MEOW Tote for Mewtopia is finished

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Well, I finished the MEOW Tote for my Mewtopia donation. Isn't it cute?

The canvas tote has a 5" x 5" outer pocket. There is a full length inner zipper closure, and the inside is one large area. The entire tote measures about 12"W x 9"H. The tote is natural canvas with turquoise blue accents. And yes, it has an original, one-of-a-kind, needlepoint design by Robin King; featuring awesome threads including Silk 'n Ivory, Petite Sparkle Rays, and DMC Memory Thread. Should be purrrfect for any Mew lover.

I have photographed the MEOW Tote, and have documented its progress on the Needlepoint Study Hall blog. It's time to say good bye, and turn it over to Mewtopia for their Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction on Saturday, June 12, 2010. (I really got attached to it.) Here's hoping it will draw "big money" for their fund raising event.

Even if you don't live in Memphis, TN... consider bidding on my Needlepoint Tote. Give them your highest bid, and see if you get lucky. Here's their info. Remember, Mewtopia Cat Rescue is a no-kill cat sanctuary. The 9th annual Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction is from 4-6 PM on Saturday, June 12, 2010.  "Staffed entirely by volunteers, Mewtopia found homes for over 150 cats in 2009."

OK, well that's all for now.  Next on my "to do list" is assembling the Thread Kits and printing the Stitch Guides for my TNNA class in Columbus. Remember the Needle Deeva Heart #150G? I will report on my progress next time.

Thanks again for all of your kind words and encouragement. It has been fun sharing my MEOW Tote with all of you. Thanks, Robin

M and the DMC Memory Thread

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've made more progress on the Mewtopia donation item. I have taken photos of how I formed the M... thought you might like to see how EASY it is to work with the DMC Memory Thread.

I pre-cut the various segments of DMC Memory Thread to make the M. You can see I have 6 segments cut. Later I realized I still needed one more, but the photo was already taken. Oops... sorry. The DMC Memory Thread is a thin, thread-wrapped copper wire; you will still want to use Utility Scissors for cutting... not your good needlepoint scissors. I also used a Trolly Needle as well as Tweezers for poking and plunging through the canvas.

The next photos are showing the sequence for making the M. I started close to the E, and worked towards the Left which gave me a relative perspective for spacing. Each of these segments are still loose. I haven't secured any of the letters yet.  It is easy to remove and re-space, if needed.

 

I will check & double check (with fresh eyes) before I begin securing the DMC Memory Thread to the canvas. First, I will couch them in place using 1 strand DMC Floss 310; then I will secure the ends to the back of the canvas. Again, this is a real fun technique to do. Have you thought about adding some DMC Memory Thread to your needlepoint?

The DMC Memory Thread comes in 18 colors. I found a nice PDF chart from DMC showing their colors and the best matching DMC Floss. Here's the link.

Next time I should be wrapping up this Mewtopia Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction donation item.  It has been fun to share my experience with the Needlepoint Study Hall viewers. Thanks, Robin

EOW ?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Well, you know how it goes... my kingdom for 8 more inches. What?!!

You can see I was able to form the E-O-W of the MEOW. So far, so good. I have them loose for positioning. I have not couched them down, yet.

And then... I ran out of the DMC Memory Thread... just when I was needing to create the M. No problem... I purchased more. Yes, the DMC Memory Thread is available at your LNS.

So for those of you following along, I suggest you have 2 of the DMC Memory Thread Black 6020 on hand for this project. Just in case. OK. That's all for now...

For you Halloweenies... embrace the Bullion Knots... embrace the Raised Stem. They are wonderful techniques, and Amy's DVDs will unlock the mystery. Thanks, Robin

Tying Up Loose Ends

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm tying up loose ends tonight. What?!! I have added the DMC Memory Thread to the Cat Face. Come look at my madness.

I wanted to share with you my "organized" chaos. I have poked and put in place the Memory Thread for the Cat's Whiskers, Nose and Mouth. The DMC Memory Thread is so dreamy to work with; just have a Laying Tool or a Trolley Needle close by to give you some "pass through" room. Also, have your trusty 1-strand of DMC Floss pre-anchored; ready to couch in place. I did leave them loose so I could bend, tweak or remove as needed for symmetry.

It is my plan and intention to confirm them on the front and secure them on the back. You are seeing the "before" view. Isn't this blogging FUN? Trust me, it looks so CUTE! I will show you the Front Side after I do the MEOW.

Remember, I am on a deadline: the Mewtopia Silent Auction Wine & Whiskers is June 12... the same day I will be teaching Needle Deeva's Heart at Columbus TNNA Summer Market.

OK, back to couching. I will post more progress soon. Thanks, Robin

Mewtopia update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I have finished Phase One of my Mewtopia Silent Auction donation needlepoint item. I did find some threads in my Stash for the Eyes and Background. It's wonderful to revisit one's Stash.

Here's what I used: Silk 'n Ivory #167 Sage Brush and Needle Necessities Inc. Spring II 300 for the Cat's Eyes, Silk 'n Ivory #18 Pearl Gray for the Nose, and Petite Sparkle Rays PS39 and PS70 for the remaining spaces of the Background and Cat Face.

Notice the DMC Memory Thread #6020 Black and DMC Floss #310? I will couch them down for the Cat Face details as well as the MEOW words. So far, so good.

Have a good rest of the weekend. Don't forget to catch Amy Bunger (Show #42) on tomorrow's BlogTalkRadio show, Gone Stitching. 2PM Eastern/1PM Central... all episodes are archived for your convenience.

Listen to Gone Stitching on Blog Talk RadioThanks, Robin

Face Off

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today I transfered the image of the Cat Face and MEOW design to the 13 mesh canvas. As with most things in life, you've got options.

In the first photo, you can see the paper pattern through the mesh. I used a mechanical pencil to trace the design on the canvas.

You can also tape your design/canvas onto a window and trace using the natural light. If you have a light box, you could use that as well. If you do need to erase, be sure to use a White art eraser.

I did use a faint, light touch. I also made a mark on the canvas to indicate where to place the first stitch. I began stitching in the Cat Face.

So far I have chosen Silk 'n Ivory Natural and Silk 'n Ivory Sacré Blue 114; they complement the Canvas Tote quite nicely. I will look into my stash for the eye threads... shouldn't be a problem. Thanks, Robin

Measure Twice... Stitch Once

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

What's that saying? Measure twice ... cut once? Well, it applies to Needlepoint, too.

The Canvas Tote called for a 5" x 5" insert area, and I designed the Cat Face & MEOW accordingly. Then I printed a paper pattern as a preview. OOPS, was I off.

You can see the Cat face was too close to the bottom Blue Border. I'd like a little more breathing room. Good thing I checked and double checked before stitching. Today I resized the Cat Face a wee-bit smaller, but I kept the MEOW in the same location.

I took the photo on the deck. Today was a perfect day in Memphis: moderate temperatures in the 70's. Elliot heard I was stitching for Mewtopia's Wine and Whiskers Silent Auction. He posed for a photo.

Well, next time I will show how I transfered the design. Thanks, Robin

One Mewtopia donation: coming up!

Hi Everybody ... Robin here.

I received my letter in the mail yesterday from Mewtopia.
What's Mewtopia you might ask?

"Mewtopia Cat Rescue is a Tennessee non-profit corporation established in May 2000. We provided a sanctuary for homeless, abused, abandoned or owner-relinquished cats and kittens until they can be placed in a secure, loving environment.... On Saturday, June 12 2010, we will be hosing the 9th annual Wine and Whiskers silent auction on the grounds of Mewtopia at 734 Mt. Moriah, Memphis, TN 38117. We would greatly appreciate your participation in our event. Your donated item or gift certificate would be a wonderful addition to our auction items, and no gift is too small... Thank you for your support and consideration. If you have any questions, please contact us at (901) 387-1464 or visit our website at www.mewtopia.org."

I have been gifting my crafted services to this cause over the past few years. For those of you who don't know, my first passion was Stained Glass. I taught for years at a local Stained Glass store, and have made windows, lamps, picture frames, kaleidescopes, stepping stones, yard art... you name it. Here's a photo of the Stained Glass Votive Candle Holder and Stained Glass Picture Frame Holder I made for one of their Silent Auction event.

This year I wanted to make a needlepoint item. I've had an idea in the back of my head, and now I've given myself permission to make it with their June 12th deadline. Remember, I am the kid who had to get the chores done before playing.

I am going to purchase one of the Canvas Totes from Amy's. I know you've seen them... the canvas kind with colorful trim. I'm going to select the size for a 5" x 5" insert. Here's the photo.

Then, on 13 mesh canvas, I am going to stitch this design. Pat Ryan, my guy (cat lover, owner of Business Visuals Photography and 1/3 owner of Pet Project Video, LLC) designed the cat, and I added the stitch concept in the CanvasX stitch program.

Here's the preview of the diagram. I am planning on using the DMC Memory Thread for the MEOW words as well as the Cat Face outline.

We have adopted 2 cats from Mewtopia: Elliot and Jules. They are the best cats, ever!

It is my honor to stitch an item for the Mewtopia Silent Auction. I will blog about its progress, and the finished results. Here's a photo of Elliot and Jules. Thanks, Robin