Thank goodness for Quilting

Hi Everyone,

It seems like such a long time since I have sat here at the computer and done my blog and Newsletter.

I have been away for quite a while up in Northern New South Wales with my sister Chris. I was with her when she passed away from this world into the next, in November, aged only 58 years. She died from lung cancer and it is just the most terrible way to die.

I feel that my world will never be the same without her in it and my heart goes out to Shane and Tim; Chris’s husband and 17 year old son. Thank you to my wonderful friends and family everywhere who have given me the most heartfelt support.

But life goes on. The sun will surely rise tomorrow and we left to grieve must, in some way, take care of ourselves and nurture each other when and where we can, so that we can survive this.

Thank goodness for quilting. I had never entered any of my quilts in an exhibition before this November. We had our biennial 3 day quilt show in Geelong in November. It is an exhibition of work of the Geelong Patchwork and Quilters Guild members. I put 3 quilts in and a small quilt in the challenge.

I won equal 3rd place in the challenge, Best of Show, Viewers Choice 1st and Viewers Choice 2nd. I am still in shock about this.

It just demonstrates how, during life, we can experience the most exhilarating highs and the most soul crunching lows in a very short space of time. I find it difficult to explain how one can feel shattered and heart broken whilst on cloud 9. But that is surely how I have felt for a while.

I have a small wall hanging pattern and profile in the January edition of Homespun magazine which has been something to look forward to. I have just completed another quilt to go into another fabulous Australian quilting magazine next year. But I will tell you more about that when it happens. It really is very exciting.

I hope you are all enjoying your quilting and/or other hobbies. I hope, too, that your Christmas is full of good news, good health, good friends and family. I wish you all the very best for the New year and, God willing, I will be back here in 2010.

Happy quilting,

Robyn

My Sister, Chris

I have been away from my blog and my website for a couple of weeks and going through a bit of a tough time this year.

My sister Chris, second of we 5 siblings and next in age to me, 15 months younger, at age 58, has lung cancer. I am shattered - one can only begin to imagne how it must be for her.

She lives in New South Wales near Maitland which is a long way from me. It is a one hour drive to the airport, a flight of an hour and a half and a drive of about half an hour to reach her.

She found out she had lung cancer in November last year and up until about 2 months ago wasn't doing too badly.

She contracted pneumonia in September and almost died; but she has rallied and is still in hospital. At that stage she wanted us all to be with her. I am the eldest, then Chris, another sister, a brother and another sister and our Mum. Our Dad died of lung and brain cancer in 1982.

Chrissy faces a battle and we all want to be there with her. But, like everyone, we have commitments of one sort or another and things we need to do, and we all live hours from each other. So I had to leave her last weekend and come home to do things. I am so torn because I want to be with her but need to be here too.

I will probably go back up to be with her and will be neglectful of my web site and blog posts. My beloved brother also had a partial removal of his prostate and a kidney removed with cancer earlier this year. As well, a nephew has had testicular cancer. So it has been a big year for this dreadful illness in our family.

I wanted to let people know so that there is some explanation for neglect of web things.

I hope you are all quilting to your hearts content and loving every (well, most anyway - maybe not the unpicking) minute of it.

Til next time,

Robyn

New Design - Dresden Diamonds

Hi Quilters,

Just a quick little note to tell you all that our new Dresden Diamonds pattern is now available in the store. The pattern contains all of the instructions and information you will need to make the quilt top and I hope people enjoy doing so. It is a full size pattern and there is no joining of pages, photocopying or enlarging.

I have just had two wonderful days with a friend who came down from Melbourne to stay. She, too, is a quilter, and we had a lovely time gallivanting around the countryside looking in fabric, quilting and patchwork stores, drinking coffee and eating cake etc. We are so lucky to be able to do these things.

I hope you out there are happy and well and feeling excited about starting a new project or finishing one off; or just enjoying being in the middle of one.

Til the next time
Happy quilting,

Robyn

The Relevance of a Blog

Hi Blog Readers,

When we set up our web site, my husband (the computer guru) told me that I needed to be "out there" and have my own blog. So I wrote a few things and posted a few blogs and then began to wonder what they were all about.
I know that people read them because Feedjit tells me they do but there are no comments or responses ......
As the web site provides information about our products and we have a Newsletter that goes out monthly, what is the purpose of a blog????
Can anyone tell me??
Can anyone tell me why they read them and what they want to read???? Do people who don't receive the Newsletter read them???
Should I be communicating what I am up to in my little room designing and making my quilts????? Are people interested in knowing those things???
Are people interested in our beautiful garden as my nectarine tree is bursting forth with pink blossoms??????
Please leave a comment and let us know these things or send an email from the web site because I would really like to know.

Happy Quilting,

Robyn

Craft and Quilt Show

I went off to the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Show yesterday and I just have to say how wonderful it was. If you have even a tiny inclination toward craft and creativity you will find something there to interest, look at or purchase.
For people like me who live and breathe quilts it is a feast for the mind and spirit that sets my imagination ablaze.
I find that to wander through the beautiful quilts is a most nurturing and inspiring experience and I always leave with more ideas for future projects.

That is to say nothing about my arms being laden with fabrics and tools of all kinds.

I find the experience of a day at a fabulous fair like that to be uplifting and inspirational and it is such a credit to the organisers that we have a show of this calibre in such a great venue - thank you.

I do hope that lots of you out there can make it to the show or to those held in other cities, as it is definitely worth every effort.

Happy quilting
Robyn

Tangerine Tango Release

Hi Everyone,

PHEW, how busy can one get these days. We all seem to be flat out , don't we?? We have been busy down here at Robian Applique Design Headquarters coming up with new ideas and getting ready for our July special. Don't forget, if there are any of you out there who haven't yet signed up in the web site store, for our Newsletter then please do so. Our list is increasing and we are very happy to welcome lots of new people to our site.

http://www.robianappliquedesigns.com.au

Pam at Pam Bono Designs USA has just released my, "On The Village Green" pattern to the world today and I am hoping it goes well. "On The Village Green" and "Robianville" are still very popular here.

If you haven't checked out our new Tangerine Tango Table Runner pattern, that is it there at the top. We hope you like it. There is also a Place Mat pattern to go with it and DVD's. See our store.

Til the next time,

Happy Quilting,
Robyn

New Pattern Available

Hi Everyone,

Things have been going really well and we are now able to release our new pattern "Hearts and Vines" ahead of schedule. However, it is at the cost of "Mostly Dots". I have had to put this pattern on the back burner for a while but I'm hoping to get to finish it later in the year. I apologise to those of you who are wanting it.

Hearts and Vines (57" x 57") is a stunning design consisting of four centre blocks and a magnificent curved outer border. It is the sort of quilt that can be taken with you to hand sew - particularly the centre. Flowers, bias and leaves make up most of the applique on the quilt. The outer border is unusual and the finished quilt will make a gorgeous addition to a bed or wall.

See the online store on our website http://www.robianappliquedesigns.com.au for further details.


Happy Quilting,

Robyn

Our First Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

Toaday we posted our first web Newsletter. It heralded a new stage in the growth of our web site and we plan to try to get one out at the start of each month. If you would like to receive it just register in the store and it will be sent to your email.

I am in the process of making up a gorgeous table runner with my beginning trade mark curved borders for our DVD. I am sure you will like it.

Thank you to Karen for posting a nice comment on my blog and to Monika for yours in the store. As we are a relatively new site we do appreciate your comments and you can join us as followers if you wish.

I am very happy to be able to tell you all that I have been working with one of the most amazingly talented quiltmakers, Pam Bono, from the USA. Pam's warmth and generosity of spirit are matched only by her ability to design and make the most beautiful quilts and she will be selling my designs on her web site in the coming weeks. If you wish you can go to her site and see the sneak preview which she did of my work. http://www.pambonodesigns.com/ You will need to go to Resources/E Newsletter/Pam Bono Memorial Fun Day.

Until next time,
Happy quilting,
Robyn

Great Quilting Weather

Hi Everyone. Just wanted to say that Ian and I are busy doing all manner of things to get more patterns on the web site and to make it as user friendly as we can.

We are hoping to make our DVD in the next few weeks and will put it in the store when available. The DVD will demonstrate the applique method I use to make my quilts and you won't believe how simple it is - unless you have done one of my classes!!

There was a lot of interest shown in the web site and orders as a result of my flyers going in the show bags at the Geelong Quilt In. It was a great day.

I hope you are all managing to stay warm and enjoying the cooler quilting weather - in the southern hemisphere, that is.

Happy quilting,
Robyn

Online Store Now Open

Looking for a challenge?

Robian Applique Designs has opened their online store where you can browse the new and exciting Applique Quilt Patterns, designed by Robyn Coots.

Visit http://www.robianappliquedesigns.com.au/ for further details

Below are some examples of the unique work that is creating widespread interest from all who have seen Robyn's work or attended her classes.

All patterns are professionally produced, and come with clear instructions to ensure you get the most enjoyment from your purchase.

These patterns are not for the beginning quilter, but offer a challenge to those who have already covered the basics and want something more creative than those patterns offered on many sites. Challenge yourself and be rewarded with a truly unique finished quilt.

Remember, Robyn is only an email away if you have any difficulty.

See full details on the Web page, and contact us via the provided links if you would like further information. Products may be purchased from our online store with secure connections for PayPal, Credit Card, Cheque or Money Order.

All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars, so our International customers can take advantage of the current Exchange Rate while the Aussie Dollar is so low.