Charley Harper's Christmas Capers for the Mews

Hi everybody... Robin here...

I'm back from traveling/teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta (Georgia) and Peacock Alley Needlepoint (Michigan). I am so lucky! meeting all of you and doing what I enjoy doing.

For those who know me... you know Cats are very near and dear to me. (Actually, I have had 3 Golden Retrievers in my life, but now it is all about the Mews.)

Last year, I met a wonderful person & stitcher from Arkansas. Her name is Lizette. She traveled to see me in Memphis at Stitchers Inc. for a Saturday class, and also attended last year's Canvas Enhancement class at Peacock Alley Needlepoint.

With several projects finished, Lizette was ready to stitch something with a Christmas theme: "Christmas Capers" by Charley Harper (Treglown Designs, HC-C165).

Christmas Capers
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • HC-C165

Lizette researched stitches, threads and beads, and after the usual auditioning, came up with the most clever tribute to Charley Harper's artistry. She really nailed it. The Popcorn is delicious looking. The Raccoons are endearing.

Lizette posted her progress on Facebook and everyone wanted the stitch guide.  She asked me would I take her notes and write up the stitch guide; providing charted stitches and photos of the final piece. "Of course," I said... "it would be my honor."

We met in person at Stitchers Inc. and went over each area for accuracy. With notes in hand, I wrote up the stitch guide... which, by the way, is now available from me.

Soon, I had the most wonderful idea: to donate part of the Stitch Guide proceeds to my local cat/kitten no-kill shelter, The House of Mews in Memphis, TN.

Christmas Capers

Stitch guide by Robin King

Model stitched by Lizette Thomas, Little Rock, AR

I am collecting for an end-of-the-year donation to the The House of Mews. As of today, there have been 13 stitch guides sold. I think of it as a win-win.... for the Mews.

If you have the Christmas Capers canvas in your stash (CH-C165)... or plan to get this canvas... and want a nice stitch guide..., send me an email: creativecats@comcast.net.

OK.. back to guide writing. One of my September destinations is Needle Nook of La Jolla. How sweet is that!

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Rhodes Heart 21 x 18 diagram

Hi everybody... Robin here...

Today I was charting a Rhodes Heart to specifically fit the Heart design for a sweet little canvas, "To My Valentine" by Fiori (F-3639).

"To My Valentine" by Fiori (F-3639)
Dream House Ventures
part of the Fiori Valentines Garland Club
offered thru The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

I enjoy charting stitch diagrams. I could have just provided my "generic" Rhodes Heart 8x8 and let the stitcher figure out the numbering sequence, but I wanted to do more.

The Fiori Valentines Garland Club is offered thru The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. Stacy, the owner, did a great job selecting the stitches for the 5 canvases in the series. Each model is stitched to perfection. They are just the right size to be hung together in a garland... or imagine on a white wreath or white tree. Love!

You can read more about the Fiori Valentines Garland Club on The Nimble Needle-Atlanta website.

Here's the link: Fiori Valentines Garland Club

Today's Heart has these dimensions: 21 threads width and 18 threads height.

Working over the original diagram, I set up the grid.

Then I started to lay the stitches onto the artwork in the computer... just as if I was stitching with needle and thread.

I changed each stitch to a different color so I could see the progression.

The last step was to remove the red Heart and to add the stitching sequence numbers.

Voilà! The Rhodes Heart 21x18 is complete; numbered and to scale.

Try this on other Rhodes Hearts you might run across. Crayons, colored pencils, markers are fun to use if you aren't in front of the computer.

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Stitch Guides by Robin King update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

So sorry to be so long for blogging. I've been crazy swamped: writing stitch guides for the next teaching destination. Just as soon as one event is over... I have to rev-up the creative brain RPMs and do it all again.

Just when I think... Hey, let's update the blog... day turns into night turns into the wee hours of the day...

So. What brings me here now?  at 1:19AM?

I finally updated the recent Stitch Guides page of those new 58 guides I've written in 2015.

Click on the "Stitch Guides by Robin King" Tab and you can see all of the new ones listed as now available.

Those which say coming soon! are for an upcoming event, and as soon as the event is over, those guides will be available, too.

Here's the link:
 http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/p/stitch-guides-by-robin-king.html

A lot of my weekly activity is posted on my Facebook page, but I realize not everyone is on Facebook. I really do need to do a better job blogging.

I have missed you and hope all are doing fine. Would love to know what you're stitching...

Here's a stitch for you, too.

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

It's National Hug Day

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's been a wee-bit busy (writing guides for deadlines), but I did want to wish everyone a
Happy National Hug Day.

HUGS by Gayla Elliott (GS-11)
Stitch guide by Robin King

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

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

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

I'll be back soon to continue our discussion about Needlepoint DVDs as well as the goings-on in my world.

Until then... HUGS!  Robin