Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 6

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Halloween Festival 2011 continues. Here we go!

Here is my Halloween Cat Pull Toy from Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 700). I first saw this canvas at M's Canvashouse when I was visiting my family. I knew I had to have it! Then, I came home and worked on it during Amy's canvas enhancement classes on Thursdays. I had it finished at Marlene's/San Francisco. Love the fringe.

I wrote its stitch guide and many people have enjoyed stitching it. Congratulations to Betsy Swartwood who received Best of Show at the Kentucky State Fair for her Halloween Cat Pull Toy. Here is what Betsy said about her experience:

"I just wanted to share with you the ribbons this piece received at the 2011 KY State Fair. Thanks so much for a wonderful stitch guide! My only change was substituting the gold bead on the handle! Needless to say, I was thrilled. Again, thanks so much."  -- Betsy Swartwood

I have also written the Halloween Crow Pull Toy (MSD 700-B) stitch guide. I haven't stitch it myself,  but did use many of the same stitching techniques from the Halloween Cat Pull Toy.

Both canvases were on 13 mesh, available from Melissa Shirley Designs. LOVE her designs. Oh, look... you could do the same pumpkin treatment like I did for the Tall Sickly Green 3-D Wacky Halloween House.

The Pull Toy Wheels technique are also in DVD #8, Spiders and More! Well, that's all for now. Next time will be the Halloween Mini-Stockings.

Until then... Thanks, Robin

Spiders and more!

My spiders are funky, but at least they don't bite.

Use a sharp needle for the legs and the web, (but not for the spider).  That will let you stitch through the canvas thread, if necessary, to get the placement right.  Not that mine are even or anything!   I used a 24 chenille. It really makes a difference.

I am so amazed at how much better these spiders are than the ones I put on Stirha Cal-Dron.  I don't know about you, but each time I sit down to stitch a raised spider, or any of the spiders, I have to re-learn it.  I whipped out DVD #8, "Spiders and More!".   It really helped me out.

Raised Stem reminder

Hi Everybody ... Robin here.

I wanted to mention (yes, another shameless, yet useful plug) that you can refer to Amy's DVD #8, Spiders and More! for a video tutorial about doing the Raised Stem technique. Amy even has a segment on how to do the "Left-handed Raised Stem Technique."

So... with Amy's charted stitch diagrams, her photos, her DVD and Peggy with the Needlepoint Study Hall, the Raised Stem should be very manageable to do. OK, everybody... Relax. Breathe.

It's a very useful technique.

This photo is of a Raised Stem Pumpkin that I did on the Tall Sickly Green House from Melissa Shirley Designs. Isn't he cute!

This photo is of a Raised Stem Wheel on the Halloween Cat Pull Toy from Melissa Shirley Designs. Very effective, indeed.

Well, hope this calming moment helps. Let us know how it goes for you. Thanks, Robin