Friday, July 26, 2013

Happy to Meet You

Well here I am, RobinSue, formally introducing myself to you courtesy of Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop.  It's been a very exciting summer for me learning about the blog world and immersing myself in it.  This couldn't have come at a better time for me.  For ten months a year I am a 1st grade teacher, which coincidentally ended the same week the blog hop started.  I no longer had the excuse of "I don't have the time." Even better is that my post is at the end of the hop after I have had the summer to read and learn from all of you.

My Start:
I started out with a simple plan.  Do something uncomfortable.  This technology world makes me a bit uncomfortable - using, viewing and putting myself in it.  I started reading blogs about 6 months ago in a generalized search for quilts.  I was just curious what others were doing.  Curiosity got the best of me and before I knew it I had a google account to make comments, a bloglovin' account to follow, and a crazy idea that I should join this community.  I must say, I am happy that I followed that crazy idea.  The most difficult part was thinking of a name, and after reading so many blogs, I was stumped for a clever one.  So, I just went with my name and then realized that ' quilts" is both a noun and a verb and the name RobinSueQuilts was formed.  



Top Left:  Ocean Wave & FMQ practice quilt.
Top Center:  Pretty in Pink
Top Right: Carter's Choice
Bottom Left: Daughter's College Quilt - Full Size
Center:  The quilt on my daughter's bed now - Queen Size
Bottom Right: Charity Quilt - Queen Size 


Benefits:
What I had hoped to get from joining this community I have.  I have connected with other quilters - I don't personally know anyone else who quilts.  I'm not a joiner (another uncomfortable activity for me) so I haven't yet joined a guild, taken a class (not even online), gone to any retreats or been part of a bee.  This community has helped me find my local guilds (not joined yet but seriously considering), register for an online class (although I haven't yet viewed it), sign up for 1 bee and learned some computer skills including how to make a photo montage.

I have started documenting my work with photos. I try to post the best of the bunch as I take many, never sure of the lighting, the quality, or if the photo actually shows what I see.  I've become more consistent at taking photos while I work to document the process as well.  Now if I could only learn to pay attention to fabric lines!  




Likes and Dislikes:
When it comes to quilting, my favorite part is the designing; putting fabrics together, deciding on an idea, and even cutting.  Of course, I like the sewing - it's so soothing and a big stress reliever for me.  The part I dislike - pressing seams!  After pressing seams on 1300 HSTs, I thought there has to be a better way.  Alas, unless I can train my loyal companions to hold an iron, I will have to continue to this tedious job.  
Cola and Mini keeping me company
Current  and Future Events:
I have so many ideas in my head and on the never-ending list that I am always doing something.  I am currently piecing two quilts, working out the designs for at least three, cutting scraps into two sizes for future scrap quilts and prepping two tops for sandwiching and quilting.  Also on the list are aprons, mug rugs for back to school gifts, paper piecing, write a tutorial, and finally, use some of the quilting books I own.  



Thank you for spending the time getting to know me.  

Check out the rest of this week's line-up from the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop!


RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts  Hope you enjoyed!
Elisa Lea @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In The Boon Docks
Emily @ Sew E.T.
Em @ Sewing by Moonlight

Monday, July 22, 2013

HST Progress

Not much sewing done last week - enjoyed a few days at the spa.  Spent yesterday working on the red, white & blue quilt.  I had to run out and purchase two half yards of fabric - I couldn't believe I was missing a few squares - that put a crimp in my day!  As of midnight, I have all the strips pinned and ready for a quick seam and press.  Hope to show you all 36 finished blocks by tomorrow.



red, white, blue, patriotic, HST
Red, White & Blue


This basket is the progress on my Orange Peel quilt.  I was a bit afraid of curves and found that they aren't scary at all!  As soon as I have the Red, White & Blue blocks completed it will be back to this project.

orange peel, scrappy, curves
Orange Peel



orange peel, scrappy, curves


Thanks for taking a look!
RobinSue

Friday, July 5, 2013

Gumdrops-Sunday Mornings Quilt

I finally finished the Gumdrop quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts.  As I haven't learned to write down or keep track of where I buy the fabric or who designed it, I can only tell you that the gumdrops were from scraps and the background is Kona (which shade of gray I can't remember).  The backside is a two-tone gray polka dot and the binding is a two-tone gray chevron print.  I didn't really know what I was doing as far as the FMQ pattern.  I was trying to do bubbles/cobblestones and kept plodding along.  All in all, I'm pleased with finished project!
sunday morning quilts, scrap quilting, purples and gray,  scraps, FMQ
Finished size is 40" x 60"






My first link up with Crazy Mom Quilts!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

July Blog Hop Schedule

I had several projects in the works for June, so July looks hopeful to have many finishes.  My lovely sister is working on a logo for me, so in the meantime I made these labels for some totes I finished up.

handmade labels
totes, lables

Don't forget to check out the following participants in the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop hosted by Beth at Plum and June.  It's wonderful learning about other quilters, getting tips and tutorials and just knowing there are so many fabulous people willing to share.


July 5
Christa @ Christa Quilts!
Stephanie @ Quarter Incher

 July 12
Anne @ PlayCrafts
Cath @ Wombat Quilts
Sarah @ {no} hats in the house
Christen @ Love by Hand
Julie @ 627handworks

July 19
Alison @ Making Happyness
Ella and Nesta @ Ella & Nesta's Little Room
Nicole @ Modern Handcraft
Aylin @ AyliN-Nilya
Kelsey and Amanda @ Everyday Fray

July 26
RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts
Elisa Lea @ Lovelea Designs
Elizabeth @ In The Boon Docks
Emily @ Sew E.T.
Em @ Sewing by Moonlight


Thanks for stopping by!