Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today is a special day. It's my Dad's birthday!!! We all have special people in our lives, but our parents are the ones that have a great influence on us.

I have lots of great memories as a little girl with my dad. He was a industrial arts teacher in Sacramento, California for over 40 years. I remember going to his shop at school and spending many saturdays making things. I think that's why I love to create. I got my ability to solve problems and repair things from him. I don't think there was anything that he couldn't figure out a clever way of doing better.

I remember getting to go for rides on the motorcycle he owned for a while. Although I burned my leg on the tailpipe several times, I remember climbing on the back and putting my small arms around his waist and hanging on good and tight. What a thrill that was to a little girl.

I remember special summers with my Dad. One summer he took us to his uncle's cabin at Eagle Lake, CA. It was there he took me fishing for the first time and I caught my first fish. (Probably only since.)

Of course there are many more things that make my Dad special to me. The main thing about my Dad is that I always knew that he loved me. Even though through the years we haven't been able to see each other enough, I know that he would do anything for me.

My Dad is a blessing in my life and I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell him how much he is loved.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Chirp, Chirp,

Robin

Kellen loves his drum

Kellen's grandpa found this fun toy for Kellen and had it sent to him. It looks like he's enjoying it!!! Just wanted to share this cute video!

Chirp, Chirp,

Robin

Love this web-site.....

After reading some of my favorite blogs, I eventually ended up finding this fun web-site from Bunny Hill Designs. They have some really fun things that includes a free Block of the Month. This year is a year of snowmen, but last year was baskets. All of the instructions are still available if you want to do a really fun quilt.

With these cold winter months upon us, it's fun to have a great project to work on.

Chirp, chirp,

Robin

Binding...Binding....Binding....and more Binding....

I've been pretty busy lately getting some of my tops quilted at my local longarm rental place.

On New Years Eve I quilted for 6 hours and got 3 large tops and one medium size quilt finished.

Of course I then needed to do the binding. Luckily, I have a great way to do the hand sewing part of the binding. I've found that I can do in a couple hours what used to take a lot longer.

I thought I'd share it with my quilter friends out there in blogging land.

Using the Ladder Stitch for Binding

The ladder stitch is usually used in knitting when you want to join seams, but is perfect for the hand sewing portion of binding. It’s fast and almost invisible.
No need to use “clips” or pins to hold your binding as you sew.
Strong thread, such as quilting weight thread is recommended to avoid thread snapping in the middle of the process.

Here’s how:
Knot your thread and start by “burying” it in the layers that will be covered up by the binding. The needle should come out of the fabric just above your machine stitching line.
Fold your binding over and take a small running stitch in the binding between the layers. (the only thread that should be showing is the “ladder” rung)
Then take the needle and insert it directly across from where your thread comes out and take a stitch parallel, and close to the machine stitching line. Your stitches will be loose at this point.
Repeat as shown along the length of the binding until you have about ¾ - 1” of “ladders” and then “draw up” or pull on thread to tighten binding against the quilt.
Just keep going and you will be finished in record time, with perfect binding!

Sometimes if I’m having trouble seeing the thread, I will use a lighter or contrasting thread.
It doesn’t matter because it’s going to be invisible anyway. (As long as you pull up your
stitches properly.)

I think you will find that doing the binding on your quilts will be TREAT!
You’ll even look forward to it!!

HAPPY BINDING!!!!!

Now I'm going to switch from being a quilter to being a Grandma! Here is my latest picture of my sweet little Kellen. What a little cutie!!!

Chirp, Chirp,

Robin

Check out this great web-site!!!!

Hello everyone!!! Just wanted to share a great site I found for quilters. It's a great resource to find things that your local quiltshop might not carry. http://quilterblogs.com/

Check them out!!!

There is also a place where you can post a free classified ad if you have something you want to sell. http://www.freequiltclassifieds.com/

Have fun!!!

Chirp, Chirp,

Robin

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

From My Nest to Yours!!!