Spring into UWIB

Welcome to our 2nd Unique Women in Business blog hop where we are helping everyone hop into Spring with wonderful gift ideas for birthdays, easter, graduation, and Mother's Day.

'Swaying Hearts'

'Swaying Hearts' is one of my newest designs done in an adorable 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" size: http://www.etsy.com/listing/68120369/swaying-hearts

Because I am a designer, most of my quilt patterns are applique designs vs. pieced patterns and this allows me endless ways of recreating my designs.

With the new lines of beautiful variegated threads on the market (Sulky, YLI), I can do outline embroidery in any color I want and the variegation adds more interest than the traditional redwork. Beading is one of my passions: Since I like the look of variegated threads so much, I have started learning how to make my own bead mixes to create variegated bead embroidery. Above, 'Swaying Hearts' was first painted and then beaded.

The applique work is available now at the etsy store link above. If you are interested in either the embroidery or beaded work, please email me at robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

I absolutely love the challenge of taking a sketch or idea of mine and finding how many different ways I can rework it, taking it from black and white to beautiful colors represented in the world around us. Now that Spring is here, we are surrounded by color in various shades and hues and tints: The flowers that nature provides us are already variegated for our joy.

Please enjoy the wonderful Spring bounty provided by my fellow UWIB ladies:

RitaWetzel http://ritascreativenest.com/

JennNolda http://brynnsbeautifulbows.blogspot.com/

Ann Rinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/

RobinKoehler http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/

LindaReynolds http://bellalindadesigns.net/

Audrey Fetterhoff http://audreygardenlady.blogspot.com/

Birgitte Hendricks http://sewdanish.blogspot.com/

Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com/

JanetBocciardi http://www.honeyfromthebee.com/

LindaStranger http://capecodjewel.blogspot.com/

KarenTerry McDuffie http://jmjcreations.blogspot.com/

JudyWoodley http://wellspringcreations.blogspot.com/

TrudyMiller http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com/

Cory Trusty http://aquarianbath.blogspot.com/

Nancy Pace http://nancyswildwirejewelry.blogspot.com/

Lois Stifel http://foxygknits.com/

Jenn Brockman http://alexshares.com/

Also, here are the links to our ETSY TeamLink http://www.etsy.com/teams/6263/unique-women-in-business-uwib

Link to UWIB Blog - http://uniquewomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/

Artrageous Challenge Reveal

ARTRAGEOUS, my art quilt group, revealed our 2010 challenge this past weekend. It is really hard to work on something fun and not share it for a whole year! 'Fabric Gossip' used the Telephone Game as our guide but using a photo vs. a whispered secret.
Since I was the first person in my group, I got to see the photo and I knew immediately that I wanted to use one of Gloria Loughman's techniques in my background. The technique isn't hard but it was very challenging, to me, trying to place the colors the right way so that it would be pleasing to the eye, not too drastic, and be recognizeable.

I started cutting a batch of diamonds in various sunset colors.

Once they were sewn together for the sky, I wanted to portray the water with a different directionality. Kathy Loomis had just posted on her blog about piecing gentle curves. I followed her directions and considering it was my first time doing this, was ok with how it turned out. The sky was then hand appliqued to the water area where the darker orange is.

Here is a cropped photo of the background all pieced with the tree and horizon line fused on. I then added a bit of fabric paint along the horizon line and below the tree to represent the reflection in the water.

Here is the finished piece completely quilted and faced. The moon was portrayed using the small holeless beads that you glue on. I am not quite sure this was the best technique to use since they want to flake off with too much handling. I fear as this piece gets put up in exhibit after exhibit, the beads will continue to wear off. They would be fine to use if you just hung it on the wall and left it alone.

This was so much fun and when you click on the link below, you can see the original photo along with all the other pieces and how the photo changed as each person received their bit of information.

http://artrageousfibreart.blogspot.com/2011/03/2010-challenge-reveal.html

UWIB Goes Green:)

Welcome to the UWIB Blog Hop...we hope you enjoy seeing all we have to offer and find something wonderful for yourself or a friend.

"CLADDAGH"

Wall Hang finishes to 22" Square

What says green more than the Emerald Isle itself, Ireland. I am Irish on my mother's side and on a visit back in 2002 she and I started designing this piece together.

It is based on a 500 year old romantic Irish lore from the ancient fishing village of Claddagh just outside the walls of the City of Galway on the west coast of Ireland.

A fishing boat from the village of Claddagh was captured by Algerian pirates and the crew was sold into slavery. One of the crew was a young man by the name of Richard Joyce who was to be married the same week he was captured. Instead, Richard found himself far away from his love and his homeland.
He was sold to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith who taught him the trade and, eventually, he became skilled enough to design a ring of special significance: the hands were for friendship, the crown was for loyalty, and the heart was for love.
Years went by, but Richard never forgot his sweetheart. When he was finally released, his master asked him to stay and offered him riches and the hand of his only daughter in marriage. But Richard Joyce declined, eager to return to his Irish love. With much trepidation he returned to Galway to find that the girl he had been due to marry so many years before had herself never married. They were wed immediately and their wedding band was the Claddagh ring he had designed and made for her.
By tradition the ring is taken to signify the wish that love and friendship should reign supreme. The hands signify friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart love. Often representing the sole major investment of a fishing family, they have been traditionally handed down from mother to daughter. Today, the ring is worn extensively across Ireland, either on the right hand with the heart turned outwards showing that the wearer is "fancy free" or with the heart turned inwards to denote that he or she is "spoken for." The pride of place is on the left hand, with the heart turned in, indicating that the wearer is happily married and the love and friendship will last forever, the two never separated.
But one word of caution: it is said to be very bad luck for a person to purchase a Claddagh ring for themselves. It must be given or received as a gift.

I was once told that it was tradition to receive the ring from your grandmother and I proudly wear my grandmother's claddagh today.

My quilt pattern can be found in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/68715701/claddagh-quilt-pattern

This is another color way and you can read more about how I have played with this design in an older post: http://nestlingsbyrobin.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-takes-on-old-favorites.html

If you are a quilter or know one, you can find more of my patterns on my website: http://www.nestlingsbyrobin.com/

If you are not a quilter but would love to own one of these designs, please contact me at robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com and I will send you my contract for commissioned work.

Please be sure to visit all our Participating Members:

Karen Terry-McDuffie http://www.jmjcreat%20ions.blogspot.com/
Linda ciaobelajewelry1@gmail.com
Birgitte Hendricks http://sewdanish.blogspot.com/
Judy Woodley http://www.wellspri%20ngcreations.blogspot.com/
Rita Wetzel http://ritascreativenest.com/
Audrey F http://audreygardenlady.blogspot.com/
Robin Maria Pedrero http://www.pocketfullofcolors.blogspot.com/
Ann Rinkenberger http://harvestmoonbyhand.blogspot.com/
Trudy Miller http://www.mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com/
Cory Trusty http://aquarianbath.blogspot.com/
Cory Trusty http://delicateadornments.blogspot.com/
Nancy Pace http://nancyswildwirejewelry.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kelly http://blog.vintageday.com/

RETREAT Spells.....

Relax, Enjoy Time with friends, Reflect on ideas, and EAT.

L-R: Susan, Beth, Me, Kathy, Susan, Chris, Lorraine

Right after my last post, I flew to St. Louis to meet up with friends in Illinois where I used to live. The year I moved away was the 1st Annual Quilt Retreat and they have had one every year since that I have not been able to attend. There is a wonderful little quilt shop in Highland, Ill. named Rosemary's where you can sew and live amongst the bolts:) and this was my Christmas present from my husband. It is so relaxing and sort of lets you feel like you are getting away with something...
Susan and I kept the secret from the others for over 2 months which is quite the feat when you consider all the ways we could have let it slip...Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, etc.We all had projects we wanted to work on. Here you can see Kathy and our other Susan and the table is still relatively neat:) There was plenty of fabric and conversation to keep us busy late into the nights.
The table is starting to get a bit more creative looking as more fabric and ideas get tossed about. Now let's talk about the food....Italian, Chinese, and Mexican- ALL OUR FAVORITES and the restaurants are all within a 2 block walking distance when the weather allows.

Above is a sneak peek at one of the 2 designs I started working on while in Ill. This particular one is very abstract and so different from how I normally work. I chose familiar colors though to help me work through this and I find I am enjoying this new piece. Stay tuned for the finished wall quilt.

Retreats don't have to cost a lot of money with a little imagination and what you receive in return is priceless!

Thank you Friends.

FIREWORKS:

Do you get a vision of brightness and awe and a feeling of exhiliration?

In my adult years I have heard people say that fear holds you back. My whole life has been ruled by fear but I didn't think I was fearful of good things....how could you be?

Every now and again in my life a song comes on the radio that overwhelms me with emotion and I don't always recognize why at first. The last time I remember going through this was about 9-10 years ago when the Dixie Chicks redid "Landslide" (originally by Fleetwood Mac). I listened to it and cried. I was not very happy where we were, my daughters were entering teen/pre-teen which scared me for reasons I won't name here, and I didn't like where I was in my life. The lyrics touched me because I was stuck, afraid to move forward- because,
"I've been afraid of changing 'Cause I've built my life around you" I had put everything of myself into my girls and trying to build my fantasy family and marriage. I had it and yet I knew I wanted more and then felt selfish for wanting more.

The other day I heard the song, "Firework" by Katy Perry-what a fun catchy beat (and you can dance to it:). The next time I listened to the words and they hit me like a ton of bricks.....they are bubble gum pop but still spoke to me:

Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to your perfect road.

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow

And when it's time, you'll know.

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine

Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework

Come on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go "oh oh oh"

As you shoot across the sky-y-y.

Baby you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go "oh oh oh"

You're gonna leave them all in "awe awe awe".

Lately I have been feeling like I am meant to do something amazing and exciting with my life and in my career. While choking back the tears I realized that I am afraid of moving forward because that might mean losing what I have and love; my comfortable quiet existence with the love of my life. He is very supportive and proud of me and what if succeeding means being with him so much less that I lose my balance? I don't do well out of balance. I feel safe and secure right now but also unfulfilled....so aren't I already out of balance?

My word for 2011 is Transition and expanding my heart and my mind's boundaries for myself will fall into this word's definition for me. I would challenge all my reader's to do the same and take one step beyond your secure zone and take a chance.

My monthly horoscope had this to say:
Keep in Mind this Month Playing it safe will only prolong your insecurity. Bold action, however, burns away fear in the excitement of new undertakings.

I joined a Haiku group for this year to expand my writing/creative skills. Our first challenge word is "Beginnings" and my haiku is:

Beginnings bring fear
Beginnings bring excitement
JUMP NOW, Feel Breath Live

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What a year 2010 was in many ways. As I reviewed what I had accomplished it didn't seem all that impressive compared to 2009 and then I realized I made huge strides in confidence....and though the list may appear a bit shorter in length, it was in no way smaller in the depth of the accomplishments.

Last year my word was Diligence. I was diligent in rewriting my book proposal even though it has been rejected for a second time. I was diligent in not letting opportunities pass me by and that enabled me to be published twice along with having a design be included in the Quilter's Club of America promotional CD. When the gallery that had been representing me closed, I found a new gallery. I know I could have done much better but I also see how much forward progress I made.

My word for 2011 is Transition. Transition number one:

Meet Junie (short for Juniper)

Our beloved little Schmoopy died last February and we were completely heartbroken. She was the sweetest little beagle ever and the only dog I have truly loved! Just saying her name, Schmoopy, made me mushy inside.
We swore that we wouldn't get another dog for years so that we could travel, get settled, blah blah blah:) A couple of weeks before Christmas my husband stated that he missed having a dog--I agreed. After a couple of other beagle opportunities fell through, we found an ad for a pure breed beagle female, 3-4 months old, $50-family couldn't keep her.
We got there and she is so NOT a pure breed but she was also so malnurished and unwanted (wanted a hunting dog and she was too skittish) that I couldn't leave her there. She came to us the Sunday before Christmas and everyone loves her.

How could you not? Look at that face:) Having said that, I had forgotten how much work a dog---especially a puppy is! My nice quiet work days are gone for awhile as we all take turns on puppy watch.

Transition number 2: We received our official transfer orders 3 days before Christmas. We will be moving to Clearwater, FL in June. This will be our first move without our daughters and feels very strange to be considering what items will stay here with them, getting the younger settled into an apartment, and making sure they are prepared to be on their own. It feels against nature to me that the parents should move away from the children. So far I have been great at stuffing the feelings but June will be miserable for me....so bittersweet! I am so proud of them moving forward in their lives and I don't want to miss any of it. The military will not allow for that I am afraid. We have always done everything as a family and this will be a major transition for us all.

Transition number 3: This will take place in my work although I am not 100% sure of just how yet. I have been sitting on the fence for the past 2 years about how to balance my time between the artwork and the quilt patterns. I love them both and at times one is progressing further than the other. Sometimes I feel that I should choose one over the other and I am getting closer to a decision. Moving will also put a crimp in what I can get accomplished this year due to the lost time from packing up and then unpacking.

Transition this year will involve my work, my friendships, my living environment, my schedule, my family. I have some wonderful goals set up to guide me so that I don't get too off course with everything else that will demand my time.

Setting the goals is a great opportunity for me to always feel that I am moving forward since although it doesn't all get done, more gets done than if I didn't have it:)

What will you make happen for yourself this year?

Tree Skirt-Along Finale

Did you think I forgot about you? I may be running late but I wouldn't leave you hanging...

Hopefully you have a full top done- Mine measures 49" square measuring from red point to red point. I won't be making it into a tree skirt since I love it as a table topper.

Here is one of the blocks with a quilting design idea for you. I like the swirls going in all directions and will probably quilt mine this way...especially the center area...Love it! If you like these, save the diagram below. Print it out to an 8 1/2" x 11" and you will have the designs for a 12" block.

I did have some issues on my end getting it to print out the correct size. You may need to print at 90% once saved. Here are the measurements for each component so you will know you are close:

Large Swoop: 2-7/8" x 4-3/8"

Small Swoop: 1-1/2" x 2-1/4"

Center Swirl: 4-3/4" x 6-5/8" (measured along the spine of the swirl)

For backing fabric you will need 3 yards (trim selvages off):

Cut in half for 2 pieces at 54" x 40".

Sew back together along the 54" length to create a backing piece 54" x 80". You can trim away from the 80" dimension for a 54" square if you prefer. The 54" gives you approximately 2.5" extra on either side for quilting. You will need more yardage if you want extra backing fabric.

The 54" is also your batting dimension.

Layer your top with batting and backing for quilting. Quilt your tree skirt in a design of your choosing.

After the quilting it is time to make your cuts (represented in black on the diagram above) in order for it to become a tree skirt. You will want the center hole to be 3 1/4" across- this allows for the 1/4" seam allowance when sewing on your binding so that you don't cut the points off the red. Check the openings of drinking glasses/mugs in your cabinets-my water goblets are 3 1/2" across. Don't forget to check tupperware lids, coasters, candles: Most homes have readily available templates if we just look around and get imaginative:)

Once you have marked your hole, draw a straight line from the hole down through the center of one of the red points. Cut up the line and cut away the hole.

You will need 1 yard of fabric for 260" of continuous single-layer BIAS binding: (I cut my strips @ 1-1/8")

I don't usually make true bias binding but you will need it for the hole in the tree skirt. Since I don't claim to be an expert here, I will refer you to the Connecting Threads tutorial on how to make the bias binding.

After you have quilted and made and attached your binding all that is left is to find a way to close your slit.

Options include:

Making ties that can be sewn on from the back at the binding edge. Ties could be fabric tubes that match the binding or strips of ribbon. Make ties approximately 12" - 15" long.

You could also attach buttons on one edge and create a ribbon or elastic loop.

You can choose to not have closures at all:) Then you would be done!

The important thing is that you finish it and label it and love it.

Don't forget to email me a photo of your completed top by Dec 16th (since I was a bit late I will add a couple of days) to be entered into a drawing for 2 free patterns.

Email: robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Can't wait to see what they look like!!