Robin teaches at Canvas 2018 in Montgomery, AL

Hi Everybody. Robin here.

Wow, it's been 3 Sunday's since I've last blogged. Time sure does fly in the needlepoint world!

I've been gone to teach at the Canvas, a needlepoint adventure in Montgomery, AL. It was one week filled with fun; lead by Leigh Miller (owner of the Needle Bug) and her co-leader, Julia Snyder.

This was the first year for Canvas. For several years, Leigh Miller and the Needle Bug were the "on-site" needlepoint shop for Callaway Gardens. When Callaway closed their doors last year,  Leigh Miller took a leap of faith to create the next needlepoint adventure.

Leigh and Julia invited several national needlepoint teachers to offer 4-day and 2-day classes for the Canvas attendees. Tony Minieri, Barbara Elmore, Julia Snyder, Mary Legallet, Patricia Sone, Debra Rowley, and Robin King (hey! that's me 😊) were the teachers. There were 101 attendees from the US, Bermuda, Canada, and England. It was a slam-dunk home run needlepoint event at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, AL.

Canvas began with the opening night meet-n-greet; there were 2 bus trips to the Needle Bug for shopping sprees and Bug Shots, and a special expedition to the Alabama Shakespeare Theater where the Carolyn Blount theater, prop and costume departments were explored. What a jewel for Montgomery and regional residents.

Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125)
stitch guide by Robin King

For the 2-day class, I taught the Katt Z. Witch class. We learned the 3D Basket technique as well as the many stitches for this Halloween beauty. It was also the "magical" day when it snowed ❆ in Montgomery, AL. This is the view from our classroom looking out  to the street below...

Snow in Montgomery, AL.

 and towards the downtown and the Alabama River.

Canvas 2018 included a snow event.

For the 4-day class, it was a Charley Harper bonanza of canvases. I offered the over 45+  Charley Harper stitch guides for class selection. We had 18 students make 24 selections. We had attendees from all over. I brought the USA map to showcase where everyone came from.

Canvas 2018 participants for the Charley Harper class.

California, Dallas, St Louis area, southern Illinois area, Memphis (me!), Charlotte area, Atlanta area, costal Florida, costal North Carolina, Massachusetts, Canada, Bermuda, and England were ALL in the house! Talk about another feather in the ol' Canvas cap. 😊

As you can imagine, my Charley Harper class attendees received 2 well-deserved Travel Trophies.

Over sea and land Long Distance traveler, Ann Nobbs.

Ann Nobbs (from England) won the all over Travel Trophy.

All the way from California! Here's Jennifer Rhatigan. 

And, Jennifer Rhatigan (from California) received the North America continent Travel Trophy covering the contiguous US and Canada land mass.

What a fine selection of Charley Harper canvases!

It was a happy class (duly noted by Judy H, Atlanta, GA) and how could it not be? Charley Harper's art is very happy... and fun to stitch, too. Many thanks to all who attended my classes.

Canvas 2018 classes with Robin King

I am hoping to teach next year at Canvas 2019.

4 day class with Robin King
Winter-Christmas and/or Fall-Halloween... your choice

The 4-day class will be stitch guides offered on either Winter/Christmas or Fall/Halloween topics. Your choice! How fun is that?

2 day class with Robin King
Needlepoint Study Hall comes to you.

The 2-day class will be Needlepoint Study Hall... bring your canvas and threads from home (finally! your stash pays off), and let me show you techniques and stitches to get those projects finished.

Be sure to check out the Canvas website.
Here's the link...     https://www.canvasaneedlepointadventure.com

and follow them on Facebook.
Here's the link... https://www.facebook.com/canvasaneedlepointadventure/

Big thanks to the "behind the scenes" people who made Canvas a success: the staff and friends from the Needle Bug including Janet, Amber, Amy, Charlsie, Hammond, Heywood, Marsha, and Laurie as well as the staff/management from the Renaissance Hotel. You put on a hell of a party! Job well done.

Well, that's all for now. I'm home from teaching at Quail Run Needlework, too. Next blog will catch up some of the fun stitches and pieces from the class.

Until then...  Hugs, Robin

An Autumnal Equinox gift for you

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Wishing each of you a pleasant Autumnal Equinox...

What better way to say hello to the first day of fall than a gift from me to you... the Pumpkin and Wheat Blackwork diagram.

Originally, I designed this stitch for the Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125) background. A lot of effort for the tiny surface, but given a larger area, wouldn't this be a fun background?

Since this is a Blackwork pattern, be careful and follow the numbers so you don't see the travel threads.

Pumpkins and Wheat Sheaths and Black Cats, oh my!...   ♪These are a few of my favorite "autumnal" things.♬

I used 1 strand of Soot (Soy Luster #510) from Dream House Ventures on 18 mesh. Love that name, don't you?

I planned it out in Photoshop before I actually stitched on the canvas. Originally, I had the design with a larger scale, but reduced it to fit this area. You can do this, too. Sizing up or down. All you need is some graph paper.

Add the Pumpkin and Wheat Blackwork diagram to your personal book of stitches. Think of me when you stitch it, and send me a photo, OK? I would love to hear from you.

Also, any shop owners or students interested in this Stitch Guide? There are some great ideas... 11 pages for this Katt Z. Witch canvas by Kelly Clark Needlepoint (KCN 9125). Just let me know...

Here is an awesome link describing the Autumnal Equinox. Check it out.
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-autumnal-equinox-of-2012

Time to go look for a sweater. I feel a welcomed chill 'a coming.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Halloweenies update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

At the TNNA Market in Columbus, I had the chance to see the newest Halloweenies from Kelly Clark, Elvira Spida. She is quite a looker. Let's hear it for the Full Figures Girls! WhOO!

Elvira Spida • Kelly Clark Needlepoint

To refresh the memory of Needlepoint Study Hall Blog readers, Amy Bunger stitched 8 of the Halloweenies pieces through her Home Study. You can read all about the specific Halloweenies postings on this blog by clicking on the HALLOWEENIES topic list or by clicking on their individual names.

Katt Z. Witch • KCN 9125
Stitch Guide by Robin King available.

I stitched Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125) and wrote her stitch guide. Anyone (Retail Shops or needlepoint customers) interested in purchasing the Katt Z. Witch stitch guide can email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

Dr. Acula • KNC 9131

Linda finished Dr. A. Doesn't he look great. Be sure to read all about it on the Stitching Sisters blog. Here's the link: http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/doctor-is-in-house.html

I read Melinda's Living the Good Life blog about recently sending more Halloweenies pieces to the  finisher. Here's the link: http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-back-and-looking-forward.html Hope to share their photos after they are all dolled up.

Know of any more Halloweenies updates? Be sure to let me hear from you. Thanks, Robin

Art Projects are Fun

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Wasn't it great to hear from Peggy. So glad things are settling down for her.

I wanted to share with you the next event towards my out of town teaching: making my Master Book.  I decided to do this for my first teaching endeavor, Katt Z. Witch, and have done it ever since.

I found a neat 3-ring Poly View Binder and created the artwork of the finished stitching into the Front Cover as well as the Binder Edge. Then I use the Sheet Protectors and sleeve up the finished Stitch Guide, Teaching Notes, and other related items.

You can see I now have added my two newest Master Books:

• Harvest Fairy • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD DM-09
• Bird & Worm • Zecca • ZE-107

This has been very helpful, indeed. My teaching notes are now organized and ready for easy reference. Since I am teaching at Needle in a Haystack/Montrose, CA right after Market, my NeedleDeeva Heart #150G Master Book will help me remember all of the nuances I did over a year ago.

Art Projects as an adult... gotta love it. Thanks, Robin

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G/Robin King Stitch Guide is now available

Hi Everybody ... Robin here.

Just wanted to let you know... the NeedleDeeva Heart (#150G) is now available with my Stitch Guide. How cool is that! Your LNS can order it directly from NeedleDeeva.

So, this is my second Commercial Stitch Guide. Woohoo!  To refresh your memory, my first Commercial Stitch Guide was Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125) from Kelly Clark Needlepoint. Again, your LNS can order it directly from Kelly Clark Needlepoint; you can also order it from me. Just email me creativecats@comcast.net.

Seeing Peggy's recent posting about her love for Bargello reminded me of our conversation in Columbus. Peggy had met June McKnight, and was thrilled because of her knowledge of Bargello. Peggy indicated her needlework journey began by first learning Bargello, then Counted Cross Stitch, then Needlepoint. You can see Peggy is an accomplished stitcher.

On the last day of Market we met Phillipa Turnbull (from England), and I told Peggy my needlework experience began with Crewel, then Embroidery. You can see I am comfortable with Crewel/Embroidery stitches; just look at the NeedleDeeva Heart (#150G). Needlepoint was much later (self-taught in the 1970s), and I began officially learning the correct techniques in 1990s. So Peggy and I met iconic industry leaders within a few days; exciting.

Well, that's all for now. The Floating Cat with Pumpkin Balloon is coming along good. The Cat Body is finished. Next I will begin stitching the eyes... and we know: it's all about the EYES.

Thanks, Robin

UPDATE: Thanks to Jane/Chilly Hollow who mentioned my Stitch Guides on her Needlepoint Stitch Guides blog. Jane, you are awesome.

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G is ready to travel

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've been packing my bags for tomorrow's Columbus Market trip, and took a break to look at what's new with the Chilly Hollow blog. As usual, Jane had wonderful things to look at and admire.

The Barbara Bergsten link reminded me I still needed to insert the NeedleDeeva Heart #150G into the Black Stirling Self-Finishing Shoulder Bag for my class on Saturday. Oops! I quickly gathered my supplies: pencil, ruler, scissors, and traced the cutting edge onto the canvas.

Then I began to insert the needlepoint into the Stirling Bag. It comes with a peel 'n stick surface; however, I chose to not use it this time. I got everything lined up. Looks good.

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G (affectionately called Columbus Heart) is now ready for its TNNA Summer Market debut. The tour begins with my class on Saturday with the Shop Owners from across the country. What an honor. Then it will spend the rest of the time in the NeedleDeeva booth enticing Shop Owners to purchase this new design. Yes, this canvas comes with a Robin King Stitch Guide showing how I did all of these fun stitches and techniques with text, photos, and charted diagrams.  Be sure to check out all the new canvases from NeedleDeeva being revealed at this Market.

Guess who else is traveling to Columbus...?

Yes, that's right! Katt Z. Witch is hitching a ride to hang out in Kelly Clark's booth during the Market. I heard she might even meet her new cousin, Ratt Z. Witch. That will be a fun reunion.

I've got my name badge ready, and both Peggy and I will be blogging about our experiences at Market.  This will be fun.

Stitch Fast, Ladies. We're Going to Market.

Thanks, Robin

Katt Z. Witch & Stitch Guide are now available.

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I wanted to let you know the Katt Z. Witch canvases are available through your LNS, and so are the Stitch Guides that I designed.

Here's her photo so you can see what she looks like. Katt Z. is definitely a "pretty" witch.

She is holding a Cat and there is a 3-D Woven Basket inspired by the techniques from DVD #7, The Ins & Outs of Needleweaving. There is another Cat by her side. Look who just spotted the Rat in the border. Now that's the beginning of a good story. The Pumpkin uses DMC Memory Thread for the Vine, and the Leaves are Picot Needleweaving; another technique from DVD #7.

It was a wonderful experience to stitch Katt Z. Witch and develop her Stitch Guide. Shop Owners and Retail Customers can email me creativecats@comcast.net to purchase this Stitch Guide.

Katt Z. Witch is one of Kelly Clark's Halloweenies characters; just not one of the "chosen" Halloweenies Home Study characters. Her number is KCN 9125.

Well, thanks for your time. I've got some more stitching to share with you.
I'll be back! 

11 Days and Counting

Hello.  I had hoped to be blogging about Katt Z. Witch by now, but her arrival date has been pushed back.  So I thought I would share an ornament I stitched some time ago.  It is from Point of it all.  Isn't he cute?

I've used this time without Katt Z. Witch to actually finish two, yes two projects. They are both Santas, and they have been sent off to the finishers.  I will share them with you when they come back.

I 'm counting down the days till the Haunted House canvas arrives.  There is a very short thread list for part one of the house, and they are all over-dyed.  Included is a wonderful over-dyed thread from Gloriana called Lorikeet.  Lorikeet is a 9 stranded wool which can be hard to strip.  Amy will share a tip to avoid that tangled mess that can happen when stranding Lorikeet.  We will talk about it when we get to that area on the front of the house.  Actually the stitch guide is chalked full of tips. They are often general stitching tips that will help you with this project as well as help you to develop good stitching habits.  Here is a good one.  Start this project with a new pack of needles.

Katt Z. Witch update

Hi Everybody!
Just made it back from the TNNA 2010 Winter Market. I need to unpack, but will soon share my experience in the Needlepoint Study Hall Blog.

Katt Z. Witch was a hit! She handled her first cross-country flight like a pro. She toured the event and was introduced to the "Rock Stars of Needlepoint."

Here's a photo of Katt Z. Witch. She was on display in the Kelly Clark Needlepoint booth during the Market. You can see her painted canvas in the upper left corner of this photo.

Just wanted to check in & let you know: we did survived!

Robin

How I spent the last day in 2009

Yesterday was 12-31-09. While the Revelers were poised for their big blow-out, I shared in a celebration of sorts... the kitting of the Katt Z. Witch Thread Kits. I had received all of the donated threads for the Sold OUT class of 20, and it was time to put them into their individual bundles.

I had an excellent teacher/guru to help me: Jill from Amy's Golden Strand. Jill is the Manager of Amy's Home Studies, and boy, does she knows how to kit!

First step... lay out the 20 Ziploc Gallon-size bags on the tables, creating 20 different stations. All of the donated Threads are spread out on a nearby table; waiting their turn.

This bundle from Rainbow Gallery is awesome. They had agreed to donate their threads for the class, and packaged the needed quantities onto these special product cards. When I opened the box, I shouted with glee: Perfect bundles of joyous threads. What a company!

Round and round I went. Dropping off 1 thread type at each station, counting all the way. Making sure there were 20 total, and only one per station. This is what I refer to as the "Wilensky Method of Kitting."

Here is the close up of one kit. Threads from companies including Gloriana Threads, Week Dye Works, The Thread Gatherer, Caron Collection, Sundance, Rainbow Gallery, Kreinik, YLI, Wichelt/Mill Hill, Vineyard Silk/Wiltex Threads, DMC, Burmilana/Amy's Keeping Me in Stitches, Fabulous Fibers & Embellishments, Dream House Ventures, Renaissance Designs, and Colonial Needle Company. Graciously all donated! Unbelievable! How wonderful is that! I will go to each Company at the TNNA Market, and personally thank them. I will also show off Katt Z. Witch so they can see how fabulous their fibers worked. If it looks like a lot of threads... well, it is. But actually, what else could I do? After all, I was working with a beautifully painted canvas by Kelly Clark Needlepoint.

Then Jill showed me her Counting Method. Make a note about how many threads are to be in each kit. If that's a large number, she said to break things down by shape or thread type into smaller bundles. Once all threads were placed, I made my master counting plan.

From here, I was at the fourth turn; headed for home. All I had to do was to put the threads into their designated Ziploc Bag ... 20 Bags ... 20 Kits. Done! California, here we come! Oh, and Happy New Year! Robin

Our Authors List is growing...

Hi Everybody. Robin here... Peggy has invited me to be a guest blogger on her Halloweenies Blog. How fun is that! I will be sharing some of my experiences as I teach Katt Z. Witch at the Long Beach TNNA Market in January.