Lollypops, Birdies, and Kitty Cats by NeedleDeeva

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Another thing I've done recently is update the NeedleDeeva website.

The Deeva has been very busy getting new designs ready for the upcoming TNNA/Long Beach show in February 2013. That's just a few weeks away!

Clever and cute. That's the Deeva. And, all her designs are stitch painted. 

Here is a sample of What's New? from NeedleDeeva for 2013.

Halloween Lollypops from NeedleDeeva
435 series

Flower Birds from NeedleDeeva
1379 series

Christmas Tiny Hearts from NeedleDeeva
1343 series
Each canvas comes with  Stitch Guide by Vicky De Angelis

Halloween Birds from NeedleDeeva
437 series

Whirlygigs from NeedleDeeva
151 series

 There are new cats, too.

ND 326 from NeedleDeeva

ND 335 from NeedleDeeva

Judee named one of her newest cat canvases after my cat, Lana. Yes, I will enjoy stitching her.

Lana in the Garden • ND 328 from NeedleDeeva

I sure do love yellow cats.

Lana during a recent photo shoot

"ooh, I love sparkly things"

To see more, visit NeedleDeeva/whats_new.  If you see any designs you like, let your favorite needlepoint shop know. They can place the order with the Deeva at Market. You can find her in Booth 1261/1360. Or, if they are not attending the show in Long Beach, they can just call or email the Deeva for the order.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Baltimore / TNNA - day 3

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back home in Memphis and in front of my computer. I tried (with better success) blogging while on the road without my laptop, but those special nuances (which I love to do) were not available to me from the iPad. (Or, perhaps I haven't discovered the best APP?)

So, I'd like to continue with my wonderful journey to Baltimore, MD... home of the 2012 TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show at the Embassy Suites.

Day 3: was the last day of the Show. A very fast day for Shop Owners to make their final purchase decisions. Quite a few Shop Owners stopped by the NeedleDeeva room. Many took home with them the Pink Skull Stitch Guide and Canvas which I recently finished. So much fun to stitch. I can't wait to get the models finished.  It has been cool stitching these Sugar Skulls. Even on the airplane, many people (young and not so young) were interested.

I have more photos from the Show to share with you.

Accoutrement Designs and 25 of their new magnets...

Some new canvases from Barbara Bergsten Designs...

Look, she has new "licensed" Sorority needlepoint, too. Barbara has the cutest Lilly Pulitzer shifts as well as awesome "beginner" canvases. I ♥ Barbara Bergsten. She is a classy lady...

Down the hall from the NeedleDeeva room was Unique NZ Designs. I currently have 2 of their Keep Calm pieces ordered from Peacock Alley Needlepoint: Keep Calm Cats and Keep Calm Halloween. (I am anticipating the Keep Calm Chocolate canvases, too.) Give Sandy/Peacock Alley Needlepoint a call if you are interested in these custom designs.

NeedleDeeva's room looked great. The 6-foot banner announced the Fab Firs. The window display showed the Fab Firs up close and in person. New shops signed up to participate in the Retailer's Club as well as made individual choices for their customers.

Here's another photo from the NeedleDeeva room. Thanks to Judee/NeedleDeeva for taking this photo. I am the cream filling between two Needlepoint icons (Jo Ippolito Christensen and Vicky De Angelis.)

Look at these fun bags from Voila. Stitch a Needlepoint Shoulder Strap (belt canvas), attach to bag and call me stylish.

I really like the Cash and Carry type shows. The atmosphere is relaxed. You are in a hotel, too. Just walk down the hallway and enter the room to your favorite designer.

No time away from home is without its cocktail hour. Here is the photo of the Vodka, Peach Schnappes, Grenadine, Orange Juice cocktail from the first day. (Still don't know its proper name. Let's just call it Tasty.)

I enjoyed attending this TNNA Fall Needlecraft Show in Baltimore. In just a few months, we will see all of the designers and shop owners again (Feb 2013) in Long Beach, CA. I have submitted 2 classes to teach. Hopefully, I will be selected to join in the fun.

But, there is still more to tell about this day: Visiting/Teaching at Bedecked and Beadazzled, don't you know. Let's begin here... the next time.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Baltimore / TNNA - day 2

Hi Everybody ... Robin here ...in Baltimore.

This morning, after my eggy breakfast, it was time to join Team Deeva for a day of order writings.  I has a chance to see Michele Herron, owner of The Bristly Thistle in Amelia Island, FL. She stopped by to see my progress on the Flowers in a Vase; a new teaching piece I will be debuting at her shop on October 13, 2012.  Michele was pleased with the progress so far.  Once I return to Memphis, I must attack at warp speed for its conclusion.  I wonder what kind of framing I will choose?  Stay tuned...

To see Michele's blog post check the link here:

http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/flowers-in-a-vase-almost-finished/

Here is a photo of the Embassy Suites atrium showing the banners of the designers attending.

The Accoutrement Designs is just down the hall from NeedleDeeva. 

Here are some of their popular magnets.

The evening meal included Crabs. (Of course, right?!!) This time they were the hard shelled crabs at the Seaside Restaurant. Team Deeva joined Needles and Threads of Ruxton for an entertaining (and educational) evening of how to eat these Maryland delicacies. I tried to be a good student. Judy and Kristine were excellent teachers.

Day 3 is knocking at my door. I will be back soon. 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

Presenting her Royal Highness: Spider Queen

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It takes me a long time to get camera ready. Add 8 hairy legs into the mix and it takes even longer!

Spider Queen

I am proud to present... her Royal Arachnid Highness... Spider Queen. She is ND 0467-D in the Creepy Creatures collection... coming this Fall from NeedleDeeva. She was fun to meet and to design. Her legs are Fuzzy Stuff. If that doesn't say Spider... I don't know what does!

Next on my Creepy Creatures radar: Mehitabel. She's the Witch. I'm going to use the new sequins from The Collection for her earrings. Have you seen them?

Hope you liked meeting the Spider Queen. Her teeth glow in the dark, too. Thanks, Robin

Where has the Time gone?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Yikes! Where has the Time gone?

I haven't moved forward on the Merry Mobile Ice Cream Truck. I have been enjoying some ice cream... kind of doing research, if you will. I hope to regain my Mojo and paint the background. I've got some fun stitch ideas so I best get busy. I've been working on my 2 TNNA Class canvases for January 2011, but I can't preview/show you them until probably this Fall/Winter.

I have been writing Stitch Guides. My pile is now down to 17 in waiting. Woohoo!

So what else have I been doing?  Here's one thing: I've photographed some of the Models from NeedleDeeva which will be posted onto her website. Here's Rhett O'Hare and Scarlett O'Hare.

Rhett O'Hare

Scarlett O'Hare

  

Aren't they the cutest things! I love the Carrot background design. And, those 3-D Baskets are no longer a mystery if you've seen DVD #7, The Ins & Outs of Needleweaving.

DVD #7, The Ins & Outs of Needleweaving

Call me your one-stop creative shop. Photography services available, too. Well, enjoy your day... stay cool. Thanks, Robin

UPDATE: Here's the contact information for the Rhett and Scarlet O'Hare Stitch Guides. Debbie Bowers designed the Stitch Guides for these wonderful NeedleDeeva canvases.

Needle Orts, Inc.

1002 W. State Road 436, Suite 1024

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

(877) 869-0078

shop@needleorts.com

www.needleorts.com

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.

Mariela Nielson Designs and Good Times in Columbus

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Well, this photo sums it all up. Take a look at this bottle of wine. Love the name of it: CANVAS. Is that not the most perfect wine to have after concluding the Columbus TNNA Market?  It was meant to be.

CANVAS • Merlot • 2008

And it was very tasty, too. For those wine connoisseurs... it also comes in a Chardonnay. I've got my eye on that next! 

Today was the last day of Market. Where did the time go? (Rhetorical answer: in front of this computer!) Today was tying up loose ends and saying good bye to the wonderful friends we met during this trip.

Speaking of meeting new friends, I did want to share with you the new designer I met at the Market: Mariela Nielson Designs. This market was her 1st time to exhibit at TNNA. Mariela used to paint for Rebecca Wood, and now has her own line of Needlepoint Designs. Mariela and her husband are from North Logan, Utah. Very nice couple!

Her canvases are beautifully painted. Great shading and detail.  Amy ordered some of her canvases. Here's a few of the designs on their way to Memphis. I wish the best for Mariela, and you can say you heard about her first in Needlepoint Study Hall.

Mariela Nielson Designs • 302-A • 4" x 4" • 18 mesh

Mariela Nielson Designs • 703-A • 4" x 4" • 18 mesh

Mariela Nielson Designs • 300-A • 4" x 4" • 18 mesh

Mariela Nielson Designs • 600-A • 12" x 12" • 13 mesh

If you get the chance to read the blog entry from Michele Herron at Bristly Thistle, she said some nice (and unsolicited) comments about the class that I taught on Saturday. Thanks, Michele. Here's the link.

I found some new threads to use for the next class I'm going to teach at the next TNNA. What? Did I just let that slip out?  Oops! Yes, I am submitting a proposal to teach another NEW canvas at the January 2011 TNNA Market in Long Beach, CA. This time it is a canvas from Zecca. Again, you heard it here first!

And... also, I am hoping to teach another class at the January 2011 TNNA Market with a new canvas from Melissa Shirley's newest designer. How cool is that! 

The threads are from Dream House Ventures called Empress. It is a single strand Ultra Fine Merino Wool, Cashmere, Silk blend.  It is so soft and yummy to touch. I can't wait to stitch with it. Dream House Ventures are the same people who bring us The Pure Palette's Soy Luster and Baroque Silk. The extent of their colors are fabulous. What a wonderful opportunity, indeed.

I wanted to show some images from the NeedleDeeva booth. I photographed the booth showing the Columbus Heart #150G canvas on display. Can you see it? I was so pleased to see it say "Stitch Guide by Robin King." Judee has been a sweet-heart for this entire journey.

This photos shows the Heart #150G on display in booth.

NeedleDeeva Heart #150G & the Robin King Stitch Guide.

We visited designers and thread companies for early planning stages about DVD #9. Can you believe it?  This evening we are winding down, and will have an early departure back to Memphis. Then, life, as we know it, will resume to normal. I am ready to hug Pat and our cats, and then begin working on the July e-newsletter, new website stuff, stitch guides, etc...

CANVAS • Chardonnay • 2008

It was a wonderful market with Peggy, Amy, and our hotel roommates, Colleen and Lisa. Glad you came along for the ride. Cheers, Robin.

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

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

Robin is teaching this canvas at Columbus TNNA Summer Market

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Well, I finished it. What's it? My wonderful class piece from Needle Deeva. I have nicknamed it the Columbus Heart, but officially it is #150G in the Needle Deeva line. This canvas will be released at the June 2010/Columbus TNNA Summer Market. Lucky you... here's a preview.

I will be teaching this canvas & stitch guide to 20 Shop Owners during the TNNA Summer Market on Saturday, June 12, 2010. So far, 11 people have signed up; 9 seats still available. If you are a shop owner, or, if your LNS is going to the TNNA Columbus Market, consider taking my class. Judee from Needle Deeva is a sweetheart, as well as a fabulous canvas designer. This canvas is one of a new series of Hearts. Love it! ♡

The canvas is on 18 mesh, and will have a finished size of 4⅜" W x 6⅞" H. Fits into the Stirling Bag Self-Finishing products. I'm going to use the Black Shoulder Bag. Won't that make those colors POP! This canvas will be available from Needle Deeva with my Stitch Guide through your LNS this June. That's next month!

I stretched my mind and came up with new techniques: challenging, but not too challenging. Beads, Ribbons, and the wonderful Kreinik Holographic Braid were used. Awesome threads from Rainbow Gallery, DMC, ThreadWorX, River Silks, and Mill Hill were used, too. Did I already mention I had fun stitching this canvas? The Stitch Guide has been written. The Thread donations have been submitted. This evening I took its official PHOTO.

What an exciting time I have had! Thanks for letting me share my new NEWS with you. Robin

Oops! Have You Ever?

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Have you ever decided to use Elegance (E801) instead of Grandeur (G801)? Mind you, both threads from Rainbow Gallery are wonderful. Both are Black... Silk... on a Rainbow Gallery card. But, during your TNNA project (Columbus / June 2010) pre-planning, you decide to use Elegance.

Has Life ever distracted you? Both cards are within arms length. You don't realize anything is going on... until you look at the "almost used-up" Grandeur card. What the ....? Really?!

Well, welcome to my world. Tonight, I am the "Queen of Ripping Out." Just wanted to share... I was reading some of the Frank's Pants comments. Guess I wanted you to know... been there... done that! Thanks, Robin

Obligations & Wonderful Opportunities

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I wanted to share with you what's been going on in my world.

Remember when I taught Kelly Clark's Katt Z. Witch class in January 2010 at the Long Beach TNNA Winter Market ? It was such an exciting time & opportunity.

While in Long Beach, I met another designer, Judee from Needle Deeva. (Step into the Way-Back Machine with me... remember Vicky De Angelis won 1st place at ANG ... she stitched the Needle Deeva's Halloween Town. Yes, the same Needle Deeva wanted me to design a Stitch Guide for a new canvas! OMG... can you believe it?!) I am currently stitching one of her new designs (to be released June 2010) for another teaching experience at the June 2010 Columbus TNNA Market. Lucky you... here's a preview.

I have put down all of my other stitching distractions to focus on this deadline. (Yes, Floating Cat Balloon... I will get back to you...) It has been really fun to stitch this project. I will design the Stitch Guide, and it will be available through the Needle Deeva website. For the TNNA class, I plan to finish it into the Stirling Self-Finishing Shoulder Bag. Photos to come... stay tuned.

I know that Peggy is furiously stitching Frank, and is having a grand time. Next on the Halloweenies agenda is Kit #2 for the Halloweenies Haunted House. Who knew Amy Bunger had carpentry skills? (I did!) And, for all of you doing the Halloweenies characters... just wait until you see Zombie Bride-Zilla! What a whoot! Kelly Clark & Amy B. continue their magic.

Ouch, these Tap Shoes are starting to pinch. I will hand the show over to Peggy. Just wanted to let you know what's going on in my world... obligations and wonderful opportunities, indeed. Thanks, Robin