Baltimore / TNNA - day 3

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home in Memphis and in front of my computer. I tried (with better success) blogging while on the road without my laptop, but those special nuances (which I love to do) were not available to me from the iPad. (Or, perhaps I haven't discovered the best APP?)

So, I'd like to continue with my wonderful journey to Baltimore, MD... home of the 2012 TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show at the Embassy Suites.

Day 3: was the last day of the Show. A very fast day for Shop Owners to make their final purchase decisions. Quite a few Shop Owners stopped by the NeedleDeeva room. Many took home with them the Pink Skull Stitch Guide and Canvas which I recently finished. So much fun to stitch. I can't wait to get the models finished.  It has been cool stitching these Sugar Skulls. Even on the airplane, many people (young and not so young) were interested.

I have more photos from the Show to share with you.

Accoutrement Designs and 25 of their new magnets...

Some new canvases from Barbara Bergsten Designs...

Look, she has new "licensed" Sorority needlepoint, too. Barbara has the cutest Lilly Pulitzer shifts as well as awesome "beginner" canvases. I ♥ Barbara Bergsten. She is a classy lady...

Down the hall from the NeedleDeeva room was Unique NZ Designs. I currently have 2 of their Keep Calm pieces ordered from Peacock Alley Needlepoint: Keep Calm Cats and Keep Calm Halloween. (I am anticipating the Keep Calm Chocolate canvases, too.) Give Sandy/Peacock Alley Needlepoint a call if you are interested in these custom designs.

NeedleDeeva's room looked great. The 6-foot banner announced the Fab Firs. The window display showed the Fab Firs up close and in person. New shops signed up to participate in the Retailer's Club as well as made individual choices for their customers.

Here's another photo from the NeedleDeeva room. Thanks to Judee/NeedleDeeva for taking this photo. I am the cream filling between two Needlepoint icons (Jo Ippolito Christensen and Vicky De Angelis.)

Look at these fun bags from Voila. Stitch a Needlepoint Shoulder Strap (belt canvas), attach to bag and call me stylish.

I really like the Cash and Carry type shows. The atmosphere is relaxed. You are in a hotel, too. Just walk down the hallway and enter the room to your favorite designer.

No time away from home is without its cocktail hour. Here is the photo of the Vodka, Peach Schnappes, Grenadine, Orange Juice cocktail from the first day. (Still don't know its proper name. Let's just call it Tasty.)

I enjoyed attending this TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show in Baltimore. In just a few months, we will see all of the designers and shop owners again (Feb 2013) in Long Beach, CA. I have submitted 2 classes to teach. Hopefully, I will be selected to join in the fun.

But, there is still more to tell about this day: Visiting/Teaching at Bedecked and Beadazzled, don't you know. Let's begin here... the next time.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Baltimore / TNNA - day 2

Hi Everybody ... Robin here ...in Baltimore.

This morning, after my eggy breakfast, it was time to join Team Deeva for a day of order writings.  I has a chance to see Michele Herron, owner of The Bristly Thistle in Amelia Island, FL. She stopped by to see my progress on the Flowers in a Vase; a new teaching piece I will be debuting at her shop on October 13, 2012.  Michele was pleased with the progress so far.  Once I return to Memphis, I must attack at warp speed for its conclusion.  I wonder what kind of framing I will choose?  Stay tuned...

To see Michele's blog post check the link here:

http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/flowers-in-a-vase-almost-finished/

Here is a photo of the Embassy Suites atrium showing the banners of the designers attending.

The Accoutrement Designs is just down the hall from NeedleDeeva. 

Here are some of their popular magnets.

The evening meal included Crabs. (Of course, right?!!) This time they were the hard shelled crabs at the Seaside Restaurant. Team Deeva joined Needles and Threads of Ruxton for an entertaining (and educational) evening of how to eat these Maryland delicacies. I tried to be a good student. Judy and Kristine were excellent teachers.

Day 3 is knocking at my door. I will be back soon. Hugs, Robin

Baltimore/TNNA - day 1 – recap

Hi everybody… Robin here.

Here is a recap of this evening (Day 1) in Baltimore:

1. I met Jo Ippolito Christensen. You know her, right? She is the author who wrote "The Needlepoint Book" (Black Bible). I even own two copies of this book: one published in the 1970s and the other published in the 1990s. (It was my first needlepoint book… was it yours, too?) Jo was in the NeedleDeeva room, and it was Vicky De Angelis who said to me,"Robin, do you know who that is?" When the timing was right in their conversation, I introduced myself to Jo. Big moment. Jo said she is in the works of writing another book. Can't wait.

2.  I had a new cocktail. Name not yet determined. Contents: vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice and grenadine.  So pretty... and tasty, too.

3.  Crab cakes. Enough said, except the restaurant was everything Leigh (Leigh Designs) spoke about from last year.  The Deeva remembered. Team Deeva went to The Elkridge Furnace Inn (circa 1744). Oh, and my meal began with a wonderful watermelon salad.

It is almost midnight so I will put this day into the record books. Tomorrow is the first full day of shopping and it will be fun seeing all of the shop owners I have met over the years.

I do plan on posting the photos tomorrow. My camera cord connector is in the Deeva's room so tonight's words will be left to your imagination.  Until tomorrow... Hugs, Robin

Baltimore Cash & Carry Show - day 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here... in Baltimore for the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show.

I just arrived and need to check in with Team Deeva. Wanted to let you know I am here and ready to blog.

Be back soon.  Hugs, Robin

Hug Me Company and Miss Malibu

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

One of my favorite sayings is Hugs, but did you know there is a company based in New Orleans, LA called Hug Me Company?

Yes, there is. The owner is Amy Yuseph. The Hug Me Company makes elegant bags and accessory bags for needlepoint, knitting, travel and general use.

I first met Amy while attending the TNNA Market. Her booth was filled with her fabric bags. Beautifully made; workmanship in the USA. Fabrics to envy. Quality craftsmanship. I'm sure your favorite needlepoint shop carries the Hug Me Company line. Knitting Shops carry them, too.

Recently, Vicky De Angelis did a wonderful blog about the Hug Me Company. With her permission, here are some of her photos from the Mostly Needlepoint blog:

I also have a Hug Me Bag to show you... a new envelope shape; just purr-fect for smaller projects; like the size of the Fab Firs by NeedleDeeva, for example.

Look at the inside. Love the fabric. Notice how the design of the envelope flap aligns with the body. It measures 13" W  x 11.5" H and has a zippered pocket inside as well as a zippered closure. Nice.

(P.S. here's a peek of something I'm currently stitching for Ruth Schmuff. So cute. I will share it with you on another day.)

Here is the link for the Hug Me Company website: http://www.hugmeco.com/  There, you can see the styles and the fabrics available. Here are some screenshots from her website.

Which brings me to another, yet related, topic: the 2013 Miss Malibu contest. Question: What does the Hug Me Company and the 2013 Miss Malibu contest have in common? Answer: Arielle Yuseph, of course.

Arielle Yuseph is the daughter of Amy Yuseph. Arielle is a needlepointer and a knitter, and she is entering the 2013 Miss Malibu contest.  How cool is that?

And... Arielle needs our help.  This year, the 2013 Miss Malibu contest is noticing who get the most  "likes" on the Miss Malibu Facebook page; the results will be part of the selection process.

Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/miss.malibu  and scroll down until you find Arielle's entry. Then "Like" her photo as well as "Like" the Miss Malibu page.

The pageant takes place August 18, 2012 (which is this coming Saturday) so be sure to "Like" Arielle today and wish her the best success.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

DeriDolls: History has never been so cute

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Summer heat, Olympic games, and DeriDolls. Those have been my pre-occupiers latetly.

What's that, you say? What is a DeriDoll? A DeriDoll is made by a very talented and creative person who goes by the name of Deri. I believe she lives in Portugal. Lucky for us, the internet brings her talents close for all to enjoy.

Elvis by DeriDolls

Thanks to Denise Felton from needlework.craftgossip.com who first opened my eyes to DeriDolls. Here is the link: http://needlework.craftgossip.com/?s=deridoll

From what I have read, Deri first began making these 3.5" felt dolls when she first became an aunt.

Here is what Deri said on her Etsy page:

In 2004 I found myself with a lot of free time on my hands and nothing to do with it. That's when I became more interested in crafts and decided to try out a few.

I tried a bunch of them: knitting, sewing, painting. Anything that caught my attention, really.

Then I found out I was going to be an aunt. =) That propelled me to try and make cute things in felt for my niece and it soon became evident that that was the craft that clicked. I still use the knowledge I gained from my previous experiments, but hand sewing felt dolls is what I love best.

What you'll see in my works is a mix of that recently discovered passion with an old time passion of mine: History. It doesn't matter what historical period or what part of the world, I love it and take great delight in journeying with my dolls to everywhen and everywhere.

What I love about her work is the attention to detail. The dolls are completely handmade from different kinds of felt. She uses beads and sequins to add embellishment. Fabric and trims are used to enhance the period costumes.

Historical DeriDolls. Tudor DeriDolls. Fictional Character DeriDolls. Modern DeriDolls. She does them all. Here are some of my favorites. I also like seeing her inspirational photo with the final DeriDoll.

Tudor Group by DeriDolls

Kathryn Howard by DeriDolls

Mulder and Scully (from the X-Files) by DeriDolls

Holly Golightly (from Breakfast at Tiffany's) by DeriDolls

Marilyn Manson by DeriDolls

Edward Scissorhand by DeriDolls

Like she says: DeriDolls... history has never been so cute.

And, she has quite a sense of humor, too. Love the Anne Boleyn (headless) version.

Anne Boleyn (headless version) by DeriDolls

For more information about DeriDolls, visit these links.

• DeriDolls on Facebook...   https://www.facebook.com/pages/DeriDolls/412802558758274
• DeriDolls own blog...   http://deriana.livejournal.com/
• DeriDolls on Deviantart.com...   http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=deridolls
• DeriDolls on The Anne Boleyn Files...   http://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/products-page/tudor-dolls/
• DeriDolls on The Tudor Project... http://deriana.livejournal.com/125784.html

Have fun seeing the talents of DeriDolls. Very special, indeed.

Mary Boleyn (sister of Anne Boleyn) by DeriDolls

Until the next time... hugs, Robin

Tapestry Fair and The Painted Elephant

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I had another fun charting job come my way.

This time it was from Peggi at Tapestry Fair. I met Peggi while attending the Phoenix TNNA Market this past January 2012. Nice lady.

I know you are familiar with the Tapestry Fair line of canvases. Most recently, you have seen blogging by Jane from Chily Hollow about the Manuel Salas "Day of the Dead" canvas she is stitching; distributed by Tapestry Fair. Here's their website. Take a look all of their wonderful designs.

Your LNS can order any of them for you. http://www.tapestryfair.com

Peggi was needing me to chart some icons for the upcoming class being taught by Linda Corirossi called The Painted Elephant.

This information came from the Tapestry Fair blog:

The Painted Elephant (#636) by Tapestry Fair
Class taught by Linda Corirossi

Here is a summary of the class:

Choose your colors, raid your jewelry box for bling, and join Linda Corirossi for a series of classes to "paint" your own elephant.

The class includes a line drawn canvas, stitch planning "map", and a stitch guide including picture graphs to decorate your elephant. With Linda's guidance, each elephant will be exotic and original.

The first elephant class will be help October 19th, 20th and 21st at Family Arts Needlework in Phoenix, AZ.

To contact Linda about giving this class at your shop, call (847) 942-2120 or email:  lcorirossi@sbcglobal.net 

So, exactly what did I do? Peggi sent me several pages of graph paper with icons in colored squares. I made a graph grid in the computer, and then colored the boxes in the same sequence; creating these endearing icons. It was a new task to learn and was fun doing so. When I was finished,  a 4-page PDF of the 27 icons/components was ready to become part of the stitch guide.

I would love to take this class. I have been a fan of Linda Corirossi for many years. I have both of her books. You have them, too... right?

Canvas Embellishment by Linda  Corirossi

Canvas Embellishment (The Sequel) by Linda  Corirossi

I use these books often when writing stitch guides as well as for my own personal stitching. Like I said, I would love to meet Linda. If any of you take the class, be sure to let us see your progress and hear about your experience. When you stitch the little bird, you can think of me.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin