Floating Cat with Pumpkin Balloon is FINISHED!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Yesterday, while observing the "proper" July 4th holiday, I treated myself to some needlepoint time. And, guess what? I finished the Floating Cat with Pumpkin Balloon. Yippee!

When last we spoke, I was going to work on the Eyes. It took three attempts, but I finally got the results I wanted. I believe the Eyes are very important, and I wanted him to have the biggest eyes. After all, look how high he is above the buildings! Then I did the Nose and then the Mouth. I used the new Kreinik Holographic Thread size 8 Blinding Black #005L for the Whiskers. It gave a nice reflective sparkle and attitude for our floating friend.

The last thing on the list to do was the Balloon String. I used Petite Frosty Rays with a Wrapped Backstitch; love it.

So now he's finished. The official number of this canvas from Kirk & Hamilton is KH115. They have it listed on their website as a Spectacles Case... that's Eyeglasses Case for us on this side of the Pond. The design is 3"W x 6½" H on 18 mesh.

If you are new to the Needlepoint Study Hall blog and just found the Floating Cat with Pumpkin Balloon, I have labeled this topic as Floating Cat as well as Kirk and Hamilton. The Topics List is on the right column; under Our Blog List is Growing entries. Just click on either topic and all previous blog entries will come up bundled for your viewing pleasure. I am compiling all of my stitches and threads for a stitch guide. Let me know if you are interested in it.

So now, what's next for Robin? Well, this morning, I'm a bit clueless. I did receive in the mail the wonderful new canvas from Zecca which I will be stitching & creating a Stitch Guide & teaching at TNNA in Long Beach January 2011... but that needs to remain secret for a little while. My previous NSH postings have been Jane/Chilly Hollow inspired; I do have an awesome Stash, however.

Enjoy your "extended" July 4th holiday today.  I will see you soon. Thanks, Robin

Floating Cat - Pumpkin Balloon continues

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today is my first day to "relax" since I came home from the TNNA/Columbus Market. Laundry is done, and it's time to work on some needlepoint... for me. So, for your viewing pleasure, here is an updated progress report on the Floating Cat with Pumpkin Balloon, the cute canvas from Kirk & Hamilton.

I finished beading the Pumpkin. The Bricked Beading turned out nice, don't you think? To review this technique, here's the link from the NSH blog posting called Beading the Pumpkin Balloon from April 08, 2010. (Yikes! Where has the time gone?) I also used Petite Frosty Rays to Basketweave the dark voids of the Eyes and the Mouth. This Balloon is really fun to touch. Have you considered doing any Bricked Beading? Let us know where and how the experience was for you. You're gonna love it!

Next is the Floating Cat. I think he will have a sleek, shiny black coat. Pardon me while I dig through the BLACK threads in my Stash.

I should have just the right thing. See you soon!  Robin

Beading the Pumpkin Balloon

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's time to discuss the Pumpkin Balloon. I did some beading ... Bricked Beading, that is.

Let's start with the basics. Remember the Brick Stitch? I have charted it for you in my new favorite White Lines method.

My eyes were opened by Amy Bunger when she mentioned to Peggy to try the Beaded Brick Stitch on Peggy's Pear Leaves. You might have seen Peggy's Pear in the e-newsletter or in the Photo Gallery of Amy's website. Here's the photo to remind you.

After seeing the Beaded Brick Stitch in person, I started to incorporate it into some of Stitch Guides I am writing. And yet, I never tried it myself. What is that saying: Do as I say, not as I do? Well, I decided to try the Beaded Brick Stitch on the Pumpkin Balloon.

Here's the Charted Diagram for the Beaded Brick Stitch. Same as the regular Brick Stitch, but you attach a size 11 Bead (Mill Hill Glass Seed Beads or Miyuki Beads) before you sink the thread.

I did use a double strand of Gold Beading Thread, and this canvas is 18 mesh. It is a fun technique to try. I am using 4 different Mill Hill Beads which matched the painted canvas quite nicely. You can see the Brick Stitch pathways from this side-profile photo.

So here it is. I LOVE it. Give this technique a try.

Floating Cat - Background

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Here's an update on The Floating Cat. I finished the Background and the White Stars. I chose the Pavilion Steps stitch for the background, as seen in SuZy's Portable Stitches, page 40. I liked the movement of the stitch and hadn't used it before. Plus, I am still planning some drama for the Pumpkin Balloon and the Floating Cat. I used 2 strands of Needle Necessities Inc. 113 (from my stash) and stitched over the Balloon's String. I will put that in later.

The White Stars were Basketweave Stitches using Petite Sparkle Rays PS21, and the Outline of the Stars were Fly Stitches using Sprinkles 16. I probably don't need to mention that I have a "healthy" stash.

I am posting the charting of the Pavilion Steps for you to see; the regular way and my new favorite way. Here's my story. The other day I went into the local book store and saw some new Graph Paper. It is called Whitelines from Sweden, and it is a new writing paper which "brings out everything you write and draw. The novelty is that the lines are clearly visible without disturbing what you write, which a traditional writing paper with dark lines does."

Here's their website: www.whitelines.se

I purchased a binder of Whitelines Squared for myself. Love it. So this morning when I was charting the Pavilion Steps, I did so two ways: dark lines and White Lines. You can see for yourself the visual difference.

What's next? The Pumpkin Balloon. I have recommended the technique to many. It's time I do it for myself. Enjoy the day. 

Until the next time... Robin

Golden Lights

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have really enjoyed stitching my Floating Cat. My bountiful Stash has been helpful right from the start.

The first thing I tackled was the Cityscape. Different shiny yellows & golds were selected to convey the windows' perspective to the viewer. Crystal Braid, Neon Rays, Hi-Lights and RibbonFloss were used. Why so many different threads you might ask?

Remember Jane/Chilly Hollow's blog entry, Candy Cane Dog Stocking: Emphasizing What's Important and her quote from Melissa Shirley?

• "Threads that come forward are shiny, lighter and warmer colors, and heavier in weight. Threads that recede are matte, cooler colors and thinner in weight."

I used the thinner Hi-Lights for a distant building; I used Neon Rays for a forward building. I also stitched in the (\) direction with the duller RibbonFloss for the building on the far right. Thanks, Jane & Melissa.

Then I looked at my Gray Ring o' Stash and found some wonderful Impressions for the Building Outlines and Antenna. The Red Light shining beacon was Neon Rays. The final result was just what I hoped for: a Cityscape all lit up.

I found a great Thread & Stitch for the Background... I'll share those with you next time.

Cats like Robin's

I didn't have time to stitch yesterday.  I will work on the rocks tonight.  I just love Robin's floating cat.  It reminds me of two canvases in the shop by Shelly Tribbey.  I had to share them with you.  There is a white one. It reminds me of a white cat in our neighborhood named Cotton.  And of course with two black cats at home, how could I not like the black one.  They would make great ornaments wouldn't they?

They are not on our website, but you can call or email the store if you would like to add them to your collection!  I will update you tomorrow on my progress on the rocks behind Stirha.  And I hope to get started on the cape and hat.  Keep Stitching!

Floating Cat

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

You might think I am easily persuaded... perhaps. I have been inspired again by Jane/Chilly Hollow to pull out a canvas from my Stash & stitch along with Jane.

In case you aren't following Jane's blog, she is going to be stitching a Kirk & Hamilton Mini-Stocking ornament of a Dog with Candy Cane. I, too, have a Kirk & Hamilton canvas: a Halloween Cat hanging onto a Floating Jack O' Lantern Balloon.

I have a story about my canvas. I first met Kirk & Hamilton at the Columbus TNNA Market. My eyes were big, taking in the wonders of the Needlepoint Market. My ears heard lovely male voices with a British accent, and I stopped dead in my tracks. Yes, I am a fool for the accent! I didn't want to look too obvious, so I gazed at the canvases on the wall. My eyes gravitated towards the Halloween canvases; their needlepoint designs were fresh. With a wee bit of coaxing, Amy purchased the Floating Cat canvas for the store.

Then a lovely surprise occurred last November. Jill gave me this Floating Cat canvas for my birthday. I was so thrilled and very anxious to stitch it. However, the voice from my childhood said, "You've got to get your chores done before you can play", and the Floating Cat went into my Stash. Until today!

I will stitch & post my progress of the Floating Cat on the Needlepoint Study Hall blog. And again, Jane/Chilly Hollow, I thank you.