TNNA / Long Beach 2013 recap - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've been to the West Coast and back. Had a nice time at the TNNA Winter Market in Long Beach, CA. Also, had a nice time teaching the Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) class at Needle in A Haystack, Montrose, CA. So much to tell you... let's begin.

♫ On the road, again... ♫

Jules loves a suitcase.

The flight from Memphis to Los Angeles was a bumpy one. I was "shaken, not stirred" and did survive. Needless to say, I did not get a lot of stitching done on the plane.

The Super Shuttle took me from LAX to Long Beach. Look what I saw along the way...

Good Year blimp

Friday was Set Up day. The NeedleDeeva booth was full of helpful recruits. It was fun meeting the Deeva's daughter, Kiersten, whose day job is being an OB/GYN doctor. Talented lady.

Here was my view while on the Panel

I had been asked to participate in a panel discussion during the Retail Council Luncheon Program. The topic, "Social Media ... How's That Working For You?" There was a good turnout, and many points were discussed. The bottom line is that Needlepoint and Yarn Shops need to embrace Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social media for advertising and communications with their customers. After all, we are in the 21st Century. When was the last time you used your Yellow Pages book? Can you still find it or is it being used for a door stop? Thanks to Lori Mazza (Waste Knot Needlepoint, Arlington, VA) and those on the TNNA Retail Council board for this opportunity. #TNNA

Friday evening was Sample It! There was a big turnout of Shop Owners ready to participate in the 1.5 hour long Cash & Carry component of the Market.

My little world during Meet The Teacher at TNNA/Long Beach.

At the same time was the Meet The Teacher event which I participated in. I was right next to Laurie Walden (excellent teacher, stitcher, designer from Houston, TX) and was down the table from Linda Corirossi (excellent teacher, stitcher and book author). I was in heaven. I handed out Robin King information sheets and business cards. Talk about networking. 30 shop owners now know about me. Hopefully, someday, they might want me to teach or need any of my other services. It was a fun evening.

During my time at Market, I did walk around to see what's new, or what caught my eye.

I was most pleased to hear there were more Mariko King canvases at the Amanda Lawford booth. Whimsical cat canvases. Be still my heart. Here are some of the new designs which spoke to me; each about 6 x 6 on 18 mesh. (13 mesh is available, about 8 x 8.)

DC Designs had a new canvas based on one of his popular seller, Sheep Sits. New for the 2013 Market... now presenting... "iSits" ... too funny. Derrick is the son of Amanda Lawford.

Sorry for the fuzzy photo...  Derrick's humor got me tickled.

I'll be back soon for another TNNA/ Long Beach 2013 recap. Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Magnetic Picture Frames

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Magnets. We have a passion for them; adorning our needlepoint while we stitch. Match the magnet to the theme of your design? These days, it is easy to do.

Look what I found...

A metal/magnetic picture frame. Brilliant, right? It comes with 4 tiny magnets to hold your cherished photo in place.

It has a simple "kick stand" to sit on a shelf or a table. Comfortably holds a 4x6 photo. Looks like it could hold a 5x7 photo as well.

Which got me thinking ... couldn't it display my magnets, too?

Yes, it can. Here's the same photo of Jules with some of my Cat Magnets.

I went back to Stitchers Inc. (Memphis, TN) the next day and purchased this Lime Green magnetic picture frame, too. It was purr-fect for my newly acquired stash of Magnets.

FYI, there is also a purple magnetic picture frame, too, as well as larger magnetic boards (light blue or hot pink) for holding a chart. Give Jan a call... she can hook you up.

Thanks for letting me share my new find with you. It is affordable, whimsical and functional, too. My kind of fun.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Blogging by phone

Hi everybody... Robin here.

This is a test to see if I can blog without using my computer.

I am still packing getting ready to go to Columbus.

Jules the cat is very curious about the suitcase.

I'm going to hit Publish and see what happens. See you in Columbus.

Hugs, Robin

Traveling with Sunflower and Berries (ND 309)

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Just a quick note. My bags are packed and I am on my way to teach Sunflower and Berries (ND 309) at In Stitches Atlanta. I'll take photos of the 2-day event, and blog about the happenings upon my return.

Jules (the cat) says, "See ya'll in Atlanta real soon." She is a jewel.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Jules, a very pretty Calico cat.

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Jules is our cat. She is Elliot's sister. Jules is a very pretty Calico cat.

Cat mini-socks by A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc • 4 x 3 inches  • 18 mesh

A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc is introducing a new Cat Mini-Stockings line of canvases in addition to her new Dog Mini-Stockings at Columbus/TNNA.  A few weeks ago, I sent Ashley a photo of Jules... just in case she would consider including a Calico cat in the new designs.  Ashley admired Jules and painted her likeness to represent the Calicos. How fun is that.

Jules heard that I was going to the same place as Ashley Bradley. Jules is ready to go meet the needlepoint designer who took care to paint a pretty Calico. Silly Jules.  Thanks, Robin

Cats and Dogs

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

This morning I have been adding new items to Amy's website...

Custom Stitch Guides. This new group of canvases reminded me of something Amy once said: 

• Dog owners want to stitch a canvas that looks like their dog. 
• Cat owners will stitch any cat.

"Poodle on Couch" by Amanda Lawford (CC 148)

"Cat on Couch "  by Needle Crossings (#3130) 

That Amy-ism got me thinking about my own selection of Cat and Dog canvases. Back in the day, I owned Golden Retrievers. I wasn't doing needlepoint at that time; thus no dog canvases.  However, even now when I go to Market, my eyes gravitate towards any Golden Retriever canvas. Funny.

Now I own cats. You've heard me mention them. I have stitched a cat or two in my day... with more waiting for me in the Works in Progress (WIP) pile. You, too?

Here are some photos of my finished or almost finished cat canvases. Quite an eclectic group... just like my cats at home. Enjoy the week. We'll be in touch, soon. Thanks, Robin

Boots Bailey 7026

Charley Harper canvas... inspired by Jules

Black Cat in Red Chair... inspired by Mow

Chat Blanc (MSD J106)

Good Mews (MAG 364)