Happy July 4th

Hello, hello!

It's me... Robin... your absent blogger. I'm back and boy, have I missed you!

Where has the time gone?

Well, for me, I've been here all the time; in front of the computer writing stitch guides and traveling to/teaching at wonderful Needlepoint stores across this country. Often when I'm under deadlines (translation the plane is leaving in ____ days) I tend to hunker down and forgo life's responsibilities including blogging.

Facebook has been my go-to platform for updates. But, seriously, absent for almost 2 years?!! I apologize.

So... I'm back.

The July 4th holiday is upon us. BBQ, picnics, family reunions, potato salad... fond memories!

I've also had the pleasure of writing several July 4th/Americana themed stitch guides.

The Fourth
Fleur • artist, Sandra Gilmore
SG-18-285
Stitch Guide by Robin King

American Eagle Flag
Amanda Lawford
AL 26006
Stitch Guide by Robin King

American Bald Eagle
The Meredith Collection • artist, Charley Harper
HC-A235
Stitch Guide by Robin King

July 4th Picnic Baskets
Melissa Shirley Designs
artist, Mary Lake-Thompson
MLT 213
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Here's the stitch guide I am currently writing... It's called "God Bless America" by Cooper Oaks Design (artist, Melissa McLeod • MML 921). 

God Bless America
Cooper Oaks Design • artist, Melissa McLeod
MML 921

This is for my next Canvas Enhancement class in September 2017... at North Shore Needleworks in the Chicago area. This will be my first time teaching there and I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I will be sure to bring you along with me on my journey.

As I've mentioned before, all of my stitch guides are available from me. Just email me your request and I will get back with you the details. You can reach me at creativecats@comcast.net.

Well, that's all for now. Have a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday. Hope you get to do some stitching. Here's a Stars chart for you. I'm a giver! 😊

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

Rhodes Heart 21 x 18 diagram

Hi everybody... Robin here...

Today I was charting a Rhodes Heart to specifically fit the Heart design for a sweet little canvas, "To My Valentine" by Fiori (F-3639).

"To My Valentine" by Fiori (F-3639)
Dream House Ventures
part of the Fiori Valentines Garland Club
offered thru The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

I enjoy charting stitch diagrams. I could have just provided my "generic" Rhodes Heart 8x8 and let the stitcher figure out the numbering sequence, but I wanted to do more.

The Fiori Valentines Garland Club is offered thru The Nimble Needle-Atlanta. Stacy, the owner, did a great job selecting the stitches for the 5 canvases in the series. Each model is stitched to perfection. They are just the right size to be hung together in a garland... or imagine on a white wreath or white tree. Love!

You can read more about the Fiori Valentines Garland Club on The Nimble Needle-Atlanta website.

Here's the link: Fiori Valentines Garland Club

Today's Heart has these dimensions: 21 threads width and 18 threads height.

Working over the original diagram, I set up the grid.

Then I started to lay the stitches onto the artwork in the computer... just as if I was stitching with needle and thread.

I changed each stitch to a different color so I could see the progression.

The last step was to remove the red Heart and to add the stitching sequence numbers.

Voilà! The Rhodes Heart 21x18 is complete; numbered and to scale.

Try this on other Rhodes Hearts you might run across. Crayons, colored pencils, markers are fun to use if you aren't in front of the computer.

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments by dede Ogden

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

Have you seen the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments from dede Ogden distributed by Fleur de Paris ?

They are based on her Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow...

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow (ED-4004SPB)

and large Christmas Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking.

Jolly Nutcracker Collection Stocking (ED-4004)

You may remember I wrote the stitch guide for the Jolly Nutcracker Collection Pillow and it was stitched for a class event at 3 Kittens Needle Arts in MN.

Jolly Nutcracker Pillow (ED-4004SPB)
stitch guide by Robin King

You can refresh your memory on the blog with this link: Jolly Nutcrackers by dede Ogden and Robin King.

After many requests, dede decided to paint individual Jolly Nutcrackers and make them ornament size. Each are on 18 mesh and are about 4" x 5".

Then, dede called me and asked if I would write a stitch guide for each of the new Nutcrackers. How cool was that! Of course, I said yes... and now each Jolly Nutcracker in the series comes with my stitch guide. Sweet!

Drum roll, please... now introducing... the new Jolly Nutcracker Ornaments (available through your Local/Favorite Needlepoint Shop).

Sweetheart Nutcracker (ED-17134)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cajun Nutcracker (ED-17135)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Cossack Nutcracker (ED-17136)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Tyrolian Nutcracker (ED-17137)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Brit Nutcracker (ED-17138)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Basque Nutcracker (ED-17139)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Celtic Nutcracker (ED-17140)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

Nordic Nutcracker (ED-17141)
comes with Robin King stitch guide

I am thankful for this creative opportunity. Many thanks, again, to dede Ogden.

Until the next time... HUGS, Robin

3-D Holly Boot (MSD 1262-D) Stitch Guide

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I tend to wear several hats with all of the different jobs going on. But, then, I am sure you do, too.

I also like to call it "Spinning Plates"... my old-school reference from the Ed Sullivan television show days when Ed featured the performer with tall bamboo poles and white dinner plates. The man would balance and spin a plate at the top of each pole. Poles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... all going at the same time. All would be OK until the first plate began to wobble and almost fall. The man would run back to the first plate, increase its RPMs to save the plate from crashing. Then, he would continue moving forward... giving plates 2, 3, 4, 5 an extra spin... and then would begin setting up another pole/plate combo. Back and forth the performer went. I have such fond memories of this performer and the lessons it taught me. Spinning Plates... it says it all, don't you think?

Here is a brief review of what I did this past week:

A customer had sent in the 3-D Holly Boot from Melissa Shirley Designs
(MSD 1262-D) for a stitch guide. There are four separate canvases on 13 mesh: two sides, a front and a back. Once finished, it turns into a 3-D boot... ready to fill and become your next special holiday decoration. I had always admired this design and was looking forward to see what would inspire me.

Click to see all of the Melissa Shirley 3-D Christmas Boots.

I usually begin each stitch guide with graph paper and pencil. I draw out some ideas and identify colors which will need threads. Sometimes I know exactly what thread to use, and other times, I might give myself options for consideration.

Then, I begin typing up the Stitch Guide with a "fill in the blank" look as a space marker for the upcoming thread choices. It might look something like this:

Then, I go and selected the threads; wandering around the store with canvas in hand and imagining the possibilities. Pulling threads is thrilling to see the canvas come to life. Look how much fun this 3-D Holly Boot will be to stitch... and you haven't even seen the stitches.

My last thing to do is to type all of the "fill in the blanks" for each of the selected threads, and chart all of the stitches. This stitch guide has 24 charts. I also write up the Master Thread List to have on hand; just in case (hopefully!) someone else orders the stitch guide.

Interested in purchasing this stitch guide? You can do so through Amy's... here's the link: http://www.amybunger.com/robin_king_stitch_guides.html

The 3-D Holly Boot stitch guide is now finished and will soon become a wonderful family heirloom. As for me? I am ready to catch my next Spinning Plate.

Until then... Hugs, Robin

Harvest Fairy Update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's the day before Thanksgiving. Peggy and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Things have been quiet in Needlepoint Study Hall, but I've got some fun news to share with you. Look at the awesome cover art Melissa Shirley (her very self) designed for my Harvest Fairy Stitch Guide. Thrilled and honored, indeed.

My Stitch Guide will be available from Melissa Shirley Designs once the Harvest Fairy canvas (MSD DM-09) is released at the January 2011, TNNA Market in Long Beach, CA. Just imagine seeing your name amongst the needlepoint rock stars who have written Stitch Guides for Melissa Shirley's canvases: Wendy Harwood, Cynthia Thomas, Amy Bunger, etc... How cool is that? You can see the current list of Melissa Shirley Designs Stitch Guides here.

Enjoy your family and friends tomorrow; we are thankful for you. We will be in touch soon.

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.

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

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!