Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Today is Pat's birthday, too. You remember him... my guy, owner of  Business Visuals Photography.

Yes, Pat was born on St. Patty's Day. (In fact, each of his siblings were born on holidays.)

I made these needlepoint belts: one for me and one for him, too. He can still wear his.

One year, I made him an ice cream birthday cake.  It looked a little wonky, but tasted very good.

Enjoy the day. Be sure to wear some green today. Or, for those needlepointers in the audience, let's stitch with some green.

Until then... Hugs, Robin.

Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) - part three

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Sometimes, I look to Nature for stitching inspirations. Same was true for the Sunflower on the NeedleDeeva canvas (ND 309).

When I am puzzled, I often do an Internet search. This time, Google lead me to some awesome Sunflower photos;  each showing a different phase of the Sunflower's life. My eyes were opened and the light bulb went off when I saw this wonderful detail.

This photo in particular really spoke to me. Look at the outer ring... it seems to be taller than the center area. Hmmmm.... how could I make my canvas do the same thing?

Stacked Beads, of course! They would tower above the center Seed area... and would still have a nice perspective for the upcoming Flower Petals worked in 13MM River Silks Ribbon.

The combination of Mill Hill Glass Seed Beads and Sundance Beads size 14 were the best for telling this story. Thanks, Mother Nature.

And, if you notice, I first did a 4-Way Continental stitch in the Brown area. It gave a defined grid which was very user-friendly for placing the Stacked Beads.

All in all, I am very pleased with the look. Hope you will be, too.

That's all for now... but, I'll be back soon. Until then... enjoy!  Robin

Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) - part two

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

March Madness is right upon us. No, I am not taking about the NCAA Basketball Tournament... I am talking about my needlepoint projects and their looming deadlines.

With tonight's immanent time change ... before we spring forward, I thought we could step back in time (together) to see how I came to this wonderful conclusion.

Sunflower & Berries
NeedleDeeva • ND 309
Stitch Guide by Robin King

The canvas is from NeedleDeeva and it is called Sunflower & Berries (ND 309). I will be teaching it at Nashville Needleworks on April 21, 2012 as well as at In Stitches Atlanta on April 27 & 28, 2012. I am so excited/honored to visit both shops; I have never been to either. Give Lisa Rusche or Bam Coleman a call and join me in the fun. Can't make it in person? I am sure they can pack the kit up in a wonderful to-go box... plus, the canvas comes with my stitch guide.

When I first saw Sunflower & Berries hanging on the NeedleDeeva wall in her TNNA booth, I thought the Strawberries would make awesome features in Stumpwork. My opinion is still true, and we can check that box as being a done deal.  I also wanted to do ribbon work to the Sunflower... as inspired by Wendy Harwood from Aristeia. OK, let's check off another box. The last thing I knew was a "must-do": use the new Sequins from The Collection for the small Orange Dots. Check that box, too. ☑ ☑ ☑

My next plan of discovery was to work on the background. Judee/NeedleDeeva told me the white background doesn't have to be white... she was just keeping it white so others could add their own color. (I went with a pale lilac thread.) Any of you who saw me work on this canvas at TNNA Phoenix in January knew I was all over the place looking for inspiration. I had an idea in my mind, and that's where it stayed. I did a lot of stitch/take it out/stitch again/take it out/stitch/take it out/ponder/stitch/take it out/pondered again... until I could get back in front of my computer.

My first thought was to look for or design a Trellis pattern. After all, a Strawberry or a Sunflower might be attached to a Trellis, right? Here are some previews I worked on with the help from Photoshop:

ZigZag Diamonds

I liked it but wasn't in love with it. Guess it felt too rigid.

I tried Crazy Rain, too. After all, both Strawberries and Sunflowers need a good rain to grow, right?

Crazy Rain

I was getting close... but I wasn't playing Horse Shoes. I still had a ways to go.

It was the curling vines which continued to call my name.

Remember the Mirrored Confetti Ribbons stitch I did for the wallpaper behind the Cake (Associated Talents/DMC)? Inspired by Julia Snyder's book, Darn Fillings, I began with her original Confetti Ribbons.

Confetti Ribbons

But, placing them side by side was too regimented.

eureka... the background stitch for Sunflower & Berries

So, I shifted them, and voilà... I found my background stitch; it did remind me of the curling vines. My quest was over. I was at peace. (I love it when a background stitch relates to the theme of the canvas.)

I am very comfortable with the concept of "open" canvas for the background stitch. I used Kreinik Braid size 8 057F... it was a nice pale lilac color... easy to use, too.  It gave a texture, and didn't get in the way. Bonus: it glows in the dark... who knew? Certainly made this "Halloween" kid happy.

I need a fun name for my background stitch. Add your suggestions in the comment box.

Next time, I will share with you more details of the Sunflower & Berries. Its design size is 8x8 on 18 mesh canvas. You will really have a fun time with this one!

Until then... happy stitching.  Robin

Back to Basics DVDs by Tony Minieri

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

One of the many hats I wear is editor/producer of the "How'd You Do That?" needlepoint DVDs. You can see all of the titles listed on the Pet Project Video website.

We filmed Tony Minieri presenting his Back to Basics The Right Way / Bad Habits Broken Here (Level One) lessons. For several years, Tony has traveled and taught his 4-day class material. In DVD format, the Level One series is divided into three parts. Each DVD shows us the right way for improving our needlepoint techniques. Watching these three DVDs will also prepare a student who plans to attend his new upcoming Level Two classes.

My shorthand for these Back to Basics titles are:

• Level 1 • Part 1 (DVD #9) 
• Level 1 • Part 2 (DVD #10) 
• Level 1 • Part 3 (DVD #11)

There are 5 distributors of these "How'd You Do That?" videos: Pet Project Video, LLC, Amy's Keeping Me in Stitches, Norden Crafts, Nordic Needle, and Tony Minieri. You can see their contact information by clicking here on this link. Needlepoint Shops can contact any of our distributors (wholesale orders only) to order these DVDs for their customers.

Back to Basics Level 1 • Part 1 (DVD #9) is 53 minutes long and has 36 chapter markers.

• Essential Tools:  Tapestry Needles, Chenille Needles, Crewel/Embroidery Needles, The Needle Index

• Threading the Needle: Threading the Needle x 2, Quilter's Knot

• Beginning and Ending Threads:  In the Path Waste Knot, Pinhead Stitch, An Away Waste Knot, "L" Stitch

• Straight Gobelin Stitches:  Brick Stitch, Parisian Stitch, Hungarian Stitch, Double Hungarian Stitch, Sutherland Stitch, Laying Tools, Woven Ribbons, Victorian Step Stitch, Two-Way Victorian Step Stitch

• Diagonal Stitches: Scotch Stitch, Mosaic Stitch, Tent Stitches, Half-Cross Stitch, Continental Stitch, Basketweave, Scissors, 4-Way Continental, Alicia's Lace

• Tony's Tenets

Back to Basics Level 1 • Part 2 (DVD #10) is 59 minutes long and has 38 chapter markers.

• Threads

• Diagonal Stitches (continued): Cashmere Stitch, Continuous Diagonal Mosaic, Continuous Diagonal Cashmere, Nobuko

• Line Stitches:  Backstitch, Whipped Backstitch, Outline Stitch, Stem Stitch

• Crossed Stitches:  Upright Cross, Upright Rice / Jerusalem Cross, Rice Stitch, Double Straight Cross, Triple Leviathan

• Tied Stitches: Fly Stitch, Lazy Daisy / Detached Chain Stitch, Plain Wheat Sheaf, Steepled Wheat Sheaf, Wreath, Stepped Wheat Sheaf, Rococo Stitch, Rococo - Tony's Preference, Rococo - Amy's Preference

• Plaited Stitches:  Long-Armed Cross, Van Dyke Stitch, Fern Stitch, Two-Way Fern Stitch, Diagonal Fern / Fishbone, Square Waffle, Diamond Waffle

• Tony's Tenets

Back to Basics Level 1 • Part 3 (DVD #11) is 57 minutes long and has 25 chapter markers.

• The Canvas

• Compensation 

• Filling Patterns:  Burden Stitch, Double Burden, Composite Couching Pattern, Trellis Pattern, Upright Trellis Pattern: Tying Down the Bars, Upright Trellis Pattern: Tying Down the Intersections, Upright Trellis Pattern: Irregular Area, Diagonal Trellis Pattern: Tying Down the Bars, Diagonal Trellis Pattern: Tying Down the Intersections, Diagonal Trellis Pattern: Irregular Area

• Knots:  French Knot, Colonial Knot, Wreath (from DVD #10) with Knots

• Bokhara Couching

• Canvas Appliqué Traditional

• Canvas Appliqué Slip

• Tony's Tenets

View these DVDs like a movie, or search and pause to review the techniques. For each DVD, Tony Minieri is the featured artist, and Amy Bunger is the guest stitcher.

The Tony Minieri DVDs are at the replicators and will soon ship to each of our distributors. I learned so much editing these DVDs... my needlepoint techniques and knowledge have really improved from Tony's lessons.

It's time to make room for the DVDs. Leo, we are going to need that space. He is such a good helper. Until the next time... Robin

Memphis Pyramid and Needlepoint

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Beginning a new canvas is so much fun. Planning the stitches. Looking through my thread stash; endless combinations and possibilities. Having a helper named Leo... priceless.

Leo did his part to help me find all of the Red/Pink and Green Threads I might need for the new project. What is my new project, you might ask? Can't reveal it just yet, but please know, it is a wonderful collaboration with Ruth Schmuff. (You can see a sneak peek below.)

Pat (my guy, owner of Business Visuals) was on a photography assignment. I accompanied him and did some stitching while we were driving to the location. The focus of the photo shoot was to show new improvements in Memphis, TN. Pat was documenting the current renovations of the Memphis Pyramid as it becomes the newest location for a Bass Pro Shops.

I like to photograph my current needlepoint along the way. Here's a fun photo which sums it all up.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Tea Towels by Glenna

Hi Everybody... Robin here. Today's topic: Tea Towels.

A friend of mine, Glenna Ward, has been stitching Tea Towels for a while. They are decorative and functional... all at the same time. Add your favorite embroidery stitches: French Knots, Backstitch, Wrapped Backstitch, Chain Stitch, Stem/Outline Stitch... to make the cute designs come to life with embroidery floss.

Glenna stitched the Kit Kat Clock. What a great design. It was a purr-fect gift for Vicky De Angelis.

Glenna stitched these Weekday Kittens for me. I just love them. They remind me of our youngest kitten, Lana, who is quite a girly-girl... as far as cats go.

The design patterns and Tea Towels are available at stores such as Hobby Lobby and Hancocks. Iron-on the design, place your Tea Towel in your embroidery hoop, and get ready for creative cuteness. Just imagine what they would look like with threads from your needlepoint stash.

Speaking of cats... look at the new large magnets from Stitchers Inc. They are the same size as the large Flower magnet I purchased recently... about 2 inches. Love the Owl magnet, too. Give Jan a call.

Happy Valentine's Day. Here's a big hug from me to you. Until the next time.

♥ Hugs, Robin

Needlepoint Study Hall and CraftGossip.com

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Just a quick update.

Did you hear that Needlepoint Study Hall was mentioned on the February 6th, 2012 posting of CraftGossip.com?

Here's the link:  http://needlework.craftgossip.com/using-memory-thread-in-needlepoint/2012/02/06/

How cool is that!!!  Thanks to Liz Saylor/DMC who gave me the heads up.

Next up on my topic of blogs: Tea Towels. Can't wait to show you. Until then... Hugs, Robin