Creepy Characters News

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Did you wake up and watch the Royal Wedding? I did. Absolutely beautiful. Loved the gown. Two kisses! For an awesome blog post, be sure to check out Plays With Needles. Susan's last two blog entries give wonderful insight and history to the past and present Royal Wedding Gowns.

I've updated the Creepy Characters info page. This club/series is being offered through your local needlepoint shops. Ruth Schmuff has it posted on her website and blog . Colleen/The Needleworks/Austin, TX has it posted on her blog. Amy's has it posted in her e-newsletters. Looks like good news is traveling fast. I am re-vamping the NeedleDeeva website and all of the participating Shops will be listed. I'll let you know when that "unveiling" occurs.

Well, back to Hooty Owl. He's my current companion; we have our own Love Story going. Thanks, Robin

Seeing Clearly with Kreinik Hot-Wire

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I wanted to post this blog in between Thunderstorm and Tornado warnings. My, oh my, it's been crazy in Memphis. Enough with the April "showers"... OK?

I finished Mehitabel, the Witch (ND 0467-E) in the NeedleDeeva Creepy Characters series. I like how she turned out. I used the Kreinik Hot-Wire for her eyeglasses and my Lasso technique worked. Here's my Hot Wire blog link... for easy reference.

Her buck teeth were fun to create. I also got inspired with the curl on top of the Witch's Hat. I enjoy designing Halloween Couture fashions. I went around and around regarding her earrings until landing on this technique.

So, Mehitabel is my 6th finished Character. I sent them off to get finished. I've got 3 more to go. Hooty, the Halloween Owl is next. Well, gonna turn on The Weather Channel. Until then... Thanks, Robin

Does Artistry mimic Reality?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Tonight's topic: does Artistry mimic Reality?  If the Court allows... I give you Exhibit A: a wonderful design from Ruth Schmuff, Cat with Tulips.

Cat with Tulips by Ruth Schmuff

And, I would like to introduce Exhibit B: Elliot smelling new Tulips. 

Elliot smelling Tulips

So... if it pleases the court... I would like to ask: does Artistry mimic Reality? I think, YES. I rest my case. Thanks, Robin

The Ode to Spring continues...

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'd like to thank each of you for your sincere condolences regarding Mow. We are touched and thankful.

EWE & Eye (EW 1003 • Mary S.)

But now... it's time to resume our Ode to Spring. This pillow is from EWE & Eye. I stitched it with Amy during her canvas enhancement classes. The choice of this pillow was because of my (then) new collection/obsession of Patricia Breen's Beeskeps. (I know... it's a strange word. Another definition would be a Beehive.)  It's always fun to have our other interests represented in needlepoint.

I thought this canvas would be the perfect announcement to Spring. Amy suggested the Spring Stitch. (Who knew?!) I used Rainbow Linen for the large X stitches to give it that woven look. I also used DMC Linen Floss for the Vertical Satin stitches. It really looks hive-y, if you know what I mean. I found the cute JABC Bee Buttons, too. I had it finished at Marlene's in San Francisco; a subtle, yet classic look.

Well, I've been working on Mehitabel. She's the Witch in the Creepy Characters from NeedleDeeva. Finished her outfit today... it's Halloween Couture. Tomorrow I will tackle her Hair and Makeup. (Something I rarely do for myself. Oy, the pressure!)

Enjoy the day... I'll be back soon. Thanks, Robin

Mow

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Our elder cat, Mow, was my inspiration for stitching this canvas. He would curl up at the edge of the sofa and sleep for hours. I stitched this piece with Amy during her canvas enhancement classes. I used Black Fishing Line for his Whiskers. I like the Ribbon Flowers as well as the Raised Leaf stitch for the Leaves. The Twisted Cord Fringe was a nice delicate touch to the throw on the back of the chair.

Last night Mow died. We are so thankful for the many years of companionship he gave us. 

Thank you for letting us share this moment. Hugs, Robin and Pat

Where does the Easter Bunny live and shop?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today I am showing more of my Spring/Easter pieces. Ever wonder where the Easter Bunny lives? Here's my answer... in his Easter House, of course.

Easter House

I stitched these pieces during canvas enhancement classes with Amy several years ago. It was fun to use the brand new thread (at that time!) called Accentuate for the Front Door to give it a Stained Glass look. Petite Peluche was chosen for the Running Rabbits along the Roof line. Topiary Rabbits on either side of the front door were made with sculpted Turkey Work.

Easter Store

Once the Easter House was finished, I began stitching the Easter Store. After all, it is where the Easter Bunny does his shopping, right? I love the Chocolate Easter Bunnies in the window made with Neon Rays. I like how the Eggs in the basket were worked: the front ones were beaded and the back ones were stitches; showing dimension and perspective. The Cup Stitch is one of my favorites for making little flowers.

Egg Cottage

Both of these designs are from A Collection of Designs. This one is too. I'm calling it the Egg Cottage. It is my 3rd and final of the stand-ups. You can see, I've only stitched a few areas. I do hope to get back to it soon. It is fun to stitch "during the season." All of the Pinks, Purples, and Turquoises are a welcome color palette. Well, that's all for now.  Thanks, Robin

Spring has Sprung

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's Friday. I just realized it is Spring and now would be a good time to begin posting some of my Spring/Easter decorations.

Spring Tree with Patricia Breen ornaments

I've got a Spring Tree. It's a White feather tree decorated my Patricia Breen ornaments. Are you familiar with Patricia Breen? She is an American who now lives in Poland and designs beautiful blown-glass ornaments. I have been her fan for years. One of the best places to find Patricia Breen ornaments is at Milaeger's located in Racine, Wisconsin. They have a wonderful online store, too.

Easter Eggs stitched by Robin King and Midge King

I have also stitched some Easter Eggs. You are looking at the photo of my Mom's bounty of Easter Eggs. My sister, Midge, stitched eight of the eggs and then I added four to the collection. I did the 3 Rebecca Wood designs (yellow chick, lamb, duck) and the Bunny holding the paint brush. Nice grouping, eh?

This has me in the mood to see the movie, Hop... or at least, to eat some jelly beans. Well, that's all until the next time. Thanks, Robin

Presenting her Royal Highness: Spider Queen

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It takes me a long time to get camera ready. Add 8 hairy legs into the mix and it takes even longer!

Spider Queen

I am proud to present... her Royal Arachnid Highness... Spider Queen. She is ND 0467-D in the Creepy Creatures collection... coming this Fall from NeedleDeeva. She was fun to meet and to design. Her legs are Fuzzy Stuff. If that doesn't say Spider... I don't know what does!

Next on my Creepy Creatures radar: Mehitabel. She's the Witch. I'm going to use the new sequins from The Collection for her earrings. Have you seen them?

Hope you liked meeting the Spider Queen. Her teeth glow in the dark, too. Thanks, Robin

Do You Know Jessica?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope you had a good week. It sure did go by fast!

I've been working on the Spider Queen. Almost finished, too. Since I had to pay attention to some details, I thought I would share the info. Here's tonight's topic: Jessica.

It was one of the most popular female baby names in the 1980's. (Jessica Lange. Jessica Simpson. Jessica Rabbit. All intriguing women named Jessica.) There is a Jessica stitch in our needlepoint world, too. I can hear you say, "We already know that, Robin." But, just ask yourself, "Do you really know Jessica?"

All of this was brought to my attention when I was editing DVD #8, Spiders and More! Amy was discussing the Jessica technique. She made the point to the camera that the last few stitches were tucked inside the beginning stitches. By doing this, the final result of the Jessica will be a continuous circle.

OK... True Confessions time. In my early needlepoint days, I didn't know Jessica... I ended the last stitches on the outside. Now,  I know better and it really does make a difference. I've been doing the Jessica stitch through out the Creepy Characters. Here are some photos from the Spider Queen. Look closely inside the red circles; at the needle's placement. You can see the needle is inside the first stitches.

Give it a try. Also, notice the pretty thread? It's from ThreadworX: Spanish Olives (71069) in the overdyed Kreinik size 8. Good stuff. Have a good weekend and I'll be in touch. Thanks, Robin

Hi and Bye

Hi there.  Peggy here.  I know you have enjoyed the posts from Robin as much as I have.  For that reason, I have asked Robin to take ownership of Needlepoint Study Hall.  I have fallen off track and don't know when I will get back to stitching Halloweenies.  I have never been a good closer of my needlepoint projects.  There is nothing wrong with that except that I made a promise to all of you that I would stitch all of the Halloweenies to help others out.  I apologize for coming up short.  I will return to them at some point. But at this time I feel the blog would be a wonderful place for us to follow Robin's stitching adventures.  She is so creative and her posts help us learn new techniques and see her lovely work.

Thank you so much for your positive response to Needlepoint Study Hall.  It has been a terrific experience.  I will drop by now and then to let you know if I am back on track.  I am so grateful to Robin for her help with starting the blog over a year ago.  I know that Needlepoint Study Hall will flourish with Robin at the helm.

Every good wish,

Peggy

Did You See?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I am cross-promoting Vicky De Angelis' blog entry from today. Did you see it? Here's the link to her blog entitled Mostly Needlepoint.

Vicky is in Dallas with Judee/NeedleDeeva for the Destination Dallas Market. It's a Cash & Carry event; held in the Embassy Suites in Dallas, TX. The Shop Owners go room by room to the various needlepoint designer rooms and they can bring home new product for their customers.

Today, Vicky posted this photo of the NeedleDeeva Room on her blog. Do you see the Creepy Creatures getting prime time? How cool is this. Thanks, Vicky for sharing the photo.

9 hours later... Hi Everybody... Robin here. Well, a terrible storm blew through Memphis. Our power was out for 9 hours. Oh, how I missed you, blog.

OK... well, time to re-set the clocks and figure out what to do with the rest of the evening. Thanks, Robin

Another Spring Cleaning, of sorts

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Blogger has a new function... you've first seen it with Jane/Chilly Hollow's blog and recently in Ruth Schmuff's blog. Well... it was time Needlepoint Study Hall bog had that function, too. Don't you think?

If you look towards the top of the blog, you will now see HOME and HALLOWEENIES. I have made a separate page for HALLOWEENIES and those previous blog entries. Actually this collected information had always been available to you. Oh, I'm feeling a Wizard of Oz analogy coming on...

Remember when Dorothy is trying to get home. She gathered her friends, went to see the Wizard, fought the Wicked Witch, and after the Hot Air Balloon took off without her, Glinda the Good Witch told her that she could have always gone home. All she needed to do was to click her heels and repeat: "there's no place like home." I love the Wizard of Oz movie. It's my favorite. I've even created a Wizard of Oz Christmas tree with collection and collected ornaments. I'll show it to you during December.

Well, the point of that little story was... I already had the Previous Topics list in place. You can see it on the  right column of the page. Here's what it looks like:

The Previous Topics are listed in a cloud formation; in order of the number of entries related to the topic. So, if you wanted to see all of the Halloweenies entries, you could click on the Halloweenies name and those labeled topics would appear. If you want to see the Glad Press 'n Seal discussion, then click on that link. If you want to see the links about... OK, I think you get the idea.

Well, that's all for now. As Melinda is stitching Queen Elizabeth, I've got arachnid-royalty on my radar. I'm going to get back to the Spider Queen's crown. Thanks, Robin

Meet Sister Blogger, Becky

Hi Everybody... Robin here. It's April 1, 2011. So far, so good. I remember being pranked as a child and even worse as a worker in a cubicle. Glad today was uneventful.

I did get an email from my friend, Becky Myers. She passed along a helpful hint. Here's the set up: Becky is stitching the characters in the Nativity Home Study. Her eyes were going bonkers while stitching the background. She was having a hard time referencing the charted design to the stitched area.

Becky came up with a wonderful solution. Here are her words:

"I just had such a mental block about the whole pattern and I think those long lines in between each diamond were adding to my frustration  so I made each one a different color and then took the white out and marked out the long lines in between each diamond.  It only took me 3 canvases to figure this out." 

This is a helpful hint for anyone doing a composite stitch. Color does seem to help us break complex things down into basic groups.  Great tip, indeed. Becky has a blog, too. It's called "I Love Needlepoint." Here's the link. I've also got it added to Our Blog List is growing... Did you know her grandmother was a prize winning baker? Becky includes recipes on her blog, too. It's definitely your One-Stop-Shop for inspiration and information.

Becky also is dear for another reason. Just like the Swallows from San Juan, Capistrano, Becky will give me a friendly little email nudge around the 28th of the month. She's finished with her paperwork, and lets me know she is looking forward to receive/read the e-newsletter. Usually, I will give her a brief update: 8 pages... or something witty. It's nice to know that someone is looking forward to my hard work.

Well, that's it for now.  Enjoy your weekend. I'll be in touch soon. Thanks, Robin