Skip Tent stitch is an Awesome stitch!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Have I told you I LOVE the Skip Tent stitch? This isn't True Confessions; I'm just talking about an honest admiration for a needlepoint stitch. Perhaps you know it as the Basketweave Twill? Regardless of its name or your locale, it is a wonderful stitch when the moment is right.

Skip Tent stitch was taught to me by Amy Bunger;  one of her "go to" stitches. If it's good enough for Amy...

First, let's begin with the pathways:

Work it like the Basketweave; in a diagonal pathway, skipping over one canvas intersection when beginning the next row.

Look at this photo. I am stitching the Skip Tent stitch going on the downward/diagonal descent. I am going to have to jump over this "obstacle" and try to figure out where is my next stitch. Gulp!

Fear not. In the beginning, a choice was given: would I be stitching on the Horizontal threads or the Vertical threads? For this canvas, I chose the Horizontal threads. And, with that knowledge, I knew my stitches would ONLY be on the Horizontal threads. (Pssst.... you could choose the Vertical threads. It would have been OK. You would just always stitch on the Vertical threads. Easy breezy!)

Lotus Squared
Zecca • ZE 134
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Early Bird
Zecca • ZE 107
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I am stitching the Lotus Squared by Zecca (ZE 134) and writing the stitch guide. I saw it on display in her booth at the Baltimore market. Last year I stitched Early Bird (ZE 107) and was looking for another opportunity to work with Zecca. Lotus Squared comes in both 13 mesh and 18 mesh; both are 6" x 6".  I love the colors of this painted canvas. Zecca has an eye for botanical/nature designs, don't you think.

The Beads, Kreinik, Ribbons and the DMC Memory Thread give just the right touch of texture.  I loved stitching this piece on 13 mesh. I believe you will, too.

Until the next time... Robin

Great Memories at DMC

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Did you know there are some wonderful (free) Stitch Guides available on the DMC website? The canvases are from Associated Talents; the theme is "Shop the Town" -- a collection of store fronts with great opportunities for DMC Memory Thread. They are PDF files so you can print them and refer to them for inspiration in 2011.

I first ran across these canvases and their embellishment techniques at the June 2010/Columbus TNNA Market. I thought it was a clever usage of DMC Memory Thread. In the photo above, I photographed the overall grouping of the 5 canvases and added examples of the design features. These canvases are currently available on Amy's website; her 25% OFF SALE ends tomorrow at Midnight.

Here's the list of the canvases and their AT numbers:

• Coffee Shop FL-711
• Flower Shop FL-710
• Needlework Shop FL-713
• Bakery FL-712
• Boutique FL-714 

Be sure and wander over to the DMC site. They have many interesting videos and concepts for using the Memory Thread. You have seen me use it before. Recently, I used DMC Memory Thread on both the Harvest Fairy and the Bird & Worm.  Easy to use. Great embellishing tool.

Bird & Worm • Zecca #ZE-107

Here's one more thing before you start celebrating the New Year. Look at my new Stitch Guide cover designed by Zecca. Honored, indeed.  Thanks, Robin

California bound

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Thread Kits are out the door and on their way to California. Deadline: must be received by January 3rd, 2011. Fingers crossed. Let's hope the Big Brown Truck has an uneventful trip.

With the help of Photoshop, I altered their reality; showcasing only the colors. After all, it's the colors which attract us to some canvases, right? 

I had fun working both of these designs. Hope you will, too. 

Thanks, Robin

Art Projects are Fun

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Wasn't it great to hear from Peggy. So glad things are settling down for her.

I wanted to share with you the next event towards my out of town teaching: making my Master Book.  I decided to do this for my first teaching endeavor, Katt Z. Witch, and have done it ever since.

I found a neat 3-ring Poly View Binder and created the artwork of the finished stitching into the Front Cover as well as the Binder Edge. Then I use the Sheet Protectors and sleeve up the finished Stitch Guide, Teaching Notes, and other related items.

You can see I now have added my two newest Master Books:

• Harvest Fairy • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD DM-09
• Bird & Worm • Zecca • ZE-107

This has been very helpful, indeed. My teaching notes are now organized and ready for easy reference. Since I am teaching at Needle in a Haystack/Montrose, CA right after Market, my NeedleDeeva Heart #150G Master Book will help me remember all of the nuances I did over a year ago.

Art Projects as an adult... gotta love it. Thanks, Robin

The Stocking Was Hung?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Have you put out all of your wonderful needlepoint stitching for this Christmas season? Pat reminded me it's time to hang his stocking. Don't you love this subtle hint? Too funny.

Place Marker for the real Stocking

Today, I've been printing the Bird & Worm stitch guides as well as Harvest Fairy stitch guides and NeedleDeeva Heart stitch guides for the classes I will be teaching next month in California.

Also a few days ago, I received a phone call from Marlene Custom Pillows indicating both the Bird & Worm and Harvest Fairy are finished and are on their way to Memphis. Yippee.

I'll be back with some Christmas decorations and Stockings. I promise. Thanks, Robin

Have Stitch Guide, Will Travel • Tour 2011 begins

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

All systems are go for me to teach at the Long Beach January 2011 TNNA Market. Well, at this moment, it looks like my classes are going to make the selection cut. The TNNA stable of teachers received a friendly reminder from TNNA to publicize their classes; the intention was to remind Shop owners about the classes and to get folks to sign up.

So, if you are reading this blog... AND are a Shop Owner going to the January 2011 Market, I'd like to remind you of some deadlines. First of all, I believe the regular registration deadline for signing up for classes is fast approaching.  December 16, to be exact. After that is late registration with increased class fees.

I found out my 2 classes are on a good sign-up pace. Bird & Worm (ST109) has 1 seat remaining. (Yippee!) Harvest Fairy (NT109) has 5 seats remaining. (Woohoo!) How about that! So, this is a shout out to those who might want to take my classes at Market. Hope to see you in Long Beach.

Here's some more fun things to share with the Needlepoint Study Hall readers. After the Market, I am going to be teaching at TWO needlepoint shops in California. On Tuesday, January 11, 2011, I will be at Needle In A Haystack/Montrose, California teaching the NeedleDeeva Heart #150G. You can read previous NSH blog postings about the NeedleDeeva Heart by clicking on the Previous Topics on the right column of this page. Here's the finished model as a reminder:

Then on Wednesday, January  12, 2011, I will be at A Stitch In Time Needlework/ San Marino, California teaching both Bird & Worm (#ZE-107)  and Harvest Fairy (MSD DM-09). My traveling repertoire is expanding. So honored, indeed. So, if you are in the area of either of these shops, sign up! I'd love to meet you.

Speaking of the Bird & Worm, here's another fun thing to share: Zecca made some custom Feet for the finished model. How cool is that? I'm having it finished as a Stand Up. Then, I began thinking... Zecca  could make some awesome Fimo Clay Feet. After all, that's what she does! So I mentioned my request, and poof... cute FEET arrived in the mail. I will share the final photo with you, later... but for now, here's the Feet.

Well, that's all the news so far. I saw Peggy a few days ago. I know she misses everyone. She's being a good daughter, and that's the most important thing right now. It's my pleasure to keep you kids entertained until she returns to Needlepoint Study Hall. 

Thanks, Robin

News and Mower News

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope everyone's Halloween was their best, ever.

Looks like Melinda's Bride Z. Illa and Zomme B. Groom came back from the finisher. Awesome! You can see them on her blog as well as the group shot (including Stirha and Frank) on her mantle. Great job, Melinda.

My head has been down; blinders on... stitching on the Harvest Fairy. Deadlines, I tell you... deadlines. But... I am so pleased to say... she's DONE. Tonight I will begin writing her Stitch Guide. She's a cutie, if I say so, myself. I do hope her handlers (Melissa Shirley and Debbie Mumm) are equally pleased. Fingers crossed.

The TNNA website has posted the two classes I will be teaching at the Long Beach 2011 Winter Market.  Here's the link to the Zecca/Bird & Worm class (8AM - 10AM, Saturday, January 8, 2011).  Here's the link to the Melissa Shirley/Debbie Mumm/Harvest Fairy class (8AM - 10AM, Sunday, January 9, 2011).

(If you click on the links you can see a preview of the canvases... I'm not saying... I'm just saying!)

Each class has limited seats of 20; open to the Needlepoint Shop owners attending the Market. So, if you know someone who will be attending the Market... give them the heads-up about my classes. Regular Registration for TNNA members is now open thru December 16, 2010... then the price goes up. It's an affordable class and it comes with an awesome Thread Kit.

My Stitch Guides will be available from Zecca and Melissa Shirley Designs... talk about your powerhouses! It is really an honor to stitch their designs. Here's an excerpt from one of the stitch guides: the Oak Leaf. I thought, being that it is November 02... it would be a fun thing to share with you in the Needlepoint Study Hall. Enjoy!

Here's some more news... the day after the Market, I will be traveling to Needle In A Haystack (Montrose, CA) to teach a one-day class, NeedleDeeva's Heart #150G. How exciting is that! Here's their website so you can see the announcement of my class. Jody, the owner, is a wonderful lady, and I am most excited for this opportunity. For those of you within the sound of this blog, come join me at the Needle In a Haystack (Montrose, CA), Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Have you noticed the title of this blog entry: News and Mower News... I'll explain. This summer, during grass cutting season, Pat went to get some Mower gas. He also got some gasoline for his car. There were 2 same-day credit card charges reflecting these transactions. Everything was fine. The next day, he got a courtesy phone call from the Credit Card company; they noticed the transactions. They asked him, "Were you shopping at the QuickMart?" "Yes," he replied. "I got Gas." They said, "and then..." He said, "I got Mower Gas." The Credit Card person thought he was being a smart-a##... but actually, it was a case of mistaken "Southern Drawl." He said Mower Gas.... their heard More Gas. We laugh about it, even today... bwahahhahaha.

Well, we will try to not be such strangers this month. Peggy says things are getting better and thanks for all of your thoughts.  Best news, ever. Thanks, Robin