Sew Alongs

It may be hard to believe but 

I have NEVER done a sew 

along in all my 20 years of quilting!

Now that I have a little

extra time at home, Why Not?!

I have participated in guild 

lottery blocks and 

guild challenges but 

never worked with a group 

on the same project before.  

It is SEW FUN!!

There is a small group of us

that are making projects 

from the book, 

CIVIL WAR LEGACIES II 

by Carol Hopkins.

A design is chosen, we

each get to choose our

own fabrics, and then

we sew together virtually 

since some of us don't 

live near the others anyway.

I went poking around my

room looking for something

and found this charm pack

from MODA, Renewal

by Brannock and Patek.

It was a bit more challenging

to cut charm squares vs. yardage

for my piecing but I managed

and started these sweet little stars.

Just because I was feeling 

crazy, lol, I decided to see if

I could get an extra HST from

each rectangle unit I was making.

I could and I did and Ta-Da!

Here are the lovely 3-1/2" stars!

and I absolutely love them!!

I can't finish just yet because

this design calls for alternate blocks

that we decided would be 

signature blocks for our first 

quilt together.

Another 'First' for me!

I do have a couple of signature 

quilts, one as a guild thank you

to me and one as a result of 

winning the guild lottery blocks once;

but, I have never participated in a 

signature quilt in this method before 

so a first for me.

Because we live off from one another,

it will take some time to get blocks

signed and mailed.  Here is 

roughly what my signature blocks

will look like once framed.

Stay tuned for the finish:)

In the meantime as I wait, I pulled

some fabrics for our next quilt.

On my FB page, the middle

fabric overwhelmingly won

when asked about which one 

for a border fabric.

They were voting blind not 

knowing how big the border 

would be or what 

size/type the blocks 

would be.  

I knew these would all work

for the scale I needed but 

was just not feeling decisive that day!

Thank you to everyone who 

took the time to give me their opinion:)

Once that decision was made for me, 

I was able to start pulling other

fabrics to go with that border print.

I am excited to start the next quilt

even though I haven't finished the

other quilt...what is that called?

Insanity!

I have a room full of that and 

I love that room and all that

lies within and how I feel

when I am in there.

I wish you could all

come join me there 

but since you can't, 

stay safe &

 Keep Stitching~

Honeysuckle Rose

Meet the Botanical Blue collection 

from Connecting Threads.

I am excited to announce 

I have a new kit with them...

Meet 

"HONEYSUCKLE ROSE"

The sweet little flowers in that strip 

are fusible applique' done with 

my method of cutting multiples

included in the pattern.

You can find additional visuals on

my blog within post tutorials.

Cutting Multiples

Heartbursts

This is also a full pattern 

available HERE on my website now.

"Honeysuckle Rose" is available 

through Connecting Threads 

as a kit or PDF downloadable pattern.

I LOVE to see pics of 

finished designs!

~ENJOY~

MY Quilt Candy Virtual Quilt Show Tomorrow

April 8th at 2pm (EST) join me on my FB page, 

NESTLINGS by Robin.
Invite your friends and guild members 
to join the fun!
This will be a great way to decide that you
need me to come teach at your guild:)

Get ready to be shocked and amazed?

Shocked because who knows how 

this fiasco will play out as 

I perform my FIRST EVER FB Live video-LOL!

Amazed by the lovely quilts I will be 

sharing with you in this 

Virtual Quilt Show.

The theme is "Favorite Quilts" and 

that is not as easy as it sounds 

because they are all my favorite

for one reason or another or

I wouldn't have them, would I??

There will be a blend of 

antique and contemporary

so something for everyone!

~See you there~

Quilters Eye Candy Virtual Trunk Shows

Welcome to the Quilt Candy Virtual Trunk Show 2020

Invite your friends and your guild members

to view hundreds of lovely quilts over the

next 10 days!

ALL times are Eastern Standard Time

Below is the schedule for every day listing

the designer and his or her FB page link

so that you can tune in for a LIVE Quilt Show!

Don't miss the FUN!

April 1 

12pm  Andi Stanfield      facebook.com/Anditruebluequilts
1pm   Nancy Scott         facebook.com/MasterpieceQ
2pm   becky jorgensen    https://www.facebook.com/patchworkposse/
3pm   carolina moore     facebook.com/alwaysexpectmoore
4pm   Jackie Kunkel       https://www.facebook.com/cantonvillagequiltworks/
5pm  Connie Jonson Sayler         https://www.facebook.com/PacificRimQuiltCompany/
6pm  Laura Piland       https://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/
7pm  Sandra Starley     https://www.facebook.com/TextileTimeTravels

8pm  Swan Sheridan     www.facebook.com/swanamitystudios

April 2

12pm Lisa Ruble  https://www.facebook.com/LoveToColorMyWorld/
1pm   Beth Helfter  https://www.facebook.com/pg/EvaPaigeQuiltDesigns/
2pm   Diane Bohn   https://facebook.com/fromblankpages
3pm   Deb Eggers   https://www.facebook.com/cottagerosequilt/
4pm   Heidi Pridemore  https:/www.facebook.com/thewhimsicalworkshop
5pm   Kate Colleran       https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/

6pm   Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis    https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

April 3

12pm  Darcy Hunter       www.facebook.com/darcydoodlequilts1pm   Teresa Weaver     www.facebook.com/yoursewingfriend
2pm   Annette Ornelas    https://www.facebook.com/southwind.designs/
3pm  Jo Westfoot d       www.facebook.com/thecraftynomad
4pm   Lynn Kane           https://facebook.com/puppygirllynn

5pm   Geeky Bobbin       https://facebook.com/geekybobbin

7pm   Laura Strickland    https://m.facebook.com/orangeblossomquilt/

8pm  Jen Frost https://www.facebook.com/FaithAndFabric/

April 4

12pm  Sherry Shish  facebook.com/poweredbyquilting
1pm   Bill Locke       https://www.facebook.com/bill.locke.96
2pm   Toni Smith     https://www.facebook.com/Quiltoni/
3pm   Tammy Silversnis    https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/
4pm   Jennifer Fulton     https://www.facebook.com/inquiringquilter/
5pm   Jessica Caldwell  https://www.facebook.com/desertbloomquilting/
6pm   Monique Kleinhans  https://www.facebook.com/ladybugscabin/
7pm   Heather Long ts      https://m.facebook.com/Coffee-and-Quilts-197254351073271/?__tn__=C-R

8pm  Marija Vujcic,        https://www.facebook.com/MaraQuiltDesigns/

April 5

12pm Ebony Love          https://www.facebook.com/LoveBugStudios/

1pm   Bill Locke https://www.facebook.com/bill.locke.96
2pm   Marlene Oddie      https://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts/
3pm   Sandy Fitzpatrick  https://www.facebook.com/HissyfitzDesigns
4pm   Reed Johnson       https://www.facebook.com/BlueBearQuilts/
5pm   Diane Harris        https://www.facebook.com/stashbandit/
7pm   Kathryn LeBlanc       https://www.facebook.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio   

April 6 

12pm  Becca Fenstermaker      https://www.facebook.com/prettypiney/
1pm   Cherry Guidry       https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio
2pm   Cheryl Lynch        www.facebook.com/CherylLynchFiberArts
3pm   Annie Smith         https://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs

5pm   Reeze Hanson      https://www.facebook.com/Morningglorydesigns/
 

7pm  Melissa Marginet   https://www.facebook.com/melissa.marginet.quilter/

April 7

12pm Margaret Willingham  https://www.facebook.com/EyeoftheBeholderQuilt/

1pm   Kate Colleran           https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/
2pm Barbara Cline             https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cline.520
3pm Barbara Persing          https://www.facebook.com/bpquilts/
4pm Ms P Designs USA/ Sharon Andersen       https://www.facebook.com/MsPDesignsUSA/

7pm Diane Harris               https://www.facebook.com/stashbandit/
8pm Christa Watson           https://www.facebook.com/groups/christaquilts/

April 8

12pm  Tina Dillard https://www.facebook.com/quiltingaffectiondesigns/

1pm    Raija Salomaa https://www.facebook.com/quilterstreasurechest/
2pm   Robin Koehler https://www.facebook.com/NestlingsbyRobin/
3pm   Terri Vanden Bosch            https://www.facebook.com/lizardcreekquilting/
4pm  Jackie Kunkel       https://www.facebook.com/cantonvillagequiltworks/

5pm  Leanne Parsons     https://www.facebook.com/devotedquilterdesigns
6pm  Laura Piland  https://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/
7pm  Ebony Love          https://www.facebook.com/LoveBugStudios/
8pm Tammy Silvers    https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

April 9

1pm   Nancy Scott         facebook.com/MasterpieceQ

2pm   Jayme Crow/Bella Nonna Design Studio         
4pm   Jen Frost https://www.facebook.com/FaithAndFabric/
5pm   Annie Smith      https://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs/

6pm  Karen L. Miller    https://www.facebook.com/RedbirdQuiltCo/
7pm  Kathryn LeBlanc https://www.facebook.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio
8pm Monique Kleinhans https://www.facebook.com/ladybugscabin/

April 10

12pm   Sarah Maxwell      https://www.facebook.com/DesignsSarahJMaxwell
1pm    Teresa Weaver     www.facebook.com/yoursewingfriend2pm    Karen Overton      https://www.facebook.com/TheQuiltRambler

3pm    Alison Stothard     https://www.facebook.com/hexadoodlequilts

5pm    Pat Sloan            https://www.facebook.com/groups/QuiltWithPatSloan/ 

6pm    Cherry Guidry       https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio

7pm    Toni Smith/Quiltoni           https://www.facebook.com/Quiltoni/

8pm    Marija Vujcic, Mara Quilt Designs       https://www.facebook.com/MaraQuiltDesigns/

BAD GIRLS!

Every year I get myself a fun 

new day planner.

This past year I was having 

trouble finding one and so

my husband bought me this.

 I will admit in my younger 

days I really wanted to be a bad girl.

They looked cool and people moved

aside for them.

(Think I watched too much Grease

and Grease 2:)

Now I want to be BAD as in setting

an amazing example of strength

and grace for my girls and 

other women around me.

I still don't have it all figured out

but we are all a work in progress, yes?

 Ann Shen has some lovely

 illustrations in this day planner.

Her website (click on her name above)

is full of more wonderful illustrations 

and quotes to make you go, "Ahhh".

The write ups for each lady

aren't just handed to you either. 

You have to look these women

up because there are quite a few

I didn't recognize.

Meet Anna May Wong, born in 1905 in 

California and considered the first 

Chinese-American movie star with 

the highlight of her career being in 

Shanghai Express (1932) with Marlene Dietrich.

In that day and time she would be 

'BAD' going against all norms 

for women and Chinese citizens.

There are, of course, many names

you will recognize as strong 

women who have challenged the

status quo and gone on 

to be extraordinary leaders of their day!

Oprah

Dolly Parton

Susan B. Anthony

Valentina Terashkova

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Eleanor Roosevelt

just to name a few.

THANK YOU, ANN SHEN

for opening my eyes to Amazing 'Bad Girls'!

WHERE LOVE GROWS

Thank you SIMPLY MODERNE for publishing this fun 

combination of paper piecing and applique'.

 Meet WHERE LOVE GROWS!

I did pretty well matching my colors

to make it cheerful.
Paper piecing trick: 
I collect notions and such and one of 
the items are the old heavy metal irons.
They are great weights for pressing
a pile of paper pieced blocks FLAT!!

There is an addition of some bias strips 

to the simple paper pieced blocks 

 to create the larger branches. 

I also stitched in some 

little skinny ones for texture.

Then my favorite part...the APPLIQUE'!!!

This is raw edge applique' where wavy lines

were added to the vines for texture .

Lastly, my label.

Here is my lazy label trick...

Fold a square in half to create a triangle, place the 

raw edges of the triangle within the binding 

seam allowance and stitch in place with 

a 1/8" seam just to hold until the binding is added.

THEN, use a sharpie or micron pen to write on it.

Of course the more I look at this photo, pretty sure

I skipped the triangle and wrote directly on that back.

Take that for lazy:)

 Here is the cover of Issue #20 of 

Simply Moderne (On Stands Now)

where you will find

WHERE LOVE GROWS.

Isn't that cover quilt gorgeous too?!!

Beach Glass

Available now....

This is Beach Glass, a fun easy quilt

that will look fantastic in any color way

and has many design options!

It came about through a call for 

submissions from Annie's.

They were looking for quilts

that had one block versatile enough

to create multiple quilts just

by "twisting and turning" the blocks.

VIOLA'!

Once a color way was chosen,

I made a test block to verify

there would be enough value 

differentiation.
I found my perfect fabric with 
Connecting Threads in their
Sea From Space collection
which is All Batiks!

Easy way to verify you are 
cutting in half correctly...
Line squares up on the diagonal. 
This also allows for cutting multiples.

It feels like it was forever ago that 

I made this quilt because it was

done between travel gigs in a 

maddening schedule.

I believe in the photo above I 

am cutting more/bigger squares in half

for setting triangles:)

Such an easy quilt to assembly!

I have noticed that I really enjoy creating

with the sweet and simple half -square triangles.

Here is where the magic will happen!

You will want to play with the blocks

to see what other layouts you can make!

ENJOY the ride!

Model quilted by a professional long arm quilter

with an all over design, Sally by the Seashore

by Christy Dillon of My Creative Stitches.

 Here is the book cover and the beautiful layout

they gave it in the book.

Thank you ANNIE'S!

The link to PURCHASE so you have

all the lovely options and hopefully
create some new ones!

PS: A sneak peek at an alternate layout courtesy of Annie's!