Autumn Blossoms (LL 532) is finished

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Remember we just spoke about the PFOS event... and all the many canvases...

Patricia Sone, extraordinary stitcher/teacher at Creative Stitches, Dallas TX, was in the class. Her selected canvas was "Autumn Blossoms" by Labors of Love (LL 532).

Autumn Blossoms • Labors of Love • LL 532

I really enjoyed working on the stitch guide and pulling the threads. I was smitten with her outfit.

Vineyard Silk Top Jacket... yummy warm.

I had an idea about the Top Jacket, and had an idea about the Green Dress, but really studied the Vest to make it special.

Inspiration was found in one of my Brenda Hart book. (If you don't have each of her books you are really missing something!) I took her stitch (one of the Kennan Variations) and then morphed it into the stitch of my needs.

Patricia is a very fast stitcher; during the class she made strides of coverage. Each flower treatment was discussed. It was fun watching this canvas come to life.

Pretty Pansy with Buttonhole Technique

Marigold Mums with Ribbon Embroidery

Imagine how surprised I was to receive an email from Patricia last week. She had finished "Autumn Blossoms" and sent me the photo. Remember, the PFOS event was only 6 weeks ago!

Autumn Blossoms • Labors of Love • LL 532
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I was thrilled beyond words and wanted to share with all the blog readers. Thank you, Patricia!

Well, back to writing guides and doing some stitching for a fun upcoming project, too. (Can't wait to share the news with you!)

Next up on the blog will be my review from teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta.  It was a weekend-full of Canvas Enhancement classes. Wait till you see those guides!

Until then... Hugs, Robin

The PFOS wrap up

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It dawned on me I never did tell you about my wonderful time teaching at the Pocket Full of Stitches Retreat in September. Well, so sorry! Let's talk about it now.

Traveling from Memphis to Lubbock

When last we spoke I was getting ready to fly from Memphis to Lubbock, TX; a very surprising distance indeed! It took the same length of time to go from Memphis to Dallas as it did to go from Dallas to Lubbock. Yes, Texas is a big state!

From the airport, we checked into the hotel (a very nice hotel!), and then went to Pocket Full of Stitches. What a store. Megan Lewis is the owner. She has a very dedicated network of employees lovingly called the Pockettes. Canvases, threads, accessories, Texas stuff, books, DVDs... they really have it all. PFOS (pronounced P-FOS) was one of the first needlepoint shops to have an online internet business. They were ground-breaking then, and are still going strong today!

The place was buzzing with their "regular" Thursday stitching group. Nice ladies and wonderful stitchers. They made me feel very welcome. Soon, the Retreat people started to arrive. It was fun meeting everyone... putting names and faces to the canvases.

So, now I can mention the Retreat details. There were 20 different women attending, each with their own selected canvas. I wrote their 20 stitch guides and pulled their threads. The common theme was Halloween/Autumn/Fall/Harvest. What a delicious group of canvases. I had so much fun!

Friday morning was the first day of the Retreat. The event started with the "Parade of Canvases." The Pockettes delivered the Large PFOS Tote bag, canvas, guide, threads, a souvenir Magnet, souvenir Snap Tray, Small PFOS Project Bag with needles, and a PFOS notebook to each lady. It was like Christmas morning.

Soon everyone settled in, and I went to each person, described the stitch guide vision, and answered  questions. Let the stitching begin!

Friday evening we were treated to the most tasty meal I have had in a long time: Smokey BBQ Chicken, Beef Brisket, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, and Peach Cobbler. OMG. Bone cleaning good!

Smokey good.

We had a special visitor that night: Rhea Irish, the former owner of PFOS. As it turned out September was a milestone for  Pocket Full of Stitches: it was their 30th birthday of being in business. Congratulations to them, indeed.

Megan and Rhea

Saturday was another delightful day: questions were answered, demonstrations were given, and more fun was had getting to know each stitcher. This event was truly a special sisterhood.

As the canvases were stitched my visions came to life. Very exciting.

Thanksgiving Basket • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1700
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Harvest Scarecrow • Ruth Schmuff Designs • RS 9050
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Bella and Stella • Mile High Princess • MH2674
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Autumn Banner • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD MLT 284
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Pumpkin  • Cheryl • CH41
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Halloween Patchwork • Kelly Clark • KCA 013-18
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Who Said That? • Cooper Oaks • WK2050
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Neighbors • Ewe & Eye • EWE 88
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Thomas the Scarecrow • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD DM51-D
Stitch guide available from Robin King

FALL • Raymond Crawford • HO-363
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Autumn Blossoms • Labors of Love • LL532
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Sheep with Pumpkins • Ewe & Eye • EWE 360
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Fall Heart • Pat Thode • HS 2115
Stitch guide available from Robin King

The Witch in In! • Raymond Crawford • HW 76
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Haunted House • Ewe & Eye • EWE 295
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Halloween Night • Ruth Schmuff Designs • RS8174
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Patchwork Turkey • CBK • ESG-PL04
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Halloween Patchwork • Kelly Clark • KCA 013-18
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Halloween Village • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 1627-C
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Autumn Floral • Amanda Lawford • AL 22060
Stitch guide available from Robin King

Saturday evening we were on our own for dinner, and then everyone regrouped for a stitch-in at the Hotel. Even I did some stitching! Thanks to Pat T. She let me borrow her ornament, and I stitched the light plum area doing the T Stitch with the Kreinik size 8 Braid. It was just what I needed.

Be Merry Xmas Star • Kirk & Bradley • KH384

Sunday was our last day. Last minute questions were asked: "show me again"... "is this what you meant?"... "when are you coming back?"..."what's your email?" Friendships were bonded. My soul was fulfilled. It was a very fun experience teaching at PFOS. Thank you, Megan! See you in 2015.

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

P.S. Each of my stitch guides are available. If you are interested, just let me know. Email: creativecats@comcast.net.

Teaching at Pocket Full of Stitches - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Getting ready to pack and head to Lubbock, Texas.

What? Why? Where?... When?

Earlier this year I had been contacted by Megan Lewis (owner of Pocket Full of Stitches) and was asked if I would be their Teacher for the Stitcher's Retreat 2013.

September 27-29, 2013
How cool is this!

What an honor and what an undertaking! Twenty one (21) canvases -- all of a Halloween/Fall/Harvest/Autumn theme -- were sent for me to write stitch guides and create thread lists.

In the meantime, I also wrote 10 Stitch Guides and taught two classes at The Needle Bug; wrote 12 Stitch Guides and taught at Peacock Alley Needlepoint, and taught the Flowers in a Vase class at In Stitches.

You might say I've been a wee-bit busy! (Maybe a reason for spotty blogging, too?)

But, I am happy to say, I got it done... and am looking forward to traveling to Pocket Full of Stitches in Lubbock, TX.

From Memphis, TN to Lubbock, TX
Home of Pocket Full of Stitches

The Meet & Greet begins on Thursday, September 26, and the classes are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All events are going to be off-site at the Overton Hotel & Conference Center. How fun is that!

new Stitch Guides by Robin King

new Stitch Guides by Robin King

I've poured my creative energies into these canvases. Can't wait to see the stitching. Pictures will be taken so I will report back to you when I return home.

If anyone is interested in these stitch guides, just let me know.  Email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

If any stores are interested in me teaching at their location, let me know, too. Same email. My 2014 calendar is kind of open.

OK, will see you after Texas. Until then... Hugs, Robin

Halloween Stitch Guides by Robin King

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I am back from my travels to Atlanta. I took another Brenda Hart canvas enhancement class at In Stitches. Good for the soul.

Today's topic: Halloween Stitch Guides. Oh, yes, I've written a few. With Halloween only 5 months away, I thought it would be fun to share with you those available from me.

Leigh Designs - Spookin' (Leigh 5110), Witchen (Leigh 5115), Queen Anne's Revenge (Leigh 7127), and Remilia (Leigh 5137).

Spookin'
Leigh Designs (Leigh 5110)

Witchen
Leigh Designs (Leigh 5115)

Queen Anne's Revenge
Leigh Designs (Leigh 7127)

Remilia

Leigh Designs (Leigh 5137)

Melissa Shirley Designs - Witch with Big Pumpkin (MSD 1334-F), Witch with Crow (MSD 1334-C), Halloween Cat Pull Toy (MSD 700), Halloween Crow Pull Toy (MSD 700-B), Large Pumpkin (MSD 663-D), and Harvest Fairy (MSD DM-09).

Witch with Big Pumpkin
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 1334-F)

Witch with Crow
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 1334-C)

Halloween Cat Pull Toy
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 700)

Halloween Crow Pull Toy
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD 700-B)

Large Pumpkin
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD  663D)

Harvest Fairy
Melissa Shirley Designs (MSD DM-09)

Kelly Clark Needlepoint - Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125).

Katt Z. Witch
Kelly Clark Needlepoint (KCN 9125)

Susan Roberts/Tapestry Tent - Witch Pillow (Liz AP-430).

Witch Pillow
Susan Roberts/Tapestry Tent (Liz AP-430)

Renaissance Designs - Renaissance Witch (TT-201).

Renaissance Witch
Renaissance Designs (TT-201)

Brenda Stofft - Halloween Cat with Green Hat (B-133), Cone Good Witch (B-244), and Cone Bad Witch (B-247).

Halloween Cat with Green Hat
Brenda Stofft (B-133)

Good Cone Witch
Brenda Stofft (B-244)

Bad Cone Witch
Brenda Stofft (B-247)

Shelly Tribbey - Gingham Halloween (H 229).

Gingham Halloween
Shelly Tribbey (H 229)

Artists Collection - Myrtle the Boo Queen (MHP H13) and Fanny Witch (MHP 2310).

Myrtle the Boo Queen
Artists Collection (MHP H13)

Fanny Witch
Artists Collection (MHP 2310)

Maggie Co. - Halloween Outfit.

Halloween Outfit
Maggie Co. 

And, of course, the Creepy Characters and the Sugar Skulls stitch guides are still available from NeedleDeeva.

By the way, there will be more Stitch Guides coming in October. I have been asked to be the Teacher at the Pocket Full of Stitches Stitcher's Retreat in September 2013. How cool is that?!!! I was given the choice of which canvas theme for the Retreat. Hmmmm, which one do you think I selected? Halloween and Autumn/Fall canvases, of course! I don't know who is more excited: them or me.

Here is a preview of what's in my future... a total of 20 will be at the Retreat.

As always, email me if you are interested in any of my stitch guides: creativecats@comcast.net. Shop Owners and Wholesale interest welcome, too.

You can also see a list of my other stitch guides on this blog under the tab: Stitch Guides by Robin King.

Well, time to get to work. LOL. Until the next time... Hugs, Robin