Rob Appell Blog

Men Quilt Too!

2011-09-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-12-31T00:42:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

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/

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its off to Market I go

2010-05-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just about an hour before I jump in my trusty pick up and drive to the airport. Next stop, Minneapolis, MN for International Quilt Market. I will be hanging with the Michael Miller Team as we set free the New Endangered Species Quilts. We launch the next three in the series, and yes I will post them very, very soon. But First, the newest quilt

"A Rose in Peace"

Created for the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour June 4-6, 2010. This quilt is made completely of Michael Miller's Fairy Frost Fabric and Aurfil thread. Come by The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay, CA during the shop tour and get a free pattern for this quilt. We are celebrating one of my favorite bands of all time by deeming ourselves "The Grateful Thread" and we will be rockin and truckin all weekend long. The new Endangered Species Quilts will be hanging too.........

Any Better I Couldn't Stand It!

2010-04-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Life is, well at least for this quilt maker. So many exciting things going on as Spring Quilt Market is just around the corner. Putting the finishing touches on the Three New Quilts, making new friends with big companies that may want to help sponsor The Endangered Species Quilt Project (here is a hint) and the biggest news of the week is......

I live interview with this kid on Pat Sloan's Creative Talk Radio Monday 3rd, 1pm Pacific Time.

I am going to have so much fun, the only thing I do better than quilt is to talk, and talk and talk.....

will one hour be enough time, tune in to find out. http://creativetalknetwork.com/

Cheers, Rob

2010-03-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

OH YEAH!

So I have been offered to join "The A-Team" which in 2010 means The Aurifil Threads premier designers team of thread-a-holics. I am a child of '80s TV, so I originally thought that I was going to get a cool van and ride around fighting crime.

As a quilter I use a ton of thread and crappy thread and I do not get along.

I am so stoked to be a part of the Aurifil Team, their threads are truly the best threads on the planet.

They have sent me several styles of thread to try, so me and my team of experts are going to find the styles of thread from Aurifil that suite our needs as aggressive quilters and then....

We get to pick our 40 favorite colors to have our own thread collection to share with all of you

Stay Tuned for our color picks, do not worry the colors will not all be shades of pink as my little girl has requested.

Cheers, Rob

The New Year, 2010

2010-01-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

Happy Decade to all of my followers, yes there are some. Actually, I see that the total population of people looking at this blog has doubled in the past few months. That is right, Chuck and Kathi, there are now a few more on lookers. Therefore, my resolution is to blog better. Not to rant and rave, but to post encouraging stuff like the next tid bit.

The Endangered Species Quilts and I are getting ready to head to Ontario, CA for the big quilt show, "Road to California" so if you are near there then, come give me a hug, get your Endangered Species Quilt Project wrist band. Hell, buy me a beer and hang out for a while. I am so jazzed. The Patterns have already allowed Michael Miller Fabrics and myself to donate almost $4500.00 in the past few months, and soon the world will get to see them too. Wish me luck, Rob

Cotton Ball's 3rd Birthday

2009-09-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

So As many of you may know on September 12th,

we celebrated three years in our new store.

Yes, I know we have been around for over forty years,

but only three at 1199 Main Street in Morro Bay. So, I put on my Saturday's best clothes and marched down to the shop to hand out tiaras,

balloons, cupcakes and lemonade.... Just the kind of party for a bunch of three year olds.

Our friends dropped by for some laughs and prizes.

Mary Jo Hiney was there to support all the gals that participated in the bag contest,

as well as demo an awesome new pattern using her Silk Adaptations. I was in charge of making noise and and clowning around, yes I did a good job. To all our friends that came by , thanks for the love and support over the years, and to those who did not make it, we missed you , and too appreciate your support and energy, because if you are reading this, then you are a part of The Cotton Ball Family, Thanks!!!!!!!!

