I could make some videos to walk quilters through some of the background tips for creating this lovely piece.

This week the 4th installment will be out on shelves and I am in this magazine alongside Kathy McNeil!  It has been quite an honor to share pages with Amazing Artists!!

GOAL REACHED!

What is next?  Good question and I have a few things on my list.  Not sure if I should put them out into the universe here or keep plugging away quietly until I get what I want:)

I do know that more teaching is on my list.  Being in a room full of quilters sharing our passion is one of the greatest feelings!

Applications to bigger shows are being assembled.

If your guild is looking for something fun to do, email me:)

Pop over to see who else is blogging...

http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2018-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/

AQS Publishes Robin's Wreaths

IT'S HERE!!

The magazine hit AQS member mailboxes early 

June and newsstands late June. 

"Robin's Wreaths" will be the series quilt

 this year presented in 5 parts.

If you are not a member, consider becoming one. 

There are many other benefits like all the

access to their digital content as well 

(a treasure trove in itself).

 Plus as a member you can find the first issue in the

 Members Only section of the website:) 

And, my name is on the cover which for some reason

 I completely didn't expect and 

therefore am surprised and delighted!

 Here is the layout on page 18....

"ROBIN'S WREATHS" at Paducah

in the Authors Section!!!

This quilt will also be displayed at the Grand Rapids, Virginia Beach, and Fall Paducah AQS shows this year.  I am On Tour:)

I started a Facebook Group for those of you that would like to sew with friends and receive extra tips on my process for making this quilt.  The above picture shows the Group header and 

click JOIN to become a part of the fun!

The Group name is Robin's Wreaths, AQ Magazine

 Part 2 reviews have been done and ready for printing....

I do hope you will follow me on FB: 

https://www.facebook.com/NestlingsbyRobin

Instagram: @nestlings1 and sign up for my newsletter

by emailing me at robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

THANK YOU!

2018 Spring Clean your Studio...?

THANK YOU, CHERYL!!
This really was the kick in the pants I needed and I am sure there will be major moments of studio envy but I am pretty in love with my own now too:)

Spring Cleaning NEVER sounds fun but I would be in my Happy Place, right? ! ?? !! 

It really hasn't been very happy lately though because we didn't move on our 3-4 year schedule (no military transfer since Jim retired in 2016) so stuff started piling up. This is what greets me immediately as I walk into my studio....Overwhelming!
If I make the photos smaller, will it make the mess appear smaller too??? 

Then about 1-1/2 years ago, I started seriously training to become an appraiser and more stuff started piling up.

Talk about Books gone Wild due to appraisal training and the generosity of others plus guild bargains.  There are close to 50 books in this pile plus vintage/antique fabrics for categorizing.

NOW I CAN SEE MY FLOOR!!!

To which my husband replied, "you should always be able to see your floor".  Go Away. I don't need that kind of negativity:)

It may not look tidier to some but it is SO MUCH better!

As we look around to the right of the room, you will see my 12" square cutting surface and maybe a 24" x 12" sewing area. The rest of my space is piles of fabric/items I never officially unpacked because I wasn't sure we were staying here...We are:)

Then there is the closet.  I was so excited to have a whole closet with shelves but I could never decide what to do with the empty, hard to get to, space behind the wall to the right or the best way to utilize the rod across the length of the closet.

Stuff has just been crammed in there for 6 years. 

Three months (3 years-whatever!) before Cheryl even posted about this hop I had seen a cabinet that I wanted for my room because I knew it was a disaster and needed an overhaul.  It was the cutest 'Gentleman's Cabinet' in a cream over maple wood.  I asked the shop owner if they would take less, "yes".  I promised myself once there was a bit extra in my budget I would get there....life intervenes!

Finally I made it there and then there were 2 other pieces that were so cool and I had to choose.

I felt like Goldilocks.  One cabinet was too much wasted space. One cabinet was Perfect (a vintage metal Doctor's cabinet with glass shelves and a light came on when you opened the doors) but too expensive. Back to my little cream cabinet that was just right in space and price:)

 A place for my vintage hankie/embroidered linens collection!

 More progress being made!

( I can start showing bigger pics now for more impact:)))

Amazing what you will find when cleaning....

My grandmother's thimble collection!

Look who else is happy about the clean space he now has.

This is Biscuit:)

No more trying to Cram in under because there is actual

room to stretch out and be comfortable:)

I FINALLY have a bit of task lighting too!

Thank you IKEA!

Can you see the small light off the top of the bookshelf? 

I have multiples of that little light. 

It was $15 and works wonders because it has a gooseneck

style that can be positioned anywhere.

I can see my cutting mat, my smaller piles make sense

now and have an order to them, and a couple

of new items were added to make me smile!

Here is one of the new pieces that I

picked up on my way to Paducah. 

It said it was a planter but it hadn't been used and

I can 'plant' fabric inside there instead:)

The whole closet didn't get straightened the way

I may have liked so I won't bore you

with another pic of that.  Instead you can see the cute

little ship's captain desk that houses my bead

collection along with a few 'proud of me momentos'. 

Now for a bit of a brag before I leave you:)

"ROBIN'S WREATHS" at Paducah

in the Authors Section!!!

This was created in the mess you witnessed

above and I am still on my high from

being in Paducah this past week. 

AQS members receive a magazine called

AQ magazine as part of their membership.

"Robin's Wreaths" will be the series quilt this year as a BOM.  

If you are not a member, consider becoming one. 

There are many other benefits like all the

access to their digital content as well (a treasure trove in itself).

I do hope you will follow me on FB: 

https://www.facebook.com/NestlingsbyRobin

Instagram: @nestlings1 and sign up for my newsletter

by emailing me at robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

THANK YOU!

STAY TUNED for more studio envy coming your way: 

April 23 - Lori Crawley Kennedy - http://theinboxjaunt.com

April 24 - Jennifer Thomas - http://curlicuecreations.blogspot.com
April 25 - Robin Koehler - http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com
April 26 - Andi Barney- https://www.andibarney.com/
April 27 - Misty Cole - http://www.mistycole.com/blog
April 28 - Carolina Moore- http://alwaysexpectmoore.com/
April 29 - Heather Pregger - https://heatherquilts.blogspot.com/
April 30 - Linda Bratten - https://lindabcreative.blogspot.com/
May 1 - Lisa Reber - https://dippydye.blogspot.com/
May 2 - Teresa Coates - http://www.crinkledreams.com
May 3 - Lisa Chin - http://www.lisachinartist.com/
May 4 - Jamie Fingal - http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/
May 5 - Sam Hunter - www.huntersdesignstudio.com
May 6 - Jessee Maloney - www.artschooldropout.net/blog
May 7 - Randa Parrish - http://www.sewartsyfartsy.com/
May 8 - Sarah Vedeler- https://meaningoflifedesigns.com/
May 9 - Jessica Darling - https://jessicakdarling.com/
May 10 - Melody Crust - http://www.melodycrust.com/
May 11 - Debby Brown - http://higheredhands.blogspot.com
May 12 - Cheryl Sleboda - http://blog.muppin.com