TNNA / Long Beach 2013 recap - part 3

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Continuing my TNNA / Long Beach 2013 journal...

While walking the aisles I saw more new things:

Look at the fine jewelry quality Chains from Embellishments Plus! Look at their pretty Beads, too.

Just the perfect accent.

Beads make me happy.

Also, in the Embellishments Plus! booth, one of the Manuel Salas canvases from Tapestry Fair was on display: Un Pocito De Color (MS-3). Beautifully, creatively stitched by Sherry Bray from Queen Anne Stitches in California.

"Un Pocito De Color" brilliantly stitched by Sherry Bray
artist, Manuel Salas  -- distributed by Tapestry Fair (MS-3)

Sherry's talents are a-mazing! I studied and studied this piece. Absolutely brilliant. If you ever get the opportunity, take a class with Sherry. Purchase one of her stitch guides. Anything! You will be glad you did.

I stopped in to see another Facebook friend, Barbi from Canvas Art by barbi, located in Gilbert, AZ. Barbi had some fun designs. I like her alphabets. Nice "R"... don't you think? Here is a link to her website:  http://www.canvasartbybarbi.com/

barbi the designer

Halloween, Hearts, and Retro... oh, my!

Inserts which fit the Lee leather goods

There was a "celebrity" visitor to the NeedleDeeva booth: Timothy the Spider.

Here's the back story: Timothy is from the creative forces of Associated Talents. Last year, he began to travel outside of his booth and visit other designers and models. Timothy now has a Facebook page. In his photo albums, you can see how much that little spider gets around!

No cupcakes were harmed in the taking of this photo.

The Sugar Skulls were so happy to see Timothy... just look at the smiles on their faces.

More things to share. Stop by again, OK? Until then... Hugs, Robin

TNNA / Long Beach 2013 recap - part 2

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Reliving the days spent in Long Beach, sunny California. Every morning this was my view as I walked from the hotel to the Long Beach Convention center. Very pleasant.

Early morning in sunny California

Saturday was my first class to teach: Sunglasses Sugar Skull (ND 453-D). His buddies came along for moral support. Who doesn't like a road trip? The two-hour class went fast. All points were covered. The shop owners learned a fun technique: Appliquéd Flair for the Sunglasses.

Smiling every day. 

Thanks again to the sponsors of this class: NeedleDeeva, DMC Corp, Kreinik, Rainbow Gallery, River Silks Ribbons, Sundance Designs, The Collection Designs, and Wichelt Imports. Your generosity was greatly appreciated.

I see stitches everywhere.

Speaking of needlepoint, do you ever see patterns or designs which could be needlepoint? I sure did. Look at the walls in the convention center (third floor). Reminds me of the Scallops Stitch from one of our earlier conversations?  Here's the link to refresh your memory.

How about this variation called Bargello Scallops? Try Tone on tone... or perhaps with many colors inside each area.

Saturday was spent working in the NeedleDeeva booth. Seeing shop owners, showing what's new, and writing orders was really fun to do. I did step out for a bathroom break and looked a few booths on my way back to home base.

I stopped by to see Judy Malahy (from J. Malahy Designs in Georgia). Judy is a Facebook friend; it was fun to meet her in person and to see her new designs. Take a look with me...

Pink & Black is very Chic.

Love these Nativity Ornaments

Cute Japanese girls

Mini Socks for Mews, Pups and You.

Halloween Hat with nice areas for stitches.

More Halloween. Just the right size.

Perfect for the Queen Bee in your life

Remember, all of these designs are now available from your Favorite Needlepoint Shop. I have my eyes on several of these. Here's the link to her website.

Well, more to tell... Come visit me again, OK?  Until then.... Hugs, Robin

2 times 20 Thread Kits for TNNA/Long Beach 2013

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Thistle Thread Kits (Zecca ZE 178) have been assembled. Thanks to these wonderful thread and bead companies for their donations: Kreinik, Sundance Designs, Crescent Colours, DMC Corporation, and Rainbow Gallery.

Thistle Thread Kit (Zecca • ZE 178)

Did someone say Kits? Yes, 20 of them... plus Lana.

Thistle Thread Kits (Zecca • ZE 178) and Lana

And... Leo. Both are good helpers.

