Bricked Beading (aka Beaded Brick Stitch) with Robin

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hello fellow Bead-niks. 😊

How was your week? I've been writing stitch guides for my upcoming Canvas Enhancement class next month at Quail Run Needlework in Scottsdale, AZ; September 23-26, 2017.

Look at these fun canvases!

upcoming new Stitch Guides by Robin King

The artists are Quail Run Designs, Susan Roberts Needlepoint (artist, Ashley Dillon), Maggie Co. (artist, Karla Gerard), Tapestry Fair (artist, Pat Scheurich), Nenah Stone, NeedleDeeva, Julia's Needleworks (artist, Peter Ashe), Winnetka Designs, and Shorebird Designs (artist, Kathryn Molineux).

I still have these 3 canvases to work on this week; artists include Trubey Designs, Quail Run Designs, and Birds of a Feather.

"Iris" by Trubey Designs
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Bright Cactus" by Quail Run Designs
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Bon Voyage" by Birds of a Feather
Stitch Guide by Robin King

As always, these stitch guides will be available from me after the class (September 23-26, 2017). You can email me for any information including wholesale inquiries at creativecats@comcast.net.

Last week's topic, Stitch Beading with Robin, was a success. The Needlepoint Study Hall blog had 2300 viewers. Wow and thank you! 😊

Today, let's continue with another type of Beading called Bricked Beading or Brick Beading. You might even call it Beaded Brick. Either way is good with me.

Long time followers of this blog might remember an earlier episode (April 8, 2010) about Beaded Brick Stitch. You can step into the Way-Back Machine to read about the link I've provided.  But, we will discuss it again because it is such an interesting technique.

First, let's understand the concept: you are doing the Brick Stitch using Beads instead of Thread.

You will follow the Brick Stitch pathway adding a Bead one stitch at a time. Generally speaking, you will want to use slightly larger beads compared to the canvas mesh you are using (for example, a size 11 Seed Beads on an 18 mesh canvas) so the Bead sits over the hole. You will still use one long strand Beading Thread doubled in the needle.

Then, all you need to do is to Bead. Become one with your zen spirit and watch the pattern develop. Here are some examples of Bricked Beading from my stitch guides.

Beaded Brick stitch Red, Pink Hearts
Stitch Guide by Robin King
Jolly Nutcrackers • dede Ogden

Beaded Brick stitch Pumpkin Face
Stitch Guide by Robin King
Floating Cat Pumpkin Balloon
 Kirk & Bradley • KB115 

Beaded Brick stitch Apple
Stitch Guide by Robin King
Gone Fishin' • Annie Lane • 0151
model stitched by Dwana McKee, Dallas, TX

Wanna know something cool? You can also use Triangle Japanese Seed Beads for your Beaded Brick stitch. I used them for some of the Skull Heads on the "Head Games" stitch guide; artist Sandra Gilmore/Once in a Blue Moon/ Fleur, SG-13-032. Very effective!

Beaded Brick technique Skull
Stitch Guide by Robin King
Head Games • Sandra Gilmore • SG-13-032
model stitched by Sheilah King, Atlanta, GA

Triangle Beads very effective!
Stitch Guide by Robin King
Head Games • Sandra Gilmore • SG-13-032
model stitched by Sheilah King, Atlanta, GA

Hmmm...looking at my remaining Quail Run stitch guides... I'm thinking some of the blooms on the "Bright Cactus" might be fun in the Beaded Brick technique.

Well, that's all for now. Onward for the rest of our Sunday. Have a good week. Tell your friends about Needlepoint Study Hall. I'm back! 😊  See you next Sunday.

Until then... Hugs!  Robin

new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments by dede Ogden

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Have you seen the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments from dede Ogden distributed by Fleur de Paris ?

They are based on her Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow...

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow (ED-4004SPB)

and large Christmas Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking.

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking (ED-4004)

You may remember I wrote the stitch guide for the Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow and it was stitched for a class event at 3 Kittens Needle Arts in MN.

Jolly Nutcracker Pillow (ED-4004SPB)
stitch guide by Robin King

You can refresh your memory on the blog with this link: Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden and Robin King.

After many requests, dede decided to paint individual Jolly Nutcrackers and make them ornament size. Each are on 18 mesh and are about 4" x 5".

Then, dede called me and asked if I would write a stitch guide for each of the new Nutcrackers. How cool was that! Of course, I said yes... and now each Jolly Nutcracker in the series comes with my stitch guide. Sweet!

Drum roll, please... now introducing... the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments (available through your Local/Favorite Needlepoint Shop).

Sweetheart Nutcracker (ED-17134)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cajun Nutcracker (ED-17135)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cossack Nutcracker (ED-17136)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Tyrolian Nutcracker (ED-17137)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Brit Nutcracker (ED-17138)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Basque Nutcracker (ED-17139)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Celtic Nutcracker (ED-17140)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Nordic Nutcracker (ED-17141)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

I am thankful for this creative opportunity. Many thanks, again, to dede Ogden.

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden and Robin King

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Retailers and Shopping Networks have recently made a big deal about Christmas in July. Thought I would join in and play along.

Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden (ED-4004P)

Did I ever tell you about the Jolly Nutcrackers? It is a wonderful canvas by dede Ogden (ED-4004P). It comes on 18 mesh, 14" x 14" square, and is great for a pillow or frame. The same design also comes in a Large Stocking shape. 

Blog readers might already know two things about me: I love cats and I adore Nutcrackers. I have stitched a few Nutcrackers in my day. My own Christmas stocking has four Nutcrackers (or as I call them "The Brothers") by Shelly Tribbey (CS-17). 

My very first Nutcrackers were stitched from stitch guides written by Meredith Willet (Herr Drosselmeyer) and Susan Portra (Mr. White Santa, Mrs White Santa, Victorian Red Santa). I worked with Amy on the Chimney Sweep during her canvas enhancement classes, and I did the Blue Nutcracker on my own.

I also stitched this Nutcracker from Melissa Shirley; love the round Leather Box.

So when Julie Mast, owner of 3 Kittens Needle Arts in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, asked me if I would write the stitch guide for the Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden,  I agreed ... sight unseen. Her description was fetching enough. 

Julie sent me the canvas and we discussed over many phone calls and emails how she was wanting to present the Jolly Nutcrackers on a monthly basis to her interested customers who had signed up in groups for this journey.

Month by month each guide was written, charted, and thread selections were made. Diane had agreed to stitch the Jolly Nutcrackers model for 3 Kittens. It was only later, well into the following months, that I saw how each Nutcracker installment was turning out. Or, more importantly how they looked with each other. May I just say I was very pleased.

Wind the clock forward to now and you see the finished Jolly Nutcrackers. Diane (the main stitcher) and everyone at 3 Kittens Needle Arts did a wonderful job. I also wanted to let you hear from Julie as she too, was most integral in this project. 

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"We were first inspired by this canvas when we were hosting a Dede Ogden trunk show.  We pulled this canvas out of the box and showed it to a group of stitchers who happened to be in our shop at the time.  We said how about this for a class?  Everyone immediately said “let’s do it!” and a week later we had 18 people divided up into three separate stitching classes to take on this canvas as a monthly class.

We contacted Robin to design the stitch guide for this amazing canvas.  We sent her the painted canvas and she wrote us a guide once a month over a 9-month period of time, each month featuring one Nutcracker.  Little did we know that we had ventured into a “Mystery Class” format – we were able to stitch it monthly right before we taught the classes – sometimes just in time!  It was impressive that Robin was able to deliver such a creative and inventive stitch guide without stitching the canvas.  The final guide included all the Beards, Mustaches and Hair and the awesome background darning stitch!

Nutcracker #1 (Red & Green) – we were so excited when we received our first stitch guide and knew were in for some fun!  The ruching and the twisted Kreinik w/bead on the Epaulets, the gorgeous stitch on the Sleeves and the padded technique on the Nose – we were in for a wild ride!  Robin was gracious and patient with us as we consulted with her over the phone and via email to get this right.  The first round of classes were thrilled with the beautiful thread choices, the sparkle and shine and loved the new challenges.  Most were intermediate level stitchers and we happy to have these new stitches and canvas embellishment techniques to add to their repertoire.

Nutcracker #2 (Pink & Purple) – the string beading technique on the Epaulets was new and his gorgeous embellishment stitches on his Hat brought it to life. Reversing the direction on the Victorian 

Step on the hat was right on and a challenge worth meeting by all.

Nutcracker #3 (Purple) – very realistic “goldwork” on his Jacket.  The Detached Buttonhole was a new technique that really captured the ruffle on the Shirt.

Nutcracker #4 (Green) – beading on the Hat  and the green jacket – stitch allowed us to learn and teach a new anchoring technique.

Found Objects – we were first introduced to the idea of incorporating “found objects” into a canvas.  Once we all, including our students, got a hold of this idea, many of them sought out their own “jewels” and additions to make their canvas uniquely their own. (Nutcracker #5)

Nutcracker #6 - we enjoyed working the Double Stitch for his hat.

Nutcracker #7 – we collaborated with Robin on “tweaking” the Purple Jewel; once we tried her original idea and sent her a photo, we all realized we needed to come up with another stitch.  The final solution is fantastic – a Triangular Rhodes stitched in a mirror fashion.

Nutcracker #8 – we all increased our beading skills throughout this canvas, culminating into the beaded Heart crown; the Jacket Heart stitch was the perfect companion!

Beards, Hair, Mustaches – we now have a full complement of textures and techniques that can be applied to so many other designs – what an inspiration!  Each Nutcracker had its own personality and unique embellishments.

Background – this was the first time many of us worked a darning stitch and incorporated sequins – this was the perfect stitch and embellishment combination that evokes a festive, fun, light and airy backdrop to the Jeweled Nutcrackers in the foreground.  This entire canvas continues to be oohed and aahed over by all who see it!

Many thanks to Diane who stitched the Jolly Nutcrackers.

3 Kittens Needle Arts is proud to have worked with Robin – a true creative genius and collaborator!  We can’t imagine how the process could have gone any better.  We hope we get the chance to work with Robin again – if this is an example of the results, we are anxious for our next project to start!  Our customers could not have been happier – thank you for sharing your creativity.

We would be thrilled to share this Stitch Guide with others – please contact our store @ 651-457-4969 or via email to purchase the canvas and guide.  If you already own the canvas, you may purchase the guide and threads."   --   Julie Mast, owner of 3 Kittens Needle Arts

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So now I can add more Nutcrackers to my needlepoint repertoire. Many thanks to Julie, Diane, and everyone at 3 Kittens Needle Arts for this creative opportunity.

For any shop owners interested in their own Jolly Nutcrackers experience, please email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin