The Thistle by Zecca (ZE 178) - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Thistle is the second class I am teaching at TNNA in Long Beach. The canvas is by Zecca (ZE 178), measures 3.5" x 5.5" on 18 mesh and comes with my Stitch Guide.

Another fun canvas to stitch by Zecca.

I had fun researching the Thistle: its origin, symbolism,  and botanical details. Just look at these inspirations from Google Images.

Screen shots of Thistles from Google Images 

Again, as a class piece, I was looking for the "teachable moments" and boy, did I find some!

Turkey Work and Appliqued Felt were the first things which came to mind. And, as it turned out, they were the Stars of the Show.

First order of business, though, was to figure out a Background Stitch. Initially, I thought about doing some kind of Celtic design. I was all over the place without much forward traction.

I asked Pat (my guy and owner of Business Visuals photography) what kind of background did he see for the Thistle? Have you ever done that? Asked a non-stitcher for their viewpoint? It can be very helpful.

Pat said, "What about a Grasses stitch... something to look like the Thistle is in a field?" Interesting. Then, I handed him a pad of paper, and asked him to draw it for me. A few pen strokes later...

Grasses Stitch by Pat Ryan

Grasses Stitch. My mind started thinking about the family of Fan Stitches also known as a Diamond Ray.  Kind of looks like Grass, right?

I have used it before (offset and slanted) for the Grass underneath the Shepherd in this endearing Frank Bielec canvas by Maggie Co. ("Watching" • M 1021).

I added the Eyes to the Sheep... brings out the personality.

But, for The Thistle, I wanted a "look" of Grass, but not so tightly covered. I wanted a more "open" look. So, for something more open, take the design element and start spreading it out.

Previewing the background stitch in Photoshop

I played around with it in Photoshop. (Truly a designer's best friend!) I repeated the Fans and filled in with Pyramids. I liked the look. Pat liked the look, too. Once stitched, we really liked the look.

So, I am naming the background stitch: Fans & Pyramids.

And, you can take it one step further by adding Beads: Fans & Pyramids with Beads.

What's that you say? What about a little "bling?" What about a Sequin and a Bead? Now, you are thinking like me. LOL.

I'll be back with the finished Thistle in the next blog.

There are several seats still available for The Thistle class at TNNA on Sunday, February 3. Hope to see you there.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Today is Pat's birthday, too. You remember him... my guy, owner of  Business Visuals Photography.

Yes, Pat was born on St. Patty's Day. (In fact, each of his siblings were born on holidays.)

I made these needlepoint belts: one for me and one for him, too. He can still wear his.

One year, I made him an ice cream birthday cake.  It looked a little wonky, but tasted very good.

Enjoy the day. Be sure to wear some green today. Or, for those needlepointers in the audience, let's stitch with some green.

Until then... Hugs, Robin.

A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc. has gone to the Dogs

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Tom Lee Park •  Memphis, TN

Hope you had a nice weekend. We are still having non-stop rain in Memphis. The Mississippi River is predicted to reach 48 feet (which is way over flood stage) in a few days. The all-time flood in 1937 was 48'7". Should be interesting. They closed all 9 Tunica, MS casinos along the Mississippi River due to the high water; they might be closed for 3-6 weeks. The Memphis in May BBQ festival will move away from Tom Lee Park area, again due to the high water... first time ever in its 34 year history. (This photo was taken by Pat Ryan with Business Visuals at Tom Lee Park during calmer times.)

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

Well, enough about that. Let me show you something fun. These are some of the new Dog Mini-Socks from A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc. which will be debuted at the upcoming June 2011 Columbus/TNNA Market. Ashley is a very talented needlepoint designer. Here's her website: A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc.  You can also follow Ashley on Twitter and on Facebook as those links are on the home page of her website.

Dalmatian mini-sock
by A. Bradley Needle Arts, Inc.

I met Ashley and her mom when I attended my first TNNA market. Her canvases are often taught at TNNA classes, and Cynthia Thomas has written many stitch guides for her canvases. As a "friend" through Facebook, I have been watching Ashley reveal these dogs. Every week she posts new breeds which were just finished. Sometimes she hints about the next dog.  Ashley is so talented. We are happy for her success. I asked Ashley if I could use the Needlepoint Study Hall as a platform to preview what's coming. She agreed and we are the lucky ones.

These stockings will be available from your local needlepoint shop. They are just the right size for a large Milk-Bone dog biscuit for your special canine friend. Well, that's all for now. Thanks, Robin

Merry Christmas!

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I wanted to share with you the photo Pat (my guy) took on Beale Street in Memphis this year. He owns Business Visuals and has own his blog, Business Visuals Updates. Check him out when you can.

This photo was part of a composite photo for the 2011 City of Memphis Budget cover. What an honor. I accompanied him during this photo shoot. It was very exciting to watch him capture the "magic hour." You can see the final composite photo here.

Like the caption says, "Merry Christmas from Memphis" and warm hugs to all in Needlepoint Study Hall. Peggy and I appreciate you very much.

Thanks, Robin

Biker Night with Robin and Jill

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Remember I mentioned about going to hear Pat (my guy!) and his band, Pass The Pepper Jack, at a local club in Memphis? Well, they played on Wednesday evening.  Jill, from Amy's, joined me to hear the music... we had fun.

Here's a photo of Pat before they began playing. It was Biker Night. Great turnout. The Sidecar Cafe is conveniently located next to the Harley-Davidson business, and is also across the street from the Victory business. Talk about location, location, location!

Pat Ryan, drummer

Bikes and more Bikes

The night was also exciting because the International Space Station flew overhead at 8:28PM. The sky was clear and we saw it for the 4 minutes it was visible. Did you know you can see the ISS with your naked eye? All you need is their schedule, a clear night, and being in the path route. You can check your location with this website. (I have the link synced with Memphis; you can see where you are and adjust accordingly.) Here's one other interesting fact: it takes 90 minutes for the ISS to travel around the earth. Awesome.

Later in the evening, a new group of Bikers entered. OMG! What beautiful pieces of machinery. Jill and I stopped our needlepoint conversation and were in awe. We had to check it out! We met the owner/maker of the bikes you see in this video. Nice man. He makes Custom bikes... like $40,000 custom. Very informative.  As they were getting ready to leave, I remembered my little travel camera had a video feature... if I had known it would turn out so good, I would have filmed them longer... but you get the idea.

It was a fun evening. Thank you, Jill for joining me.

Enjoy your upcoming new month with Dr. Acula. He's quite a guy. Amy's e-newsletter will be online tomorrow. Those of you who receive the Constant Contact announcements will get the heads-up first. Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you... I got my confirmation message from TNNA that I will be teaching 2 classes at the 2011 Long Beach Winter Market: a Zecca canvas called 

Bird & Worm and a Melissa Shirley canvas called Harvest Fairy. I will be sharing their news, updates, photos and more... soon. 

Thanks, Robin

Stitch Auditions

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today I thought I would give you a glimpse into my afternoon doings.

I am auditioning a stitch for an area of one of the canvases for the January 2011 TNNA. (Sorry about all of the secrecy, but I am a lady of my word.) Sometimes you know just the right stitch: you pick up the thread & needle and plow ahead. Other times you put it in, take out, scream, and try again with your canvas looking like a slice of Swiss Cheese.

I decided to preview the stitch on the computer. You could do this in Photoshop, but today I did it in my CanvasX program. After I plotted the entire stitch, I was able to step back and look at the big picture. Love it.

This brilliant idea was from Pat Ryan, Photographer (Business Visuals) and Photoshop Expert. Often he would see me struggle... and would calmly say, "Why don't you preview it in Photoshop?" At first, I resisted that suggestion.

I should know the best stitch, right?  Well, almost ruining a canvas from the "Swiss Cheese Method of Stitching" made me appreciate his calm words... why don't you preview it in Photoshop?

So here's the preview. Hope this journey was enlightening. Now it's time to Stitch with Success. Thanks, Robin

Mr. Mummy goes to Nashville

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Welcome to "All Quiet on the Western Front/Needlepoint Study Hall" blog. Looks like Summertime has all of us pre-occupied. Or, are we still suffering from heat exhaustion? I had a wee bit o' excitement this past weekend.  Let me tell you about my recent road trip... and yes, there was some needlepoint involved.

I accompanied Pat to his Business Visuals photo shoot in Nashville this weekend. For those of you without the convenience of having a GPS, the distance from Memphis to Nashville is about 200 miles. Should take under 4 hours to get there, right? Sure, unless there are traffic problems. Well, there was a terrible accident on I-40... at mile marker 60. It took us over 1 hour to go 12 miles. Pat said we were going 4 MPH in a 70 MPH zone. At times, all eastbound lanes were stopped... like a parking lot. Luckily, we made it, safely, to our destination... in 6 hours!

Knowing that Pat was driving, I brought needlepoint to occupy the time. Part of my travel packing sequence includes bringing the correct needlepoint for the trip. Yours too, right?  I looked for the best car project amongst my current Works in Progress: a canvas on 13 mesh. Have I told you my canvas stash is also extensive? Guess what... I found the best project... already kitted with a plan in place.

Meet Mr. Mummy and his friend, The Spider. It's a canvas from Kathy Schenkel: #CT 173, on 13 count, 4" x 4".  Like I said, they were the perfect traveling companion. The Sparkle Rays looks great for the Mummy's cloth wrap. I chose Sound Waves for the Background and used 1 strand Black Ty-Di Threads. I like how the roundness of the Sound Waves sets the tone for the round Spider's body. (I know it's hard to see the black-on-black... but, trust me, it looks good in person.)

You can see what I accomplished on the trip. I plan to bead the Star. The Spider's body will be made with Fuzzy Stuff. I might Bullion Knot the Legs, but I also found some Facets in my Stash which I could couch in place. We will see which is better.

Now here's the best part of the road trip. Before heading back to Memphis, we stopped at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts to see the Dale Chihuly blown glass exhibit. He is the best! I've seen his work in Memphis and Atlanta. My heart pounds each time I see his work. Awesome.

As we approached the entrance to the Frist Museum we noticed another exhibit also on display:  The Golden Age of Couture, Paris and London 1947-1957. OMG! What a wonderful surprise. There were 221 pieces of original couture dresses and garments from the famous design houses in London and Paris. They focused on Paris Dressmaking, Textiles, Embroidery, Cocktail and Early Evening, Evening and Ballgowns. Pinch me silly and call Rachel Zoe. I died.

Pat and I had the best time seeing both exhibits; a well-deserved reward after an intense photo job. So for anyone in the Nashville area within the sound of my keyboard, please treat yourself to a wonderful experience; the admission was only $10. Thanks, Robin

Merry Mobile, an Ice Cream Truck needlepoint project begins

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'd like to tell a little story about my next Needlepoint Study Hall blog topic. I got a wonderful suggestion from Jane/Chilly Hollow about what I might consider for my next stitching project. (She is such a gifted enabler!) With her innocent words: it's summer time... , I started to think about a project I had wanted to do for a long time. Here's some background first.

Pat (my guy!) is from Memphis. His childhood memories of summer included ice cream being served from the Merry Mobile -- a self-propelled carousel ice cream truck unique to Memphis, TN and Louisville, KY in the 1960s. Pat is a photographer and owns Business Visuals. A few years ago after completing a location photo shoot, he ran across an old discarded Merry Mobile in a salvage yard parking lot.

Well, Pat did what he had to do... he photographed the Merry Mobile. Listening to Pat's stories, I could only imagine what it looked like, but now with a photo, I could finally see it. Time had not been kind to the Merry Mobile. Thirty years had passed; it was rusted and faded. Pat showed me the photos and described (with enthusiasm) the former paint scheme, the shiny metal counters, and the jingle of the bells.  One of the first phrases Pat remembers saying was "a nickel and a penny" because that's how much his ice cream cost.

Besides being a talented photographer, Pat also excels at doing Photoshop. It upset him to see his childhood memory all in ruins. Pat decided to bring the Merry Mobile back to life... through Photoshop. On his blog you can read Pat's entry and see the Before & After photos.

OK, you're thinking... what does any of that have to do with needlepoint?

Well, I'm going to stitch the Merry Mobile. Working from Pat's design, I'm going to create a painted canvas. Then I'm going to stitch it. Who knows where this journey will take me? Hope you will join me for the ride.  Thanks, Robin

I had to share...

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I just had to share what's going on in my world -- right now ... Sunday, Memphis, TN 1:34PM. 

I am at the computer ... typing up the current Stitch Guide I am working on (Maggie Co.'s "I Love Cupcakes" M-1169). But, in the next room, is Pat (my guy!) the drummer, and his 2 new band mates are Tony and Philip. They are going to be playing in Memphis, TN on July 7th at a local club called The Side Car. And, guess what else... it's gonna be Biker Night!  Woohoo!

I'm going to recruit my fellow Needlepointers to come join me and let "our" hair down that evening. Yes. I'm going to invite Peggy, Jill, Amy, Amy's Golden Strand et al, and my Saturday Needlepoint Group. I might even post on Facebook. I think the Bikers and the Needlepointers will be a perfect fit: embroidered patches, you know.

Now, ya'll must know (yes, I know... I live in Tennessee, via California, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Miami, Oklahoma ... and I had to say y'all): these guys sound GREAT! Who knew 3 guys could ROCK? I mean... the Beatles had 4 guys. Man, am I the luckiest girl? My toes are tapping!

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. You've gotta love my private concert.
It's Fab-ulous!