Birthday Bash at The Needle Bug

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

September is here, too. Hello football games 🏈. Hello fall season 🍂. Hello happy birthday month to Leigh Miller 🎂.

You might ask, "Who is Leigh Miller?" Leigh owns The Needle Bug, a needlepoint shop in Montgomery, AL.

The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL

I like to call it the "Jewel of the South."  So much goes on there: a strong stable of national needlepoint teachers come teach at her shop (I'm lucky to be one... see you in November!); a vivacious ANG (American Needlepoint Group) Montgomery chapter gathers at The Needle Bug; and the inventory is well-stocked (but not limited to) threads, ribbons, beads, totes, reading glasses, magnets, canvases, and books. Bells and whistles galore. The Needle Bug has weekly stitch-ins and trunk shows as well as hosts stitching retreats including the debut of CANVAS a needlepoint adventure in January 2018. Full service PLUS!

There is much more to Leigh Miller than needlepoint. She has a compassionate heart for animals, too. And on this topic, she decided years ago to not make her birthday about "her" but rather a way for others to celebrate her day by helping others. Specifically to help the animals 🐶🐕🐱🐈.

Leigh created the "Birthday Bash" shelter animal food fundraiser benefitting the Montgomery Humane Society.  This is her 7th year. Last year The Needle Bug (with wonderful support from the needlepoint community and beyond) donated 5,250 LBS of dog/cat food; bringing a total of over 12,000 LBS since the beginning.

A view inside The Needle Bug during Birthday Bash 2016

Here is how the Birthday Bash works... Starting September 1, The Needle Bug takes donations for the days of September leading up to her birthday on September 17. Customers can bring in dog/cat food of any amount, and they can use up to 50 pounds of it toward a discount on 1 in-stock item in the shop. For example: 30LB of food = 30% off an in-stock item. Some customers take this opportunity to donate up to 300 and even 400 LBS of food even though their maximum discount is 50%. The Birthday Bash also accepts monetary donations from those far away. 😊 Of course, The Needle Bug makes a day of it (on Leigh's special day) with Silent Auctions, food, drink and fun; thus it is called a "Birthday Bash."

You can follow The Needle Bug on Facebook.

Here is their contact info:
The Needle Bug
7012 Vaughn Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 270-0064
info@theneedlebug.com
www.theneedlebug.com
Hours: M, W, Th, F 10AM-4PM; Tues 10AM - 6PM; Saturday: by appointment only.

Here are some stitches in honor of this year's Birthday Bash at The Needle Bug...

Paw Print Background stitch for you.

Every dog needs a Bone.

A Birthday Bash stitch for you.

Let's sing Leigh a Happy Birthday ♬ and help out those furry pups and mews, too.

I will be teaching in the Chicago area at North Shore Needleworks next week. Coming home late Sunday. I will blog about my adventures on the next day.

Until then... HUGS, Robin

Charley Harper's Christmas Capers for the Mews

Hi everybody... Robin here...

I'm back from traveling/teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta (Georgia) and Peacock Alley Needlepoint (Michigan). I am so lucky! meeting all of you and doing what I enjoy doing.

For those who know me... you know Cats are very near and dear to me. (Actually, I have had 3 Golden Retrievers in my life, but now it is all about the Mews.)

Last year, I met a wonderful person & stitcher from Arkansas. Her name is Lizette. She traveled to see me in Memphis at Stitchers Inc. for a Saturday class, and also attended last year's Canvas Enhancement class at Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

With several projects finished, Lizette was ready to stitch something with a Christmas theme: "Christmas Capers" by Charley Harper (Treglown Designs, HC-C165).

Christmas Capers
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • HC-C165

Lizette researched stitches, threads and beads, and after the usual auditioning, came up with the most clever tribute to Charley Harper's artistry. She really nailed it. The Popcorn is delicious looking. The Raccoons are endearing.

Lizette posted her progress on Facebook and everyone wanted the stitch guide.  She asked me would I take her notes and write up the stitch guide; providing charted stitches and photos of the final piece. "Of course," I said... "it would be my honor."

We met in person at Stitchers Inc. and went over each area for accuracy. With notes in hand, I wrote up the stitch guide... which, by the way, is now available from me.

Soon, I had the most wonderful idea: to donate part of the Stitch Guide proceeds to my local cat/kitten no-kill shelter, The House of Mews in Memphis, TN.

Christmas Capers

Stitch guide by Robin King

Model stitched by Lizette Thomas, Little Rock, AR

I am collecting for an end-of-the-year donation to the The House of Mews. As of today, there have been 13 stitch guides sold. I think of it as a win-win.... for the Mews.

If you have the Christmas Capers canvas in your stash (CH-C165)... or plan to get this canvas... and want a nice stitch guide..., send me an email: creativecats@comcast.net.

OK.. back to guide writing. One of my September destinations is Needle Nook of La Jolla. How sweet is that!

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Cats and Dogs

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

This morning I have been adding new items to Amy's website...

Custom Stitch Guides. This new group of canvases reminded me of something Amy once said: 

• Dog owners want to stitch a canvas that looks like their dog. 
• Cat owners will stitch any cat.

"Poodle on Couch" by Amanda Lawford (CC 148)

"Cat on Couch "  by Needle Crossings (#3130) 

That Amy-ism got me thinking about my own selection of Cat and Dog canvases. Back in the day, I owned Golden Retrievers. I wasn't doing needlepoint at that time; thus no dog canvases.  However, even now when I go to Market, my eyes gravitate towards any Golden Retriever canvas. Funny.

Now I own cats. You've heard me mention them. I have stitched a cat or two in my day... with more waiting for me in the Works in Progress (WIP) pile. You, too?

Here are some photos of my finished or almost finished cat canvases. Quite an eclectic group... just like my cats at home. Enjoy the week. We'll be in touch, soon. Thanks, Robin

Boots Bailey 7026

Charley Harper canvas... inspired by Jules

Black Cat in Red Chair... inspired by Mow

Chat Blanc (MSD J106)

Good Mews (MAG 364)