Robin teaches at Quail Run Needlework

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have a lovely time teaching at Quail Run Needlework in Scottsdale, AZ.

Quail Run Needlework
7704 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Suite 125
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 551-1423

Quail Run Needlework has been a cornerstone in the needlepoint industry since 1976. Susan Barlow is their current owner for the last 11 years. The store is laid out in 2 sections with an arched pass thru: the left side (front desk and threads)...

Quail Run Needlework

Quail Run Needlework

Quail Run Needlework

... and the right side (shop models, canvases, and classroom). Quail Run's shop models and vignettes are truly inspiring.

Quail Run Needlework

Quail Run Needlework

Quail Run Needlework

Quail Run Needlework

The Fall Retreat had 12 people in attendance. Stella LED lights for everyone!

Quail Run Needlework
a very comfortable classroom

There were 2 folks from California, 2 former Chicago snowbirds, and the rest of the ladies were from the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. The stitch guides were written ahead of time; the thread kits were pulled. Let the stitching begin. 😊

new Robin King stitch guides
made their debut at the Quail Run Fall Retreat

Here are some work in progress moments from the class. Miriam learned how to do stumpwork for her flower center.

Flowers in Yellow Vase • 331
new Robin King stitch guide

Donna learned how to do repoussé for her snake.

Desert Flora and Fauna • PS6-AB
new Robin King stitch guide

Pat learned how to do Or Nué for the bathing suit.

Bon Voyage • BF218
new Robin King stitch guide

Each afternoon,  a "gentle yoga" instructor came to class to help us with stretching and breathing techniques. What a treat!  I really need to continue those stretching moments at home.

Here's a stitch we used on the Water Garden (M204). I call it Ming Stitch with Wings. 😊 I think it makes a nice background for the cinnabar area.

Have you ever had a Prickly Pear margarita? They are delicious. It is a favorite of mine when I am in the land of cacti. 🌵

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Syrup

Prickly Pear Margaritas

Hope you enjoyed my recap of Quail Run Needlework. Do stop in when you are in the area. Tell Susan and her wonderful staff I said hello. I'll be back next January 2018.

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

Southwest theme Stitch Guides by Robin King

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Whew!! That was a fast week. How was it for you?

I'm into the one-week countdown for boarding the next plane 🛩.

Where you going, Robin? I will be traveling to Scottsdale, AZ to teach at Quail Run Needlework; owner is Susan Barlow. Lucky me, I get to go there twice a year: September and January.

Here's a fun tidbit to know about Susan. Not only is she the shop owner and an excellent needlepointer, she is also an artist whose Southwestern designs are offered thru her wholesale line, Quail Run Designs.

I have had the lucky opportunity to write several Southwestern themed stitch guides for classes at Quail Run Needlework. Here are some stitch guides from previous years...

"Adobe" by Peter Ashe
stitch guide by Robin King

"Adobe" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"All in the Family" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Approaching the Skies" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Desert Council" by Quail Run  Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Desert Sun" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Enchanted Pueblo" by Sundance Designs
artist, Tish
stitch guide by Robin King

"Five Women" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Magic Sun" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Prickly Pear and Quails" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Purple Adobe" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

There were also many designs in the Quail Run Designs catalog "not" of the Southwestern theme.

"Pumpkin" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Man About Town" by Quail Run Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

"Because You're Mine I Walk the Line" by Quail Run Designs
artist, Nancy Coffelt
stitch guide by Robin King

"Nothing but Blue Skies" by Quail Run Designs
artist, Nancy Coffelt
stitch guide by Robin King

"Oriental Woman 2" by Quail Run Designs
artist, Charlotte McDonnell
stitch guide by Robin King

"Oriental Woman 1" by Quail Run Designs
artist, Charlotte McDonnell
stitch guide by Robin King

I wrote a stitch guide for Purple Palm Designs. Look at that assortment of cacti. 🌵

"Desert Light" by Purple Palm Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

And, I also wrote a guide for Little Bird Designs; the artist's mom, Rosanne, was attending the class.

"Inspired by Fawkes" by Little Bird Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

Oh, and not to state the obvious, all of my stitch guides are available. Email me creativecats@comcast.net for any inquiries. 😊

Next week there will be 12 more 😳 new stitch guides at the Quail Run class. 🙃 Quite an eclectic grouping from designers including Quail Run Designs; Birds of a Feather; Susan Roberts/Ashley Dillon; Maggie Co.; Nenah Stone Designs; Needle Deeva; Tapestry Fair; Trubey Designs; Julia's Needleworks/Peter Ashe; Winnetka Designs; and Shorebirds Designs/Kathryn Molineux.

new Stitch Guides from Robin King

I will be away next Sunday (class runs Saturday thru Tuesday) so I will resume blogging about my Quail Run/Arizona experience after I get home. Look for me on the following Sunday, 10/01/17.

You can follow Quail Run Needlework on Facebook; I know they will be posting progress reports.

Here's a fun stitch I've charted for next week's upcoming class at Quail Run. Wonder which canvas it goes to?

a stitch for you

Well, the countdown clock ⏰ is ticking. Time to get ready for my travels. Lots to do: laundry, packing, preparing stitch guides for travel, etc... Plus, hug a cat or two.   >^..^<

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

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