Robin teaches at The Needle Bug - November 2017

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I missed this past Sunday's blogging date because I was wrapping up my last teaching destination for 2017. I was at The Needle Bug. I'd like to share my experiences.

The Needle Bug is owned by Leigh Miller. As a life long Montgomery, AL resident, she knows everybody. Or, at least it seems like it. So when you go to The Needle Bug, you feel welcomed immediately. #SouthernHospitality

The Needle Bug
7012 Vaughn Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 270-0064

The Needle Bug is a full-service needlepoint shop: threads, canvases, books, accessories. They have it all... which makes for a nice teaching experience.

The Needle Bug's classroom
Waiting for the students to arrive.

The classroom is very comfortable with good lighting and comfy chairs. The shop is brimming with enticing canvases and gadgets to enhance your stitching needs.

The Needle Bug
Needlepoint and so much more!

The first day of classes were hourly help sessions; Leigh calls them "Rounds with Robin." 😊 The other 3 days were canvas enhancement classes where I had written stitch guides for 13 canvases.

Here are the new stitch guides and a few photos taken during class:

6 Whimsical Dogs • LUDW 8103
stitch guide by Robin King

Animal House Stocking Cuff • Sew Much Fun
stitch guide by Robin King

Christmas for Boy Stocking • Alexa CS 7308
stitch guide by Robin King
Congratulation to Kathy C. for her new grandson.

Dog Gone Good • A-352
stitch guide by Robin King

Donkey • C-450v
stitch guide by Robin King

Ouch! • LL351
stitch guide by Robin King

Santa Baby • HO-183
stitch guide by Robin King

Schnauzer House Blend • TC-SF-108
stitch guide by Robin King

Tiny Town • EML104
stitch guide by Robin King

Trio Birds • KL-140
stitch guide  by Robin King

Who Ate the Party Favors? • VS-180
stitch guide by Robin King

Winter Hare • B-243D
stitch guide by Robin King

Wiseman #3 • HO-1222
stitch guide by Robin King

We had designers from Julie Mar & Friends; Sew Much Fun; Alexa Needlepoint; JP Needlepoint; The Meredith Collection; Labors of Love; Raymond Crawford; Tango and Chocolate; Melissa Shirley Designs; and Brenda Stofft. The allstars were in the house!

Meri M.'s alligator is starting to come alive thru the magic from Gloriana Threads!

Ouch! • LL351
stitch guide by Robin King

Donna W. is stitching the Trio Birds. She also won the Travel Trophy... she lives in NC.

Trio Birds • KL-140
stitch guide by Robin King

Glenda E. is having too much fun with this Dog Gone Good canvas. Glenda also works at the Montgomery Humane Society. She has a good heart! 💝 🐶 🐱💗

Dog Gone Good • A-352
stitch guide by Robin King

Corrina W. is the new mayor of Tiny Town.

Tiny Town • EML 104
stitch guide by Robin King

Robin B. is already having fun with these 6 Whimsical Dogs by Julie Mar & Friends. 13 mesh is the way to go! 😊

6 Whimsical Dogs • LUDW 8103
stitch guide by Robin King

Any and all of these new stitch guides are now available. Email me for the info: creativecats@comcast.net.

Leigh Miller also is an extraordinary event planner. One evening after class, we boarded a travel van/bus to Brundidge, Alabama to watch "Come Home, It's Suppertime!" presented by the Brundidge Historical Society. It was a dinner theater experience complete with singing. Dinner was tasty! Fried Chicken, Turnip Greens, Black Eyed Peas, Sweet Potatoes, and Hoe Cakes. YUM.

down home good cooking!

The play told stories about life in the South. We met one of the actors before the show began. I nicknamed him the George Clooney of Brundidge. 😊

 one of the stars of the Show!

We had a good time. Thanks, Leigh for the memories! I will be returning to The Needle Bug in 2018: March and November. Look forward to seeing you there.

a stitch for you.

I already have next week's blog topic in mind. In my class at The Needle Bug was a young lady who is a new up-and-coming needlepoint designer. Her name is Amy Poore and her company is A Poore Girl Paints Needlepoint Designs. Can't wait to tell you about her!

Until then... HUGS!  Robin

Robin teaches at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta Oct 2017

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today's time change has given me an extra hour to resume blogging about my teaching travels. 😊

From wheels up to wheels down... a quick 50-minute trip.
Thank you Delta airlines.

Follow me to The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA to see my most recent canvas enhancement adventure.

The Nimble Needle
214 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404) 843-8687

The Nimble Needle is owned by Stacy Brown. You won't find a more gracious, talented owner. Her love for needlepoint is reflected in every inch of the store.

Wall to wall canvases and a trunk show.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Threads and more threads.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There's a seat waiting for you.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

The shop models are very inspiring!!!

The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Halloween Village (MSD 1627C)
I had the best time stitching this.
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Many of the shop models are Clubs. You can select one or select the entire group. Your choice. 😊

Snowman Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Haunted Windows Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There were 3 days of canvas enhancement classes for my classes. Each day had 6 students. There were 15 new stitch guides written. Everybody was given the same time of attention thanks to my trusty timer. Look at the fun stitch guides written for the group:

new Robin King stitch guides

We had 3 Brenda Stofft canvases making for a festive Halloween theme. 🎃 There were 2 Charley Harper canvases; who doesn't love Charley Harper? There was a Painted Pony Designs featuring Diane Pederson's primitive-folksy art. 🐑 Cute sheep. "Blue Tarpon" by Purple Palm Designs was in the class; we had fun with those fish scales 🐟. There was a custom Labors of Love Needlepoint featuring the Three Wise Dogs 😊. You could hear that Tiger purr... one regal "Vintage Tiger" from Colors of Praise. The "Abstract Leaves" by Treglown Designs were reminiscent of times spent in one's cabin in the woods. 🍃 We had the ever popular Penny MacLeod Design; "Happy Flowers" by JP Needlepoint; Melissa Shirley Designs featuring Vicky Sawyer's "Hummers"; and a classic "Dog Walker" by Maggie Co.

Day 1 at The Nimble Needle was great. In addition to going thru the stitch guides, we planned the custom canvas of Susan's dog, Brandy; a second custom painting by Labors of Love Needlepoint. We also created a game plan for Laura's Tropical Santa stocking by Tapestry Tent.

Day 1
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

I had a lovely dinner at a Portuguese restaurant called Emidio's Restaurant. The long-distance stitching travelers joined me (Marilyn, Terrie, Katie and Alice). Good find and what a good time!

Tropical Sangria at Emidio's Restaurant
Sandy Springs, GA

Day 2 at The Nimble Needle was just as delightful as Day 1. One of my favorite stitches, which I call 3-2-3 Units, turned out to be a good background stitch for the Abstract Leaves.

Abstract Leaves by Treglown Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

a very useful stitch, indeed!

Day 2
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Best way to end the day. Dinner with friends. Dessert, too. 4 spoons, please. And a coffee. Yes, the chocolate bag holding the dessert was TOTALLY edible. 😊

Delicious dessert to share with friends.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks

Day 3 at The Nimble Needle was the complete trifecta. It was good seeing my friends on this trip. Judy worked her magic on the Dragonfly's wing. Cheri's Kite will soon be ready for its maiden voyage. Jean's Hummingbird is going to look snazzy with a Cast-on Bullion Flower Hat.

Applique Flair is a very important technique to know.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Kites by Jane Nichols • 911 on 13 mesh
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cast-on Bullions give that extra dimensional pizzazz.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Day 3
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Months of preparation over in an instant. I couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful staff at The Nimble Needle. Stacy Brown, you have a fabulous team. Vance, Linda, Mark, Jan, Jenne, and Charlsie... you are the best! 💜

I will be returning to The Nimble Needle three times in 2018: February 11-12; April 21-23, and October 20-22. Call the shop to reserve your seat for either a help session or a stitch guide session. Seats are limited. (404) 843-8687. Would love to see you.

My next/last teaching destination for this year is at the The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL. Lots to do between now and then before the next airplane goes wheels up. 😊

Have stitch guide... will travel. 🛧🛩

Until the next time...  Hugs, Robin