Robin teaches at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta Oct 2017

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Today's time change has given me an extra hour to resume blogging about my teaching travels. 😊

From wheels up to wheels down... a quick 50-minute trip.
Thank you Delta airlines.

Follow me to The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA to see my most recent canvas enhancement adventure.

The Nimble Needle
214 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404) 843-8687

The Nimble Needle is owned by Stacy Brown. You won't find a more gracious, talented owner. Her love for needlepoint is reflected in every inch of the store.

Wall to wall canvases and a trunk show.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Threads and more threads.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There's a seat waiting for you.
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

The shop models are very inspiring!!!

The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Halloween Village (MSD 1627C)
I had the best time stitching this.
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Many of the shop models are Clubs. You can select one or select the entire group. Your choice. 😊

Snowman Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Haunted Windows Club • The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

There were 3 days of canvas enhancement classes for my classes. Each day had 6 students. There were 15 new stitch guides written. Everybody was given the same time of attention thanks to my trusty timer. Look at the fun stitch guides written for the group:

new Robin King stitch guides

We had 3 Brenda Stofft canvases making for a festive Halloween theme. 🎃 There were 2 Charley Harper canvases; who doesn't love Charley Harper? There was a Painted Pony Designs featuring Diane Pederson's primitive-folksy art. 🐑 Cute sheep. "Blue Tarpon" by Purple Palm Designs was in the class; we had fun with those fish scales 🐟. There was a custom Labors of Love Needlepoint featuring the Three Wise Dogs 😊. You could hear that Tiger purr... one regal "Vintage Tiger" from Colors of Praise. The "Abstract Leaves" by Treglown Designs were reminiscent of times spent in one's cabin in the woods. 🍃 We had the ever popular Penny MacLeod Design; "Happy Flowers" by JP Needlepoint; Melissa Shirley Designs featuring Vicky Sawyer's "Hummers"; and a classic "Dog Walker" by Maggie Co.

Day 1 at The Nimble Needle was great. In addition to going thru the stitch guides, we planned the custom canvas of Susan's dog, Brandy; a second custom painting by Labors of Love Needlepoint. We also created a game plan for Laura's Tropical Santa stocking by Tapestry Tent.

Day 1
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

I had a lovely dinner at a Portuguese restaurant called Emidio's Restaurant. The long-distance stitching travelers joined me (Marilyn, Terrie, Katie and Alice). Good find and what a good time!

Tropical Sangria at Emidio's Restaurant
Sandy Springs, GA

Day 2 at The Nimble Needle was just as delightful as Day 1. One of my favorite stitches, which I call 3-2-3 Units, turned out to be a good background stitch for the Abstract Leaves.

Abstract Leaves by Treglown Designs
stitch guide by Robin King

a very useful stitch, indeed!

Day 2
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Best way to end the day. Dinner with friends. Dessert, too. 4 spoons, please. And a coffee. Yes, the chocolate bag holding the dessert was TOTALLY edible. 😊

Delicious dessert to share with friends.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks

Day 3 at The Nimble Needle was the complete trifecta. It was good seeing my friends on this trip. Judy worked her magic on the Dragonfly's wing. Cheri's Kite will soon be ready for its maiden voyage. Jean's Hummingbird is going to look snazzy with a Cast-on Bullion Flower Hat.

Applique Flair is a very important technique to know.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Kites by Jane Nichols • 911 on 13 mesh
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cast-on Bullions give that extra dimensional pizzazz.
Stitch guide by Robin King

Day 3
The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Months of preparation over in an instant. I couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful staff at The Nimble Needle. Stacy Brown, you have a fabulous team. Vance, Linda, Mark, Jan, Jenne, and Charlsie... you are the best! 💜

I will be returning to The Nimble Needle three times in 2018: February 11-12; April 21-23, and October 20-22. Call the shop to reserve your seat for either a help session or a stitch guide session. Seats are limited. (404) 843-8687. Would love to see you.

My next/last teaching destination for this year is at the The Needle Bug in Montgomery, AL. Lots to do between now and then before the next airplane goes wheels up. 😊

Have stitch guide... will travel. 🛧🛩

Until the next time...  Hugs, Robin

The Nimble Needle-Atlanta experience - part 1

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

I wanted to let you know about the wonderful time I had teaching at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta last month. I was there for 3 days... action-packed fun-filled days.

The Nimble Needle
Sandy Springs, GA

The first day was what we called the "Help is on the Way" class. People came in with their work-in-progress canvases and asked my help... getting stitch suggestion for certain areas on their canvas. The day was divided up into appointments by the hour. It was a most productive day.

The second and third days were "Canvas Enhancement" classes. By definition, the canvases had been previously sent to me to write a detailed stitch guide.

The suggested threads were pulled (with fabulous teamwork from The Nimble Needle-Atlanta) so when it was each person's turn, I was able to talk with them about the complete stitch guide vision.

There were 8 canvases on the first day and 8 canvases on the second day.

We had a funny, yet effective, way of keeping time: we used the clock feature on the Smart Phone. When the bell rang, it was time to move onto the next person. Kind of like Speed Dating? LOL.

Here are some of the beauty shots of the canvases with their thread layouts:

Lawn Mowers • Ewe & Eye • EWE 259
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Melons and Peaches • Colors of Praise • FF111
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

The Fourth • Sandra Gilmore • SG-18-295
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Bunny with Flower • Maggie Co.  • M-919
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Approaching the Skies • Quail Run • QR-020A
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Cookies • Maggie Co. • M-1206
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Tree Tallit Bag • Sew Much Fun
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Pagoda Birdhouse • Melissa Prince Designs • A134
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

These canvases were also there for the Canvas Enhancement classes...

Who Gives a Hoot? • JP Designs  • DDB 003
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Slippers • Colors of Praise • MC226
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Large Tulip Field 2 and Small Tulip Field 1 • Jean Smith • 169B and 169C
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Stand Up Santa • Alexa • SC 112
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

Witch Tree Skirt • Melissa Shirley Designs • MSD 552
Stitch Guide available from Robin King

I showed some demonstrations of the Colonial Running Rose for the Flower Pot in front of the Boylan's Pub...

It is always fun to do a demonstration.

and the Twisted Lazy Daisy for one of the Witch's Hair on the Witch Tree Skirt...

Love to show and share what I know.

Dining was a treat as well. We went to Table & Main located in Roswell, GA. Their slogan: Simple, Seasonal, and Southern. Definitely worth going.

Another meal was at Seed located in Marietta, GA. Remember I've mentioned my fondness for clever restroom signage? Seed did not disappoint. Here's an example of the chairs; the legs are hand-dipped in red paint...

Seed Restaurant

... and so are the restroom signs... very clever.

Seed Restaurant

Seed Restaurant

The pinnacle meal was at Bacchanalia located in Atlanta, GA whose offering was a five-course prix fixe menu composed of two small appetizer courses, an entrée course, cheese course and dessert course. Oh, my goodness. I selected the Chocolate Cake with Mint Ice Cream for dessert. I can still taste the freshly picked naturalness of the Mint.

Dessert at Bacchanalia

I'll be back to The Nimble Needle-Atlanta the first week in February 2014 for more "Help is on the Way" and "Canvas Enhancement" classes. Their canvases have already started to roll in... so far both are Charley Harper designs. What a treat!

I have more to share with you about The Nimble Needle-Atlanta adventure. The stitchers brought in their finished pieces from my previous "Canvas Enhancement" class in April. Let's do it next time, OK?

Wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Nutcracker
Christian Ulbricht

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

New Pumpkin Club at The Nimble Needle-Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Have you seen the newest Club offered from The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs, GA?

Want to join the Pumpkin Club?
The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

It is the Pumpkin Club by Labors of Love featuring the Small, Medium, and Large Pumpkins; stitched by Stacy Brown (owner of The Nimble Needle-Atlanta).

Stacy has offered many clubs through out the years. You can see them on here website by clicking on Previous Monthly Clubs as well as their Current Monthly Clubs.

The Pumpkin Club is delivered bi-Monthly: April, June, and August 2013. The Small Pumpkin is going out now; the Medium Pumpkin is going out in June, and the Large Pumpkin is going out in August.

As a Pumpkin Club member you get the Canvas, Stitch Guide, Threads and Embellishments. Here are the details. Tax/shipping charges applied.

• Small Pumpkin measures 9" x 4". Club Cost is $95. Starts April 2013.
• Medium Pumpkin measures 10" x 5½". Club Cost in $105. Starts June 2013.
• Large Pumpkin measures 12" x 7". Club Cost is $115. Starts August 2013.

Canvas, Threads and Stitch Guide... oh, my!
The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Here's a twist about the Pumpkin Club: Want to work with the threads and beads in your stash? You can still do the Pumpkin Club.

• Small Pumpkin canvas $49 plus $10 guide.
• Medium Pumpkin canvas $54 plus $10 guide.
• Large Pumpkin canvas $58 plus $10 guide.

How cool is that?  Stacy is very generous. She just wants everyone to have a good time stitching.

Now, let's talk about the Stitch Guide. Stacy asked me if I would do the charting from her diagrams. How quick do you think I said yes? Of course, I would LOVE to do the charts. Stacy's research of stitches, usage of threads, and surprise elements along the way made for a fun stitch guide. I learned so many new stitches from her. Stacy Brown is quite the creative lady.

Screen Shot of the Stitch Guide layout
The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Call The Nimble Needle - Atlanta to join their Labors of Love Pumpkin Club (404) 843-8687. The three kits are affordable, clever and everyone knows a display of three looks great. Plus, Halloween is six months away. Boo!

Until the next time... Hugs, Robin

Teaching (again) at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Back from recent travels to The Nimble Needle - Atlanta.  What a fun time. Stacy Brown is a lovely shop owner. I was so pleased to be asked to return to her shop for another teaching engagement.

Teaching at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

I taught the Thistle to an eager crowd of 10 plus ghosts. Inventive Turkey Work, Felt Applique, and fun composite stitch techniques were shared.

Inventive Turkey Work creates a fun Thistle

Everyone had a good time and really enjoyed the size of the canvas: 3.5" x 5.5" on 18 mesh by Zecca. If we had another day together, they would have totally finished the entire project. Sweet.

Want to stitch your own Thistle? Just ask your Favorite Needlepoint Shop to order it from Zecca. My stitch guide comes with the canvas.

Saturday and Sunday were Canvas Enhancement days at The Nimble Needle. Each person (8 per day) pre-selected a canvas for me to "zhuzh" up. What a fun selection, don't you think?

Day One Canvas Enhancement at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Day Two Canvas Enhancement at The Nimble Needle - Atlanta

Here are some of the canvases from Saturday with thread selections...

Christmas Fairies Stocking
Susan Roberts - TTAXS336

Daffodils Watercolors
Marcy Covington - 1212

Hooter Baby Owl C
dede Ogden - ED 17081 C

Peacock - Red Leaves
Maggie Co. - 1599

Here are some of the canvases from Sunday with thread selections...

Birch Bark and Birds
Treglown Designs - HC B186

Blue Bird
Maggie Co. - 1488 

Hibiscus in Pot
Melissa Shirley Designs - 867-A

Mom Knows Best
Maggie Co. - 1587

NOEL Acorns
Melissa Shirley Designs - 1515

Owl
DC Designs - 8116

Sunflower Rooster
Alice Peterson Co. - 2314

Three Striped Pots
Maggie Co. - 1457

Aren't beauty shots fun? I do believe everyone enjoyed themselves. I can't wait to see their stitching progress.

If you have these canvases and are interested in my stitch guides... just let me know. Email me: creativecats@comcast.net

I've been home a week, and have been working on other projects: writing stitch guides, stitching models, and answering emails. Oh, and giving many hugs to the Mews. Now, that's a full time job. LOL.

Leo says "Keep Calm and Take a Nap." Smart cat.

Thanks for visiting the blog. Until the next time... Hugs, Robin