Men Quilt Too!

I am honored to be included in this Blog Based Quilt Show for male quilters. Yes there are more and more men who are caught making quilts every year. I must admit I feel a bit confused by the guys starting to make it public that they make quilts. When I first started years back there were very few of us guys who were brave enough to confess that they made quilts, and now it is no longer such a rare thing. I love being recognized for my art, and yes, being a young male who makes quilts help me to get recognized. In the past several years I have met dozens of men who quilt, and some of them do absolutely terrific work. So now comes a time when I must welcome the other males into my world of recognition, and I do so with open arms, but I also now must raise the bar to myself, I have some seriously talented competition in the world of quilts made by men...

Cheers, Rob

My Show Quilts"Beyond the Tides" 52" x 70"
Machine pieced, raw edge applique, and free motion machine quilting.

"The Twizzleman Project" 44" x 54"
Raw edge applique and free motion machine quilting.

Endangered Species Quilt Project - Bengal Tiger 42" x 42"
Raw edge applique and free motion machine quilting.

Seven Sisters Quilt Show Weekend

The Seven Sisters Quilt Show weekend is finally here and I am so excited!
As many of you know, I have taken over The Cotton Ball from my Mom, and boy do I miss having her around. Especial during the special events.
However, my Beautiful Wife, Jenny has been helping me make sure things run smooth and look great. I just wanted to share a photo of her setting up our booth at the Madonna Expo Center for this weekends big quilt show. If you are in SLO, come on by and meet my lovely assistant, get a hug or two and take advantage of our two show specials. Half yards are normally $5.50 each, they will be two for $9.00 both at the show and at The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay. We also have the awesome new adjustable height cutting tables from The Grace Frame co, this weekend only $475. 00 with FREE assembly. See you this weekend, Rob

Happy New Year 1/1/11

How could I not? It's a new year, and maybe my resolution could be a post a month on the old blog, I think of this often, but upon every return I find dust on the page.... so sorry all.

So let's get things kicking to a great start this year!

Big things are really happening for this little quilter.
Taking over the helm of The Cotton Ball has got to be upon the top of the list.
Finishing the Endangered Species Quilt Project - 12 Quilts in all, of course that means more like 40 quilts for me,
instructions,
templates,
classes,
workshops,
retreats.
A bit of family time,
two new kittens - what was I thinking?

And now this overwhelming pledge to spend a few minutes here on the blog....

It is Going to be a GOOD YEAR!!!!
Please visit my websites for a super cool January Promo - Food, Quilts, and Discounts...
www.robappell.com
www.thecottonball.com

Time for Houston International Quilt Market

The entire quilting industry is a buzz with the opening of Houston Quilt market just around the corner. Personally, I am super Stoked. I type this from my local airport, just cleared security and my heart is pounding as I wait to board the plane, next stop Houston Texas, yeeehaaa. I met my deadlines, and will launch the next animal quilts in my Endangered Species Quilt Project. The images are already on my website, www.robappell.com, and the new patterns are ready to ship!
A few plugs for some good friends before we really get this party started. Therm-o-web, the creators of my favorite fusible is releasing a new Super Lite Heat N' Bond! Oh yeah, this stuff is epic, it bonds like a champ, and quilts like a dream. The new Heat N' Bond is a big hit and I get to help promote it. Keep your eyes out, my Polar Bear Quilt is sneaking around "behind the scenes" in several adds in the quilting publication over the next few months, here is the sample. Aurifil Threads is launching a new application for the wireless toys so people can get their quilting info on the go. I plan to crash the School House on this Friday, I will throw a few high fives to Alex for all of you out there. And Last but not at all least, Michael Miller Fabrics continues to support the Endangered Species Quilts, my quilts will be on display all week in the booth, and they have been a huge help in raising the funds to support the animals. I will drop you all more info after the show opens, cheers, Rob

Hello, hello, hello!

No I did not fall off my the planet or even get buried in fabric in my studio somewhere. No, I have not written in a while because I have been out on the road teaching and promoting the New Endangered Species Quilt patterns. The Launch of the newest three animals has been going great, packing and shipping around the clock. Over Six Grand Donated so far!
I was blessed to get to spend an entire week in Sisters, Oregon, just before the Outdoor Quilt Show, then three more days in Costa Mesa, California teaching. I actually had a good camera, and used it.....

Please check out the NEW Students work Galleries on http://www.robappell.com/ there are two groups so far, the Endangered Species classes and the Twizzleman Quilt Project workshops visit http://www.robappell.com/image/tid/30 to see them.

I have some great shots of my student's amazing work. I do have to apologize, I did not get photos of everyone, so please, please send me rob@robappell.com any shots of you and your quilts from any of my classes or retreats, the last time I checked the Internet still has plenty of room.

Last, and certainly not least,

The Aurifil Super- Cool thread collections have arrived.

Yes, I have hand selected twelve colors of the 40 weight Mako Cotton - this stuff is a dream come true. One box of twelve threads, can quilt any quilt.

Better than that, get twelve spools for the price of ten, and FREE shipping.

Order now, http://www.robappell.com/node/195 as the supplies are going fast, and they come from Italy, so it takes a while if we run out.
Drop me a line or swing by The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay, CA just to say hi.
Cheers, Rob

Quilt Shop Tour Day One

Quilt Shop Tour Day

Just wanted to show off a few photos from this morning. We are deep into the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour. We are celebrating our inner hippies, as The Grateful Thread, come out and jam with us. Peace, Rob

Endangered Species Quilt Project - New Releases

Drum Roll Please......

As promised here they are the Three Newest Endangered Species Quilt Patterns

The Percula Clownfish

The Green Sea Turtle

and The Polar Bear

As always the quilts are fusible applique consisting of entirely of Michael Miller's Fairy Frost fabrics and their Jet Black. We have been raising awareness and money for the animals through the sales of the quilt patterns. We are so proud to boast that we have sold over 1800 patterns in the past six months and raised over $6000.00 that has been donated to World Wildlife Fund. Get your pattern today at http://www.robappell.com/