Thistle Thread Kits (Zecca • ZE 178) and Leo

The Sunglasses Sugar Skull Thread Kits (NeedleDeeva ND 453-D) were assembled, too. Thanks to these wonderful thread and bead companies for their donations: Kreinik, Sundance Designs, Wichelt Imports, DMC Corporation, River Silks Ribbons, The Collection Designs, and Rainbow Gallery.

Sunglasses Sugar Skull  Thread Kit (NeedleDeeva • ND 453-D)

It is very helpful having a large work space when assembling these 20 thread kits. 

Sunglasses Sugar Skull  Thread Kits (NeedleDeeva • ND 453-D)

Informative brochures are included in the Thread Kits

Next on my To-Do List for TNNA/Long Beach: get my Meet The Teacher items together. I am participating in this event: Friday, February 1, from 5:00PM - 6:30PM.

Hopefully, shop owners will stop by my table, meet and consider me for future teaching events in their stores. Fingers crossed. If you are reading this blog, mention my teaching availability to your Favorite Needlepoint Shop. Thanks!

Well, time to get busy says the ticking clock.  Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Sunglasses Sugar Skull with Appliqued Flair

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for hanging with me... waiting for another blog.

I really wish I could do 2 things at the same time.  Since we last met, I stitched the models for the 2 classes I am teaching at the upcoming TNNA in Long Beach:

• Sunglasses Sugar Skull "Elton John" by NeedleDeeva (453-D).
• The Thistle by Zecca (178).

Teaching at TNNA is an honor and thrill. The students are shop owners from across the country. What an opportunity. It is also a lot of work. Stitching under deadlines, assembling donated thread kits, typing the teaching manual, printing the stitch guides, shipping all items to California. But, what an opportunity!

Get your Map of the USA handy and see how many states you can identify. Is you favorite needlepoint shop owner taking the class?

• So far, shop owners from MA, OH, MN, GA, VA, SC, CA have signed up for the Sunglasses Sugar Skull class. And, there are 12 seats still available for the Saturday class, February 2.

• So far, shop owners from KY, VA, MN, FL, TX, HI, MI, SC, MA, OR, and CT have signed up for the Thistle class. And, there are 9 seats still available for the Sunday class, February 3.

Let's talk about the Sugar Skulls. NeedleDeeva came up with some really cute Sugar Skull designs. Lately, I have been focusing on the 5 small ones. Actually, I do have 4 out of 5 stitched. They are at the finisher (Elizabeth Turner Collection in Lexington, KY), and we will be reunited at Market in just a few weeks. Purr-fect timing.

How to pick which Sugar Skull to teach? Talk about a Sophie's Choice moment! But, with any class project, I look for "teachable moments." The Sunglasses on this Sugar Skull were quite endearing, so I picked him. I was glad I did.

Here is the "before" picture:

Sunglasses Sugar Skull by NeedleDeeva (ND 453-D)
Comes with Stitch Guide by Robin King

Here is the "after" picture:

Sunglasses Sugar Skull by NeedleDeeva (ND 453-D)
Comes with Stitch Guide by Robin King

Talk about fun threads: Flair, Glow in the Dark Neon Rays, Petite Sparkle Rays, Petite Very Velvet, Petite Frosty Rays, Neon Rays, Splendor, Sundance Beads, The Collection Sequins, Swarovski 6MM Margarita Crystal Beads, Kreinik size 8, Kreinik Hot Wire, DMC Memory Thread, DMC Floss, and River Silks Ribbons. I kept saying over and over again, "If not on a Sugar Skull... when!

So, what was the "teachable moment" for the Sunglasses Sugar Skull? The Appliqued Flair technique for his sunglasses.

Appliqued Flair chart diagram
from ND 453-D Stitch Guide by Robin King

Have you ever done Appliqued Flair? It was taught to me several years ago by Amy Bunger. We also featured it in "Barely There"; DVD #6 from the How'd You Do That? series. The idea is to stretch and tack down with one strand of floss (applique) the Flair across a surface. No under stitching is necessary; thus the concept of "barely there." 

The trick is to work across the surface, tacking as you go, working in a Zig Zag sequence which best uses the stretch of the Flair. After all, we do call Flair "Barbie's pantyhose."

Here's the group of the 4 Sugar Skulls being finished. Can't wait for Judee/NeedleDeeva to see them.

Sugar Skulls by NeedleDeeva
Stitch Guides by Robin King

Next time, we will talk about The Thistle.

Until then... Hugs, Robin