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

Teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta - Feb 2014

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Flying to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Back in front of my computer after traveling to and teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. It was 3 days of classes:  "Help is On the Way" and Canvas Enhancement classes for 14 stitch guides.

What fun we had! Look at the pretty threads pulled for the canvases.

"Stars & Stripes Tic Tac Toe"
Liz/Tapestry Tent • TTAG-116
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Manatee in a Mangrove"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • CH-M062
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Louisiana Heron"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • CH-L090
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Peacock Ginger Jar"
Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD M-1655
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Kitschy-en"
Sandra Gilmore • SG-18-569
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Four Hands"
Zecca • ZE-118
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Dancing Miriam"
Julia's Needleworks • BL-16TB
Stitch Guide by Robin King

"Colorful Harlequin Picture/Mirror Frame"
Colors of Praise • PF 163
Stitch Guide by Robin King

It was fun watching the stitches develop, too.

"Peril in the Petunias"
Treglown Designs • artist, Charley Harper • HC-P158
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Russian Interlaced Border

"Two Orchids"
Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1484-2A
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Laid Filling with Circles and Beads

"Challah Cover"
Pepita • PEP001
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I used Photoshop to lay out the design. 

Lisa Marks wanted to play down the "gold tones" and play up the "silver tones" of this Sun Teardrop Purse. No problem. I'm a silver-gal, too.

"Sun Teardrop Purse"
The Studio Midwest • PR108A
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Penny Boswinkle enjoyed the class so much she went home and stitched on her piece, "Because You're Mine I Walk the Line." She sent me a photo of her progress. LOVE it. Thanks, Penny for sharing.

"Because You're Mine I Walk the Line"
Quail Run Designs • NC112
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Looking good, Penny!

Ann Hauerland brought in her finished "Who Gives A Hoot" from the October 2013 class at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. Isn't this owl cute!!!

"Who Gives a Hoot?"
JP Needlepoint • DDB3
Stitched by Ann Hauerland, Atlanta, GA
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Renie Weinstein brought in her finished "Melons and Peaches" from the October 2013 class. What a gorgeous piece. Thanks, Renie for taking my vision and making it a reality.

"Melons & Peaches"
Colors of Praise • FF111
Stitched by Renie Weinstein, Atlanta, GA
Stitch Guide by Robin King

And, of course, any of my stitch guides are available. Just send me an email with your inquiry: creativecats@comcast.net 

I'll be going back to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta 3 more times this year. Yippee!!!

• Saturday, April 26, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way" -- sold out
• Sunday, April 27, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement -- sold out
• Monday, April 28, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement -- sold out

• Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, 2014 -- "Hugs"
• Monday, July 21, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way"

• Saturday, October 25, 2014 -- "Help is on the Way"
• Sunday, October 26, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement
• Monday, October 27, 2014 -- Canvas Enhancement

Remember HUGS? 

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

(Here's the bundled link from previous blog entries: http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/search/label/HUGS%20%28GS11%29)

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

I can't wait to teach it as a class. Everyone will have their chance to select their favorite colorway. Just imagine the possibilities. Then I will share the design layout and teach Laid Filling, Beading, and composite stitches with a Special Heart Border.

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

HUGS is a nice message for a grandchild, student away at college or a guest room. Work it up in School Colors or your favorite colors. Everyone needs a HUG! Call The Nimble Needle-Atlanta to sign up for the class (404) 843-8687.

Well, time to get back to writing stitch guides and stitching on the Halloween Village (MSD 1627-C). The adventure kicks off mid-April. I'm having the best time stitching this piece. Would love for you to join me. 

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Hearts by The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Happy Valentine's Day

 ♡ Hope you are with your loved ones doing what you love to do today. ♡

Keeping a Heart theme going, I have some wonderful stitching to share with you. A few months ago, I designed The Nimble Needle's new website. I also photographed their Monthly Clubs models. Lucky me... lucky you.

Hearts Club by The Nimble Needle - Atlanta
Stitch Guides available from The Nimble Needle

Stacy Brown, owner of The Nimble Needle, stitched the Hearts Club; canvases by Associated Talents. Previously offered as a Monthly club, now you can get the Heart Canvas and Stitch Guide of your choice. It was a pleasure seeing each of these Hearts up close during their photo session. And now, you can enjoy them, too.

HE-615 • Associated Talents
Three Hearts/Plaid Heart

HE-619 • Associated Talents
Be Mine Mini Heart

HE-622 • Associated Talents
Heart/Hearts Stripes

HE-623 • Associated Talents
Heart/Stripes Checks

HE-624 • Associated Talents
Hearts/Diagonal Stripes/Dots Heart

HE-625 • Associated Talents
Heart/Woven Ribbons Heart

HE-626 • Associated Talents
Plaid/Pink Bow Mini Heart

HE-628 • Associated Talents
Bows on Tattersall Mini Heart

HE-629 • Associated Talents
Pink/Green Woven Ribbon Mini Heart

HE-631 • Associated Talents
Hearts/Trellis Mini Heart

HE-632 • Associated Talents
Tattersall/Hearts Mini Heart

HE-633 • Associated Talents
Hearts on Lime Mini Heart

Be sure to give Stacy a call (404) 843-8687 at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta. Also, "like" them on Facebook. Here's the link: The Nimble Needle - Atlanta on Facebook

And, speaking of love, the Hugs canvas (GS-11) is still available from Alice Peterson Co. (artist Gayla Elliott).  My stitch guide is available, too.  You can read about my Hugs journey. Here's the link: HUGS (GS-11).

Hugs (GS-11) stitched by Robin King
Stitch Guide is available.

Tomorrow resumes my TNNA / Long Beach 2013 recap - part 4.

Until then... Hugs, Robin ♡

TNNA / Phoenix 2012 - day one

Hi Everybody... Robin here... in Phoenix.

Thursday morning I boarded the big Delta plane for Phoenix. It was the smoothest flight ever... like riding on a marshmallow. It was fun looking through the window: as we passed over New Mexico, from the air, it looked like a foreign world. Absolutely breathtaking.

My stitching project on the plane is my personal copy of the 3D Cake from Associated Talents which I taught for DMC showcasing the DMC Memory Thread. I loved working this little canvas so much, I am stitching it again for me. Size 14 mesh canvas from Associated Talents... DMC threads... what's not to love?

The 3D Cake Embellishment class was very well received. On Friday afternoon, Shop Owners from all over the country attended the class. DMC brought stunning finished pieces with Memory Thread for the students to see. They were given time to work with the Memory Thread. I shared many of my helpful hints with them, too. I believe everyone was more confident about how easy it is to use, as well as how effective the results are. It was a successful class and I was honored to be considered for the opportunity to teach for DMC. Blog readers note: I will conclude the Memory Thread lessons when I get back home to Memphis.

Immediately after the class, I packed up my models and headed to Sample It. There, I dropped off the Lotus Squared piece to Zecca. It was her first time to see it finished. The black lacquered box was stunning. The threads, beads and ribbons jumped under the lights. Zecca was thrilled. It will be on display in the Zecca booth during market. I would encourage all shop owners to stop by and see it in person... Lotus Squared by Zecca (ZE 134) ... stitch guide by Robin King.

My other model on display was the HUGS pillow. The finishing was from Elizabeth Turner Collection,  and, as usual, they did an awesome job. HUGS was on display during Galleria at the Alice Peterson Company area. Such a thrill to see it finished and to show it off to the Shop Owners. HUGS will be on display in the Alice Peterson Company booth this weekend during Market. Shop Owners should stop by to see it in person and order it for their customers. Everyone needs some hugs, right? HUGS by Gayla Elliott/Alice Peterson Company (GS-11) ... stitch guide by Robin King.

Team Deeva was busy during Sample It. The Gooey Valentine's Day Hearts were a hit. I am so proud of their success.

Looks like this morning is getting away from me. Time for breakfast and then the Show! First day of Market. How exciting. I will continue blogging through out the event. So much to say... until the next time... Hugs, Robin

HUGS from Robin - part seven

Hi Everybody ... Robin here.

Merry Christmas. Hope you are having a wonderful day.

I have another HUGS update to share. This canvas has been a fun exercise in color opportunities. It can be tailored to your specific color likes or needs. 

Stephanie in Texas made a wonderful suggestion in a recent comment section:

"I am thinking that this would be a great canvas to stitch for a child going away to college. A little reminder on the bed or chair that Momma and Daddy send hugs. You could do school colors or dorm design colors, etc. Any way you look at it, it looks great." 

As you might remember, I selected the Gloriana Silk Thread (Laura's Garden #084) for my color way. From there, I wanted an accent color for the Border and behind the H. 

HUGS • Gayla Elliott Designs (GS -11)
Available from Alice Peterson Company • Stitch Guide by Robin King

In the computer, I played around with color options. Here is the same canvas with different color accents: first purple, then coral. It's easy to pull colors from the overdyed thread.  

Each color way sets the mood.

A few Overdyed thread options:
DMC, Gloriana and ThreadworX.

See how it might look with different color ways? All you will need is an overdyed color, a neutral color, an accent color, black color, beads, Kreinik size 8 braid,  and Neon Rays. Imagine the possibilities. The HUGS canvas will come with my stitch guide... 11 pages.

The HUGS canvas is finished and is now in the wonderful hands of Elizabeth Turner Collection for their finishing magic. The pillow will be delivered to me in Phoenix at the beginning of the Market. It will be on display at the Alice Peterson Company booth.

Did you catch that bit of news... I'm going to Phoenix!  I'm teaching!!! for DMC: their Friday afternoon class (2PM-4PM) 3D Cake Embellishment (FT210) featuring DMC Memory Thread techniques. I am so honored they would think of me. The canvas is a new design from Associated Talents: CD1200.

We will talk about that next time.  Until then... Hugs, Robin