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

Teaching Flowers in a Vase at In Stitches-Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I am getting ready to go to Atlanta... to teach at In Stitches-Atlanta. I am most anxious to see their new store (conveniently located right across the street from their former location).

You might ask: "What are you going to teach, Robin?"
"Thank you for asking," I would reply.

Flowers in a Vase for a 2-day class. Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. The pace will be comfortable and thorough.

Flowers in a Vase by NeedleDeeva (ND 311)
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I will demonstrate the Stumpwork, Ribbon techniques, Raised Fishbone, Messy Beading, Sparkles... and anything which might be fun for the class.  I will also share my secrets for successful beading. You know me... I'm the See One, Do One, Teach One gal.

And, there will be lots of stitching done, too. How fun is that?!

I am most appreciative to return to In Stitches-Atlanta. Very charming and friendly. Just what every needlepoint teacher would hope for. Looking forward to seeing their new owner, Jeanene.

I'll have my camera ready to take photos of their new place. Wonder what kind of stash enhancement I will do? Threads? Accessories? Canvases? Oh, can't wait. Love flying to ATL. From Memphis: wheels up to wheels down is about 57 minutes. It's my home-away-from-home.

Recently, I was sent a photo of a finished Flowers in a Vase by Kathy Hix who was in my class held at Stitch by Stitch in Larchmont, NY. Look at the wonderful embellishments.

Begin with the stitch guide and then make it your own.
Stitched by Kathy Hix

Kathy is an excellent stitcher and I am honored to see her variation. Makes me proud. (Note to self: Always be on the lookout for buttons and baubles!)

Well, that's it for now. Time to gather and pack... all while not disturbing Max the Cat. He is so comfortable.

Until the next time.... Hugs, Robin

Teaching at Peacock Alley Needlepoint 2013

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home from teaching at Peacock Alley Needlepoint in Ada, Michigan. Oh, what a fun time. Let me share with you...

Welcome Sign
Artfully drawn by designer, Machelle Somerville.

Thursday evening was the Meet & Greet. There were 12 women in attendance for my Canvas Enhancement class: one from the Chicago area, two from Cleveland Ohio, many from Michigan (both local and hours away), and one from Memphis. It was the first time to be in Sandy's shop for many of us. We made good use of the available time and began pulling threads for the canvases.

I can not think of one thread line not represented at Peacock Alley Needlepoint... what a joy!

Friday morning the class began. To our excitement, we each had a wonderful gift from Peacock Alley: a heavy duty canvas tote with our name embroidered on it.

Here's my bag.

But, wait... look at the reverse side. Sweet!

Awesome way to remember an event.
Thanks to all at Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

Here are some of the canvases with their thread layouts:

Sailboats • SharonG • SCT-24
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Summer Tree • Machelle Somerville • MS-23
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Sunny Side Up! • Kelly Clark & Dan DiPaolo • KDP 11-18
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Girls at Beach • TS Designs • 6161
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Halloween March • Susan Roberts • TTAL108
Stitch Guide by Robin King

We laughed and shared stories. Some stitching even was done. It is always nice to see the plan come to life...

Stitched by Cheryl.

Stitched by Jamie.

Stitched by Teri.

Stitched by Jeannine.

Stitched by Anne.

Everyone received a Peacock Alley Needlepoint graph paper note pad. It was most handy for me to use as I further explained the stitch guide directions. (You should see me play a game of Pictionary. LOL.)

A picture is worth a thousand words.

We received more gifts through out the event. Everyone received a Peacock Alley Needlepoint beaded scissor fobs (in Peacock colors). Note the pretty Peacock charm.

Peacock Alley Needlepoint scissors fob.

There were also Cookies! 

Peacock Alley Needlepoint cookie.

 Locally baked and decorated with the Peacock Alley logo. So tasty!

Yes. They were that good.

During class, I showed technique demonstrations related to someone's stitch guide: Colonial Knot, Colonial Running Rose, Twisted Lazy Daisy, Gathered Flair, and how to make a Kreinik Twisted Cord.

We received a wonderful lesson from Judy: how to use a discard thread when stitching the background. Judy was stitching the background of the Charley Harper piece, Cardinals Consorting (HC-C172). 

Stitched by Judy.

Note the discard thread Judy used to work the background stitch through the Cardinal. Once she made it to the other side, she will continue again with the pretty overdyed thread. Then, the discard thread will be pulled out and thrown away. It's always fun to witness an "ahh-ha" moment.

Our lunches were catered by the class angel, Laurie. She is the best!

There were good eats at Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

I had the best time teaching at Peacock Alley Needlepoint. I believe everyone had a good time, too. Hopefully they will send me photos of their progress.

Anne working on the Haunted House Banner.

Canvas Enhancement Class with Robin King August 2013
A good time was had by all.

Well, time to get ready for my next travel and deadlines. Until then... Hugs!  Robin

Robin is teaching at Peacock Alley Needlepoint

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I am getting ready to head up north and teach this weekend at Peacock Alley Needlepoint in Ada, Michigan.

Ready to travel from Memphis to Michigan

I've lived up north for the first half of my life, and I am aware how folks from Michigan hold up their hands to show where they live. Two hands for showing both Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan (the Mitten)...

Wonderful Hand Map illustration from BigThink.com

... Or, one hand (my preferred version) for showing the Left Hand in the Mitten pose. Either way, it is a fun way to show where you are from or where you are going.

My version of Google Maps

Ada, Michigan is just outside of Grand Rapids. I have never been there. I have been to Mackinac Island, MI on a family vacation as a kid. I still remember the Salt Water Taffy! (Mitten reference: Tip of Middle Finger.) My Eight Grade class took a field trip to Detroit in 1970. (Mitten reference: base of Thumb.) I remember fun family outings to Lake Michigan in the winter and seeing Lake Michigan frozen with ice buckles as tall as a house.

As a needlepoint teacher, this will be my first time to the great Mitten State. It will be fun seeing Sandy (Mama Peahen) and her customers called the Peababies. All this is reference to the name of the store, Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

The two-day Canvas Enhancement classes are on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3, 2013. We will have a meet and greet on Thursday night, too. I feel like I know many of these women from Facebook. Sandy does an excellent job using Facebook to communicate with her customers.

I was given the canvases ahead of time so I could write up the 12 Stitch Guides. Look what's going to be in the class:

Cardinals Consorting by Treglown Designs (CH-C172)

Tree - Fall by Machelle Somerville (MS-24)

Tree - Summer by Machelle Somerville (MS-23)

Do It Because You Love It - Machelle Somerville (MS-19)

Girls at the Beach - T.S. Designs 6161

Halloween March - Susan Roberts/Tapestry Tent (TTAL108)

Summer - Zecca (ZE98)

It's My Birthday - Sandy Grossman-Morris (PID112-D)

Haunted House Banner - Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 1588)

Sailboats - SharonG (SCT-24)

Sunny Side Up! - Kelly Clark Needlepoint/Dan DiPaolo (KDP 11-18)

White Rabbit w Flower Cart - Brenda Stofft (B-200)

It will be fun meeting Machelle Somerville: a Michigan needlepoint designer (Machelle Somerville Designs) represented by Fleur de Paris and also works at Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

My plan is to take photos of each person's canvas with selected threads and their works in progress. That's when the magic begins. Check out the Peacock Alley Facebook page, too for updates.

Jules (the cat) loves an empty suitcase. She is a funny cat.

My suitcase is already for packing; Jules (the cat) is in charge until the actual loading begins. She is a funny cat.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Stitch Guides by Robin King

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Finally (!) had the chance to update the list of the Stitch Guides I have written.

You can see them on the "Stitch Guides by Robin King" tab. Just look below the big words NEEDLEPOINT STUDY HALL and there are some tabs: Halloweenies, Stitch Guides by Robin King, and Robin's Teaching Schedule.

The list is long with a real nice assortment of designers represented. There are no pictures (yet!) but the Designer Name, Canvas Name and Number are posted. Chances are, if you already have a canvas, you can look at your stash and see if I've written a guide.

If you are interested just let me know. You can email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

Shop Owners can also contact me for Wholesale Inquiries.

I'll be blogging again soon... about my upcoming trip to Peacock Alley Needlepoint in Ada, Michigan and my two-day Canvas Enhancement classes. Looking forward to it.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin