teaching at Creative Stitches and Gifts, Dallas, TX - part 2

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm back home from teaching at Creative Stitches and Gifts in Dallas, TX. What a grand time I had!

My flight from Memphis to Dallas was smooth and uneventful. The thunderstorms rolled through before my departure and were never a factor.

Valerie picked me up from the airport and brought me to the shop which was open on Thursday evenings. I met a nice group of ladies; each stitching on various projects.

Let me tell you about Creative Stitches and Gifts. It is a very large store. I don't know the exact square footage, but I can say so far (in my teaching travels) it wins the trophy for being the largest shop. Many threads, accessories, beads, canvases, etc. Truly a stitcher's/teacher's dream destination.

I was intrigued with their canvas taping machine and had to take a photo for everyone to see. Slide the canvas edge along a guide and the tape is applied evenly on both sides. Very cool.

neat taping machine at Creative Stitches and Gifts
Dallas, TX

I was spoiled with my hotel accommodations... and my nice welcome gifts.

♫ Farm Fine living is the life for me... ♫ 

love this sink

all of this for me?

Very tasty!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were class days. The class room was self-contained with comfortable chairs and roomy tables. We were in our own little world of creative energy. The guides and thread kits were ready and everyone dived in. Stitches were developed and questions were answered. Techniques were explained. What a wonderful event.

Here are some photos from my time at Creative Stitches and Gifts and the talented stitchers who made all this possible.

stitched by Jan Goss

stitched by Nancy Shovlin

stitched by Alice Hildreth

stitched by Karen Blumenthal

stitched by Patricia Sone

stitched by Pat Wingate

stitched by Nancy Parvin

stitched by Mary Woods

stitched by Joan Hall

stitched by Christa Collins

stitched by Mary Waldsmith

stitched by Margaret Payne

Needless to say, what a nice collection of canvases, and yes, each of these stitch guides are now available. Just send me an email for inquiries... (creativecats@comcast.net).

The lunches were collaborations from Valerie and some of the local attendees. Home cooking is such a nice treat. Alice Hildreth made a delicious Cold Chicken Cabbage Salad. She gave me permission to share her recipe with you. I can't wait to make it.

Cold Chicken Cabbage Salad

Main Ingredients:

3 to 4 Cooked Chicken Breasts

2 TBSP Sesame Seeds

1/2 Head Cabbage Shredded

1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds

3 to 4 Green Onions

1 Package Chicken Top Ramen Noodles (Cooked)

Cut chicken into small pieces. Cook almonds on a cookie sheet in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until the almonds are lightly browned (toasted). Mix with chicken and other main ingredients then add the sauce and chill.

Sauce Ingredients:

3 TBSP Rice Vinegar

1/4 Cup Sesame Oil

1/4 Cup Salad Oil (I used Canola)

1 TSP Salt

2 TBSP Sugar

Seasoning pack from the Top Ramen

Well, that's about it for now. I am home and in front of the computer. Working on the next group of stitch guides for Peacock Alley Needlepoint (August 1 & 2) in Ada, MI.

Happy Father's Day to everyone. I miss my dad. He was a very talented man... gone from this earth way too soon.

Hugs, Robin

new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments by dede Ogden

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Have you seen the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments from dede Ogden distributed by Fleur de Paris ?

They are based on her Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow...

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow (ED-4004SPB)

and large Christmas Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking.

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking (ED-4004)

You may remember I wrote the stitch guide for the Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow and it was stitched for a class event at 3 Kittens Needle Arts in MN.

Jolly Nutcracker Pillow (ED-4004SPB)
stitch guide by Robin King

You can refresh your memory on the blog with this link: Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden and Robin King.

After many requests, dede decided to paint individual Jolly Nutcrackers and make them ornament size. Each are on 18 mesh and are about 4" x 5".

Then, dede called me and asked if I would write a stitch guide for each of the new Nutcrackers. How cool was that! Of course, I said yes... and now each Jolly Nutcracker in the series comes with my stitch guide. Sweet!

Drum roll, please... now introducing... the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments (available through your Local/Favorite Needlepoint Shop).

Sweetheart Nutcracker (ED-17134)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cajun Nutcracker (ED-17135)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cossack Nutcracker (ED-17136)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Tyrolian Nutcracker (ED-17137)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Brit Nutcracker (ED-17138)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Basque Nutcracker (ED-17139)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Celtic Nutcracker (ED-17140)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Nordic Nutcracker (ED-17141)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

I am thankful for this creative opportunity. Many thanks, again, to dede Ogden.

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

teaching at Creative Stitches and Gifts, Dallas, TX - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Cue the Willie Nelson music...

♫ On the road again... Just can't wait to get on the road again... ♫ 

This time I am headed to Big D (Dallas, TX) for some Canvas Enhancement classes on June 6 - 8, 2014 at Creative Stitches and Gifts. 

Twelve ladies submitted the following canvases for me to write stitch guides. What a fun group from our industry's popular designers including Melissa Shirley Designs, Maggie Co, Tapestry Fair, Zecca and Kelly Clark Needlepoint.

new Stitch Guides by Robin King

new Stitch Guides by Robin King

This will be my first time teaching at Creative Stitches and Gifts. I will take photos of the event as well as "beauty shots" of the canvases with their threads. You know that's what we love!

Here's a preview of "Two Cats at Home" by Mary Lake-Thompson (MLT 168) from Melissa Shirley Designs.

"Two Cats at Home" (MLT 168)
Melissa Shirley Designs • artist, Mary Lake-Thompson
Stitch guide by Robin King

Aren't these two comfy mews! It will be fun seeing the stitches come to life.

OK... that's all for now. Time to pack and get ready because (sing it with me!)...

♫... I can't wait to get on the road again... ♫

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

more Charley Harper stitch guides

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Remember all of the fun canvases at the recent The Nimble Needle-Atlanta event?

"Frog eat Frog" by Charley Harper

and... Charlsie W. selected the Charley Harper canvas, Frog eat Frog.

Here's the "beauty shot" with all of the threads. Won't this be fun to stitch?

"Frog eat Frog"
Charley Harper (HC-F140) from Treglown Designs
Stitch guide available from Robin King

We have plans for Beads and Swarovski crystals, too.

Charlsie just recently finished stitching another Charley Harper called Pelican Pantry. The whimsical titles are brilliant.

"Pelican Pantry" by Charley Harper

 She used my stitch guide, too.

"Pelican Pantry"
Charley Harper (CH-P034) from Treglown Designs
Stitch guide available from Robin King

What a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing, Charlsie.

Here's an "open" stitch to have in your arsenal.

I call it Bubble & Grid. Guess my titles aren't very Charley Harper-esque. LOL.

Well, the next blog is about my upcoming teaching/travel destination: Creative Stitches and Gifts in Dallas, TX with lots of new stitch guides.

Until then... HUGS, Robin

The ICs Club from The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Hi Everybody...  Robin here...

Have you seen The ICs?

The ICs are a new needlepoint Ornament Club exclusive to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta; canvases from Labors of Love.

Sign ups are going on now. You can call The Nimble Needle-Atlanta: their phone is (404) 843-8687 or email them: atlantanimbleneedle@gmail.com.

Each Kit includes 2-sided canvases on 18 mesh, stitch guides, kitted threads, beads, Swarovski crystals and all accessories. There are six canvases in the series.

The ICs will be mailed out every other month (bi-monthly) beginning August 2014. I love getting a package in the mail!

There is a frontside and a backside of each Snow person. So clever. Not boring at all to stitch.

The ICs are intended to be finished (as seen in the photos) with clip-on attachments.

You can read about the different ways to sign up for The ICs on The Nimble Needle-Atlanta website:

• The Club
• Mix and Match
• I Want It NOW!

Here's the link: http://www.atlantanimbleneedle.com/the-ics-club.html

I had the opportunity to photograph The ICs and create their magazine ad seen in the current Needlepoint Now. All I can say I am smitten with the composition of stitches and embellishments.

The ICs Club
from The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

The ICs Club
from The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

The ICs Club
from The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

I love sharing good news... and this, my friends, is some good news to know.

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin