Cat Walk (CT22) and Dog Walk (CT23) by SharonG

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today is Show and Tell day.

Vicky Rimstidt is one of the ladies who attends my canvas enhancement classes. She is an avid stitcher and a wonderful friend, too. On Saturday, she brought in her two finished/framed canvases. You can imagine the "oohs and aahs" from the other class students and me!

Vicky Rimstidt had been stitching Cat Walk (CT22) and Dog Walk (CT23); each canvas is on 18 mesh from SharonG. This has been a fun journey for both Vicky and myself.

The first piece we planned was Cat Walk. Beads, Kreinik, Gloriana and Rainbow Gallery threads brought this piece to life.

Then it was Dog Walk's turn. You might recognize it as being similar to Deco Kitty (from Vicky de Angelis' blog), and you would be correct. SharonG first designed Dog Walk, and then, later painted the cat-only version for Vicky de Angelis, a passoniate cat lover. SharonG is one clever lady, right?

Click to see more of SharonG's designs.

Now both pieces are finished; framed and hanging for Vicky Rimstidt to enjoy. Thank you, Vicky, for today's Show and Tell. We will enjoy seeing your work again and again.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Robin is teaching at Columbus/TNNA Market 2012

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

We are approaching the one month countdown to the June 2012/TNNA Summer Market. New canvases to see; old friends to see, too. I am looking forward to my trip to Columbus.

I have been selected to teach 2 classes at TNNA.  How exciting is that!

Lotus Squared by Zecca on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 8AM - 10AM. It is class number ST117 in room C216. The ZE 134 canvas is on 13 mesh and measures 6" x 6".

Lotus Squared by Zecca • ZE 134
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Here is the class description:

"Zen met Needlepoint when Robin King stitched Lotus Squared by Zecca (ZE 134). Beads, River Silks Ribbons and DMC Memory Thread as well as wonderful threads from Gloriana, Rainbow Gallery and Kreinik enhance this canvas by Zecca. The vibrant palette of Turquoise, Chartreuse and Orange are signature Zecca colors. The canvas design is on 13 mesh and was a dream to stitch."

The other class being offered is Kitty Bra and Tap Pants by SharonG on Monday, June 25, 2012 from 8AM - 10AM. It is class number MT104 in room C114. The BT50-42 canvas is on 18 mesh and measures 7" x 9".

Kitty Bra and Tap Pants by SharonG • BT 50-42
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Here is the class description:

"SharonG's timeless series of Bra and Tap Pants has a new twist when Robin King stitches the Kitty version: 3-Dimensional Painted Cat Felt Faces. A "barely there" technique was given to the Tap Pants; just the purr-fect touch."

I have been a fan of SharonG and her lingerie series for a long time. Here is the link to SharonG's website where you can see the other Bra/Tap Pants designs. I want to stitch more of them!

http://www.sharong.com/catalog/bras/index.html

T. Clifton Art in Memphis, TN did the framing of Kitty Bra and Tap Pants. Nice and talented people. (They also framed the Sunflower and Berries.) I am very pleased with the end result. Love the Pink accent on the Frame.

For those Shop Owners attending this year's Columbus TNNA Market, please consider signing up for either (or both) of my classes. You will receive the canvas, the complete thread kit, and the stitch guide; all for the affordable TNNA member admission fee. I will share the techniques I learned along the way. If you are not a shop owner, but rather an avid stitcher or fan of this blog, please mention these two classes to your Local Needlepoint Shop (LNS)... just in case they weren't aware.

The donated threads for both classes have arrived; time to package the thread kits. Next, I will create the teaching manuals as well as begin printing the class stitch guides. Yes, the countdown to Columbus has begun.

Until the next time.... Hugs, Robin

Kitty Bra & Tap Pants are finished

Hi Everybody ... Robin here. Thought I would sneak in & show you my finished Kitty Bra & Tap Pants. I really had fun stitching it.

My inspiration came from Jane/Chilly Hollow and her Camouflage Bra & Tap Pants. I was reminded that I, too, had a Bra & Tap Pants in my stash.

I loved the impromptu freedom of joining Jane. It wasn't planned... not even on the radar. It was an honor to receive nice comments from Sharon G, too.

Now the dilemma... what to do with it? Any thoughts?

Pink Background -- Phase 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've added the Pink Background to the Kitty Bra and Tap Pants.
I'm calling this Phase 1.

Why? Well, because upon further review... I thought my "barely there" background needed a little bit more zing.

(My mind is still swarming with Football references. How 'bout them Saints!)

I found the perfect Phase 2 candidate: Hi-Lights. I'll keep you posted.

The Big Reveal

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's time for the Big Reveal. Here's my 3-D Kitty Bra.

There are 3 layers of Black Felt making the Padded Face, and there are Pink Felt ears, too. DMC Floss was used for attaching both sections. The Pink, Black and Gold Fabric Paints were applied. The Kreinik Braid size 12 finished out the Whiskers.

It's whimsical and flirty... everything a Kitty Bra should be. Next up? The Background and a lovely shade of Pink.

Have you ever Felt like this?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's time to reveal my intentions for the Kitty Bra. Jane from Chilly Hollow guessed correctly: I'm going to make a 3-D Kitty Bra. First, I made a paper copy of my canvas. (I know you know you should always try to do this.) Then I cut out 3 circles of Black Felt using the Face Paper Pattern as a guide. Two of the felt circles were cut even smaller. I stacked them and the largest piece was the actual Kitty Face on the Bra.

Next challenge? How to create that sweet Kitty Face detail? Originally, I considered beading the face detail, but I didn't want anything to compete with the beaded Tap Pants. Next, I considered embroidering the Face detail. Still not the right answer. The felt weave was not tight; the embroidery stitches created holes from over-use.

Can you sense my approaching sick feeling? I had taken on this project ... the entire blogging world was looking on! Two failed attempts. I was ready to press the delete button, pack up my things, and return this wonderful blog back to Peggy.

But then, I thought... why not try a Painted Face? I went back to the craft store and bought Fabric Paint in the colors you see here: Gold, Pink and Black. Things are looking up... I feel better already. To be continued...

A Cover Up in the Making

Hi Everybody... Robin here. I've been working on the Kitty Bra & Tap Pants; I'm pleased with the progress, so far.

My last blog entry inferred there might be a "cover up" brewing regarding the Kitty's Face. Will there be a mask or a veil?

Here's a little photo hint... as I begin to reveal my intentions...

A Stitching Update for the Kitty Bra & Tap Pants

Hi Everybody... Robin here. I've got some photos for you... Here's the first photo showing my current status of the Kitty Bra & Tap Pants.

I finished out the Gold Edge of the Tap Pants with a Vertical Satin stitch using 4 ply of the Gloriana Silk Floss #045 Lacquered Gold. (It was left over from stitching Katt Z. Witch.) Then I did the Madam Stitch using 1 strand of Petite Sparkle Rays PS70. I used more of the Soie Perlee Noir for the Basketweave inside each cup.

I did Inline Couching for the Gold Strap and Trim around the top edge of the Kitty Bra. I used Kreinik 1/16" Ribbon 002V for the Strap and Trim; couched with Kreinik size 4 002V. Another name for 002V is "Vintage Gold." It took me a while to realize the Kreinik Metallics had numbers & names.

I used a Chenille Needle to pierce the canvas thread as needed during the Couching procedure. Here's my definition for Inline Couching: the Couched Ribbon is pierced "in a line" by small tacking stitches. You can see with the second photo the piercing of the couched Ribbon.

So, do you see my Pinhead stitches and Securing L-Knots In the midst of the Kitty Face? What's up with that?... to be continued

How do you do Madam?

Hi Everybody... Robin here. Well, the Tap Pants are done. Let's move on to the Bra.

Today I will show you my plans for the "non-kitty face section of the Bra." Geez, what do you call that area? Is there a Foundation Garment expert in the house? Let's just call it the "sparkly cream area" until a better name is given. OK, so I was looking for a stitch... and found the Madam Stitch. (I'm not talking Heidi Fleiss here, people... this is a respectable needlepoint Blog.) I'm talking about the collection of Gobelin stitches with their own unique pathway... the Madam Stitch. Let's refer to the Chart.



At first glance what do you see? A column of Straight Gobelin and then a column of Slanted Gobelin? That might be true, but that's not how you do the Madam Stitch.

The Madam Stitch is worked in horizontal rows. I did the chart in two-tone colors for easy following. Work a Horizontal row color in the sequence indicated by the pathway numbers. See the 2 small black Pinhead Stitches at the end of the first row? You will need to work one of them, either under your last stitch or outside the stitched area, to properly orientate your thread for the next stitch on Row 2. That's now how you do the Madam Stitch. It looks really cool.

A geographical Bead Lesson

Hi Everybody. Robin here... I wanted to mention my technique for beading the Kitty Faces on the Tap Pants. I decided I wanted the beads to sit vertically... not their usual diagonal angle. I felt this would enhance the vertical flow of the Victorian Step stitch. I am learning different beading techniques, so if there is already a name for this technique, please pass it along.

I used Invisible Beading Thread for each of the size 14˚ Sundance beads. Some people have issues with Invisible Beading Thread... I don't... I love it.  But, certainly you could use Black Beading Thread. Each bead was anchored by a double stranded X, going through the bead (first from California to Maine; then from Florida to Seattle) instead of the Lasso Technique.

Anywhoo... that's what I did. And here's a close-up photo so show you what it looks like. All beads lined up vertically and securely fastened.

Next on the Agenda: Beads

Hi Everybody... Robin here. I've selected my size 14˚ Sundance Beads for the Kitty faces on the Tap Pants. You can see the colors match pretty nice. I will be using Invisible Beading Thread, too.

Barely Tapping

Hi Everybody. Robin here... The pondering has begun.

Question: How to keep true to the wonderfully painted SharonG canvas, and yet, put my own spin to it? The Tap Pants have nicely painted silver highlights conveying the flowing fabric. I tried several different stitches & threads, but realized the stitched silver highlights were trying to steal the show.

My Solution: I decided to use a Barely There approach. (Shameless plug: DVD #6, Barely There.) For the black Tap Pants, I used 1 strand Soie Perlee Noir and the previously diagrammed "Victorian Step." This vertical stitch allows the painted canvas silver highlights to shine through; a nice effect.

An apology to the readers: Looks like I've entered a Bermuda Triangle vortex: Barely There technique, Black Paint and Black thread. Oops, I just realized this might be hard to see. So sorry. Things will start to pick up... Hang with me, if you can.

Tap Dancing with Robin

Hi Everybody. Robin here... I'm going to be your "warm up act" until the Halloweenies Haunted House takes front & center stage.

Welcome to "Improv Night with Robin."

Jane/Chilly Hollow has begun a new needlepoint project: her "Camouflage Bra & Tap Pants" by SharonG... which got me thinking... I've got a Bra & Tap Pants by SharonG, too.

I looked through my stash, and there it was... the Kitty Bra & Tap Pants. (You knew it would either have a Cat theme or a Halloween, didn't you! I am nothing, but consistent.) Then I said, "I want to stitch along with Jane!"

The canvas was already on stretcher bars and a nice collection of threads were already in the bag. So, after daily obligations are met, I will treat myself (and you) to stitching the Kitty Bra & Tap Pants. This will be fun, and kudos to Jane/Chilly Hollow, enabler-extraordinaire!