Fab Firs Photo Shoot

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Fab Firs came to visit for their "official" photo shoot.

Fab Firs by NeedleDeeva (ND 1370A-i)
Each canvas comes with Stitch Guide by Vicky De Angelis

For new blog readers, the Fab Firs are a series/club/collection of Fir Trees by NeedleDeeva and stitched by Vicky De Angelis. Each canvas comes with a stitch guide. There are 9 designs in the series, on 18 mesh, and are 4.5" x 4.5" triangles. (They are the same size of the Creeps, if that gives you some perspective.)

The Fab Firs have their own Facebook page. They also have their own page on the NeedleDeeva website. Your Local Needlepoint Store can order them for you; either individually or collectively.  Four of the Fab Firs come with special Swarovski Crystals for that puff-fect touch.

NeedleDeeva's knowledge of Fir Trees is enlightening. Did you know she is from Colorado? Land of the Trees, for sure.

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Here are the Fab Firs by name and number:

• Scottish Pine (1370A)
• Norfolk Island Pine (1370B)
• Southern Yellow Pine (1370C)
• Blue Fir (1370D)
• Rocky Mountain Blue Spruce (1370E)
• White Pine (1370F)
• Gingerbread Spice Pine (1370G)
• Norway Pine (1370H)
• Jack Pinion Pine (1370i)

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In my world, no photo shoot is complete without a visit from a cat. This time it was Lana who graced us with her presence.

Enjoy these behind-the-scene photos:

Making sure every Fab Fir is seen.

The Talent has arrived on the set.

Lana checks out the props.

"Oooh... I love sparkly things."

Lana is off screen while set decoration continues.

♫ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... ♬

Then, a little Photoshop magic occurred. 

Dramatic lighting.

Nice cropping for detailed viewing.

Two versions were created. Now, that's customer service.

Fab Firs finished by Barbara's Needlepoint, Sioux Falls, SD.

Official Fab Firs photo as seen on Facebook.

Big thanks to Barbara's Needlepoint in Sioux Falls, SD who did the finishing including the metal stands. They really make the Fab Firs outstanding in their field. LOL.

Until the next time... Hugs Robin

Baltimore / TNNA - day 3

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home in Memphis and in front of my computer. I tried (with better success) blogging while on the road without my laptop, but those special nuances (which I love to do) were not available to me from the iPad. (Or, perhaps I haven't discovered the best APP?)

So, I'd like to continue with my wonderful journey to Baltimore, MD... home of the 2012 TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show at the Embassy Suites.

Day 3: was the last day of the Show. A very fast day for Shop Owners to make their final purchase decisions. Quite a few Shop Owners stopped by the NeedleDeeva room. Many took home with them the Pink Skull Stitch Guide and Canvas which I recently finished. So much fun to stitch. I can't wait to get the models finished.  It has been cool stitching these Sugar Skulls. Even on the airplane, many people (young and not so young) were interested.

I have more photos from the Show to share with you.

Accoutrement Designs and 25 of their new magnets...

Some new canvases from Barbara Bergsten Designs...

Look, she has new "licensed" Sorority needlepoint, too. Barbara has the cutest Lilly Pulitzer shifts as well as awesome "beginner" canvases. I ♥ Barbara Bergsten. She is a classy lady...

Down the hall from the NeedleDeeva room was Unique NZ Designs. I currently have 2 of their Keep Calm pieces ordered from Peacock Alley Needlepoint: Keep Calm Cats and Keep Calm Halloween. (I am anticipating the Keep Calm Chocolate canvases, too.) Give Sandy/Peacock Alley Needlepoint a call if you are interested in these custom designs.

NeedleDeeva's room looked great. The 6-foot banner announced the Fab Firs. The window display showed the Fab Firs up close and in person. New shops signed up to participate in the Retailer's Club as well as made individual choices for their customers.

Here's another photo from the NeedleDeeva room. Thanks to Judee/NeedleDeeva for taking this photo. I am the cream filling between two Needlepoint icons (Jo Ippolito Christensen and Vicky De Angelis.)

Look at these fun bags from Voila. Stitch a Needlepoint Shoulder Strap (belt canvas), attach to bag and call me stylish.

I really like the Cash and Carry type shows. The atmosphere is relaxed. You are in a hotel, too. Just walk down the hallway and enter the room to your favorite designer.

No time away from home is without its cocktail hour. Here is the photo of the Vodka, Peach Schnappes, Grenadine, Orange Juice cocktail from the first day. (Still don't know its proper name. Let's just call it Tasty.)

I enjoyed attending this TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show in Baltimore. In just a few months, we will see all of the designers and shop owners again (Feb 2013) in Long Beach, CA. I have submitted 2 classes to teach. Hopefully, I will be selected to join in the fun.

But, there is still more to tell about this day: Visiting/Teaching at Bedecked and Beadazzled, don't you know. Let's begin here... the next time.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Hug Me Company and Miss Malibu

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

One of my favorite sayings is Hugs, but did you know there is a company based in New Orleans, LA called Hug Me Company?

Yes, there is. The owner is Amy Yuseph. The Hug Me Company makes elegant bags and accessory bags for needlepoint, knitting, travel and general use.

I first met Amy while attending the TNNA Market. Her booth was filled with her fabric bags. Beautifully made; workmanship in the USA. Fabrics to envy. Quality craftsmanship. I'm sure your favorite needlepoint shop carries the Hug Me Company line. Knitting Shops carry them, too.

Recently, Vicky De Angelis did a wonderful blog about the Hug Me Company. With her permission, here are some of her photos from the Mostly Needlepoint blog:

I also have a Hug Me Bag to show you... a new envelope shape; just purr-fect for smaller projects; like the size of the Fab Firs by NeedleDeeva, for example.

Look at the inside. Love the fabric. Notice how the design of the envelope flap aligns with the body. It measures 13" W  x 11.5" H and has a zippered pocket inside as well as a zippered closure. Nice.

(P.S. here's a peek of something I'm currently stitching for Ruth Schmuff. So cute. I will share it with you on another day.)

Here is the link for the Hug Me Company website: http://www.hugmeco.com/  There, you can see the styles and the fabrics available. Here are some screenshots from her website.

Which brings me to another, yet related, topic: the 2013 Miss Malibu contest. Question: What does the Hug Me Company and the 2013 Miss Malibu contest have in common? Answer: Arielle Yuseph, of course.

Arielle Yuseph is the daughter of Amy Yuseph. Arielle is a needlepointer and a knitter, and she is entering the 2013 Miss Malibu contest.  How cool is that?

And... Arielle needs our help.  This year, the 2013 Miss Malibu contest is noticing who get the most  "likes" on the Miss Malibu Facebook page; the results will be part of the selection process.

Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/miss.malibu  and scroll down until you find Arielle's entry. Then "Like" her photo as well as "Like" the Miss Malibu page.

The pageant takes place August 18, 2012 (which is this coming Saturday) so be sure to "Like" Arielle today and wish her the best success.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

TNNA/Columbus 2012 - wrap up - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home from an exciting TNNA/Columbus Market and teaching at
What's The Point? Needlepoint in Dublin, OH.

Step with me into the Way-Back Machine as I recap this wonderful experience...

Most of my time was spent working in the NeedleDeeva booth. Here is what the
Fab Firs looked like all together. The 6-foot Fab Firs banner was a nice beacon to draw people towards them.

Join the next Retailer's Club by NeedleDeeva
Fab Firs • Stitch Guides by Vicky De Angelis

The new NeedleDeeva designs were well received, too:  13 Christmas Cupcakes,
3 Cats and the Sugar Skulls that I am stitching (stitch guides available).

Can you guess which Skull goes with this preview? They are so much fun to stitch. Bring on the bling!

NeedleDeeva
0453-C • Stitch Guide by Robin King

I finally took the time to walk the floor and visit friends/designers. How exciting is it to call them by their first names... and, for them to know mine! Here are some of the new canvases which caught my eye at the Maggie Co / Ewe & Eye booths. I love anything mid-century modern so these really spoke to me.

Maggie Co
Blue Bird •  M-1488
In the Pink •  M-1487

Maggie Co
Mod Holiday Dove • M-1597

You know I had to include a cat canvas...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 391KB • Brown Cat

and my usual and customary fondness for anything Santa...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 390KB • Fat Santa

and Pumpkins, too...

Ewe & Eye
EWE 373KB • Pumpkin in Vase

I really enjoyed seeing the artwork by Lisa Krause from Deuxbijouxbijoux. Lisa lives in Arkansas with her husband, Jim, and designs hand-painted frames to coordinate with the Maggie Co and Ewe & Eye canvases. Just look at this frame for Sheep Quilt. I love it. Your local needlepoint shop can order these.

Hand-painted Frame by Lisa Krause
EWE-359 • Sheep Quilt

The class I taught at TNNA (Lotus Squared • ZE 134 by Zecca) for the shop owners was a success. Originally, I was told there were 10 who signed up... and then 14... and finally 15. How exciting to see all of their faces. Shop owners from Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee, Minnesota, Baltimore, Arizona, Indiana, Texas, Pittsburgh, and Hawaii were in attendance.

One of those dry eraser boards was brought in for my demonstrations and illustrations. A picture is worth 1,000 words, right?

Early plans were also made with some designers and shop owners for future stitching and teaching events. I will keep you in the loop as those materialize. Perhaps you could join me? Here's the schedule for the next upcoming markets. Whew! Who knew the needlepoint industry worked at such a fast pace?

On Monday afternoon, the Market came to an end... and it was time to pack up the NeedleDeeva booth. Soon after that, I was whisked away for my teaching of the Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) canvas at What's The Point? Needlepoint.

Sounds like a good stopping point for now. Next time we will pick up from here...  Until then...

Hugs, Robin

Fab Firs by NeedleDeeva and Vicky de Angelis

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I enjoy working with Judee/NeedleDeeva and being a part of Team Deeva.  I have updated the NeedleDeeva website with previews of new designs coming to TNNA/Columbus. Take a look when you can.

After photographing the finished Fab Firs for her website, Judee asked me to make a 6-foot banner which would be on display in the NeedleDeeva booth for both TNNA/Columbus and TNNA/Baltimore. I was thrilled for the opportunity.

You've heard about the Fab Firs, haven't you? The Fab Firs are beautifully stitched by Vicky de Angelis, and will be the newest Retailer's Club offered by NeedleDeeva in September. Vicky's stitch guides are wonderful and this is an awesome opportunity for all stitchers. All shop owners can contact NeedleDeeva to sign up for this club either in person at Market (Booths 803-805) or from the online information form on the NeedleDeeva website. All triangles are the same size as The Creeps: 4.5" width and 4.5" height; on 18 mesh.

I had just created the magazine ad about the Fab Firs for the upcoming
Needlepoint Now July/August 2012 issue, and decided to keep the same theme going. After all, that's what any ad agency would do, right? So now, we have the Fab Firs ad, the Fab Firs sell sheet, the Fab Firs page on the NeedleDeeva website, and... wait for it... the Fab Firs 6-foot banner.

Ever have a 6-foot banner printed? 72" width by 24" height, to be exact. There was a slight learning curve involved but I did not give up. (The Deeva was counting on me.) Finally, the computer recognized the file, and then, the printer started printing. Oh, happy day!!!!

I snapped this picture with my Phone and emailed to Judee about the blessed event... a banner is born.

The Creeps are excited for their upcoming trip to Columbus. They love to travel and show off. I will take some photos of the trip and post them on the blog. Can't wait to show you this banner in all its glory.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin