FQSG Antique Quilt Block Challenge

The March 2021 issue of 

AQ magazine is out and inside

you will find an article by Moi :)

Last year the Florida Quilt

Study Group did an antique

block challenge with very

few rules, thankfully!

I was overly ambitious and 

worked on 2 blocks because 

each had different fabrics that spoke 

to me. Using techniques 

from my Fabric Collaborations

workshop, I created 2 unique pieces 

and then wrote an article about 

the process for AQ.

Our Fabulous exhibit is 

now on display

at THE Quilters Hall of Fame

in Marion, Indiana. 

THANK YOU, 

KATHY METELICA CRAY!!

IF you can't go in person,

they have their own youtube

channel where they have put

the whole exhibit for you to 

see from home!

ONLINE EXHIBIT

February 23 - May 8

Florida Quilt Study Group:

Antique Quilt Block Challenge

The challenge was to take an antique block and incorporate it into a small quilt measuring 24" x 24." Artists were allowed to use the block whole, cut up, or dismantled. The could add vintage or new fabrics; whatever it takes to create a quilt of their own design and creativity.

AND, I made the exhibit poster

which is super exciting!!

KEEP STITCHING;) 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME:)

Another year passes and 

how do we mark them?

This year has had many 

challenges and one was all

my work cancellations.

As October approached, 2

contracts remained and both

groups decided to go forward.

So the day before my birthday

I taught one of my favorite

workshops ever, 

Fabric Collaborations

to the 

Florida Sewing Sew-ciety up

at the Lake Yale Baptist Center

near Leesburg, FL

.

Beautiful setting and a 

FABULOUS group of ladies.

They really took my inspiration

and made it their own.

Below is Margaret Travis and 

her sister, Marie.

Margaret is known for her Fabulous 

Cheerleading in our industry!

On my actual birthday, I spent 

the evening showing off the 

LADIES to the 

Ladies of the Lakes Quilters

in Lakeland, FL.

They loved them almost as

much as I do:)

I was somewhat apprehensive

getting back out with the 

new little coming to visit.

Thankfully most were very 

understanding of wearing masks.

I received lots of wonderful gifts 

from family and friends including

fabric, a salon tray for upcoming

filming assistance and ….

This sweet little

 (ca 1940s??) machine &

This Awesome book about

the Colonial Williamsburg

textile collection!

Four Centuries of Quilts

The reason I was so excited

is that back in 2018 I was 

privileged to stitch with some

of the volunteers on this quilt (above)

as they reproduced it for the 

house displays around the property.

When I received the book, I 

was able to find the exact 

quilting diagram of what I 

had been working on.

Nerd here finds that

very exciting:)

So, HAPPY HAPPY

BIRTHDAY to 

all the October kids and

Thank you to everyone

who reached out to make

me feel special!

 

Keep quilting:)

Appraisals, and workshops and QUILTS, Oh My:) -part 3

Houston Bound and I haven't stopped squealing with delight:)

So SWIMMING SEAHORSE which I recently taught to the West Pasco QG will be my second class and I didn't want to push both together in one post because I had so many lovely photos to show!

Below you will find photos from the latest Seahorse class and it really shows how different fabric choices change the look.

Here is the original sample made by me:

This is such a great Quilt As You Go technique 

that can work for so many things!

We all LOVED the polka dot seahorse!  

That is the fun of workshops to me, seeing what 

fabrics everyone brings and then the 

subsequent, "why didn't I think of that?".

 This seahorse has great value and 

keeps its soft feel!

You don't have to go bright to 

get a good composition.

 I say you don't have to go bright but

I LOVE this orange one...what a surprise:)

For those of you that don't know, 

I love the color orange:)

Better than the orange seahorse is 

the gorgeous smile behind the quilt:)

Marilyn started her

piece in class and once home decided there wasn't enough contrast so I received this pic later in the week where she made a sweet coral seahorse and WOW!

THANK YOU to all the students who gave me permission to photograph their works in progress!!

I love my job and meeting Fantastic students.  I really love lunch time when I get to hear the stories behind these quilters. I try to find time to ask, "what did you do in your life before quilting?".  

This last class had a Navy Veteran, a retired RN, and a retired Judge who is in her 80s. They are all inspiring to me when I think of the times they lived in and what they accomplished.

Keep quilting ~~

Appraisals, and workshops and QUILTS, Oh My:) -part 2

So in between all the appraisals and training, I have lectured and premiered my new, Fabric Collaborations, workshop to glowing reviews (not that I was shaking in my shoes or anything:)!

Have I told you yet that I will be teaching in Houston???  !!!!  Can you hear me squealing with delight?!

FABRIC COLLABORATIONS will be one of the workshops and the other will be my SWIMMING SEAHORSE which I recently taught to the West Pasco QG.

Here are some teasers to wet your whistle so you will come play with me in Houston...

Fabric Collaborations:
I revealed this last year in this post from September

The class with the Creative Quilters of Citrus County was everything I imagined and more.  The students were open minded, receptive to the idea, and really got on board enjoying something different. 
With permission I will show a few pics of what was being worked on,

Trish and her sister, Maddie, working 

on some lovely pieces inspired by 

the fabrics in their blocks!!

I REALLY LOVED this one!!! 

It had swirls and circles-WOOT!

 These Creative Quilters, Maryann Zutaut and Joy Streicher, had finished products from the Fabric Collaboration workshop with Robin Koehler to share with the guild....YAY YAY YAY!

It didn't have to be applique! 

As you can see above, 

a pinwheel was used to recreate 

the pinwheel from the orphan 

block and with the sewing 

machine, a spool and embroidered

thread were added.

Look at these fantastic floral appliques:)

SO FUN! Thank you Creative Quilters!!

Here is another sample I am 

working on to explain the process. 

Look at this FAB 1880s

block with a sweet daisy print!!

Expand that daisy out to the border and Voila'!

Thank you Kathy Cray!!

Don't you want to come play with me in Houston now??

We are going to have SO MUCH FUN!!

Workshop development!

 What do you use your guest room for????

Once all the company was gone, 

I could get back to work!

There are piles for what to bring to a lecture, 

teaching proposals, and 

Fabric Collaboration development.

Handouts plus items students may 

be interested in purchasing.

The Fabric Collaboration sample 

pile continues to grow!

Has your guild signed up yet?

The stencils have arrived and will 

be kitted this next week!

Students will receive 3 in their kit leaving 5 

others to choose from or get them all~

It is going to be a great class with

lots of collaboration!

http://nestlingsbyrobin.com/whats-new.html

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 28: ALL AROUND US!

These are being ordered this week!!!!  I am SO Excited to have these ready for the FABRIC COLLABORATIONS workshop! I know going in that the biggest hurdle is going to be all those that feel they can't draw.  We aren't aiming for art gallery expertise in one shot.  We are aiming for getting out of your comfort zone enough to see the possibilities and be excited to keep trying to create for yourself.

Years ago I wrote a lecture titled, ALL AROUND US, and there were quite a few blank stares from the audience so I put it away temporarily until I could focus it more.  The tools and ideas for Fabric Collaborations are intriguing and exciting!  There is something so exhilarating about being around a group of creatives all bouncing ideas off one another.
Have you ever asked a 'how to' question in a group of women??
We all have opinions and one is bound to be the answer:)

If you like new, different, experimental, and collaborative play, this is the workshop for you!

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Pop over to see who else is blogging...

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