Have your Zen moment with Zecca

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

What a week! Politics aside... Mother Nature is showing us who's boss. Hang in there, Texas!!

We need a moment of Zen, and needlepoint from Zecca is just the right place to start.

Karen Hennessey creates a wonderful world of color, design and thoughtfulness. For me, it all began with "Early Bird" (ZE -107).

"Early Bird" by Zecca (ZE-107)
stitch guide by Robin King

I also stitched the "Thistle" (ZE-178) and "Lotus Squared" (ZE-134) ... small designs with lots of techniques to share. Great teachable moments! These commercial stitch guides are available thru your Local/Favorite Needlepoint stores from Zecca.

(Side note: Zecca will attend the Dallas Market on September 9th weekend. It is a Cash & Carry Market; your shop owner can bring some Zecca goodness to you. 😊)

"Early Bird" (ZE-107) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King 

"Thistle" (ZE-178 ) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King

"Lotus Squared" (ZE-134) by Zecca
Stitch guide by Robin King

I have also written many custom stitch guides for Zecca canvases... 19 so far. 😊

• Birds in Paradise 1 (ZE-344A)
• Make Stuff Be Happy (ZE-314)
• Bird Purse (ZE 208)
• Turquoise Paisley (ZE-330)
• Home is Where the Heart Is (ZE-379)
• Molting Season (ZE-280)
• Vested Owl (ZE-318)
• Winter (ZE-103)
• Fall (ZE-99)
• Summer (ZE-98)
• The Librarian (ZE-258)
• Koi Pond (ZE-326)
• Housework (ZE-322)
• Wading (ZE-341)
• Little Family (ZE-256)
• Anu (ZE-282)
• Many Birds (ZE-293)
• Peacock (ZE-262A)
• Don't Pursue Happiness... Create It. (ZE-118)

Here's some of those stitch guides finished. Love it when stitchers send me photos!

"Many Birds" by Zecca (ZE-293)
stitched by Leslie Hanna
stitch guide by Robin King

"Molting Season" by Zecca (ZE-280)
"Wading" by Zecca (ZE-341)
stitched by Alice Gertzman
stitch guides by Robin King

"Vested Owl" by Zecca (ZE-318)
stitched by Jan Stone
stitch guide by Robin King

"Little Family" by Zecca (ZE-256)
stitched by Jane Makowka
stitch guide by Robin King

"Don't Pursue Happiness... Create It." by Zecca (ZE-118)
stitched by Luanne Samson
stitch guide by Robin King

Currently, there could not be a truer message for me than this canvas called "Housework."  😀

"Housework" by Zecca (ZE-322)
stitch guide by Robin King

Last thing to show you is how finishing can enhance one's needlepoint. I finished my "Lotus Squared" canvas into a black lacquered box which was handy for traveling and teaching. Plus, I really like to have useful items, too.

"Lotus Squared" by Zecca (ZE-134)
stitch guide by Robin King

Several years ago, I taught at Ruth Schmuff's shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled. Ruth stitched the same "Lotus Squared" and had hers framed; she does love color.  What a talented lady!

"Lotus Squared" by Zecca (ZE-134)
stitched by Ruth Schmuff
stitch guide by Robin King

Well, that's all for now. Go discover Zecca and find your inner Zen. ☮

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

The Needle Bug wrap up - 2013

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Sorry to be so long to blog. Everything is fine. Just busy with deadlines.

So let's see... where were we?

I traveled to The Needle Bug (Montgomery, AL) and taught two lovely classes. The first class was The Thistle by Zecca (ZE 178). Everyone enjoyed my Neon Rays technique making The Thistle into a 3D delight. No need to compensate around this Thistle. What a dream canvas! ... and did I mention it is only 3.5" x 5.5"? Sweet.

Working The Thistle at The Needle Bug

We had a special guest in class: Marie-Therese Baker (Director of the Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts) who drove from her Kansas City home to take my class. Actually, she was at The Needle Bug the day before speaking to the local (and well attended!) Montgomery, AL ANG group about the upcoming 2014 Callaway Gardens Needle Arts event.

Marie-Therese Baker at The Needle Bug

Marie-Therese in my class. What an honor.

Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts (located in Pine Mountain, GA) is about 1 hour 35 minutes from Montgomery, and it is about 1 hour 14 minutes from Atlanta. It is certainly the "Jewel of the South" for any needle arts lover. The upcoming 2014 event (Sunday, January 12, 2014 to Wednesday, January 22, 2014) will have such famed needlearts teachers as Meredith Willett, Marnie Ritter, Phillipa Turnbull, Terry Dryden, Lois Kershner, Carole H. Lake & Michael Boren, and Joan Thomasson, to name a few. Believe me there are more teachers and classes... read about them on this Course Descriptions link.

The Needle Bug brought and ran the "store" at Callaway in both 2013 and will return in 2014. Great feather in your cap, Leigh.

After The Thistle class, Leigh scheduled a Tasting event for her customers and friends at The Vintage Olive. This is a lovely locally-owned store operated by husband-wife duo, Ed and Carly Gannon. They sell Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Aged Balsamic Vinegars, Seasoning Packets, Sea Salts, Rubs, Pasta and Pesto. (Yes, you can order online, too.) A feast was prepared for our group; each dish featured their various Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, and Seasonings. We had Appetizers, Salad, Vegetables, Cornish Hens, Shrimp, Salmon, and Dessert.

Ed cooked Salmon - two ways - on his Green Egg Grill. Leigh took these photos; testimony for how good the food was.

Chef Ed at The Vintage Olive
Montgomery, AL

Our dinner is cooking at The Vintage Olive

Oh, yes... both Salmon dishes were THAT good.

For those culinary folks who are following along, here is the description for the Salmon dishes:

1. Grilled Salmon fillet with Red Apple Dark Balsamic & Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil marinade with hand-blended Coffee BBQ Seasoning blend.
2. Grilled Salmon fillet with Maple Dark Balsamic, Roasted Walnut Oil marinade & Italian Herbal Sea Salt.

The underlined words are the products from The Vintage Olive. I purchased an assortment of products and brought them home to Memphis. May I just say fresh Strawberries drizzled with Maple Balsamic Vinegar is brilliant.

The next two days at The Needle Bug were my Canvas Enhancement classes. Ten stitch guides had been written. All we needed to do was finalize the threads and stitch. Here are some of the beauty shots:

Bird in Tree (Maggie Co. M-1536)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cross (Ann Wheat Pace 101AT)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Laying down the first stitches on the Cross.

Elephant (Melissa Shirley Designs MSD 218-L)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Fetch It Yourself (Maggie Co. M-1472)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

This dog is coming to life.

Martini Glasses (The Point Of It All P224)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Stitching this canvas on 13mesh can be its own drinking game.
Say "Cheers" after you finish stitching a Martini glass.

Vintage Welcome (Mindy 25R)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Bedazzled (Maggie Co. M-1517)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Raised Stem is a fun stitch to do.

Big Bad Witch (Melissa Shirley Designs MSD 702)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Llama (dede Ogden 653)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

I had a great time at The Needle Bug. Always do. Looking forward to my next visit.

On my way home I got back to work... writing stitch guides.

Halloween Night stitch guide available soon!
Ruth Schmuff (RS 8174) by EyeCandy Needle Art

My next deadlines will be here soon. And, shameless plug, as you know... once the customer has their stitch guide, it is available for you, too. Either directly from me or through your LNS. Just email me with your inquiries: creativecats@comcast.net.

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

TNNA / Long Beach 2013 recap - part 4

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

More TNNA / Long Beach 2013 memories...

Easter Village by Melissa Shirley Designs (1627-B)

No market is complete without a visit to Melissa Shirley Designs booth. As usual, she did not disappoint. I really liked her new Villages: the Easter Village and the Halloween Village. Wouldn't each of them be fun to stitch? You can also see the Christmas Village on her website.

Halloween Village by Melissa Shirley Designs (1627-C)

The Halloween Village revisits some of Melissa's Tricky Treaters, and puts them all into one place. You remember the ones I stitched, don't you?

Tricky Treaters stitched by Robin King
Stitch Guides available.

And, Melissa expanded her Cat profiles. Look at this Cat Bird. Very clever.

Cat Bird by Melissa Shirley Designs (1633-B)

Her cats remind me of one of my "works in progress" ... a Cat Fish canvas by Boots Bailey. Hopefully, someday, I will be able to work on it again.

Boots Bailey 7026

There were new colors of Sparkles in the Sundance Designs booth. New Flower Beads, too called Fab Flowers. Just look at all of those colors and sizes. Can't wait to use these in a Stitch Guide.

new Fab Flowers by Sundance Beads

I stopped by the River Silks Ribbons booth. Met a lovely, talented Ribbon expert named Linda Hopkins. She shared with me creative ways to use their 13MM Silk Ribbon. Thanks, Linda. I can't wait to try each of these techniques.

Creative techniques from Linda Hopkins
in the River Silks Ribbon booth

Printing on River Silks Ribbons?
Oh, I am so going to try it.

But, remember, I was here at Market to do more than walk the aisles. LOL.

On Sunday, I taught the Thistle class (ZE 178) by Zecca. It was an almost sold out class: 18 out of 20. (Look at the other classes being taught at the same time... by our industry leaders. I was honored with such an attendance.)

Can you find my name? Whee....

I would like to thank the generous companies who donated their canvases/threads/ beads for the Thistle class kits:  Zecca, Crescent Colors, DMC Corporation, Kreinik, Rainbow Gallery, and Sundance Designs. Again, the two-hour class went by fast. Everyone was impressed with the Cut Turkey Work technique and the Appliquéd Felt. 

Who says only one thread color in the needle at a time, right? Thanks to Stacy's photo of her progress during class which was posted to her Facebook page, The Nimble Needle - Atlanta. Looking good.

Work in progress during the Thistle class 

I stopped by the Kreinik booth to show the finished Thistle. These photos are from Dena (@KreinikGirl on Twitter). Again, working all types of social media. Dena took some fun photos. Be sure to follow Kreinik on Twitter. You can follow me on Twitter, too. I am @catmom6.

Before and After of Thistle (ZE 178)

Thistle by Zecca (ZE 178)
Canvas comes with Stitch Guide by Robin King

Cute photo by @KreinikGirl
Be sure to follow Kreinik on Twitter

I have more to share with you. Visit again, why don't you. Until the next time... Hugs, Robin