12 new stitch guides from Robin King

Hi Everybody.... Robin here.

I have finally emerged from the Cone of Silence! So sorry to have been away so long. Nothing going on but teaching, traveling, taxes, and writing stitch guides.

I'm traveling back tomorrow to The Nimble Needle - Atlanta for another weekend of Canvas Enhancement classes. Lucky me.

Here are the 12 new stitch guides for their class featuring designers including Charley Harper, Susan Roberts/Liz Tapestry Tent, Labors of Love, Melissa Shirley Designs, Devon Nicholson Designs, The Collection Designs, Maggie Co, Ewe and Eye & Friends, Sandra Gilmore, Lani Needlepoint Designs, and Janis Mattox/CBK Collections. If that's not eclectic... I don't know what is!!! 😊

new Robin King stitch guides

new Robin King stitch guides

Ever need a stitch to drift and show movement? Try the Movement Stitch. I have it charted with each row separated by 1 canvas thread.

Movement Stitch
charted by Robin King

I've found another good Instant Pot recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta. Be sure to check out the "365 days of Slow Cooking + Pressure Cooker" website for daily do-able tasty recipes.

Here's the link: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com

Well, time to finish packing. Thanks for visiting the blog. I promise I won't be gone so long.

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Robin, new stitch guides and 365 Days of Recipes

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm packing my books, stitch guides, pens, paper, readers/magnifying glasses to teach Canvas Enhancement classes at The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs, GA this weekend.

new Robin King stitch guides

So, no blogging for me on Sunday. I will catch up with you when I get home. 😊

But, I did want to mention a nice blog compliment I received when I was teaching at Canvas, a needlepoint adventure in Montgomery, AL last month.

It was at the Meet 'n Greet and a lady came up to me and said, "Your blog has been very helpful for me." I humbly said, "Thank you." She then said, "The needlepoint content is nice, but your discussion about the Instant Pot was life changing."  I smiled and said, "I know, right!" ... I was so pleased to find another fan of the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot... a stitcher's best friend.

So all of this to say... I found a fabulous website to follow. It is called "365 Days of Slow Cooking + pressure cooking."

Here's the link: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com 

The recipes are wonderful and Karen (the blogger) offers both Slow Cooker/Crock Pot and Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker versions of the same recipe. Brilliant!

Wonderful recipes!

You can sign up to get daily emails. Recent offerings include Instant Pot Chicken Margherita Pasta... Sausage Pepperoni Spinach Ravioli... Broccoli Cheddar Soup reminiscent of Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar soup. YUM! Her recipe library is inspiring with easy to follow recipes. Great photos, too.

If you want to review my previous Instant Pot writing, click here.

Here's a stitch for you, too.  Happy Valentines Day to all.

Well, until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Robin teaches at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta Oct 2017

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today's time change has given me an extra hour to resume blogging about my teaching travels. 😊

From wheels up to wheels down... a quick 50-minute trip.
Thank you Delta airlines.

Follow me to The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA to see my most recent canvas enhancement adventure.

The Nimble Needle
214 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404) 843-8687

The Nimble Needle is owned by Stacy Brown. You won't find a more gracious, talented owner. Her love for needlepoint is reflected in every inch of the store.

Wall to wall canvases and a trunk show.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Threads and more threads.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There's a seat waiting for you.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

The shop models are very inspiring!!!

The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Halloween Village (MSD 1627C)
I had the best time stitching this.
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Many of the shop models are Clubs. You can select one or select the entire group. Your choice. 😊

Snowman Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Haunted Windows Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There were 3 days of canvas enhancement classes for my classes. Each day had 6 students. There were 15 new stitch guides written. Everybody was given the same time of attention thanks to my trusty timer. Look at the fun stitch guides written for the group:

new Robin King stitch guides

We had 3 Brenda Stofft canvases making for a festive Halloween theme. 🎃 There were 2 Charley Harper canvases; who doesn't love Charley Harper? There was a Painted Pony Designs featuring Diane Pederson's primitive-folksy art. 🐑 Cute sheep. "Blue Tarpon" by Purple Palm Designs was in the class; we had fun with those fish scales 🐟. There was a custom Labors of Love Needlepoint featuring the Three Wise Dogs 😊. You could hear that Tiger purr... one regal "Vintage Tiger" from Colors of Praise. The "Abstract Leaves" by Treglown Designs were reminiscent of times spent in one's cabin in the woods. 🍃 We had the ever popular Penny MacLeod Design; "Happy Flowers" by JP Needlepoint; Melissa Shirley Designs featuring Vicky Sawyer's "Hummers"; and a classic "Dog Walker" by Maggie Co.

Day 1 at The Nimble Needle was great. In addition to going thru the stitch guides, we planned the custom canvas of Susan's dog, Brandy; a second custom painting by Labors of Love Needlepoint. We also created a game plan for Laura's Tropical Santa stocking by Tapestry Tent.

Day 1
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

I had a lovely dinner at a Portuguese restaurant called Emidio's Restaurant. The long-distance stitching travelers joined me (Marilyn, Terrie, Katie and Alice). Good find and what a good time!

Tropical Sangria at Emidio's Restaurant
Sandy Springs, GA

Day 2 at The Nimble Needle was just as delightful as Day 1. One of my favorite stitches, which I call 3-2-3 Units, turned out to be a good background stitch for the Abstract Leaves.

Abstract Leaves by Treglown Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

a very useful stitch, indeed!

Day 2
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Best way to end the day. Dinner with friends. Dessert, too. 4 spoons, please. And a coffee. Yes, the chocolate bag holding the dessert was TOTALLY edible. 😊

Delicious dessert to share with friends.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks

Day 3 at The Nimble Needle was the complete trifecta. It was good seeing my friends on this trip. Judy worked her magic on the Dragonfly's wing. Cheri's Kite will soon be ready for its maiden voyage. Jean's Hummingbird is going to look snazzy with a Cast-on Bullion Flower Hat.

Applique Flair is a very important technique to know.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Kites by Jane Nichols • 911 on 13 mesh
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cast-on Bullions give that extra dimensional pizzazz.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Day 3
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Months of preparation over in an instant. I couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful staff at The Nimble Needle. Stacy Brown, you have a fabulous team. Vance, Linda, Mark, Jan, Jenne, and Charlsie... you are the best! 💜

I will be returning to The Nimble Needle three times in 2018: February 11-12; April 21-23, and October 20-22. Call the shop to reserve your seat for either a help session or a stitch guide session. Seats are limited. (404) 843-8687. Would love to see you.

My next/last teaching destination for this year is at the The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL. Lots to do between now and then before the next airplane goes wheels up. 😊

Have stitch guide... will travel. 🛧🛩

Until the next time...  Hugs, Robin

Robin teaches at the Bristly Thistle, FL

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've traveled 2265.6 miles since I last blogged. First, I went to the Bristly Thistle on Amelia Island, FL.

1477.2 miles round trip

Then 5 days later, I went to The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA.

788.4 miles round trip

Thank you Delta airlines 🛩 for smooth, safe flights. It has been a fun couple of weeks. I'd like to share my journeys... let's begin at the Bristly Thistle.

Bristly Thistle
811 Beech Street
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
(904) 729-4020
www.BristlyThistle.com

The Bristly Thistle is on Amelia Island in the town of Fernandina Beach, just north of Jacksonville, FL. Michele Herron is the owner. Gracie and Max are the sweetest shop pups; Portuguese Waterdogs.

Bristly Thistle
Thread Room

Bristly Thistle
Thread Room and a visiting Trunk Show

Bristly Thistle
Gracie and Classroom

We had three days of canvas enhancement classes. New stitch guides were written; plus there were also help sessions. Lunches were delicious every day! And, did I mention the artisan Chocolate shop a few blocks away?!! Island life is good. 😊

Coffee Pot and Anemones • EW109
stitch guide by Robin King

Lemons  • AOG 106
stitch guide by Robin King

Loon • MSD 1827
stitch guide by Robin King

Mason Jars Christmas • ETC C-509
stitch guide by Robin King

Steampunk Owl • B-349
stitch guide by Robin King

Steampunk Witch • B-399
stitch guide by Robin King

Winter Sheep • DP-LS08
stitch guide by Robin King

Cat Carson Western Scout • HC-C21
stitch guide by Robin King

Melody's help session focused working on the Steampunk Mouse (B-347). We discussed the Pumpkin, Mouse, Background Sky and Umbrella.  We have a good game plan going.

Steampunk Mouse (B-347)

Linda worked on Sunflower Basket (MLT379) for her help session. We discussed the Basket, Sunflowers, Butterfly, Leaves, and the Background. Linda also learned the Stumpwork technique to make her first Flower Center. Big smiles! 😊

Sunflower Basket (MLT379)

Here's a fun stitch to try the next time you have a Border 3 threads tall.

a stitch for you!

I had a lovely time teaching at the Bristly Thistle and look forward to my return visit next year. 

Bristly Thistle 2017
Canvas Enhancement classes with Robin King

Give Michele a call to sign up for the 2018 canvas enhancement classes. Seats are limited. You will enjoy your time on the Island. 🌴 (904) 729-4020.

Must visit Pablo's when you are on the Island!
#bestChileRelleno  #deliciousMargaritas

Next blog we will visit The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA. 

Until then... Hugs, Robin

3 new Halloween Brenda Stofft stitch guides by Robin

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

A quick blog today; the next plane leaves on Wednesday to the Bristly Thistle in Amelia Island, Florida. This will be my second visit. Looking forward to seeing Michele (owner) and her new location. I will blog about my visit when I'm back home in front of the computer. Look for something Monday 10/16 or Tuesday 10/17.

Today I am entering thread notes and finalizing stitch guides for another teaching destination later this month at The Nimble Needle in Atlanta, GA. Actually, there are 4 days between wheels down (FL) and wheels up (GA). Talk about doing the Hustle!

When I write stitch guides, often I draw/doodle to help me plan the stitch area. Here are some drawings I'm including in the "Witch on Pumpkin" stitch guide (artist, Brenda Stofft; B-125 on 18 mesh). I figure if it helped me visualize the concept, it might also help the stitcher.

"Witch on Pumpkin" • artist, Brenda Stofft • B-125
new Robin King stitch guide

Witch Sleeve
"Witch on Pumpkin" • B-125
new Robin King stitch guide

Rat
"Witch on Pumpkin" • B-125
new Robin King stitch guide

"Witch on Pumpkin" also has a canvas mate called "Black Cat" and I've written a stitch guide for it as well. The canvas is B-125 on 18 mesh and is also by Brenda Stofft Designs.

"Black Cat" • artist, Brenda Stofft • B-125
new Robin King stitch guide

Notice the stitch called Henderson Variation 4 (Sheena)? 

Henderson Variation 4 (Sheena)
a great design with lots of movement

I saw it on the Sheena's Sweet Stitches blog. Do check it out. Lots of great ideas. 

[Side bar: When I see a new stitch, I honor the original author by including their name in the title. Who's Sheena? A very talented lady!]

Rounding out this trio of new Halloween canvas stitch guides for the Atlanta classes is "Dancing Witch" by Brenda Stofft  (B-223) on 18 mesh.  Wouldn't these be fun to stitch?!! 

"Dancing Witch" • artist, Brenda Stofft • B-223
new Robin King stitch guide

Well, I better get back to typing. These stitch guides won't get done without me!! 

Until the next time...  HUGS!  Robin