Well-Loved Ladies QAL: Introduction

I started collecting these 

Centenarian Sweethearts

pretty soon after I began 

studying to become a

certified quilt appraiser.

The applique' artist in me

was completely fascinated by 

this era of women creating

their own designs too.

I have assembled a collection of quilts 

that are not in the greatest shape but still 

so beautiful in their history and imperfections.

This quilt along has been

well over a year in the making.
Once the Well-Loved Ladies lecture
was finished and being presented

to guilds, requests for a pattern

started and I knew a sampler 

of the different quilts from 

the lecture was the answer

so that attendees could 

bring a little piece of 

the lecture home with them.

Why a QAL?

Now is the perfect time to keep us

inspired & engaged & connected.

The girls aren't getting any 

younger and all their trips

were cancelled too.

When and How?

AUGUST 30TH, 2020

I recently asked about pattern

preferences on my FB page

and thoughts between paper

and PDF were relatively 

split down the middle.

The final decision was made

when I realized all those

full-sized templates may

put you off on shipping.

If you absolutely NEED

a paper pattern, we can 

work something out:)

So, the decision has been

made for me to step into 

the new tech age and 

go PDF on this one!

It will be offered as a 

full PDF or as BOM  

purchased in sections 

with the QAL 

if you choose.

Twice a month starting in 

September, I will present a block

via a post here & FB including 

history, tips, etc. 

The whole QAL will run 

8 months.

You will need a pattern to participate 

in this quilt-along.

Techniques involved will include

applique' (hand or machine), 

general piecing (HST/flying geese)

& bias vines.

Of course there will be some

video assists to help in the process.

We will be doing all the 

discussion and oohing/aaahing

of fabric choices over

at my FB group

Robin's Rocking Needles.

I like to pride myself on quality

(tested with full-size templates)

patterns, bang for your buck

 and having fun; so, in 

the next few weeks, 

expect multiple blog 

posts leading up to our big

day where I will discuss

fabric selection and supplies

so you can start preparing

and be ready to go as

soon as you get your pattern!

There may be prizes along

the way but you'll have to quilt

along with me to find out and

to win:)

Please leave a comment if

you have questions

or email me at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com 

I will be stitching along too

as I make another one

in fusible applique'.

Until next time,

keep stitching~

NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Hopes & Dreams Challenge for ALS 2016

Quilting for Charity.....
What an amazing community we are fortunate to be a part of.!! Every so often I get out of my business hat to make quilts for charity and it is always rewarding.
Here are a couple of stories about my charity support:
http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/2014/11/charity-quilts.html

http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/2008/09/october-aaqi-auction.html

This second link was just one of my mini quilts to support AAQI which raised money for Alzheimer's research.  My mother's family lost 3 wonderful women to this illness and right now I know another very strong woman battling this terrible illness.

You may be wondering why I am talking about Alzheimers when we are here to talk about ALS?
According to the ALS website: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/aam-2014/learn-about-als/common-threads.html
"....all neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s share some important features...."
It is a very interesting read and shows that we have the same goal working toward a cure for all the diseases in this family.

For the ALS challenge, many of the quilts go directly to patients who suffer with ALS.

They also sell some of the quilts with 100% of the money they receive going directly to research and a cure for ALS!

My support came in the form of donated patterns for prizes!  This means the winners can make more quilts to donate next year:)

 

Here is their statement & how you can help out if you choose:

“To Give a Handmade Quilt is to Give the Gift of Love.”

The Challenge…

• To raise awareness of ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
• To provide quilts & bring recognition, hope, and warmth to the lives of ALS patients.
• To raise funds for research for treatment and a cure.

Please give the gift of a quilt to warm the life, the heart and the lap of an ALS patient, and help raise awareness and research money for ALS-Lou Gehrig’s disease.  To be a part of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge- Simply fill out your entry form and donate your quilts today.
Your donated quilts will be given to ALS patients or used to raise awareness and research money for ALS by being photographed, displayed, auctioned, or raffled.
In addition to contributing your quilt to a wonderful cause- all donated quilts are eligible to win exciting and wonderful prizes.  Our list of generous sponsors, categories and great prizes is growing.!  Hopes & Dreams is a non-juried quit challenge.  All donated quilts will be entered into general prize drawings plus there are incredible prized recognizing the most generous quilter, quilt shop, professional quilter and guild.  Special prize categories for theme quilts and ‘most popular’ quilt.
For the comfort of the patient, we request that quilted or tied quilts be a minimum of 35″ x 44″  Lap and Bed size quilts of all sizes are welcomed.  We look forward to you joining us in this unique quilting event – the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS!

More information HERE:

http://hopesanddreams.quiltersdreambatting.com/challenge.html

and here

https://www.facebook.com/hopesanddreamsforals/about/

 

Please consider giving:)

 

www.nestlingsbyrobin.com

http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.com/services.html

https://www.facebook.com/NestlingsbyRobin



2015 UFO-along

Hello Quilters!
I know I am not alone when I walk into my sewing room to look for something and find UFOs that have been set aside for the latest 'new' project I am working on. There are so many though that it becomes overwhelming and you need to find a little push to get you excited about working on it again.  These 2 small piles have about 10 UFOs within them........  Maybe I need a spreadsheet too:)


Now to find what motivates you....
My motivation is working in a group.  Not sure why but having a group of like-minded people working with me always made my day so much nicer.  Since I work alone now, you would help motivate me to get some of these done.  OR, maybe some of them just need to go away.  I started a UFO silent auction at my guild last year to raise some funds and we get all kinds of neat projects in from quilters who decided they just weren't getting back to that project-Ever.  Tastes change.
If you have a project or 2 that aren't just 'unfinished' but are stumping you as to HOW to finish, then we will be here to help you with ideas for that too.
Sometimes we all need a little motivation to finish and what better motivation than PRIZES!
My prize is that I will have a fun, creative group to motivate me to finish a few of my own UFOs along the way. 

Here are the rules:
1. Definition of a UFO- It is in the title, UNFINISHED, but there will be some additional guidelines so it isn't too easy for you.
*Unfinished projects may not be smaller than a table runner or a 24"ish wall hang-No potholders:)
*Just needing the label doesn't count but binding and label/sleeve, does.  Let's face it, a lot of people stop at the binding and I just don't understand that...You are SO close to done!!  You will feel great once that last stitch is in, I promise.
*Quilt must be started already.  Let's finish the ones started not the ones that are a stack of fabric and a pattern or idea.

2. Accountability- From time to time you may get a poke from me asking how it is coming along and I would like to know what I am talking about:)
*By Jan 31st, 2015, post photos, name, and size of at least 2 UFOs that you would like to finish by the end of the year onto my FB page.  You may post more but I think 2 is very attainable with everything else we have going on, and it will feel great to get 2 done.
This will not only allow me to keep track but makes you more accountable for your own once you have announced it to the world:)
*I will have a roster of participants and their quilts so that I can cheer and award when proper to do so.

3. Now for the fun part....PRIZES!
You will each receive the satisfaction of finishing one of those projects, snuggling under it, or giving it away!!!!
Not that you don't get that too, but Just kidding:)) 
*For each quilt you finish, you will receive one FREE pattern of your choice from my website.
*For each quilt you finish, I will also put your name into the Grand Prize drawing.  These prizes are TBD but I have a long list of ideas!  Drawing will be held on December 31st, 2015.
I will post the additions as I receive them as additional motivation for you:)

Now, I just bought myself 17 more days to figure out which 2, 3, or 6 UFOs I would like to finish this year:))
Pass the word to your friends and let's get as many people as possible FINISHING some quilts this year!
R

HAPPY 2013!

My wish for 2013 is that we all find a measure of happiness in it. Whether it be with your family or through your work or taking up a new hobby, life is way too short to not BE happy and it is your choice to do so.

Tardis in Kaleidoscope

 I spent my holidays watching Dr Who mini marathons with my family and starting Downton Abbey with my daughter.  Happiness, to me, comes in many forms; but one of the most enjoyable, is tv viewing with stitch work in my hands.  I kept busy with fun new stitch patterns for this coming year:)

On Christmas Eve we walked around our town's pond where hundreds of luminaries had been lit with messages for family and friends.  We even found one for our Coasties.  It is a beautiful tradition that is enjoyed by many in the town.  Let's keep them in our thoughts all year long!

ORANGE is in!

According to Pantone, Tangerine Tango will be the color for 2012 and I couldn't be happier.  In honor of this new vibrant color choice, here is my orange show and tell.  Orange has been cropping up in my quilts for awhile mostly in the Autumn, spiced pumpkin shades.  Lately, the brighter colors have been sneaking in.  Either way, orange is a fabulous color and I hope you will all be inspired to add just a touch to your new work this year.

Autumn Shore
Approximately 12" mounted to Canvas

My Artrageous Challenge
11" x 14"

Journal Quilt about Marriage

Thread painted Lilies
5" x 7"

3D Appliqued Lily mounted to 12" canvas

Abstract from an original design

Floral Windmill pattern
Makes a great signature quilt

Funkins
Inspired from a Micke Dupre class

Harvest Nights pattern

Hawaiian Halloween pattern

Las Flores pattern color variation

Poppy Nouveau Design

Swaying Hearts Trio pattern

Harlequin Rose design

Orange Peel variation for NewFavorites Competition

December Sale!



Coastal Christmas in Redwork
You may want to try it in applique too.

The December sale means that this new pattern could be yours for FREE!  Now through December 10th I am holding a 2 for 1 sale on my website:  http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.com where you will be able to see my new layout along with a few new patterns.  Buy one at regular price and get one of equal or lesser cost for free.  Make sure to tell me in the message field during checkout which Free pattern you would like or you can email me (email address is at the bottom of the HOME page).  I will double check when I confirm that I received your order.

Above is a brand new pattern that is a variation on my very popular Coastal Christmas applique pattern.  Here it is done in redwork and smaller, measuring 20" square. 
Don't forget to visit my Etsy store for a few wonderful last minute gifts and where shipping is FREE until the 10th.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from NESTLINGS!

5 Years

"Batik Blooms" detail shot.

Honorable Mention CCQG 2008

For those of you who read my post about the International Fiber Collaborative leaves, here is the update. The tree is up and looks amazing. There are pictures on that site of how they made the wire branches for assembly too.

I know we all hate paying taxes; but when I wrote the check this last quarter, I was pretty happy about it since it showed that I actually made some money this time. The amount coming in certainly softened the blow of having to pay some out. As long as the money keeps coming in I will proudly pay my taxes!

This next week I will celebrate the 5 year anniversary of NESTLINGS by Robin. I sent out promotional postcards for the first time offering 'no shipping' on wholesale orders of 12 or more patterns. If you are reading this and not a shop owner but would like to purchase retail from http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.com/ I will offer no shipping on retail orders of 2 or more patterns. Spread the word. Offer ends May 9th, 2009.
I feel very honored to have been able to do what I love for 5 yrs and to learn from so many talented and wonderful people along the way. You have each touched me in different ways and I thank you.

Shop Hop in NC

Here in southeastern North Carolina we are preparing for the annual shop hop called "Romancing Eastern North Carolina". From Wednesday 2/4- Saturday 2/7 come visit 8 shops from Jacksonville, Morehead City, Washington, New Bern, and Kinston.

Again this year I was asked to design a new pattern for The Quilted Butterfly in Morehead City. We decided to go with a small project that is useful, a stashbuster, as well as a doorway to the best addiction of all... beading:) Here is the "Sparkling Scissor Case".

I love the way beading can completely change the look of a fabric. The fabric used for this design was ideal for allowing someone to try their hand at beading by following the design of the fabric. They can embellish as much or as little as they would like. There are two sizes in the pattern for a 10" and a 7" case. You can see the difference in the fabric between the larger embellished case vs. the smaller unembellished case. I can't wait to make more of these.

Tidewater Quilters' Guild Quilt Show

What a weekend! Patti and I had a great time meeting people while showing off our newest patterns. The guild was amazing and took wonderful care of us--big SHOUT OUT to Jackie, the Quilt Ninja:) Lunch was provided by the guild and it was extremely tasty. The committee members were never far off to ask if we needed anything or to offer a bottle of water. They were excited to hit a record number of attendees at 1,309 in 3 days; and it isn't surprising with all the talent the guild holds claim to.
All of you know how fun a show can be whatever side you are on. The opportunity to talk to others in your industry, see all the wonderful talent, and the joy in connecting with the customers directly is what keeps us all going another day, week, month, year. The whole experience feeds your soul. If you have never vended a show, I highly recommend it. Start with a local guild show. It is a lot of work but extremely rewarding.

Next week I am off to Houston to attend fall market for the first time. I will be working the Suzn Quilts booth and can't wait to meet new people and see all the sights!!