Hey That's my Hat

2009-05-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

So a good friend of mine, Tim Costa, is now on tour with The Wailers, yes The Wailer! So I decided to kick down a few hats for the band members. Rumor has it that this young lady

has stolen a Free World Textiles Hat from The Wailers' Bus.

If you see her wearing it, please give her a hug for me and ask her if she would also wear a pink one.

New Quilts

2009-04-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

well, Yes, I did decide to finally post something new for both of my subscribers, thanks again Chuck and Kathy D.
So it has been a huge couple of months for this little quilt maker. Almost immediately after I returned from Costa Rica, I found myself inspired to change my focus and get back into the design studio. Prior to the trip Michael Miller Fabrics invited me to lend a mind and hand in coming up with a program that we could do that would allow us artists to make a difference on a global level. I thought to myself, "Self, that should be a breeze." Well fortunately enough I was able to spend a good deal of time with my son in Costa Rica making videos of the local animals in their native habitat. I realized that the second best thing for me about CR (surfing the obvious first thing)was watching the animals roam freely in their own environment. Wow! I must have spent three hours watching a big female iguana chase all the other males out of the trees near her spot, than have a snack break on the local flowers, then rest in the sun. I had never seen a twelve pound lizard fall from twenty foot up in a tree, THUD! Then she just walked away, amazing.....
Oh yes the quilts,
So I convince Michael Miller Fabrics to send me a whole box of their newest colors of the Fairy Frost Fabric, and I began creating quilts to help raise money for the Endangered Species. I have already created four, up-close and personal animal face quilts and patterns, fabric bundles and complete quilt kits. The response to the quilts has truly been overwhelming. They are very simple raw-edge applique projects finishing around forty inches square. Hope you like them, and you may visit my website to get your own supplies and start helping out too.
Bengal Tiger by Rob Appell
Brown Pelican by Rob Appell
Red Eyed Tree Frog by Rob Appell
Giant Panda by Rob Appell

Going International

2009-02-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

Home safe, as many of you may know the entire family and I were lucky enough to spend last week in Costa Rica, at the Hotel Las Tortugas. The trip was amazing, the surf was working and we all traveled and played very well together. So the best part, The Hotel now has one of my quilts hanging in the main lobby. The hotel is absolutely wonderful, complete with a beautiful beach, kid friendly pool, excellent restaurant, and fabulous staff. It is a huge honor to be welcomed to display my art in Costa Rica, now you all must go on vacation to Hotel Las Tortugas and see the quilt in person.

The Big Scam, bastards almost got me!

2008-11-17T17:57:00.001-08:00

to spare all of you with all of the details that make me out to be even more gullible than I, but make you all aware that it certainly could happen to you, the story goes like this...

September I am contacted by what appeared to be a nice young lady wanting to visit Morro Bay while on a break from her overseas university to learn about quilt making. I do teach quilting professionally, this this was not too absurd, especially due to the fact that I am not the average quilt maker. It was to be all so easy, her father, a high ranking military official contacted me to set up travel plans and payment arrangements. Still no problem. October came and went and she never showed up. Oh well guess it was a scam, but neither party gained anything, so maybe a practical joke played by one of my friends (however, none of them are clever enough to pull off something this elaborate with multiple email addresses, government officials and quilting) November, I get this email stating that the lady will be arriving in five day in just a few days, her exams had gone long (never heard of that before - fall break being delayed by five weeks) and the money, $1000.00, would be arriving to cover my fees. At this point I am pissed off that they think I can just drop what I am doing and accommodate this gals needs, but being that a grand sounds good, i figured I could work her in. On the day she was to arrive, the Money Orders did show up. Wow, I tore into the envelope air mailed from the US embassy, and found $4600.00 in money orders. Most tipping happens at the end of my events, so I became even more skeptical. I then received an email on the following stating that I had been accidentally shipped all the funds and I was to simply deposit all the money orders into my bank then send out the funds less my fees of course. The student to be was now stuck without her travel money so I needed to do wire the funds to two separate accounts overnight. RED FLAG! Fortunately for me I was always leery, so prior to cashing the total money orders, I asked the Bank, they said if I cashed or deposited the money order, the funds were my responsibility just like a check. If they were counterfeit, oh by the way they were counterfeit, I would have been out the money. If I would have sent the funds back, I would have really been out the money, Money orders take several days to clear the banks, but they will give you funds on demand. So, if you ever find yourselves in a situation where you were "overpaid" in money orders, never give a refund until you check the bank of origin of the money orders to make sure they are legit. As for me, all they got was a bunch of my time in correspondence, I understand that many have not been so lucky. Yes, it is their job to try to rip you off, so they may spend several months setting you up for the fall, if it feels weird it most likely is so be careful.

Highs and Lows (and highs agian)

2008-10-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a roller coaster the past week has been. First, my wife went to colorado for a few days, that left my 5 year old son, my 3 year old daughter and myself to find something wonderful to do. We did. A Dads and Kids camp out on the beach, with the off shore winds, it would proove bo be quite nice ieven in october, but the winds changed and we froze. Not the whole time, just in the mornings and at night, so most of the time. We did servive, heck, we did great. Well the racoons ate all of our breakfast foods, but we still did great.
A long weekend fell heavy into a long, busy week. The climax was learning that the retreat that has been planned and sold out for november, was never really on the books at the lodge. Yes, I had to scramble, but luckily almost all the gals planning on coming can make the change of date to the following weekend. I love to host the retreats, and to think I had messed it up that bad was heartbreaking. The embroidery Collection, may show up soon at the shop to start filling the orders, but untill then, I just released four quilts that have been shot with a mega high resolution camera and my bubbies at Foreverstoked matted and mounted some as prints. So now we can offer 8x10 or 16x20 prints of "La Playa Loca", Scuba Time", "Beyound the Tides" and "The Twizzleman Poject" all that in one week, life is never dull.

Nice to know

2008-09-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well now that I have been able to retrieve my password for this blog, I can once again let you all know what is happening in my world.

First the surf was been way too good to spend much time on my website, designs or even going to work. I did get some great feedback on "Born to Sew" my premiere collection of Tattoo Inspired Embroidery designs. The disc are due in any day, we had some fine tuning to finish, but they are coming. I also have started to sell some custom embroidered shirts. I am happy to work with anyone personal level to create an awesome, one-of-a-kind Shirt. I only use the finest blanks, threads and stabilizers. Most short sleeves will set you back about sixty bucks and the long sleeves with free motion embroidery on the arm, a cool hundred. Worth it, only if you want the coolest stuff around.

New Embroidery Collection!

2008-07-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am sitting in my deluxe studio (the back of my garage) with embroidery machines running in stereo. A Pfaff 2170 to the left and the Creative Vision to my right, she is testing my extra large, punk rock style embroidery designs. The 2170 for the medium and small Tribal pieces. The collection must be finished before tonight and I am so close I can almost taste it! "Born to Sew" Embroidery Collection should launch at Pfaff Convention the first week of August. I will also be doing a custom and limited edition clothing line that will be for sale at The Cotton Ball, select boutiques and on my website, www.robappell.com

Behind The Seams and Pfaff

2008-07-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Check out Behind the Seams at www.nowsewing.net to see some great sewing tips. I have been part of the BTS Team for the past several tapings and have just returned from yet another session. Big Things in our future with PFAFF. Did I say Q-Bot the automated computer for your Grand Quilter and Frame - super cool! I have other secrets but I can not tell you until after Pfaff Convention. Even if you bribe me with chocolate chip cookies.

It is about time

2008-07-16T22:52:00.000-07:00

So I hear this blogging is pretty cool, a great way to get your ideas "out there" and very addictive. Great just what I need... another reason to stay up late at night. So why now, well I got to know are you out there. I would love to use this site to help communicate ideas and pass creativity from my Family's store The Cotton Ball and myself. All I need is one person to type the words... go one give us some more.