Island Life at The Bristly Thistle

Hi Everybody... Robin here... back at the Memphis International Airport... this time headed to Montgomery, AL and The Needle Bug.

Before I get too ahead of myself, I need to wrap up the loose ends from teaching at The Bristly Thistle.

The two-day event went smoothly; both days were sold out. There was an extra bonus: Kathy C. brought in her recently finished "Witch with Crow" (MSD 1334-C)... stitched from my stitch guide. How exciting was that!!!

There was a fun "island" feel about Amelia Island. There was a parade right in front of the shop. Droves of children passed by... the Pirate Ship brought up the rear. What a sight!

We dined at Bar Zin. I had my first experience with "tuna tartare" ... Exquisite! And another course had saffron... Exotic.

Other meals included: The Salty Pelican one night... Oysters baked w/ crabmeat and cheese. It was the most perfect way to "first" try oysters. There was a beautiful sunset. And, Key Lime pie for dessert. Heaven.

Pablo's restaurant was the next night. Can you say fabulous Margaritas? ... yummy good. Loved their Chicken Nachos, too.

Has this turned into Robin's Restaurant Review? Looks like it, right? What can I say? ... part of the journey is the meals along the way.

It was fun seeing the stitched pieces by Michele Heron (owner of The Bristly Thistle); many were from my stitch guides:

Katt Z. Witch
The Creepy Characters
Columbus Heart

When I saw her stitched collection, I said to Michele, "Look. It's the Robin King Hall of Fame." LOL.

I enjoyed meeting all of the women who attended the classes. They traveled far to get there: Washington, DC; North Carolina, and many from the Florida area.

Here are a few photos from my days at The Bristly Thistle. Good times and great memories. I look forward to my next trip back to Amelia Island.

Time to board the plane for Montgomery, AL. Needle Bug... here I come.

Until the next time… Hugs, Robin

Observing Brenda Hart

Hi everybody... Robin here.

Back at the Memphis airport. Heading to The Bristly Thistle to teach my two latest pieces: Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) AND Flowers in a Vase (ND 311). I am thrilled for this opportunity.

I still want to show you a few photos from my Brenda Hart class last week.

This canvas was being stitched by an attendee (Sue). The canvas is by The Point of It All Designs. It has an Art Deco vibe with a stylized Blue Heron.

I was so impressed with Brenda's stitch/thread choice for the flowers. Alternating long stripes of Petite Very Velvet with either Neon Rays+ or Neon Rays.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Love the look. Try it for clothes, witch hat, top hat, or foliage.

Brenda also demonstrated her beading Lasso technique; using a trolley needle as the separator... allowing the threads to divide and hug the bead.

I haven't had a chance to continue stitching my "Gift Rapt" by Charley Harper. Not because of want or desire, but rather because of working/stitching /stitch guide writing deadlines.

Like I said... The needlepoint world travels at warp speed.

Well, I plan/hope to blog from Florida. Until then... Hugs, Robin

Brenda & Charley & me

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Why is the needlepoint world in the fastest Time Warp?

Delta.com sent me my reminder to "check in"... what?? Really? I just started stitching! What do you mean I have to leave?

As you can imagine... This has been a fun day.

First, I selected my canvas. After all, it was a canvas embellishment class with Brenda Hart. (Come on Robin, get with it!)

Luckily, In Stitches has an awesome selection of canvases. So many... Wait. What do I see?

A Charley Harper? OMG. Be still my heart. Bam pulled it off the wall, taped it, attached it stretcher bars... And then it was my turn. Gulp. #bucketmoment

Enter Stage right: HC-G164... Gift Rapt.

Don't you love the name?

My turn with Brenda. She discusses the raccoons. Then, she begins the borders. I am taking furious notes. I pull her suggested threads Wow. Love the look.

Many of her inspirations came from her books. You have them, don't you.  If not, order them from your LNS.  Here are the titles:

• Favorite Stitches  by Brenda Hart
• Favorite Stitches II by Brenda Hart
• Stitches for the Millennium by Brenda Hart

After lunch were more packages stitches. I am now looking at her books in a whole new light.

Also want a fun stitch? Check out F-106 in Jo Christensen's book.

Class was over. Purchases were made. I reviewed my notes and my new stash. Can't wait to stitch again.

Tomorrow is my last day. Until then... Robin

First day wrap up in ATL

Hi everybody... Robin here... in Atlanta.

So far, I have had two bucket list moments and I haven't yet picked up a needle.

The flight to ATL was speedy. I only stitched 10 rows of T-Stitch and we landed.

Bam (owner of In Stitches) picked me up from the airport. We had some time to fill before returning to the airport to pick up Brenda Hart. Guess where we went... #bucketlist

Dinner and enlightening conversation at The Buckhead Diner was fabulous. Crab cakes and asparagus. Yummy good.

It was good to see Harry the cat. I brought him a peacock feather. We have already played.

Class begins in a few hours. So excited to see Brenda Hart in action. It is a canvas embellishment class. I will show you tomorrow which canvas I picked.

Hugs, Robin

48 hours of fun at In Stitches

Hi everybody ... Robin here ... at the Memphis airport. On my way to In Stitches in Atlanta I am treating myself to a Brenda Hart canvas enhancement class. Truly a bucket list moment.

I plan/hope to blog my experience.

First up: non-stop flight to ATL. My stitching companion is ready, too.

Looking forward to seeing Bam and Harry the cat, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Needle 'n Thread is a must visit website

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Whenever I come across something good, I like to pass it along to you.

Have you bookmarked/visited Mary Corbet's website yet?

It is called Needle 'n Thread. She has the most excellent video library of embroidery stitches as well as Tips & Techniques.

Now,  if you are saying... "I do needlepoint... I don't do embroidery"... you might want to re-think your statement.

Do you do French Knots?  Do you do Backstitches? Do you do Outline/Stem stitches?

These and many more surface embellishment stitches began in the embroidery world and, lucky for us, are also used in the needlepoint world.

Here is what is nice about Mary's website. You can sign up for her Daily Newsletter which comes to you via email; a highlight of my day.

Today's newsletter was about the Guilloche Stitch. So pretty. Imagine it on a Stocking as part of the transition between the main design and the Name area. Work it in colors. Try it in Metallics. So pretty.

Guilloche Stitch
Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread

Mary Corbet provides step-by-step color photos of the stitch from beginning to end. Written tutorials. Sometimes, there is a video, too. Truly, a labor of love.

It was on the Needle 'n Thread website where I found the inspiration for the leaves on the Flowers in a Vase (ND 311) canvas. Brilliant. Thanks, Mary!

Can you name this stitch?

Enjoy adding some new embroidery techniques to your needlepoint. I'd love to hear from you. Until then... Hugs, Robin

New Wisper colors from Rainbow Gallery

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Watch out, Leo. Bailey, the cat, wants equal time as a Needlepoint cat spokesperson.

Especially when he saw the latest colors of Wisper from Rainbow Gallery.

New Wisper colors for  2012

Bailey says the new Wisper colors are just purr-fect.  Very soft and fur-like.

Bailey models Wisper W124

He thinks Rainbow Gallery need to rename W124 after him. What do you think?
Are you for Team Bailey or Team Timber Wolf? LOL.

(Whenever I talk about our cats, I say we have a black cat, a white cat, a calico cat, a gray tabby, two yellows, and a Bailey. Now, there is a Wisper color for each of them.)

Thanks to Rainbow Gallery for sending samples of the newest Wisper colors. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Be sure to visit the Rainbow Gallery website to see all of their color cards.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin