Can you believe it-We have a banana flower!!!! I am so excited I can't stand myself. This was my new flower on Sunday and today .....
We have 5 bananas so far. Wonder how many we will end up with......Wednesday, July 13, 2011
BANANAS:)
Can you believe it-We have a banana flower!!!! I am so excited I can't stand myself. This was my new flower on Sunday and today .....We have 5 bananas so far. Wonder how many we will end up with......
Sunday, June 26, 2011
UWIB celebrates the Red White and Blue!!
What does the Red, White, and Blue mean to you? Do you swell with pride when you hear the National Anthem as you place your hand over your heart? I not only swell with pride but I often don't make it all the way through without a few tears as thoughts of others' sacrifices come to mind. How many military families do you know? There are quite a few military men in my family in past generations. My father was in the Navy and then joined the Coast Guard.
Here I am at the ripe old age of 17 swearing into the United States Coast Guard...I know I don't look happy, but I was very excited and serious! As some of you already know, I met my husband while in the CG and when I got out, I followed him around so I was never too far from the military life I wanted... just in a different capacity.
Here is my husband (in the middle) getting his Warrant Boards pinned on by myself and his Warrant. I was and am so very proud of him. We have been relatively fortunate as to not have to be separated very much during his 24 year career and so when I place my hand over my heart, my thoughts are with all the other families who have not been as fortunate as myself. It was particularly hard for me during my daughter's college graduation as the realization struck me that so many would not be able to be present for their children this year. We are very fortunate indeed and I am always appreciative of that! Every year I take time to decorate my home from Memorial Day to the 4th of July with Red, White, and Blue. Here are some items that can help you do the same...
After 9-11 I designed "Home of the Brave" but it took me a few more years before I could put design into fabric. I have been asked why there is a flower on it? That is actually my stylized version of fireworks. You can read more about it here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76400399/home-of-the-brave-wall-hang-quilt
"A Hero's Light" was designed in response to the WWII style stars I was seeing in the windows of neighbors when the war continued on. Since I am a fan of candles, I made candle mats so that a light could be lit for a loved one.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76665490/a-heros-light-candle-mat-quilt
The premade mats will come with a votive holder.
Kits to make your own mats can be found on my website here: http://nestlingsbyrobin.com/gifts_kits.html I love these because they come with a hand-etched votive holder that has my logo on it.
Lastly, I wish I could remember where I saw this pin! It was on etsy somewhere and it is a vintage CG pin that an officer's wife in the 1940's would have worn. It has crystals on it and was way out of my price range but man o man would I have loved that pin!!!
If you know a military family, send them a special message this 4th of July and if you don't, send out a special message on Facebook or on one of your email lists. IT will surely touch another family!
Here I am at the ripe old age of 17 swearing into the United States Coast Guard...I know I don't look happy, but I was very excited and serious! As some of you already know, I met my husband while in the CG and when I got out, I followed him around so I was never too far from the military life I wanted... just in a different capacity.
Here is my husband (in the middle) getting his Warrant Boards pinned on by myself and his Warrant. I was and am so very proud of him. We have been relatively fortunate as to not have to be separated very much during his 24 year career and so when I place my hand over my heart, my thoughts are with all the other families who have not been as fortunate as myself. It was particularly hard for me during my daughter's college graduation as the realization struck me that so many would not be able to be present for their children this year. We are very fortunate indeed and I am always appreciative of that! Every year I take time to decorate my home from Memorial Day to the 4th of July with Red, White, and Blue. Here are some items that can help you do the same... 
After 9-11 I designed "Home of the Brave" but it took me a few more years before I could put design into fabric. I have been asked why there is a flower on it? That is actually my stylized version of fireworks. You can read more about it here:http://www.etsy.com/listing/76400399/home-of-the-brave-wall-hang-quilt
"A Hero's Light" was designed in response to the WWII style stars I was seeing in the windows of neighbors when the war continued on. Since I am a fan of candles, I made candle mats so that a light could be lit for a loved one.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76665490/a-heros-light-candle-mat-quilt
The premade mats will come with a votive holder.
Kits to make your own mats can be found on my website here: http://nestlingsbyrobin.com/gifts_kits.html I love these because they come with a hand-etched votive holder that has my logo on it.
If you know a military family, send them a special message this 4th of July and if you don't, send out a special message on Facebook or on one of your email lists. IT will surely touch another family!HAPPY 4TH OF JULY to all the military members, family members, spouses, and children dependents and THANK YOU!!!
Please take some time to check out my fellow UWIB members' blogs:
TrudyMiller http://mommagoddesstreasures.blogspot.com/
Janet Bocciardi http://thehoneyfromthebee.blogspot.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Lychee anyone?
When we lived overseas and my children were smaller, we used to be able to buy these fun little asian jellos in different flavors: kiwi, apple, and lychee. The white lychee jellos were my favorite although I had never actually eaten a lychee and didn't really know what they were. One of the things my husband and I like to do is go to Saturday/Farmer's markets. When we went to the St Petersburg market last weekend, I found these wonderful little red things... Since I am adventurous (selectively:), I asked what they were and behold-they are real Lychee nuts. Aren't they a wonderful color?
You eat them the way you eat another of my family's favorites-Quenepas from Puerto Rico. You peel the red outer layer away and eat all the pulp off the inner nut. I have a few I am going to try and grow now that I am in Florida.
We also found real Guava fruit that we thought we would put into a refreshing rum drink...not so easy to do. The Guava has a bunch of hard seeds in the center and so it had to be blended first so that the seeds could be strained off. I understand now why this juice is so expensive.
Until next time, keep trying new things!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Coming to you now from FLORIDA
I can't believe it has been 2 months. Although I knew that I would lose a lot of time during the move, it still surprises me just how much.
So what have I been up to? Well after Easter and my girlies' birthdays, we prepared for my older daughter's graduation from ECU with 2 degrees no less!! I couldn't have been prouder.
Copyrighted 2010, "Flutterbys" NESTLINGS by Robin
These little framed butterflies were good-bye gifts to a wonderfully fun group of women I met with occassionally. They were gracious enough to invite me into their world and I will be forever grateful! Thank you!!
It was then time to visit my mother in Virginia one more time before moving. On the way, I FINALLY got the photo of the Tobacco Flowers that I had been trying to get for 4 years. They are so delicate for such a deadly plant.
Copyrighted 2010, "Spiked Pinwheels" NESTLINGS by Robin
Since the visit was right after Mother's Day, I was able to hand deliver my gift to her. Plus that gave me the excuse I needed to have a few more days to finish it:) 
Added bonus: I was able to see my nephew that I hadn't seen in 2+ years...WOW he had grown and what a little personality. Here he is being a ham AND being licked to death by my Juni:)
All the work I had done before my trip to finish entries for the local quilt guild show paid off with 2 Blue Ribbons. Here is one for the challenge quilt that I named, "Snow Bird". The second one I will not show since I have entered it in Houston and don't want to jinx it:)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Happy Belated Easter and ...
what a crazy month it has been:)
Since I last wrote to you, I have:
-taught another class
-helped write the standards for a local Saturday Market
-prepared my Paducah entry for shipping-- "Groovin' Grove" was juried in:)
-worked up my business taxes so my husband could do our family taxes-yuck
-finished all the minutes for 2 boards I sit on and submitted my resignation for both due to the impending move
-mapped out entries for local guild show and started actually making 3 of them--they are entered but not started. How's that for confidence? :)
-continued to work on a new design in applique along with a fusible version
-reviewed a pattern for another designer
-showed our house 3 times even though we are renting
-had my pup in for a follow up visit because her stitches didn't look well and we were kenneling her for a week--she was fine:)
-prepared moving lists
-prepared lists for houses to look at
-went house hunting in FL and bought a house
-started one of the miniatures for my quilt show
-start preparing for Easter company which will consist of both my daughters and one boyfriend. It will also be my daughters' birthdays so we celebrated that too.
-had both the sewing machine and computer take a vacation-Yikes. Both were fine too:)
-started cleaning out studio and while doing so found this bunny below.....
This design was suppose to be a wall hang with 4 blocks where 2 would have chenille bunnies and the opposing 2 would have chenille carrots. It is amazing what you find while cleaning:) I found a few started designs that now I have to decide how to proceed. Since I only had one bunny done, I decided to stop there and make a smaller table topper out of it. This measures approximately 13" and turned out very cute! My older daughter took it for next Easter.
Now what to do with the others?? My cleaning will result in fabric going to a friend, a quilt club, and then donating other supplies to a local Girl Scout troop.
I have to keep editing and forcing myself to stop being such a pack rat!
Now back to cleaning and designing- I have to get lots done on this end before all is packed away for a month...
Have a fabulous week!
Since I last wrote to you, I have:
-taught another class
-helped write the standards for a local Saturday Market
-prepared my Paducah entry for shipping-- "Groovin' Grove" was juried in:)
-worked up my business taxes so my husband could do our family taxes-yuck
-finished all the minutes for 2 boards I sit on and submitted my resignation for both due to the impending move
-mapped out entries for local guild show and started actually making 3 of them--they are entered but not started. How's that for confidence? :)
-continued to work on a new design in applique along with a fusible version
-reviewed a pattern for another designer
-showed our house 3 times even though we are renting
-had my pup in for a follow up visit because her stitches didn't look well and we were kenneling her for a week--she was fine:)
-prepared moving lists
-prepared lists for houses to look at
-went house hunting in FL and bought a house
-started one of the miniatures for my quilt show
-start preparing for Easter company which will consist of both my daughters and one boyfriend. It will also be my daughters' birthdays so we celebrated that too.
-had both the sewing machine and computer take a vacation-Yikes. Both were fine too:)
-started cleaning out studio and while doing so found this bunny below.....
This design was suppose to be a wall hang with 4 blocks where 2 would have chenille bunnies and the opposing 2 would have chenille carrots. It is amazing what you find while cleaning:) I found a few started designs that now I have to decide how to proceed. Since I only had one bunny done, I decided to stop there and make a smaller table topper out of it. This measures approximately 13" and turned out very cute! My older daughter took it for next Easter.Now what to do with the others?? My cleaning will result in fabric going to a friend, a quilt club, and then donating other supplies to a local Girl Scout troop.
I have to keep editing and forcing myself to stop being such a pack rat!
Now back to cleaning and designing- I have to get lots done on this end before all is packed away for a month...
Have a fabulous week!
Friday, March 25, 2011
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'
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.
'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/
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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.
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.
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