Teaching at The Needle Bug - Montgomery, AL

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

11PM To Do List: pack and write the "last" stitch guide. Looking forward to teaching at The Needle Bug (Montgomery, AL) this week: Thursday: "The Thistle" by Zecca...

Thistle Stitch Guide by Robin King
Available from Zecca

... and Friday/Saturday: Canvas Enhancement. Look at the fun canvases from the "Alabama delegation"... my loving term for this talented group of stitchers.

Geraniums by Melissa Shirley Designs
 MSD 544-B

LLama by dede Ogden

Vintage Welcome by Mindy
25R

Fetch It Yourself by Maggie Co
M-1472

Martini Glasses by The Point of It All
P-224

Bird in Tree by Maggie Co
M-1536

Big Bad Witch by Melissa Shirley Designs
MSD 702

Brown Cross by Ann Wheat Pace
101AT

Elephant by Melissa Shirley Designs
218-L

And, as you know these stitch guides are available. Just let me know... email: creativecats@comcast.net.

Leigh Miller (owner of The Needle Bug) see you soon. I have some fun ideas for your  "Bedazzled" by Maggie Co M-1517.

Bedazzled by Maggie Co
M-1517

Enjoy this brilliant inspiration from Brenda Hart. It is one of my favorite stitches.

You really need to get EVERY book by Brenda Hart. Just sayin'.

Until the next time.... Hugs,  Robin

Books!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Lately, I've been on a quest adding more Books to my Needlepoint library.

Some are new Market releases; others have been out and I am just now getting around to finding out about them. In no certain order or preference, here is what's new to me:

More Shadow Stitching aka dede says by dede Ogden

• Released in 2005, this dede Ogden book is a treasure. Spiral binding.

Stitches Ins & Outs  Interiors and Exteriors Plus by Little Shoppe Canvas Company, Inc.

• Released March 2013, hot off the presses from Little Shoppe Canvas Company... the same talents who brought us the Landscapes Book. I really liked how the diagrams were done. White section indicates Layer One. Gray section indicates Layer Two. Black section indicates Layer Three. Dark Gray section indicates Layer Four. (Note to self: this is a must do!) Spiral binding.

A Banner Year by Brenda Hart

• This book is a re-release (2013) of Brenda Hart's stitch guides for the Monthly Banners by Rebecca Wood. There are quite a few stitches new to me which is nice as I already have Brenda Hart's previous 4 books. Color photography of each of the Banners. Spiral Binding.

Noses, Roses and Other Fun Stuff by Cynthia Thomas

• Released March 2013, self-published by Cynthia Thomas. This is a nice techniques book showing different ways to enhance our needlepoint. Spiral binding.

The Humble Bag's Wonderful Stitches by Diane Schultz

• Released in 1990, this book has wonderful stitches, indeed. Comb binding.

Encyclopedia of Needlework by Donna Kooler

• Released in 2000, this Leisure Arts Publication covers Needlepoint, Embroidery, and Counted Thread including Bargello, Specialty Stitches, Crewel, Candlewicking, Cutwork, Shadow Work, Hardanger, Counted Cross Stitch, Silk Ribbon Embroidery, Blackwork, Swedish Weaving, and Pulled Thread.  The charted diagrams with their companion stitched diagrams are clear and inspiring. Soft Binding.

Needlepointing in Your Nest by Carolyn Hedge Baird

• Released in 2010, Carolyn Baird is most creative with her stitches and storytelling. Coil Binding.

Colorful Backgrounds by June McKnight

• Released in 2013, June McKnight's books are always a favorite. I have used many stitches from Colorful Backgrounds for some of the stitch guides I am writing. Coil Binding.

With the exception of Wonderful Stitches (out of print but still findable) all of these books are still available. Contact your Favorite Needlepoint Store to order. Enrich your library, why don't you. That stitch you've been looking for might be in these pages. I found mine in the Ins & Outs book, Fabric 38, page 31. Then, modified it for my needs.

A stitch for you.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Observing Brenda Hart

Hi everybody... Robin here.

Back at the Memphis airport. Heading to The Bristly Thistle to teach my two latest pieces: Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) AND Flowers in a Vase (ND 311). I am thrilled for this opportunity.

I still want to show you a few photos from my Brenda Hart class last week.

This canvas was being stitched by an attendee (Sue). The canvas is by The Point of It All Designs. It has an Art Deco vibe with a stylized Blue Heron.

I was so impressed with Brenda's stitch/thread choice for the flowers. Alternating long stripes of Petite Very Velvet with either Neon Rays+ or Neon Rays.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Love the look. Try it for clothes, witch hat, top hat, or foliage.

Brenda also demonstrated her beading Lasso technique; using a trolley needle as the separator... allowing the threads to divide and hug the bead.

I haven't had a chance to continue stitching my "Gift Rapt" by Charley Harper. Not because of want or desire, but rather because of working/stitching /stitch guide writing deadlines.

Like I said... The needlepoint world travels at warp speed.

Well, I plan/hope to blog from Florida. Until then... Hugs, Robin

Brenda & Charley & me

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Why is the needlepoint world in the fastest Time Warp?

Delta.com sent me my reminder to "check in"... what?? Really? I just started stitching! What do you mean I have to leave?

As you can imagine... This has been a fun day.

First, I selected my canvas. After all, it was a canvas embellishment class with Brenda Hart. (Come on Robin, get with it!)

Luckily, In Stitches has an awesome selection of canvases. So many... Wait. What do I see?

A Charley Harper? OMG. Be still my heart. Bam pulled it off the wall, taped it, attached it stretcher bars... And then it was my turn. Gulp. #bucketmoment

Enter Stage right: HC-G164... Gift Rapt.

Don't you love the name?

My turn with Brenda. She discusses the raccoons. Then, she begins the borders. I am taking furious notes. I pull her suggested threads Wow. Love the look.

Many of her inspirations came from her books. You have them, don't you.  If not, order them from your LNS.  Here are the titles:

• Favorite Stitches  by Brenda Hart
• Favorite Stitches II by Brenda Hart
• Stitches for the Millennium by Brenda Hart

After lunch were more packages stitches. I am now looking at her books in a whole new light.

Also want a fun stitch? Check out F-106 in Jo Christensen's book.

Class was over. Purchases were made. I reviewed my notes and my new stash. Can't wait to stitch again.

Tomorrow is my last day. Until then... Robin

First day wrap up in ATL

Hi everybody... Robin here... in Atlanta.

So far, I have had two bucket list moments and I haven't yet picked up a needle.

The flight to ATL was speedy. I only stitched 10 rows of T-Stitch and we landed.

Bam (owner of In Stitches) picked me up from the airport. We had some time to fill before returning to the airport to pick up Brenda Hart. Guess where we went... #bucketlist

Dinner and enlightening conversation at The Buckhead Diner was fabulous. Crab cakes and asparagus. Yummy good.

It was good to see Harry the cat. I brought him a peacock feather. We have already played.

Class begins in a few hours. So excited to see Brenda Hart in action. It is a canvas embellishment class. I will show you tomorrow which canvas I picked.

Hugs, Robin

48 hours of fun at In Stitches

Hi everybody ... Robin here ... at the Memphis airport. On my way to In Stitches in Atlanta I am treating myself to a Brenda Hart canvas enhancement class. Truly a bucket list moment.

I plan/hope to blog my experience.

First up: non-stop flight to ATL. My stitching companion is ready, too.

Looking forward to seeing Bam and Harry the cat, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin