"Slippers" by Gail - Colors of Praise (MC-226)

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Last October 2013,  I did a Canvas Enhancement class at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. Gail A. selected a canvas called "Slippers" by Colors of Praise (MC-226) for some stitch suggestions.

She casually mentioned she did like to do beadwork. Boy, oh boy, did she ever! Gail finished the "Slippers" and here's some photos for you to enjoy.

I am very pleased how the entire piece turned out. Gail and The Nimble Needle-Atlanta did a brilliant job interpreting my vision and making a gorgeous masterpiece.

Here's the stitch for the Border. I call it "Slanted Gobelin over Laid Fill." You get a fun visual effect when stitching with light coverage. We used Elegance (fine twisted Silk Pearl #8) for the Laid Foundation and 2 strands Splendor Silk Floss for the Slanted Gobelin units.

If you are interested in this stitch guide just let me know.
Email me: creativecats@comcast.net.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter. I'm getting ready to go back to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta at the end of the week for more Canvas Enhancement classes. I will be sharing details in the next blog.

Until then...           HUGS, Robin

Teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta - Feb 2014

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Flying to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Back in front of my computer after traveling to and teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. It was 3 days of classes:  "Help is On the Way" and Canvas Enhancement classes for 14 stitch guides.

What fun we had! Look at the pretty threads pulled for the canvases.

"Stars & Stripes Tic Tac Toe"
Liz/Tapestry Tent • TTAG-116
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Manatee in a Mangrove"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • CH-M062
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Louisiana Heron"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • CH-L090
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Peacock Ginger Jar"
Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD M-1655
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Kitschy-en"
Sandra Gilmore • SG-18-569
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Four Hands"
Zecca • ZE-118
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Dancing Miriam"
Julia's Needleworks • BL-16TB
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Colorful Harlequin Picture/Mirror Frame"
Colors of Praise • PF 163
Stitch Guide by Robin King

It was fun watching the stitches develop, too.

"Peril in the Petunias"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • HC-P158
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Russian Interlaced Border

"Two Orchids"
Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1484-2A
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Laid Filling with Circles and Beads

"Challah Cover"
Pepita • PEP001
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I used Photoshop to lay out the design. 

Lisa Marks wanted to play down the "gold tones" and play up the "silver tones" of this Sun Teardrop Purse. No problem. I'm a silver-gal, too.

"Sun Teardrop Purse"
The Studio Midwest • PR108A
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Penny Boswinkle enjoyed the class so much she went home and stitched on her piece, "Because You're Mine I Walk the Line." She sent me a photo of her progress. LOVE it. Thanks, Penny for sharing.

"Because You're Mine I Walk the Line"
Quail Run Designs • NC112
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Looking good, Penny!

Ann Hauerland brought in her finished "Who Gives A Hoot" from the October 2013 class at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. Isn't this owl cute!!!

"Who Gives a Hoot?"
JP Needlepoint • DDB3
Stitched by Ann Hauerland, Atlanta, GA
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Renie Weinstein brought in her finished "Melons and Peaches" from the October 2013 class. What a gorgeous piece. Thanks, Renie for taking my vision and making it a reality.

"Melons & Peaches"
Colors of Praise • FF111
Stitched by Renie Weinstein, Atlanta, GA
Stitch Guide by Robin King

And, of course, any of my stitch guides are available. Just send me an email with your inquiry: creativecats@comcast.net 

I'll be going back to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta 3 more times this year. Yippee!!!

• Saturday, April 26, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way" -- sold out
• Sunday, April 27, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement -- sold out
• Monday, April 28, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement -- sold out

• Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, 2014 -- "Hugs"
• Monday, July 21, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way"

• Saturday, October 25, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way"
• Sunday, October 26, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement
• Monday, October 27, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement

Remember HUGS? 

HUGS (GS-11) is 9" x 5.5" on 18 mesh
Stitch Guide by Robin King

(Here's the bundled link from previous blog entries: http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/search/label/HUGS%20%28GS11%29)

HUGS • (GS-11)
Alice Peterson Co • artist, Gayla Elliot

I can't wait to teach it as a class. Everyone will have their chance to select their favorite colorway. Just imagine the possibilities. Then I will share the design layout and teach Laid Filling, Beading, and composite stitches with a Special Heart Border.

Just an example of the endless possibilities for HUGS (GS-11)

HUGS is a nice message for a grandchild, student away at college or a guest room. Work it up in School Colors or your favorite colors. Everyone needs a HUG! Call The Nimble Needle-Atlanta to sign up for the class (404) 843-8687.

Well, time to get back to writing stitch guides and stitching on the Halloween Village (MSD 1627-C). The adventure kicks off mid-April. I'm having the best time stitching this piece. Would love for you to join me. 

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA exclusive

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Are you familiar with Pippin Studio from Canada? I recently learned about them when one of their canvas designs was in a canvas enhancement class. I wrote the stitch guide for Twelve Canadian Evergreen Trees.

Twelve Canadian Evergreen Trees • Pippin Studio
Stitched by Susan Fowler
Stitch Guide by Robin King

The designs are fresh & fun and are usually on 13 mesh.

Check them out:  http://www.pippinstudio.ca/

Last month, Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA asked if I would write a stitch guide for their Shop exclusive Pippin design, "Make Hay While the Sun Shines."

Make Hay While the Sun Shines • Pippin Studio
Shop exclusive: Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I've had the pleasure of teaching at Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA and was thrilled for this opportunity. I said yes and wrote the guide.

Make Hay While the Sun Shines • Pippin Studio
A Shop Exclusive
 Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA

Pretty threads and beads...  the colors are delightful. Stitching this will make the winter doldrums go away.

Make Hay While the Sun Shines • Pippin Studio
11" x 8" on 13 mesh

You can see the Needle in a Haystack's ad in the current Needlepoint Now magazine.

Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA
ad in Needlepoint Now magazine

Give Needle in a Haystack - Montrose, CA a call: (818) 248-7686. They will be glad to hear from you. Here's the link to their website: http://www.needhay.com/

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Halloween Village adventure with Robin King

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Last year I had the opportunity to write a stitch guide for the Halloween Village canvas (Melissa Shirley Designs MSD 1627-C). I first saw the canvas at the TNNA Market and really connected with it... remember, I do like Halloween.

Halloween Village • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1627-C
20" x 8.5" on 18 mesh
Stitch guide by Robin King

It was suggested that I stitch the piece myself and offer it as a monthly club...
a "Stitch Along with Robin" adventure, if you will.

I asked Stacy Brown/The Nimble Needle-Atlanta if she would like to join me in this project. I would stitch the Halloween Village and write the guides, and customers would get the canvas and thread kits from The Nimble Needle-Atlanta.

She said yes and so the journey begins.

In April 2014, the first "kit" will go out: the canvas, thread kit #1 and instructions #1. There will be 6 kits in total shipped about every 6 weeks. I am using my original stitch guide as a base, but it is adjusted with new inspirations, stitches and techniques. I am stitching it with full passion and a love for all things creative.

On The Nimble Needle-Atlanta's website there is a Halloween Village page which will list the schedule of the outgoing kits as well as the price of each kit. There will also be tricks and treats sent out along the way. What a fun time we will have.

Here's the link: http://www.atlantanimbleneedle.com/halloween-village.html

Halloween Village information from
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta website

I plan on setting up a special Halloween Village Facebook group so we can encourage each other, share our show'n tell progress, and address any questions which might benefit the group. I have been taking "behind the scene" photos as I stitch each section and can share them, too. I can also post some video in case a technique isn't obvious by the diagram. How cool is that? Like I said... it will be a complete "Stitch Along with Robin" adventure.

Look for our ad in the Needlepoint Now magazine. It is very clever. We've posted one ad in the Jan/Feb 2014 issue and have this ad ready for the March/April 2014 issue. We want all eyes to see.

The Nimble Needle-Atlanta ad in Needlepoint Now

Speaking of eyes... you know how important the eyes are to any piece. In my opinion that's where the personality begins.

Cat and Pumpkin in Kit #1 - before
Halloween Village • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1627-C
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cat and Pumpkin in Kit #1 - after
Halloween Village • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1627-C
Stitch Guide by Robin King

If you are interested in joining the fun... give The Nimble Needle-Atlanta a call
(404) 843-8687 or email them: atlantanimbleneedle@gmail.com.

Already have the Halloween Village canvas in your stash? No problem. You can still join the adventure. Just give The Nimble Needle-Atlanta a call.

OK... that's it for now. Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

The Nimble Needle - Atlanta February 2014

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

It is always fun to see which canvases are selected for a Canvas Enhancement class.

These will be at the next event at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta on February 9 & 10, 2014. ( There were even 3 Charley Harper designs.)

Louisiana Heron
Treglown Designs, artist Charley Harper (CH-L090)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Manatee in a Mangrove
Treglown Designs, artist Charley Harper (CH-M062)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Peril in the Petunias
Treglown Designs, artist  Charley Harper (HC-P158)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Peacock Ginger Jar
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 1665)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Two Orchids
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 1484-2A)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Don't Pursue Happiness... Create It.
Zecca (ZE-118)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Kitschy-en
Fleur de Paris, artist Sandra Gilmore (SG-18-569)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Stars & Stripes Tic Tac Toe
Liz/Tapestry Tent (TTAG-116)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Black and Silver Challah Cover
Pepita (PEP001)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Dancing Miriam
Julia's Needleworks, artist Bracha Lavee (BL-16TB)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Sun Teardrop Purse
The Studio Midwest (PR108A)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Colorful Harlequin Picture/Mirror Frame
Colors of Praise (PF163)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Polka Dot Pot
Maggie Co. (M-1545)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Because You're Mine I Walk the Line
Quail Run Designs, artist Nancy Coffelt (NC112)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I told you there was something for everyone! It will be fun to watch these canvases come to life.

As with all my guides, these are also available for purchase. Just email me creativecats@comcast.net.

OK... that's about all for this entry. Next blog will be about some of the projects which have kept me away from blogging. I've been in the "Cone of Silence" and now I can share the details.

Until then... Hugs, Robin.