Hooty Owl in Needlepoint Now magazine

Hi Everybody.... Robin here.

Subscribers to Needlepoint Now magazine should be getting their copy September/October 2011 issue pretty soon. And, when you do... check out  the back cover. It's Hooty Owl from the Creepy Characters series. Then, look on page 12. There is an article about NeedleDeeva and me, as well as the complete stitch guide for Hooty. 4 pages! How exciting.

Judee/NeedleDeeva initially designed Hooty Owl (ND 0467-i) for the magazine subscribers, and for all Owl lovers, too. I really enjoyed stitching him. Some of the interesting threads I used were Fuzzy Stuff and Petite Very Velvet for a fluffy-soft Owl look.

There are beading, ribbons and Slide Bullion techniques. Needlepoint Now will be posting their technique video of the Slide Bullion, but here's the diagram from my stitch guide. I used Kreinik braid and frayed the end in order to grab one of the threads. Then I took the remaining braid bundle and slid down the pole... creating the Slide Bullion for Hooty's Feet. This is a fun technique and I used it on other Creepy Characters, too. Have you used it yet? I would love to hear from you.

Contact your Local Needlepoint Shop to order Hooty Owl or any of the Creepy Characters. Each can be purchased individually or the complete series. (On page 16 of the magazine, you can see the Participating Retailers, as well as on the Creepy Characters page of the NeedleDeeva website, too.) Well, back to printing out the 175 Devil (ND 0467-B) Stitch Guides. He's next to be sent out.

Enjoy, Robin.

Creepy Characters Group photos

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've been tying up loose ends from Market and began Phase Two of Creepy Characters deadlines. All stitch guides must be written and printed by July 31st. The Ghost must be stitched and sent off for finishing. Hooty Owl must leave the nest and fly to Oregon for his Needlepoint Now debut.  Lots to do.

Yesterday, I photographed the Creeps both individually and as a group. The group shot is quite impressive, don't you think?

The ornaments were finished by Elizabeth Turner Collection in Lexington, KY. Boy, was I pleased. Each one has its own color of moire and twisted cord trim complimenting the piece. And, I LOVE the ribbon. ETC is the best!

It's a fun surprise when you turn the ornament over to see what color is on the backside. You can sign up with your local needlepoint shop to join the Creeps. You can stitch them all on a monthly plan or just pick out your favorites. I carried many of the threads from kit to kit. We've got over 30 participating Retailers and the list is growing. You can see the info on the new NeedleDeeva website, www.needledeeva.com

Here's the link: http://www.needledeeva.com/creepy_characters.html

Oh, I forgot... one more deadline: teaching Fraidy Cat at the TNNA Fall Market in Baltimore, August 12, 2011. For those shop owners attending, come take the class (FT201). It will be a fun time, indeed.

Well, time for more morning coffee and putting the finishing stitches on the Ghost. He's so cute!  Thanks, Robin

Hooty Owl is finished (NeedleDeeva 0467-i)

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Another week has come and gone. Whew! What a busy time it is. Hope you are doing OK.

Halloween Hooty Owl • ND 0467-i
NeedleDeeva • Creepy Characters

Here's Hooty. He is all finished. He is one cute bird. There are sparkly threads and fuzzy ones, too. Beads and Ribbons; everything you would want for your Halloween festivities. With this Creepy Characters series, I have been carrying over threads from kit to kit... occasionally adding new threads for that WOW factor. I even used the DMC Glow in the Dark Floss E940 for his eyes. Spooky!

So far there are 8 Retail Shops across the USA going to carry this Club series. And, that's before the official TNNA Market/June 2011 push begins. We are glad for these shops and looking forward to more carrying the Creepy Characters canvases from NeedleDeeva.

Next on my Creepy Characters list is Dracula. He's pale with a dapper outfit. Be sure to let me hear from you. Please share any finished Halloweenies or progress reports on your Halloweenies, too. You can email me your photos or send a blog link. Thanks, Robin

The Mississippi River is Rising

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Mississippi River is expected to crest on Tuesday, May 10, 2011... at 48 Feet. (The 1937 flood was 48'7".) Here is another "before" picture which Pat took when he was photographing the Tom Lee Memorial.

Here is the "current" picture; taken by Dan Price and Facebook posted by John Underwood and Frank Inderbitzen. And, we're not done, yet.  Good thing they did decide to move the BBQ contest to higher ground.

Hope everyone is having a Happy Mother's Day. Today I will treat myself to some stitching time and finish Hooty.  Here's a preview. He is one cute bird.

Halloween Hooty Owl • ND 0467-i
NeedleDeeva • Creepy Characters

Thanks, Robin

Research for Hooty

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Halloween Hooty Owl • ND 0467-i
NeedleDeeva • Creepy Characters

I have stitched the various sections on my current Creepy Characters canvas (ND 0467-i), dancing all around the center feature, Hooty, his very self. Now it's time to do some research about Owls. I think I am the last person to join the Owl craze.

It is exciting to see the number of Owls available in needlepoint. Here are just a few which have stood out in my mind: EyeCandy Needleart, Melissa Shirley Designs, Raymond Crawford, Zecca, and now NeedleDeeva. Hooty will be on the back cover of this fall's Needlepoint Now magazine with my Stitch Guide listed inside. How exciting.

Hoot Owl Solo • N107A
EyeCandy Needleart

Vintage Owl • MSD 1406
Melissa Shirley Designs

HO 330
Raymond Crawford

Night Owl • ZE 112
Zecca

So, I needed to do some research. I found a nice website called
The Owl Pages. The nature photos gave me inspiration to find just the right threads. So far, I am considering Fuzzy Stuff, Burmilana, and Petite Very Velvet. I will think this through, test the threads and stitches, and hopefully, do Hooty right. You will be the first to see the end results. Thanks, Robin