OMG

We hurried into Columbus yesterday so that Amy could make the tail end of a Sharon G class.  Speaking of tails, it was one of those canvases with horses tails.  So cute.  Believe it or not, we sort of slept in this morning as we had picked up all of our TNNA stuff last night too.  We acutally had a few hours to stitch and make a game plan for Sample It.    Sample It is a one hour shopping spree where various vendors here for the show are allowed to sell some of their merchandise.  It is a great preview of some of the items which will be offered on the show floor.  We all had a class before Sample It.  I LOVED my class.  I have not worked with ribbons and was thrilled with the River Silks Ribbons included in my thread kit.  It was a terrific experience.

Robin knows everyone!  And they know her.  She introduced me to so many designers, and pointed out many more.  I know that the designers and other vendors worked very hard Friday to set up their booths.  Some of them showed off some of their finished pieces in the hall outside of the main showroom.  Raymond Crawford had the cutiest pillows.  Lee's NeedleArts had some of their leather goods displayed.  Strictly Christmas had some cute Christmas pieces including a stocking topper finished as a purse top.  Maggie and Ewe & Eye featured some of the handmade wooden frames, by Deux Bijoux Bijoux, which they feature with some of their canvases.  Melissa Shirley had a BEAUTIFUL pink purse displayed, which is part of her spring collection.  And Boots Bailey was showing some really cute purses.  I made a few personal purchases at Sample It, and Amy purchased a few canvases and other toys for the shop. It was so wonderful being among so many people who love stitching.

But I must get serious tomorrow when we actually go shopping.  SHOPPING!  CAN'T WAIT!  I wonder how much of Amy's money I can spend?

Pumpkin and Bridesmaids

Hi.  As you can see, I have finished the pumpkin and the bridesmaids. The pumpkin is such fun.  It is a free for all.  Just make the stitches wherever you want.  I stitched a row of tent on the top and the bottom with the same thread as used for the veins.  Of course I need to add the straw and give the crow his feathers.  But I must stop for now to get ready to go to market with Amy and Robin.  I am beyond excited.  Jill tells me there in no way to describe the feeling when you go to your first market.  I hope to be able to contain my excitement enough to send pictures and reports to you.  I know I will probably be overwhelmed.  We'll be in touch!

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G is ready to travel

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've been packing my bags for tomorrow's Columbus Market trip, and took a break to look at what's new with the Chilly Hollow blog. As usual, Jane had wonderful things to look at and admire.

The Barbara Bergsten link reminded me I still needed to insert the NeedleDeeva Heart #150G into the Black Stirling Self-Finishing Shoulder Bag for my class on Saturday. Oops! I quickly gathered my supplies: pencil, ruler, scissors, and traced the cutting edge onto the canvas.

Then I began to insert the needlepoint into the Stirling Bag. It comes with a peel 'n stick surface; however, I chose to not use it this time. I got everything lined up. Looks good.

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G (affectionately called Columbus Heart) is now ready for its TNNA Summer Market debut. The tour begins with my class on Saturday with the Shop Owners from across the country. What an honor. Then it will spend the rest of the time in the NeedleDeeva booth enticing Shop Owners to purchase this new design. Yes, this canvas comes with a Robin King Stitch Guide showing how I did all of these fun stitches and techniques with text, photos, and charted diagrams.  Be sure to check out all the new canvases from NeedleDeeva being revealed at this Market.

Guess who else is traveling to Columbus...?

Yes, that's right! Katt Z. Witch is hitching a ride to hang out in Kelly Clark's booth during the Market. I heard she might even meet her new cousin, Ratt Z. Witch. That will be a fun reunion.

I've got my name badge ready, and both Peggy and I will be blogging about our experiences at Market.  This will be fun.

Stitch Fast, Ladies. We're Going to Market.

Thanks, Robin

R I P

I got a little more done tonight.  I did most of the RIP tombstone.  I'm leaving the small area that Bride Z. Illa's hand rests on undone because I'm not sure of the placement of her fingers there.  It will be easy to go back and fill in after stitching her hand.  The background is next, but I think I will work on the pumpkin because that will finish the bottom of the canvas. I am really looking forward to stitching her dress as I like the florentine stitch Amy has picked out.  (refer to your color picture.)

I had the privilege of seeing Robin's Meow bag in person yesterday.  She did a fabulous job for a very good cause.  We all got a good lesson on using the DMC Memory thread.  Way to go Robin!

MEOW Tote for Mewtopia is finished

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Well, I finished the MEOW Tote for my Mewtopia donation. Isn't it cute?

The canvas tote has a 5" x 5" outer pocket. There is a full length inner zipper closure, and the inside is one large area. The entire tote measures about 12"W x 9"H. The tote is natural canvas with turquoise blue accents. And yes, it has an original, one-of-a-kind, needlepoint design by Robin King; featuring awesome threads including Silk 'n Ivory, Petite Sparkle Rays, and DMC Memory Thread. Should be purrrfect for any Mew lover.

I have photographed the MEOW Tote, and have documented its progress on the Needlepoint Study Hall blog. It's time to say good bye, and turn it over to Mewtopia for their Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction on Saturday, June 12, 2010. (I really got attached to it.) Here's hoping it will draw "big money" for their fund raising event.

Even if you don't live in Memphis, TN... consider bidding on my Needlepoint Tote. Give them your highest bid, and see if you get lucky. Here's their info. Remember, Mewtopia Cat Rescue is a no-kill cat sanctuary. The 9th annual Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction is from 4-6 PM on Saturday, June 12, 2010.  "Staffed entirely by volunteers, Mewtopia found homes for over 150 cats in 2009."

OK, well that's all for now.  Next on my "to do list" is assembling the Thread Kits and printing the Stitch Guides for my TNNA class in Columbus. Remember the Needle Deeva Heart #150G? I will report on my progress next time.

Thanks again for all of your kind words and encouragement. It has been fun sharing my MEOW Tote with all of you. Thanks, Robin

Bride Z. Illa's Brown Tombstone

You can see how I carried the stitch through the dress, (with the grey thread), to make sure the stitch would work on the right side.  I am now working back towards the pumpkin.  I kind of feel like I'm cheating when I do this.  But I don't trust my counting alone.   If anyone knows of an easier or better way, please let us know.  I started up under the brides rump and worked down.  It was easier for me to do it with the crow and his beak already stitched.  I will post another picture when I finish the tombstone.

It worked!

Bride Z. Illa's Second bottom border

I got the second border in.  I wish all the areas went in this fast.  Only those of you with the guide will know what I am talking about here...on the Ray stitch.  Sometimes my Ray stitch thread covered the couching thread and sometimes it didn't.  If you want a uniform look, let the top and bottom Ray stitch lay next to the couching thread as it is in the diagram.  I thought I could get all of them to stay on top, but gave up on that and didn't want to redo it.

I am heading for the brown tombstone next.  It should be a simple stitch, except there is a lot of compensation.  So I am practicing the stitch at the bottom of my canvas so I will get the whole stitch in my head and be better able to do the compensation.  I would suggest stitching the crow and his beak before stitching the tombstone.