Love those Dogs!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's always fun to see the finished stitching from my canvas enhancement classes.

Here are a few canvases with a common theme... DOGS.

Two of the dogs are from artist Paper Russell who is represented by DJ Designs.

Black Lab • PR658 • DJ Designs

Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Marlene Siegel stitched this Black Lab for a friend. She wanted to personalize it further, and the DMC Memory Thread was suggested to spell out Mabel's name. Nice job, Marlene.

Another dog by artist Paper Russell was the Black Poodle.

Black Poodle • PR639 • DJ Designs
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Caryn Scheidt had a Standard Poodle and wanted to bring this canvas to life. I showed her how to do the Gathered Stitch to achieve that the look of those ears. Caryn was most pleased. Me, too!

The last two dogs are from Maggie Co. and were both stitched by Robin Blitz in Montgomery, AL.

Robin is a dog lover and Schnauzer owner. Our first collaboration was this Schnauzer by artist Charlotte Holder.

Schnauzer • M-510 • Maggie Co.
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I designed a special stitch which was perfect for the Schnauzer's fur. Happy dog and Happy Robin x 2.

And, our most recent collaboration from artist Frank Bielec (represented by Maggie Co.) was during a canvas enhancement class at The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL.

Robin selected this whimsical canvas, "Fetch It Yourself."

Fetch It Yourself • M-1472 • Maggie Co.

Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Guess what?! She is already finished stitching it. Go, Robin, go! Look at the fun frame Robin selected... by Jim & Lisa Krause available from your favorite needlepoint shop.

Here's a frame preview with the help from Photoshop.

As always, my stitch guides are available. Just email me at creativecats@comcast.net for information. Shop Owner inquires welcomed, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

The Thistle by Zecca (ZE 178) - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Thistle is the second class I am teaching at TNNA in Long Beach. The canvas is by Zecca (ZE 178), measures 3.5" x 5.5" on 18 mesh and comes with my Stitch Guide.

Another fun canvas to stitch by Zecca.

I had fun researching the Thistle: its origin, symbolism,  and botanical details. Just look at these inspirations from Google Images.

Screen shots of Thistles from Google Images 

Again, as a class piece, I was looking for the "teachable moments" and boy, did I find some!

Turkey Work and Appliqued Felt were the first things which came to mind. And, as it turned out, they were the Stars of the Show.

First order of business, though, was to figure out a Background Stitch. Initially, I thought about doing some kind of Celtic design. I was all over the place without much forward traction.

I asked Pat (my guy and owner of Business Visuals photography) what kind of background did he see for the Thistle? Have you ever done that? Asked a non-stitcher for their viewpoint? It can be very helpful.

Pat said, "What about a Grasses stitch... something to look like the Thistle is in a field?" Interesting. Then, I handed him a pad of paper, and asked him to draw it for me. A few pen strokes later...

Grasses Stitch by Pat Ryan

Grasses Stitch. My mind started thinking about the family of Fan Stitches also known as a Diamond Ray.  Kind of looks like Grass, right?

I have used it before (offset and slanted) for the Grass underneath the Shepherd in this endearing Frank Bielec canvas by Maggie Co. ("Watching" • M 1021).

I added the Eyes to the Sheep... brings out the personality.

But, for The Thistle, I wanted a "look" of Grass, but not so tightly covered. I wanted a more "open" look. So, for something more open, take the design element and start spreading it out.

Previewing the background stitch in Photoshop

I played around with it in Photoshop. (Truly a designer's best friend!) I repeated the Fans and filled in with Pyramids. I liked the look. Pat liked the look, too. Once stitched, we really liked the look.

So, I am naming the background stitch: Fans & Pyramids.

And, you can take it one step further by adding Beads: Fans & Pyramids with Beads.

What's that you say? What about a little "bling?" What about a Sequin and a Bead? Now, you are thinking like me. LOL.

I'll be back with the finished Thistle in the next blog.

There are several seats still available for The Thistle class at TNNA on Sunday, February 3. Hope to see you there.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

TNNA/Columbus 2012 - wrap up - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home from an exciting TNNA/Columbus Market and teaching at
What's The Point? Needlepoint in Dublin, OH.

Step with me into the Way-Back Machine as I recap this wonderful experience...

Most of my time was spent working in the NeedleDeeva booth. Here is what the
Fab Firs looked like all together. The 6-foot Fab Firs banner was a nice beacon to draw people towards them.

Join the next Retailer's Club by NeedleDeeva
Fab Firs • Stitch Guides by Vicky De Angelis

The new NeedleDeeva designs were well received, too:  13 Christmas Cupcakes,
3 Cats and the Sugar Skulls that I am stitching (stitch guides available).

Can you guess which Skull goes with this preview? They are so much fun to stitch. Bring on the bling!

NeedleDeeva
0453-C • Stitch Guide by Robin King

I finally took the time to walk the floor and visit friends/designers. How exciting is it to call them by their first names... and, for them to know mine! Here are some of the new canvases which caught my eye at the Maggie Co / Ewe & Eye booths. I love anything mid-century modern so these really spoke to me.

Maggie Co
Blue Bird •  M-1488
In the Pink •  M-1487

Maggie Co
Mod Holiday Dove • M-1597

You know I had to include a cat canvas...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 391KB • Brown Cat

and my usual and customary fondness for anything Santa...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 390KB • Fat Santa

and Pumpkins, too...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 373KB • Pumpkin in Vase

I really enjoyed seeing the artwork by Lisa Krause from Deuxbijouxbijoux. Lisa lives in Arkansas with her husband, Jim, and designs hand-painted frames to coordinate with the Maggie Co and Ewe & Eye canvases. Just look at this frame for Sheep Quilt. I love it. Your local needlepoint shop can order these.

Hand-painted Frame by Lisa Krause
EWE-359 • Sheep Quilt

The class I taught at TNNA (Lotus Squared • ZE 134 by Zecca) for the shop owners was a success. Originally, I was told there were 10 who signed up... and then 14... and finally 15. How exciting to see all of their faces. Shop owners from Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee, Minnesota, Baltimore, Arizona, Indiana, Texas, Pittsburgh, and Hawaii were in attendance.

One of those dry eraser boards was brought in for my demonstrations and illustrations. A picture is worth 1,000 words, right?

Early plans were also made with some designers and shop owners for future stitching and teaching events. I will keep you in the loop as those materialize. Perhaps you could join me? Here's the schedule for the next upcoming markets. Whew! Who knew the needlepoint industry worked at such a fast pace?

On Monday afternoon, the Market came to an end... and it was time to pack up the NeedleDeeva booth. Soon after that, I was whisked away for my teaching of the Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) canvas at What's The Point? Needlepoint.

Sounds like a good stopping point for now. Next time we will pick up from here...  Until then...

Hugs, Robin

Insomnia by Maggie Co and Jeanju Clifton

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope you are doing fine. I've been busy stitching the newest (#10) Creepy Character from NeedleDeeva for its debut at Ruth Schmuff's shop, Bedecked & Beadazzled, during my trip to Baltimore for TNNA Fall Market. His name is The Skeleton (ND 0467-J) and will be available from Ruth. You can take the class in person as well as mail order; just contact them for information.

Speaking of classes... there are 11 seats remaining for my Fraidy Cat class on Friday, August 12, 2011. Any Shop Owners attending the Baltimore/TNNA Fall Market with 3 hours to spare, come join me from 2PM-5PM. You get the canvas, stitch guide, threads and ME. I would love to see you.

OK... now to our topic, Insomnia. Luckily I don't have it, although if I did, I would make use of my time and get more stitching done. LOL. Here is a needlepoint titled, INSOMNIA, from artist Jeanju Clifton. I have a story about it (of course) so here goes.

Several years ago, Pat (my guy), photographer/owner of Business Visuals, photographed the original artwork for artist, Jeanju Clifton. The name of the piece was "Insomnia." When I saw the art, I said to myself, "This would be the best piece for needlepoint."

It took me several years but finally I got Jeanju and Maggie Co together to represent/sell the design. You can see it on the Maggie Co website (MAG 687) by clicking on this link: http://www.maggieco.com/html/drill.php?q=@Jeanju%20Clifton

I asked Amy Bunger to create a Custom Stitch Guide for Insomnia (she did) and I stitched it. It is one of my cherished pieces because I brought it to needlepoint life. I even learned how to knit. I went to my local knit shop in Memphis called Yarniverse, and told them I had specific needs to learn how to knit. I brought in the Insomnia canvas and showed them where the knitting was going.

I learned on "average" knitting needles with "no big deal" yarn. Then, I applied my new skills (LOL... I can't talk and knit at the same time!) to the stitch guide suggested thread: Poppies by Gumnut Yarns. I used 0000 Bamboo Knitting Needles for the best size/proportion. (ooohwee... they were tiny!) Then, I cut the Bamboo Knitting Needles in half, glued a wooden bead, knitted half onto each stick, and placed them within her wire-wrapped hands so that Insomnia would be actually knitting the scarf. You know me... if you're gonna do it... do it right!

Insomnia is wearing a Chenille robe made of Colonial Knots. Her curler cap was Gathered Flair, and I even found a tiny curler to add for realism. Notice the Pearl Earring? Our lady is styling. And, ... each cat is wearing a knitted sweater. OMG. So funny.

I entered Insomnia at the ANG in 2005. Didn't win any ribbons but did win the attention of Tony Minieri and Judy Souliotis; priceless. Here's the link to their comments: http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2005/conversation.php#502np

So, if you have insomnia, love cats, love to knit or just want to stitch some humor, check out INSOMNIA from Maggie Co (MAG 687) and the Amy Bunger Stitch Guide. It's tried and true.

Thanks, Robin

P.S. here's a quick photo of Leo and Lana, our new kittens. Sweet peas, indeed.