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

Love those Dogs!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's always fun to see the finished stitching from my canvas enhancement classes.

Here are a few canvases with a common theme... DOGS.

Two of the dogs are from artist Paper Russell who is represented by DJ Designs.

Black Lab • PR658 • DJ Designs

Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Marlene Siegel stitched this Black Lab for a friend. She wanted to personalize it further, and the DMC Memory Thread was suggested to spell out Mabel's name. Nice job, Marlene.

Another dog by artist Paper Russell was the Black Poodle.

Black Poodle • PR639 • DJ Designs
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Caryn Scheidt had a Standard Poodle and wanted to bring this canvas to life. I showed her how to do the Gathered Stitch to achieve that the look of those ears. Caryn was most pleased. Me, too!

The last two dogs are from Maggie Co. and were both stitched by Robin Blitz in Montgomery, AL.

Robin is a dog lover and Schnauzer owner. Our first collaboration was this Schnauzer by artist Charlotte Holder.

Schnauzer • M-510 • Maggie Co.
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I designed a special stitch which was perfect for the Schnauzer's fur. Happy dog and Happy Robin x 2.

And, our most recent collaboration from artist Frank Bielec (represented by Maggie Co.) was during a canvas enhancement class at The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL.

Robin selected this whimsical canvas, "Fetch It Yourself."

Fetch It Yourself • M-1472 • Maggie Co.

Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Guess what?! She is already finished stitching it. Go, Robin, go! Look at the fun frame Robin selected... by Jim & Lisa Krause available from your favorite needlepoint shop.

Here's a frame preview with the help from Photoshop.

As always, my stitch guides are available. Just email me at creativecats@comcast.net for information. Shop Owner inquires welcomed, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin