Teaching at In Stitches - Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Usually when I am "off the blog radar" it is because the blinders have been put on and I am focused on deadlines. This was yet, true again. So sorry!

I'd like to conclude my visit to In Stitches for you. Here goes...

The flight from MEM to ATL was easy breezy. Just the way I like it, right? I continued to work on pending stitch guides while at the airport.

Another Stitch Guide in the works
Nutcracker Soldier & Mouse King Cuff  •  Rebecca Wood 1433 

Once on the plane we had a slight delay due to weather in Atlanta so they had us wait on the Memphis tarmac. Oh, the advantages of a window seat. Look who else was waiting.

Sharing the road with FedEx

Finally we took off...

Somewhere between MEM and ATL

... and landed in ATL. Comfortable weather 67 degrees. Can you believe this was August in the south?

Chamber of Commerce weather package

I've had lovely opportunities teaching at In Stitches, and this time it was at their "new" location. Right across the street from their former location; a jewel to behold.

Summertime view
In Stitches - Atlanta

Jeanene Weiner, the new owner of In Stitches, was able to create (from a blank canvas) a wonderful shop. The light fixtures were like jewelry.

Comfortable seating in the class room
In Stitches - Atlanta

The Halloween Room
In Stitches - Atlanta

The bathroom was like a spa experience. I love this wallpaper.

Pretty wallpaper
In Stitches - Atlanta

The threads are arranged by color... so easy for selecting what you need.

The Rainbow Gallery room
In Stitches - Atlanta

The Flowers in a Vase class was taught to a full house. They learned Stumpwork, Ribbon Work, various Beading techniques and decorative composite stitches.

Flowers in a Vase (ND 311)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I also gave other demonstrations, too.

French Knots, Colonial Knots and Ribbon Flowers

Our hostess, Emeline Loughlin (manager of the newest In Stitches located in Newnan, GA) was the pure essence of southern hospitality. She treated everyone to a southern delicacy: Cheese Straws crackers.

She sent a box of Cheese Straws home for me. They were hand-carried... protected like the precious cargo they were.

Bringing some Georgia memories home with me.
Thanks, Emeline!

Cheese Straws and Wine
Great ending to a great trip

My time at In Stitches was so much fun. Good for the soul, too. I look forward to returning again.

I'm getting ready for another stitching destination. Will talk about it in the next blog.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Teaching Flowers in a Vase at In Stitches-Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I am getting ready to go to Atlanta... to teach at In Stitches-Atlanta. I am most anxious to see their new store (conveniently located right across the street from their former location).

You might ask: "What are you going to teach, Robin?"
"Thank you for asking," I would reply.

Flowers in a Vase for a 2-day class. Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. The pace will be comfortable and thorough.

Flowers in a Vase by NeedleDeeva (ND 311)
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I will demonstrate the Stumpwork, Ribbon techniques, Raised Fishbone, Messy Beading, Sparkles... and anything which might be fun for the class.  I will also share my secrets for successful beading. You know me... I'm the See One, Do One, Teach One gal.

And, there will be lots of stitching done, too. How fun is that?!

I am most appreciative to return to In Stitches-Atlanta. Very charming and friendly. Just what every needlepoint teacher would hope for. Looking forward to seeing their new owner, Jeanene.

I'll have my camera ready to take photos of their new place. Wonder what kind of stash enhancement I will do? Threads? Accessories? Canvases? Oh, can't wait. Love flying to ATL. From Memphis: wheels up to wheels down is about 57 minutes. It's my home-away-from-home.

Recently, I was sent a photo of a finished Flowers in a Vase by Kathy Hix who was in my class held at Stitch by Stitch in Larchmont, NY. Look at the wonderful embellishments.

Begin with the stitch guide and then make it your own.
Stitched by Kathy Hix

Kathy is an excellent stitcher and I am honored to see her variation. Makes me proud. (Note to self: Always be on the lookout for buttons and baubles!)

Well, that's it for now. Time to gather and pack... all while not disturbing Max the Cat. He is so comfortable.

Until the next time.... Hugs, Robin

First day wrap up in ATL

Hi everybody... Robin here... in Atlanta.

So far, I have had two bucket list moments and I haven't yet picked up a needle.

The flight to ATL was speedy. I only stitched 10 rows of T-Stitch and we landed.

Bam (owner of In Stitches) picked me up from the airport. We had some time to fill before returning to the airport to pick up Brenda Hart. Guess where we went... #bucketlist

Dinner and enlightening conversation at The Buckhead Diner was fabulous. Crab cakes and asparagus. Yummy good.

It was good to see Harry the cat. I brought him a peacock feather. We have already played.

Class begins in a few hours. So excited to see Brenda Hart in action. It is a canvas embellishment class. I will show you tomorrow which canvas I picked.

Hugs, Robin

48 hours of fun at In Stitches

Hi everybody ... Robin here ... at the Memphis airport. On my way to In Stitches in Atlanta I am treating myself to a Brenda Hart canvas enhancement class. Truly a bucket list moment.

I plan/hope to blog my experience.

First up: non-stop flight to ATL. My stitching companion is ready, too.

Looking forward to seeing Bam and Harry the cat, too.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Teaching at In Stitches (Atlanta)

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Four days after Nashville Needleworks, Jules (the cat) was helping me pack my suitcase.

Jules loves a suitcase.

She knew I was going on an airplane. Destination: In Stitches (Atlanta, Georgia) to teach Sunflower and Berries (ND 309). Here are some highlights from my travels.

In Stitches (Atlanta): On Thursday, Bam Coleman, owner of In Stitches, met me at the airport. When she drove up, there was already a passenger in the car. You will never guess who it was!.... Vicky De Angelis from California. Vicky decided to travel to Atlanta to take the class. What a surprise. How fun to have Team Deeva in ATL.

Bam brought us to her lovely home where I met Harry, the cat... a most friendly Maine Coon cat. He made me feel right at home.

Harry, a very fine cat.

Class days were Friday and Saturday. Again, the Sunflower and Berries canvas was taught to a sold-out crowd. It was fun to meet the women in attendance... many were already Facebook/Blog friends. Melinda from Living the Good Life blog and Vicky from Mostly Needlepoint blog were there. Vicky won the Travel Trophy, but Elizabeth came in second traveling from North Carolina.

Bam had each table decorated with vases filled with Sunflowers. Her dinner plates and napkins also had the Sunflower theme. Bam is the ultimate Southern Belle Hostess.

River Silks Ribbons were wonderful.

Sharon G mentioned that In Stitches has an unbelievable assortment of Threads. Truer words haven't been spoken! I do believe I saw the largest variety of Threads ever seen under one roof. In Stitches is truly Atlanta's premiere needlepoint shop. You can read more about it on Vicky's blog.

I also did some retail therapy at In Stitches.

After class, Bam took us for dinner; celebrating with the tasty Atlanta cuisine. Our desserts were at home: ice cream and a movie with Harry.

Vicky and I are planning on returning to In Stitches... to teach together. Bam suggested the idea and we said yes before she could finish the sentence. Any chance to return to ATL, Bam and Harry is good with me.

Since returning home from Atlanta, I hit the ground running and haven't stopped yet... which explains my absence from the blog. I will share more with you the next time. Until then... Hugs, Robin

Teaching at Nashville Needleworks

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Happy Mother's Day to each of you. Whether you are a cat mom, dog mom, bird mom, fish mom, or human mom... I hope you are enjoying this day.

Speaking of days, time sure has passed quickly since I returned from teaching at Nashville Needleworks and In Stitches Atlanta. I would like to give you a quick review of some of my highlights; in order as they occurred. First was Nashville.

Nashville Needleworks: Owners, Lisa Rusche and her sister, Emily Hennessy, rolled out their red carpet of southern hospitality for my visit. The sold-out Sunflower and Berries class was on Saturday from 9AM-4PM. Their shop is filled with wonderful finished pieces, canvases, threads, DVDs, books and accessories. They make the best use of vertical space I have ever seen. The NeedleDeeva Trunk Show was on the walls. I felt right at home.

Reviewing the thread kits.
One of the two classroom tables.

I drove up on Friday afternoon heading east along I-40 towards Nashville. 206 miles later, I was at The Brentwood Bed & Breakfast. Lisa is also the owner of this lovely B&B so it was my place to sleep. If you are ever in the Nashville area and want a wonderful B&B experience, do consider The Brentwood Bed & Breakfast.

The Brentwood B&B
located outside of Nashville, TN

They are on the Historic Registry of B&B, located on beautifully groomed acreage with trees and deer.

Here is the view of The Brentwood B&B front yard.

Their rose garden was in full bloom and was a delight to see from the dining room. The bedrooms are spacious, clean, and inviting. I stayed in the Nashville Room.

My comfortable bed at The Brentwood B&B.

The Nashville Room

The Breakfasts were awesome. On Sunday, there was a 3-course Breakfast; not three items on one plate...  three separate services. OMG! it was wonderful. The Breakfast began with your choice of Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice or a combination of Orange/Cranberry Juice. I selected the combo. It looked so pretty. Just like a Tequila Sunrise... only without the Tequila. Peggy (their resident Chef) served Poached Pears with Homemade Granola; Asparagus/Leek/Potato Quiche garnished with a wonderful red bell pepper sauce and sauteed vegetables on the side; and Belgium Waffles with Strawberries for dessert. Dessert for breakfast??? It was Chef Peggy's special touch. What a lady!

I enjoyed meeting Lisa and Emily; two talented sisters offering a wonderful needlepoint experience in the Nashville area. We are talking about having a Stitching Retreat where you would stay at the B&B and have needlepoint class at their shop. It could be a canvas enhancement class or a project class... I am game, either way. The distance between both locations is four miles... both in lovely Brentwood, TN. I am so ready to go back to Nashville... after all, it's only 206 miles away.

I told the Lions I would be back.

It was time to pack up and head back home. I had been treated like royalty and met new friends, too. My time at Nashville Needleworks was fun and enlightening. I headed back home to Memphis with only a few days to regroup and get ready for my trip to Atlanta at In Stitches. I will talk about that trip next time.

Until then... Hugs, Robin