Happy Halloween

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back from 2 teaching events. I'll catch up with you soon on those details, but I didn't want the Halloween day to come and go without saying... Boo.

Remember, it's all about the Eyes...

Have a fun Trick or Treat.

Candy  Corn  Hugs  to you...  Robin.

Pink and Green are the "new" Black

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

When I was growing up, there were two basic Halloween colors: Black and Orange.

In the 1990s, Purple was introduced as the "new" Black.

Soon after that, an "acid" Lime Green came along.

Now in 2012, we have a new Halloween color palette brewing: Hot Pink, Pink, and Green... all thanks to Barbara Bergsten Designs.

Barbara, known for the wonderful "Lilly Pulitzer" inspired color palette of needlepoint canvases, is now embracing her "newly found" inner Halloween. These are so cute, and are about 3 inch ornaments on 18 mesh. (On 14 mesh they are 3.75".) Available soon from your Local Needlepoint Shops. I can not wait to stitch these!

Shoes • H-01 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Bat • H-02 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Cat • H-03 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Skull • H-04 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Hat • H-05 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Spider • H-06 • Barbara Bergsten Designs

Be sure to check out the Barbara Bergsten Design website. Here are some handy links:

• Barbara Bergsten Designs website
• Barbara Bergsten Designs stitch guides
• Barbara Bergsten Designs blog

This is what is great about Halloween... the more unexpected colors, the better.

Thanks to the Pantone website for their wonderful color samples.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 8

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Happy Halloween! 

I stitched this Halloween Sampler from EyeCandy Needleart. Beads, Burmilana and Kreinik were all it took. So cute. Ada is an awesome designer.

I made this Halloween Stained Glass picture frame. It would be perfect for a photo of one's grandkids dressed up for Halloween, don't you think?  It has a glass beveled stand and a 4" square bevel for the photo. One of these days I will have an Etsy.com listing for my Stained Glass work.

Now... let's talk about the Nutcrackers and Smokers!  (Yes, I've got it bad.) Christian Ulbricht is my preferred Nutcracker designer, but I do have some from other designers, too.

I have Witch Smokers and Witch Nutcrackers:

I have Cat Smokers and Cat Nutcrackers, too: 

And, when I found a Nutcracker Witch to stitch... ooohhhwweeeee! Life got even better.

This concludes my Halloween 2011 Show & Tell. The Creepy Characters are certainly in good company, don't you think? I can't wait to stitch my next Halloween piece. So many choices; the designers have wonderful new canvases as well as my existing stash is over-flowing. Hope I have inspired some needlepoint for your future Halloween.

Until the next time... Thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 7

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Mini-Stockings are not just for Christmas! Melissa Shirley Designs made them for Halloween, too.

These Mini-Stockings are from the Tricky Treater series (MSD 613 A-H)) by Melissa Shirley. There are a total of 8 in the series. I stitched these five:

• Pumkin (MSD 613-B)
• Spiderina (MSD 613-D)
• Ghostman (MSD 613-E)
• Gato (MSD 613-F)
• Candy Corn Man (MSD 613-G)

Here's a closer look:

Like I mentioned before, these might not be listed on Melissa's current website but she says she can paint any design from the catalogs.

I stitched these during Amy's canvas enhancement classes on Thursdays. They were finished by M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY. They all have the same Black/White Glow in the Dark Kreinik trim. Each stocking has a different color moire fabric backing. They all have an opening at the top like a real stocking. I put them on the Black Feather Wreath to showcase the collection. 

Notice the Black Cat Face... to the left of the wreath? I saw an episode on Martha Stewart where they were making treat bags out of paper mache. Their technique was my inspiration to make this Black Cat Face. Sweet!

Halloween will be upon us soon. I'll be back with the Halloween wrap-up. 

Until then... Thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 6

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Halloween Festival 2011 continues. Here we go!

Here is my Halloween Cat Pull Toy from Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 700). I first saw this canvas at M's Canvashouse when I was visiting my family. I knew I had to have it! Then, I came home and worked on it during Amy's canvas enhancement classes on Thursdays. I had it finished at Marlene's/San Francisco. Love the fringe.

I wrote its stitch guide and many people have enjoyed stitching it. Congratulations to Betsy Swartwood who received Best of Show at the Kentucky State Fair for her Halloween Cat Pull Toy. Here is what Betsy said about her experience:

"I just wanted to share with you the ribbons this piece received at the 2011 KY State Fair. Thanks so much for a wonderful stitch guide! My only change was substituting the gold bead on the handle! Needless to say, I was thrilled. Again, thanks so much."  -- Betsy Swartwood

I have also written the Halloween Crow Pull Toy (MSD 700-B) stitch guide. I haven't stitch it myself,  but did use many of the same stitching techniques from the Halloween Cat Pull Toy.

Both canvases were on 13 mesh, available from Melissa Shirley Designs. LOVE her designs. Oh, look... you could do the same pumpkin treatment like I did for the Tall Sickly Green 3-D Wacky Halloween House.

The Pull Toy Wheels technique are also in DVD #8, Spiders and More! Well, that's all for now. Next time will be the Halloween Mini-Stockings.

Until then... Thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 5

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Let's continue with my Halloween Showcase. Yes, I know... Day 5, but I really ♥ Halloween.

Here is my Tall Sickly Green 3-D Wacky Halloween House. It is from Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 576-B). I stitched it during Amy's canvas enhancement classes on Thursday nights. Once it was finished, I gave Amy the class notes from which she assembled her Home Study project.

I had fun stitching this house and learned many techniques including Raised Stem stitch for the Pumpkins (you can see the technique in DVD #8, Spiders and More!)

I also became comfortable with the "barely there" coverage for both the house walls and the roof shingles. Notice the overdyed threads did all of the work!

Well, that's all for now. I've got more to Halloween to show you!

Until then... Thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 4

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Halloween Treat Bags. I love the idea of taking a canvas and having it made into a 3-D piece; lined and weighted. Ready to join your other Halloween decorations. Love the tassels, too! Each of these Treat Bags were finished by M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY.

My first Halloween Treat Bag was made from this Shelly Tribbey canvas.

Then, I made this Wizard of OZ treat bag for both my Halloween collection and my Wizard of OZ collection. (Yes, we will save that topic for another day!)

My third Halloween Treat Bag was a gift from my sister, Midge. She stitched this Renaissance Designs canvas and gave it to me for a Christmas present.  It had been on display at M's Canvashouse. I admired it every time I visited their shop... never knowing it would be mine. I love the beaded-on-wire Spider Legs.

Treat yourself to a Treat Bag. I'd love to hear from you.

Until the next time... thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 3

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The theme of Halloween decorations continues: Needlepoint Ornaments from my past.

My needlepoint stitching was whipped into a frenzy when my youngest sister, Midge, worked at M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY. She told me about the wonderful painted canvas designs and that I would really enjoy this kind of needlework. How right she was!

Who knew needlepoint would be a perfect way to further enhance my Halloween decorations and passion for the season?

I began stitching Halloween Ornaments. A few of my favorite designers were (and still are!) Shelly Tribbey, Kathy Schenkel, Renaissance Designs, A Collection of Designs, Jody Designs, etc...  All of these ornaments were finished by M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY.

Look at the stands I found to hang individual ornaments. The wooden blocks from Kathy Schenkel are so colorful, don't you think?

Ornament Holders are just the right thing to showcase your stitching. Keep your eyes open for your next showpiece holder. I've had the best luck finding them at fancy florist/gift shops.

Next up in the saga of Halloween Decorations: Treat Bags!

Until then... thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 2

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Here's another Halloween piece which I stitched during Amy's Thursday night canvas enhancement classes. It is from Shelly Tribbey; finishing by M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY. Love the tassels!

Our black cat, Rayo, was the inspiration for choosing the canvas. He's a spirited cat but has mellowed over the years. Rayo is now our eldest cat... 9 years old.

Rayo was also my inspiration for making this Bobble Head Halloween Cat. I saw this idea on HGTV and made it soon after that. It really works, too.

There's more to Halloween Decorations to show.  Until then... Thanks, Robin

Halloween Decorations from Robin - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's the countdown to Halloween. Time to step into the Wayback Machine and show some of the pieces I have stitched. Here we go...

One of my favorites is this 5x5 cube from Melissa Shirley Designs. I loved the designs but couldn't decide which one to stitch. So, I stitched 4 of them. Then,  I had them made into a cube. The finishing was done by M's Canvashouse in Lexington, KY. Black Artic Rays from Rainbow Gallery was added along the edges. There is black moire fabric for the top and bottom. If this doesn't scream Halloween, I don't know what does!

Melissa said they don't keep older designs in stock but WILL paint anything in their catalog. These canvases are from the 484 series.

• Frog 484-B
• Candy Corn 484-F
• Shoe 484-E
• Hat 484-D

These were stitched during Amy's Thursday night canvas enhancement classes, again... back in the day. But, this idea isn't just for Halloween. Any four/same size canvases can be stitched and assembled into a cube. I've got my notes and can whip up a stitch guide for these, too.

I'll be back with more decorations from my Halloween archives.

Until then... Thanks, Robin

Decorating Ideas for Halloween

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

As Halloween time approaches, the stores are now filled with wonderful trinkets and decorations to augment and display our needlepoint.

Consider the Halloween trees. Great for hanging all of your wonderful ornaments. Check with your Florist Shops (those who decorate all-out for the seasons) as well as online (Palma alerted me to this one from Pier 1 Imports) and your local craft stores, discount and Hallmark stores. I now have 7 Halloween Trees and am always looking for more.

I made my first Halloween Tree. Took a great-looking branch when doing tree trimming, and put it into a Halloween painted bucket which had been filled with sand and gravel. My ornaments looked right at home.

The Feather wreaths are available, too. I googled black feather wreath and came up with many options from Party City, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Target, Etsy.com, etc. Here's 2 photos of the Creepy Characters on my black feather wreath.

Speaking of Feather Wreaths, be sure to read Michele's blog, Needlepoint Tips and Techniques. She weighed the options of DIY versus Purchase Ready Made for her new Feather Wreath. Smart lady.

Need special trinkets? Look at your local craft store or scrapbooking store. Here is what I found at a recent trip to Michael's. Yes, now is the time to add to your stash. Don't forget the Fabric shops. The Halloween Fabrics are great for table skirts or mantle scarves.

I am honing my enabling skills... learned from the best... Jane/Chilly Hollow. Go see what you can find. 'Tis the howling season. (Thanks, Michele for the great word!) And, if you come across something fabulous, be sure to let me know.

This is Lana's first Halloween. She's very interested. Until the next time.... Robin