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

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

The Thistle by Zecca (ZE 178) - part 2

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

The Thistle is at the framer. Getting all dolled up for the TNNA debut.

Thistle • Zecca (ZE 178)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Tom Clifton, owner of T. Clifton Art in Memphis, is who I like to use. He has framed several of my other needlepoint pieces:

Kitty Bra and Tap Pants • SharonG (BT 50-42)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Sunflower and Berries • NeedleDeeva (ND 309)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Flowers in a Vase • NeedleDeeva (ND 311)
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Each time I go to T. Clifton Art, I clear my mind of any pre-conceived notions about frame choices. I let Tom's creative talents take the wheel. This time, we went Plum Eggplant for the frame and Gator Green for the liner. A very rich combination, indeed.

Again, prior to being framed, I gave myself some "extra" room outside the design area for the frame to attach. Especially with the Thistle art so close to the design edge... breathing room was needed.

I stitched across 9 canvas threads and once the frame is attached, about 4 canvas threads might be showing. Bonus: the extra border was very helpful covering my beginning/ending threads.

9 extra threads to give some breathing room for framing.

Notice my choice in magnet? The Sunflower. Guess what?.. the Thistle is in the Sunflower family. Who knew?!!

The Thistle has fun threads, too:  Splendor, DMC Perle Cotton size 8, Petite Sparkle Rays, Belle Soie Silk Floss, Neon Rays, Kreinik, and Sundance Beads & Sequins.

This Zecca canvas measures 3.5" x 5.5" on 18 mesh. It was a satisfying project to do.

Composite stitches, Turkey Work and Appliqued Felt
Stitch Guide by Robin King

Time to write the Teaching Manual and begin printing stitch guides. After that, will be the assembling  the donated Thread Kits. Let you favorite needlepoint shop owner know (who is attending TNNA/Long Beach) there are still seats available for my class on Sunday, February 3. They will also be able to stop by the Zecca booth and order the Thistle canvas (ZE 178). It comes with my stitch guide. Soon, you can stitch your own Thistle.

Until the next time...  Hugs, Robin

Research for Hooty

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Halloween Hooty Owl • ND 0467-i
NeedleDeeva • Creepy Characters

I have stitched the various sections on my current Creepy Characters canvas (ND 0467-i), dancing all around the center feature, Hooty, his very self. Now it's time to do some research about Owls. I think I am the last person to join the Owl craze.

It is exciting to see the number of Owls available in needlepoint. Here are just a few which have stood out in my mind: EyeCandy Needleart, Melissa Shirley Designs, Raymond Crawford, Zecca, and now NeedleDeeva. Hooty will be on the back cover of this fall's Needlepoint Now magazine with my Stitch Guide listed inside. How exciting.

Hoot Owl Solo • N107A
EyeCandy Needleart

Vintage Owl • MSD 1406
Melissa Shirley Designs

HO 330
Raymond Crawford

Night Owl • ZE 112
Zecca

So, I needed to do some research. I found a nice website called
The Owl Pages. The nature photos gave me inspiration to find just the right threads. So far, I am considering Fuzzy Stuff, Burmilana, and Petite Very Velvet. I will think this through, test the threads and stitches, and hopefully, do Hooty right. You will be the first to see the end results. Thanks, Robin

And So It Begins...

Hi Everybody... Robin here...

I finished stitching my Zecca/Bird & Worm canvas. I really like how it turned out. I even have the Stitch Guide typed with text, photos and stitch diagrams... 9 pages. Who knew a 6" x 3" canvas could have so much detail? ... I did! But, don't be scared of a 9-page guide; it has lots of close up photos.

Look how much we depend on Color. Guess which one thread has so much color?

No Color

Color

I will be showing more glimpses of the Bird & Worm canvas once the January 2011 Long Beach TNNA Market classes are posted on the TNNA website. Tomorrow I must begin securing the donated threads for the class kits. Oh, and may I mention... the Zecca/Bird & Worm canvas, #ZE-107 will come with my stitch guide. (Shameless plug!)

So what's next in Robin's world? The second canvas I am teaching at the January 2011 Long Beach TNNA Market, of course. Yikes! It is October, already... time to get busy!

The canvas/class mystery must continue... I am such a good secret keeper... but here's a peek:

Tonight, I am tacking the Melissa Shirley/Debbie Mumm, Harvest Fairy, DM-09 canvas to the stretcher bars. Yes, the same Debbie Mumm... Melissa Shirley's newest designer. How cool is that! And, we all know once it's attached to the stretcher bars... it's downhill from there.

It was great visiting this evening. Thanks, Robin

He's a little "Houdini"

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

We still call him Bailey but yesterday he was a little "Houdini." Bailey wiggled his Left Leg out of the cast! We immediately took him to see our regular vet. The cast was removed and Dr. Montgomery examined him. Bailey stood on all 4 legs, evenly... without any pain. It was decided to keep the cast off, and to monitor Bailey's activities by keeping him in the large carrier 24/7. He is now a happy camper. He has supervised outings but no climbing, or jumping. We are in his shadow for sure.

I promise I will not monopolize the Needlepoint Study Hall blog with kitten antics. All of your wonderful comments touched our heart. I just wanted to share our good news with you.

On the stitching side of my world, I did finish the Bird and began working on the Worm. Cute canvas, indeed. 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