12 new stitch guides from Robin King

Hi Everybody.... Robin here.

I have finally emerged from the Cone of Silence! So sorry to have been away so long. Nothing going on but teaching, traveling, taxes, and writing stitch guides.

I'm traveling back tomorrow to The Nimble Needle - Atlanta for another weekend of Canvas Enhancement classes. Lucky me.

Here are the 12 new stitch guides for their class featuring designers including Charley Harper, Susan Roberts/Liz Tapestry Tent, Labors of Love, Melissa Shirley Designs, Devon Nicholson Designs, The Collection Designs, Maggie Co, Ewe and Eye & Friends, Sandra Gilmore, Lani Needlepoint Designs, and Janis Mattox/CBK Collections. If that's not eclectic... I don't know what is!!! 😊

new Robin King stitch guides

new Robin King stitch guides

Ever need a stitch to drift and show movement? Try the Movement Stitch. I have it charted with each row separated by 1 canvas thread.

Movement Stitch
charted by Robin King

I've found another good Instant Pot recipe: Cheeseburger Pasta. Be sure to check out the "365 days of Slow Cooking + Pressure Cooker" website for daily do-able tasty recipes.

Here's the link: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com

Well, time to finish packing. Thanks for visiting the blog. I promise I won't be gone so long.

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Robin, new stitch guides and 365 Days of Recipes

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'm packing my books, stitch guides, pens, paper, readers/magnifying glasses to teach Canvas Enhancement classes at The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs, GA this weekend.

new Robin King stitch guides

So, no blogging for me on Sunday. I will catch up with you when I get home. 😊

But, I did want to mention a nice blog compliment I received when I was teaching at Canvas, a needlepoint adventure in Montgomery, AL last month.

It was at the Meet 'n Greet and a lady came up to me and said, "Your blog has been very helpful for me." I humbly said, "Thank you." She then said, "The needlepoint content is nice, but your discussion about the Instant Pot was life changing."  I smiled and said, "I know, right!" ... I was so pleased to find another fan of the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot... a stitcher's best friend.

So all of this to say... I found a fabulous website to follow. It is called "365 Days of Slow Cooking + pressure cooking."

Here's the link: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com 

The recipes are wonderful and Karen (the blogger) offers both Slow Cooker/Crock Pot and Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker versions of the same recipe. Brilliant!

Wonderful recipes!

You can sign up to get daily emails. Recent offerings include Instant Pot Chicken Margherita Pasta... Sausage Pepperoni Spinach Ravioli... Broccoli Cheddar Soup reminiscent of Panera Bread's broccoli cheddar soup. YUM! Her recipe library is inspiring with easy to follow recipes. Great photos, too.

If you want to review my previous Instant Pot writing, click here.

Here's a stitch for you, too.  Happy Valentines Day to all.

Well, until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Robin and the Winter/Christmas stitch guides

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

For those of us in the northern hemisphere: Happy Winter Solstice! And, in keeping with tomorrow: wishing you the best Christmas Joy.

I was visiting my family (Mom, 2 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law, 3 cats) last weekend; thus the reason for no blog. (Did you miss me? 😊) On Sunday, I was back at the LEX airport waiting for a plane that never arrived from ATL due to their untimely mess. All was good with me. I called my family and they gave me another night's stay. My Memphis departure was 6:25AM Monday, this time thru LaGuardia. Talk about a Manhattan Transfer! I made it home on Monday afternoon. All was good.

I have compiled a list of my Winter/Christmas 🎄 themed stitch guides. Aren't they festive?

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Melissa Shirley Designs

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Kelly Clark, Zecca, Burnett & Bradley,
Alexa, Amanda Lawford, Associated Talents,
Anne Brinkley, Annie Lane

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
CBK Needlepoint, Chris Roberts-Antieau,
dede Ogden, Eye Candy Needleart,
Kirk & Bradley, Labors of Love Needlepoint

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Labors of Love Needlepoint,
Maggie Co, Melissa Prince Designs,
The Meredith Collection, Painted Pony Designs,
Raymond Crawford, Rebecca Wood Designs

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Rebecca Wood Designs,
Rishfeld  Designs, Sandra Gilmore,
Machelle Somerville

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Susan Roberts/Tapestry Tent

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Susan Roberts/Tapestry Tent,
Strictly Christmas

Robin King stitch guides - Winter/Christmas
Shelly Tribbey, Brenda Stofft,
Julie Mar & Friends, Sew Much Fun

If you are interested in any of my stitch guides, you can email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

While visiting my family, I took a photo of Midge's tree. It is very beautiful and is a resplendent showcase for all of the needlepoint ornaments she stitched over the years.

Needlepoint ornaments from top to bottom.

Here is a closeup so you could see an example of her finished Light Bulb ornament. Very clever.

The finished Light Bulb ornament is all its glory.

The Willow Stitch Variation (\) could be a nice Light Bulb ornament stitch. Just turn the diagram so it runs north-south.

Here's a stitch for you!

Another fun Light Bulb ornament stitch would be from the Byzantine family. Imagine how clever you will be when you use only threads from your stash!

Here's a stitch for you!

My Christmas to-do list is just about finished; a wee bit of baking and then I will be done.  😊😋

Until the next time... HUGS!  Robin

Some of Robin's Favorite Christmas Things

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

We are in the 2-week countdown until Christmas 🎄. Yikes! How's it going for you?

I thought I'd get into the Christmas mood and share with you a few of my favorite things.

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First up is this delightful stocking stitched and finished by Fran Tylavsky.  The canvas name is Woodland Territorial Santa (TTAXS440) from Susan Roberts Needlepoint; artist, Liz Goodrick-Dillon. Fran attends my local needlepoint classes at Stitchers Inc in Memphis, TN. She recently became a first-time grandmother, and William is the lucky boy for this stocking.

William is a very lucky boy!
Lovingly stitched by Gran Fran.

Fran stitched and finished this stocking this year... in only 8 months (our first class time was April 1, 2017) all while still working her full time job! Here's one of my photos from our class taken 04/01.

Woodland Territorial Santa
TTAXS440

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Here's one of my favorite things: Teri Ambriz Snowflake Design.

Teri does Snowflakes right!

Teri is a member of the Facebook Needlepoint Nation, and she is a very prolific stitcher. One of her finished pieces had this delightful background. I diagramed it and it is now part of my stitch guide repertoire. Thanks, Teri for your inspiration!

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Every holiday/season needs a special cocktail, and my favorite December go-to is from Chef Mario Batali.

Persephone cocktail
One of my favorite things!

It's called Persephone and has 4 wonderful ingredients: Gin, Rosemary simple syrup, pomegranate juice, and a squeeze of lime.  The Gin & Rosemary play nice together, and the Pom color is very festive. Don't be afraid of making the Rosemary Simple Syrup. It really is simple and Chef Mario includes the how-to, too. Here's the link to Mario's website. http://www.mariobatali.com/recipes/persephone/  It's a must have for those who do.  😊

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Need a quick little stitch? Try the Christmas Trees! Very festive.🎄

A stitch for you!

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Last, but not least: Christmas Lights. Brilliant idea.💡

Christmas Light by Midge King

My sister, Midge, designed and stitched a bunch of these for her Christmas tree. She used the same stitch different across the color families.

Christmas Lights by Midge King

Once done, then she selected another stitch pattern and made another set. Great way to work with your stash. Here's another idea: you could even make the Lights from the threads of your project you worked during the year. 😊

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Well, that's all for now. Would love to hear from you.

Until the next time. HUGS!  Robin

Robin teaches at the Bristly Thistle, FL

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've traveled 2265.6 miles since I last blogged. First, I went to the Bristly Thistle on Amelia Island, FL.

1477.2 miles round trip

Then 5 days later, I went to The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA.

788.4 miles round trip

Thank you Delta airlines 🛩 for smooth, safe flights. It has been a fun couple of weeks. I'd like to share my journeys... let's begin at the Bristly Thistle.

Bristly Thistle
811 Beech Street
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
(904) 729-4020
www.BristlyThistle.com

The Bristly Thistle is on Amelia Island in the town of Fernandina Beach, just north of Jacksonville, FL. Michele Herron is the owner. Gracie and Max are the sweetest shop pups; Portuguese Waterdogs.

Bristly Thistle
Thread Room

Bristly Thistle
Thread Room and a visiting Trunk Show

Bristly Thistle
Gracie and Classroom

We had three days of canvas enhancement classes. New stitch guides were written; plus there were also help sessions. Lunches were delicious every day! And, did I mention the artisan Chocolate shop a few blocks away?!! Island life is good. 😊

Coffee Pot and Anemones • EW109
stitch guide by Robin King

Lemons  • AOG 106
stitch guide by Robin King

Loon • MSD 1827
stitch guide by Robin King

Mason Jars Christmas • ETC C-509
stitch guide by Robin King

Steampunk Owl • B-349
stitch guide by Robin King

Steampunk Witch • B-399
stitch guide by Robin King

Winter Sheep • DP-LS08
stitch guide by Robin King

Cat Carson Western Scout • HC-C21
stitch guide by Robin King

Melody's help session focused working on the Steampunk Mouse (B-347). We discussed the Pumpkin, Mouse, Background Sky and Umbrella.  We have a good game plan going.

Steampunk Mouse (B-347)

Linda worked on Sunflower Basket (MLT379) for her help session. We discussed the Basket, Sunflowers, Butterfly, Leaves, and the Background. Linda also learned the Stumpwork technique to make her first Flower Center. Big smiles! 😊

Sunflower Basket (MLT379)

Here's a fun stitch to try the next time you have a Border 3 threads tall.

a stitch for you!

I had a lovely time teaching at the Bristly Thistle and look forward to my return visit next year. 

Bristly Thistle 2017
Canvas Enhancement classes with Robin King

Give Michele a call to sign up for the 2018 canvas enhancement classes. Seats are limited. You will enjoy your time on the Island. 🌴 (904) 729-4020.

Must visit Pablo's when you are on the Island!
#bestChileRelleno  #deliciousMargaritas

Next blog we will visit The Nimble Needle in Sandy Springs (Atlanta), GA. 

Until then... Hugs, Robin