Have your Zen moment with Zecca

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

What a week! Politics aside... Mother Nature is showing us who's boss. Hang in there, Texas!!

We need a moment of Zen, and needlepoint from Zecca is just the right place to start.

Karen Hennessey creates a wonderful world of color, design and thoughtfulness. For me, it all began with "Early Bird" (ZE -107).

"Early Bird" by Zecca (ZE-107)
stitch guide by Robin King

I also stitched the "Thistle" (ZE-178) and "Lotus Squared" (ZE-134) ... small designs with lots of techniques to share. Great teachable moments! These commercial stitch guides are available thru your Local/Favorite Needlepoint stores from Zecca.

(Side note: Zecca will attend the Dallas Market on September 9th weekend. It is a Cash & Carry Market; your shop owner can bring some Zecca goodness to you. 😊)

"Early Bird" (ZE-107) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King 

"Thistle" (ZE-178 ) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King

"Lotus Squared" (ZE-134) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King

I have also written many custom stitch guides for Zecca canvases... 19 so far. 😊

• Birds in Paradise 1 (ZE-344A)
• Make Stuff Be Happy (ZE-314)
• Bird Purse (ZE 208)
• Turquoise Paisley (ZE-330)
• Home is Where the Heart Is (ZE-379)
• Molting Season (ZE-280)
• Vested Owl (ZE-318)
• Winter (ZE-103)
• Fall (ZE-99)
• Summer (ZE-98)
• The Librarian (ZE-258)
• Koi Pond (ZE-326)
• Housework (ZE-322)
• Wading (ZE-341)
• Little Family (ZE-256)
• Anu (ZE-282)
• Many Birds (ZE-293)
• Peacock (ZE-262A)
• Don't Pursue Happiness... Create It. (ZE-118)

Here's some of those stitch guides finished. Love it when stitchers send me photos!

"Many Birds" by Zecca (ZE-293)
stitched by Leslie Hanna
stitch guide by Robin King

"Molting Season" by Zecca (ZE-280)
"Wading" by Zecca (ZE-341)
stitched by Alice Gertzman
stitch guides by Robin King

"Vested Owl" by Zecca (ZE-318)
stitched by Jan Stone
stitch guide by Robin King

"Little Family" by Zecca (ZE-256)
stitched by Jane Makowka
stitch guide by Robin King

"Don't Pursue Happiness... Create It." by Zecca (ZE-118)
stitched by Luanne Samson
stitch guide by Robin King

Currently, there could not be a truer message for me than this canvas called "Housework."  😀

"Housework" by Zecca (ZE-322)
stitch guide by Robin King

Last thing to show you is how finishing can enhance one's needlepoint. I finished my "Lotus Squared" canvas into a black lacquered box which was handy for traveling and teaching. Plus, I really like to have useful items, too.

"Lotus Squared" by Zecca (ZE-134)
stitch guide by Robin King

Several years ago, I taught at Ruth Schmuff's shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled. Ruth stitched the same "Lotus Squared" and had hers framed; she does love color.  What a talented lady!

"Lotus Squared" by Zecca (ZE-134)
stitched by Ruth Schmuff
stitch guide by Robin King

Well, that's all for now. Go discover Zecca and find your inner Zen. ☮

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Skip Tent stitch is an Awesome stitch!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Have I told you I LOVE the Skip Tent stitch? This isn't True Confessions; I'm just talking about an honest admiration for a needlepoint stitch. Perhaps you know it as the Basketweave Twill? Regardless of its name or your locale, it is a wonderful stitch when the moment is right.

Skip Tent stitch was taught to me by Amy Bunger;  one of her "go to" stitches. If it's good enough for Amy...

First, let's begin with the pathways:

Work it like the Basketweave; in a diagonal pathway, skipping over one canvas intersection when beginning the next row.

Look at this photo. I am stitching the Skip Tent stitch going on the downward/diagonal descent. I am going to have to jump over this "obstacle" and try to figure out where is my next stitch. Gulp!

Fear not. In the beginning, a choice was given: would I be stitching on the Horizontal threads or the Vertical threads? For this canvas, I chose the Horizontal threads. And, with that knowledge, I knew my stitches would ONLY be on the Horizontal threads. (Pssst.... you could choose the Vertical threads. It would have been OK. You would just always stitch on the Vertical threads. Easy breezy!)

Lotus Squared
Zecca • ZE 134
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Early Bird
Zecca • ZE 107
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I am stitching the Lotus Squared by Zecca (ZE 134) and writing the stitch guide. I saw it on display in her booth at the Baltimore market. Last year I stitched Early Bird (ZE 107) and was looking for another opportunity to work with Zecca. Lotus Squared comes in both 13 mesh and 18 mesh; both are 6" x 6".  I love the colors of this painted canvas. Zecca has an eye for botanical/nature designs, don't you think.

The Beads, Kreinik, Ribbons and the DMC Memory Thread give just the right touch of texture.  I loved stitching this piece on 13 mesh. I believe you will, too.

Until the next time... Robin