Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Blogger Blog Hop



Plum and June


Welcome to my blog!  I am so excited to be part of the Blogger Blog Hop hosted by Plum and June!!! 
I will post the weekly schedule each week here.  Be sure to stop by and check out all the fabulous blogs on the hop!  ♥





First up:

I started quilting about 5 years ago.  I had always wanted to learn how to make quilts and the only kind I knew how to do was to tie a quilt.  I wanted to learn how to make traditional quilts that would make people happy for years and years to come.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any aunts or grandma's that did this, to help teach me.  I learned by myself, with a LOT of You-tube and googling, and visiting all of your blogs for tips and tricks!  I have enjoyed this process immensely and this has grown to be more of just a hobby for me.

Funny thing, my husband taught me how to run a sewing machine!  Don't tell him I wrote this!  He's a very manly man to say the least, but he taught me how to sew and he helps me clean it.  What a guy.  Don't tell him that either. ;)


I started my blog because I wanted to share my passion for quilting/sewing and fabrics with anyone who cared!  I am inspired by so many blogs and quilters, I wanted to do the same, hopefully, for someone else.

I  ♥ to make baby quilts.  I make them for the pure satisfaction they bring as a quick project, but mainly for baby snuggling.  I give them away on one condition - the mom lets me hold the new baby!  :) 

I recently started making laminated crayon wallets.  WOW.  I learned how to laminate my own fabric and all I can say at this point is it takes a lot of time and patience!  I got it down to where I can make one a night - assuming the children are fine to eat sandwiches or cereal for dinner. ;)



I recently just finished two quilts last week.  I've got a few other quilts I am anxious to start.   I realized that most my quilts are girlie.  I don't have any boys so when I look at fabric, I am instantly drawn to pinks and girlie ones.  I just started a pirate boy quilt using Sarah Jane's Out to Sea!  I adore that line...it's my very very favorite.  Pirates, mermaids, narwhals...what's not to love?   I'll make this version similar to the girl version I made, improvising along the way, the panels being the main focus.

Pirate stash
I consider my style to be traditional modern.  I typically create traditional blocks and make them a little modern.  I'm not full blown modern.  I haven't gotten a feel for that yet.  I'm a little OCD so staying inside my box makes me comfy and cozy - branching out with all solids and wonky blocks makes me panic.  I do want to get myself to that point tho - I love the modern quilts and styles that are out there right now.  Any tips for branching out to a more modern type?  Please share!

Patterns - (Insert angry face here!)
Following patterns is my nemesis.  I can't follow a pattern to save my life.  I don't know why I have this disease but it's very painful sometimes!!  I guess I am like a pianist that can hear a tune and play it without reading a music sheet.  If I look at a quilt block, I can figure out how to whip it up.  If I look at a block, then buy the pattern and read it and start going, I get all jumbled up in the process and something ALWAYS goes wrong.  It can be very frustrating to say the least.  I have two quilts now that have turned into disasters.  One needs unpicking of MANY MANY rows and blocks.  The other one I just finished it and said be done with it.  It's fine.  It's not perfect.  That's my other challenge is getting past an imperfect quilt.  Work in progress!!

When I started quilting, bindings hated me and I hated bindings.  We were rivals, always gritting teeth and snarling at each other.  We have since become best friends.  My favorite part of the quilt process is grabbing my favorite drink and plopping on my bed and turning on my favorite shows while I quietly sew on my binding.  BEST part ever.  I'm pretty sure if anyone wanted to hand me over their quilts to bind, I'd be a happy mama.  Mimi the Pug joins me and naps while I sew..and snores. Loudly.  She's reminding me she's there.  Uh, your not hard to miss Mimi McMuffin. ;) 

Binding

Mimi the Pug





Tips, Tricks and Notions:
  • I always zigzag the edge of my bindings to keep those nasty stray threads in check.  It really does help.
  • Mark on your ruler the measurement you most frequently use.  For example, I have a 3 inch ruler.  I marked the 2 1/2 line because that is what I use to cut my bindings with.  White out doesn't really come off, so if you are sure you want it there, use that.  Otherwise, I just recently found fluorescent tape at Joann's that comes in bright orange, pink and yellow.  This works great too and you can remove it easily if you need to.
    See the White-Out?  It doesn't come off, but pretty pink neon tape makes it all better. :)
    
  • Get some clear plastic tubing from the hardware store.  Cut little bits off, then slice it down the center (Carefully!).  Use these to hug your bobbins and keep the threads tucked in nice and neat...if you don't have one of those nifty bobbin storage cases.


  • Having trouble with your 1/4 inch seam allowance?  Yah, same here.  My 1/4" foot is off a bit and it is infuriating...Why did they make a 1/4 foot if it's not going to actually be 1/4?  Anyway -  Get a little Post-it pad and line it up where your 1/4" should be.  Post it down and use it to line up your fabric.  The best part is, you can make it as thick or as thin as you need it to be and your fabric hugs the side edge as it goes through.  A-mazing.
  • Basting is boring.  BUT-if you get a Kwik Klip, it saves your fingers from all those pins.  I also use basting spray AND pin my quilts because, again, I am obsessive and want to make sure everything stays put!
 
More about me:
I love old black and white movies, Downton Abbey (who doesn't?) and the Walking Dead.  I love me some zombies...and English people.  Hmmm, English zombies?  Delightful.  Oh, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes, I'm a little addicted to the Real Housewives.  There.  I said it out loud.  Shameful, I know.

We have two girls - Robot Child #1 and Robot Child #2.  RC #1 is graduating the 3rd grade this week  and she is uber excited for that.  RC #2 starts kindergarten next year.  I'm sad about this.  I would like to invent a potion to keep my babies small forever. Selfish?  Yes. Maybe a smidge.

We are in the process of moving. :(  We've lived here 10 years, made some great friends and the school is great.  We will miss it, but we are excited for this new chapter in our lives.  Moving is painful!  I am NOT a mover and I'm very disorganized when it comes to moving.  Any tips on how to make moving bearable??  PLEASE share. :)

However, with all the Uhaul boxes everywhere and bubble wrap reminding us to pack, you can still find quilty goodness throughout the house.  This makes me happy...until I have to pack them up...but that will be shortlived!
Thank you so much for stopping by.  ♥  If you made it to the end, I applaud you!  Hopefully this wasn't too tremendously boring.  ;)

You can find me on Instagram and Flickr:  #RobotMomSews
Hugs ~ ♥
Kim (aka RobotMom)

58 comments:

  1. Visiting from the hop! My week to post is the first week in July :) Nice to (virtually) meet you!

    I also had to teach myself about quilting. My grandmother has made quilts, but she sort of stopped once her kids stopped having grandkids. And she lived in a different state, so there wasn't a lot of opportunity to learn from her.

    I would highly recommend the book Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pederson. There are a lot of techniques in there that are approachable and easy to learn to get you designing more modern quilts! I love that book.

    And yeah- Downton Abbey! Have you seen that Andover is going to be releasing a fabric line inspired by Downton Abbey?? http://www.andoverfabrics.com/Grid.php?GroupName=Downton%20Abbey I'm so excited!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So fun to get to know you! Your projects are lovely. There is no easy way to prepare to move! The binding is my favorite also, I thought I was the only one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the awesome tips!

    I think I'm your opposite when it comes to patterns. I love having directions to follow. It makes me feel comfortable, I guess.

    I wish I could help you with moving tips, but I can't. Moving sucks. I plan to stay in my house forever if I can, just so I can avoid ever having to move again!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Walking Dead and Downton Abbey - yep - that was a favorite combo in my house too - I am missing both those shows! This was a fun post to read and great tips! Oh, and those are some beautiful and fun projects in your mosaic. Thanks for joining in.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Probably you should read Pride, Predjudice and Zombies (you think I'm making it up, but http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice_and_Zombies). Haha - I am also visiting from the Blog Hop, nice to meet you! I also love the instant gratification of a baby quilt. My tip for moving - throw out anything you haven't unpacked since the last time you moved!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post! Love all of the pictures! Good luck with the move, hope it goes as smoothly was possible.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am totally simpathetic to moving. I dislike it too. I love that giant dresden photo!
    great job. Very nice to meet you. My day isn't until July 12th. Have fun and good luck moving!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can say that I like you at once ;-) - I hate reading pattern and alway try it first without.
    Love your writing style :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your mosaic of the quilt you have done! You have done an excellent job for just starting out! I also despise moving, so I give you a lot of credit for doing so. I have 2 girls as well and aren't they just a lot of fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kimberly! So glad that you're doing the hop and that I've found your blog. I agree completely with the binding, but now I love it too! It's so fun to sit under the quilt and enjoy what you've made before it goes to it's new home. My husband also is involved with my process... but I try not to share either :) Looking forward to following your blog! Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your crayon wallets, they are so cute! I wish I had tips about moving because I'm going to be doing it sometime in the next few months, but I am pretty sure it is just always awful. I hope you enjoy wherever you are moving!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice to meet you Kim! Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks. I really love the bobbin the idea! Genius!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your post cracked me up. That part about pattern following - I honestly, secretly hate pattern projects. I think I'll like them, but it seems to suck the creativity for me right out of a project. I LOVE Sarah Jane fabrics! And I can only wish one day my dog will sleep while I sew. Instead, he dives in the trash, steals scraps, runs around and then tries to lick me while stepping on the sewing petal!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the tips and tricks! and your crayon wallets are just too cute! P.S. I love zombie too:) I don't tell everyone that.Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your crayon wallets are cute! Yay for blog hopping!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So fun! I have come to terms with binding too :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those are some pretty good tips, thanks! Love the Little Red Riding Hood quilt. I just got in some of the aqua border & red diagonal stripes and I already have a layer cake, so I plan to make a cutesy little girl quilt soon. I like all of your finished quilts, too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tips. I love the bobbin one. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  19. So glad to meet you through this blog hop - thank you for showcasing your gorgeous quilts and great tips!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Visiting through the blog hop! Such pretty quilts :) I like the bobbin trick--I'm going to try that one. I use to use a baby ponytail holder but the thread still would come off the bobbin.
    Nice meeting you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Moving is a pain. Good luck with it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very nice to meet you! Great collage of your quilts and thanks for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great to meet you!! I've really enjoyed your blog and your post and I'm a new follower. I know what you mean about patterns- I do the exact same thing. Your quilts are beautiful, and I love the fabrics you choose, particularly how you put a modern twist on traditional styles. Personally, I tend to have trouble with full-blown modern design. My eye for symmetry just makes it hard. :)

    -Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your baby quilts are lovely! It seems as though everyone has been having boys around here lately so I really enjoyed looking at your girly quilts! It definitely gives me some inspiration on colour selection for a future girl quilt. Thanks also for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yup there's a baby boom at the moment - all boys! I love your laminate crayon wallets - they are so cool!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Kim,Nice to meet you - I am on the blog hop too! I love your quilts and pouches and really like the tips -especially the bobbin one!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Do you have a tutorial written or a pattern for sale for your laminated crayon wallets? (Or are they for sale themselves on Etsy? Not sure I am ready to commit and buy a Teflon foot for my machine.) They look so cute and very useful!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm here via the bloghop - I can't believe you laminate your own fabric!! HOLY COW that's impressive!! Love the result, too. What a good idea for crayon holders!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Am via bloghop links : Great to find you! Love your quilts.. you must have love to do HSTs... hehe. Keep up! will be following you on bloglovin'

    Amira@http://littlemushroomcap.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wait, what?! You can laminate your own fabric?! I had no idea - how cool!

    Some just lovely projects! Best of luck with the move!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really enjoyed your post and am looking forward to reading more. I'm not so much into Zombies and must admit, I've never watched Downton Abbey. I am more of a Homeland or 24 kind of girl but I definitely relate to being a modern traditional (or traditional modern?) kind of quilter! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great post, Kim! I love your projects!! Hope all goes well with that move -- I know how tough it can be...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Some beautiful projects in there, loving the pouches, and the bright zingy colours against white- just lovely! And i love sewing down the binding too, very satisfying, it's like putting a frame on a photo, immediately it lifts it! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  34. How to become a more modern quilter? You didn't learn to walk by running marathons... You started with small steps. Do the same with quilting. Make a single wonky block on purpose. Make a block with lots of negative space and only two other fabrics. Whatever it is, KISS!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Those laminated pouches are gorgeous! We just made a big move and I quite enjoyed sorting stuff out, We didn't have any family around to help so we made a little 'new house' gift bag for each of the kids with sweets, DVD, toothbrush type things and that bought us a few hours to unpack at the other end!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love your blog! The crayon pouches are adorable. We moved long distance last October with 2 small children and I have no tips. There is no way to make it more bearable except for a glass of wine!

    ReplyDelete
  37. We're also moving at the end of the year. It's always an ordeal, but a good chance for a sort out I tell myself!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Robot Mom, I loved your post...def not boring! Your creations are super pretty as is your dog!! Great tip for 1/4" foot I don't think mine's quite right either will give it a go..thanks.. and you're right narwhals are always good :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I can relate to your pattern-following woes, although I may have to try your 1/4" seam trick--maybe that will help some :) I love your quilts! Best of luck with your move--I can sympathize.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Enjoyed peeking into your life a little bit and especially appreciated the little tips. I'm going to try the bobbin trick and I'm definitely checking to see how exact my 1/4" seam guide really is. I always thought it was something else that threw some blocks off.
    Sorry about your move, but wow...what an adventure. A whole new place, new friends, new places ADDED to your blog friends who never move on. Hopefully, all goes well for your move.

    The little crayon wallets are cute, but wow...what a lot of work! Hope the kids appreciate your time!

    ReplyDelete
  41. It's great to get to know you through your blog- thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Kim, nice to meet you. That 1/4" seam? I feel your pain, grrrrrr. Good luck with the house move x

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love making baby quilts to, they're such a great size to try out something new or do an old favourite again, they make great gifts and are a great way to finish a complete project that's totally manageable. Lucky I'm just getting to the point where friends and relatives are all having babies, so I get lots of practice.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you for the laughs - I felt like you were actually speaking to me! I am glad to find another quilter similar to me - I don't use patterns either, although I am about to try paper piecing which seems so scary. Good luck with the move!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love all of your projects and your tips too! Good luck with the move. I think I've lost count to how many times we've moved:( I'm a new follower:)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I really like your sense of color! I'm also the opposite of you with patterns - I can usually see a way to put a quilt together, but the math is intimidating and I worry over whether I will have to adjust a million things to make up for my inevitable mistakes (my experience in the past). So now I buy patterns for everything haha. I feel much stress-relieved by it :) It's awesome to not need them though!

    I've moved a million and one times due to growing up with a father in the military, then carrying that urge for travel into my adult years...it never gets easier! I'm so disorganized, and, quite honestly, I usually pack two days, if that, before moving. I just cannot do it earlier. :| So, uh, you're doing great!! Good luck with everything! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  47. Haha thanks for all the tips!! And I can totally relate on the traditional-modern background, though I have to say quilting with all solids can be both liberating and (surprisingly) addicting ;)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like the PVC tube idea for keeping your bobbins neat. I also use the Kwik Klip and think it's a lifesaver! To challenge myself to branch out of my comfort zone, I joined some bees on Flickr, like the 4x5 Modern Bee. We make blocks for each other using our hive mates' color choices. I never would have put some of them together myself but in the end everything turns out wonderfully. Good luck moving!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Your stuff is so cheerful! Thanks for all the tips and tricks... I really do have issues with 1/4" seam allowance... I'm getting very OCD about it lately, I love the post-it idea, I'm going to try it as soon as I get home.

    ReplyDelete
  50. That is such a good deal for the moms - they get a beautiful handmade baby quilt and a baby holder??!! Tee hee!!! Love it. I agree though - there is nothing better than snuggling a newborn in a handmade quilt *sigh* - sounds lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Great to meet you! I've really been enjoying following your blog. I loved learning that your husband taught you how to sew!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Wow! What a thoughtful,complete introduction blog post! Best of luck with the move! I hope you can keep track of all your sewing stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a lovely blog you have here! I am a new follower so I can see what your up too! In the coming months!

    ReplyDelete
  54. You are cute. I love your blog and I'm going to follow you. I love the tutorial on laminating fabrics - I'm going to try this. I will have to look at your burn on Instagram because I tend to jump into things and not really think about the potential consequences.
    I love those clover clips, too. I got some from a fabric swap I was in and I use them for all sorts of things (a great invention).
    Good luck with your move. Like you, I despise moving.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi There, it's lovely to meet you on the hop, I am sorry I am so late in stopping by! Your quilts are beautiful and I've just seen your most recent post about laminating fabric, what a brilliant idea! The perfect solution for children! And we have a mutual love of the Out To Sea collection by Sarah Jane, here's my quilt! http://quiltcandygirl.blogspot.com/search/label/Anchors%20Away I also make and sell pirate bunting using the fabric from the same range, it's so adorable isn't it. I love your tip about zig-zagging the binding, that's really useful :-) Good luck with moving by the way, I don't envy you!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Nice job on so many projects! Those crayon wallets are such a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hey there! We have been having an insane summer: new baby/new job/new city/cross country move/buying a house ... etc. Anyway, I'm now going back to say "hi!" to the blogs I missed in the beginning. Loved the tips you gave. We have girls, too. My oldest will be going into kindergarten this fall (HOW?!). She's followed by an almost 3 y.o. and the baby.

    ReplyDelete

I ♥ comments! I reply via email, not in the blog post. If you are looking for a response to anything, let me know! Thank you for stopping by!