The National NeedleArts Association, (TNNA)

The National NeedleArts Association, (TNNA), is a business organization dedicated to supporting the needlearts community. They need your advice and opinions, whether you are a beginner or an expert! This survey is only conducted every few years.

Please complete the 2010 NeedleArts survey at www.NeedleArts2010.net . Your input is very important and will be included in a published national report.

Your answers are anonymous. No one will use your survey responses to market to you.

In return for your participation, you will receive valuable benefits:

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Your valuable input will help the needlearts community, too:

• Advocate for more programs to support the needlearts, such as Helping Hands Needlearts Mentoring, Stitch N' Pitch, and Stitching for Literacy.
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As a thank-you for completing the survey, The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) is offering the chance to win one of five $100 needlearts store gift certificates. To enter the sweepstakes simply fill out the survey at www.NeedleArts2010.net and then click on “Sweepstakes Entry” on the page you see after submitting the survey.

The 10-minute survey asks about your experiences with the needlearts you enjoy: crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting, or needlepoint. Let us know which types of projects you prefer, the kinds of new products you want, and what you’d like to see needlearts shops do better.

The survey is sponsored by The National NeedleArts Association. Hart Business Research is conducting this survey for TNNA and compiling the results into a major national report, The State of Specialty Needlearts 2010.

Please complete the survey right away at www.NeedleArts2010.net .

Survey closes April 19, 2010.

Frank is on the way

Get ready!  He's coming your way.  Yes, some of you will be receiving the next Halloweenie character in a matter of days.  Please remember to make a good color copy of the canvas before you mount it on bars.  I think he measures 10 X 14.  So check out your stretcher bar stash.  Please read the entire guide before you begin.  Amy has not necessarily written the guide in stitch order.  Though I will start with the background as she has written first.  I think one of the coolest things about this canvas is what Amy has done with the cat.  We will talk about it as the month of April progresses.  I'm anxious to hear what you guys think about her clever idea.

I have fallen a bit behind on Stirha.  I am off the next two days and I will get as much done as I can in those two days.  But I won't let that make me hold off on starting Frank.  You guys do the same.  If you can, go on and mount up Frank because there may be some fun stitches you would enjoy doing.  We will be using a lot of the threads we have been using on Stirha.  You should keep the threads for the house separate as they will reoccur on the house and not the characters.

One more thing.  The printed guide is 12 pages long.  Then the diagrams start on a page 11...so you have two page 11's and two page 12's.  NOT TO WORRY.  It is not a problem.  Amy never refers to page numbers, just to diagram numbers.  So don't let this be a concern.

I'm off to work on the beads.  Happy stitching!

Floating Cat - Background

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Here's an update on The Floating Cat. I finished the Background and the White Stars. I chose the Pavilion Steps stitch for the background, as seen in SuZy's Portable Stitches, page 40. I liked the movement of the stitch and hadn't used it before. Plus, I am still planning some drama for the Pumpkin Balloon and the Floating Cat. I used 2 strands of Needle Necessities Inc. 113 (from my stash) and stitched over the Balloon's String. I will put that in later.

The White Stars were Basketweave Stitches using Petite Sparkle Rays PS21, and the Outline of the Stars were Fly Stitches using Sprinkles 16. I probably don't need to mention that I have a "healthy" stash.

I am posting the charting of the Pavilion Steps for you to see; the regular way and my new favorite way. Here's my story. The other day I went into the local book store and saw some new Graph Paper. It is called Whitelines from Sweden, and it is a new writing paper which "brings out everything you write and draw. The novelty is that the lines are clearly visible without disturbing what you write, which a traditional writing paper with dark lines does."

Here's their website: www.whitelines.se

I purchased a binder of Whitelines Squared for myself. Love it. So this morning when I was charting the Pavilion Steps, I did so two ways: dark lines and White Lines. You can see for yourself the visual difference.

What's next? The Pumpkin Balloon. I have recommended the technique to many. It's time I do it for myself. Enjoy the day. 

Until the next time... Robin

Wrapping up

Hi.  Just trying to wrap up the things I skipped...hair, beads and logs.  The husband is under the weather so I may be out of pocket.  Keep stitching!

Frank

I have it on good authority, (Jill), that Frank N. Stein has just about finished packing his bags.   He wants to get an early start to Canada and California.  He heard that Stirha fooled around and arrived late to some homes.  He doesn't want to have to spend the night in customs or some warehouse for several nights.  He is determined to arrive promptly and begin stitching.  He thinks he has the best outfit to stitch.  But he hasn't seen Brid Z. Illa.  She is a sight...well, just a sight.

I am so proud of Melinda.  She will be finished with Stirha A Cauldron in just a few days.  She worked a little on it every day.  Melinda, you are an inspiration.

Spiders and Rats

In case you haven't noticed, I skipped ahead to the bottom of the canvas.  The guide is not necessarily  written in stitching order.  So I will go back to the cauldron, hands, hair and fire.  Here are some pointers on the spiders.  I think my are a little large, but I'm keeping them.  Just don't get carried away wrapping the spokes.  Then on the legs.  I stitched the top and bottom legs first in order to get the spacing right.  One trick I noticed after I was finished that keeps the spiders looking the same is to make sure there are five green threads between the two bottom legs.   Two of mine have like seven threads but they are still scary.

Now on to the rat.  Make sure to follow diagram 35 for this.  You may have to cover one of the green tent stitches near his rear end to follow the pattern.  That is ok.  Just lay your stitch over it and keep going.  Amy has charted out the face of the rat very nicely for us.  Follow that chart.  After you have finished the charted diagram there will be some silver threads showing to the left of his face.  Go back and stitch these in the background color.  It makes his face really cute and tiny.  And don't forget to stitch his whiskers.

I have not yet added the dreaded bullion stitches for his ears and the gecko's tails.  I am still  practicing them on another canvas.  They may be the last thing I do on all of the canvases!  Maybe I can get a  private lesson from Amy on making bullion knots.

Have a great week!

Bottom border of blocks and green background with spiders

Robin is right.  It was a wonderful day here in Memphis.  My stitching station affords me the pleasure of looking out into our backyard.  The daffodils are coming up around this garden figure made by my Mother-in-law.  Isn't it sweet?

I got a lot done today.  And still managed to get my husband to take me out for dinner.  I worked the bottom border.  This is another case of "ignore the painted canvas".  It is a fun and easy area to stitch.   I used a size 26 Bohin tapestry needle to stitch the green corners so as not to open the holes to much.   Then I  worked on the green background that houses the geckos.  I will make spiders tomorrow.

Below you will see my helpers.  I don't know if they are just sunning under the Daylight lamp or really interested in what I am doing.  On the left is Joel and on the right is Ethan (I believe you have met Ethan before).  They are named after the film makers, Joel and Ethan Cohen.  Sometimes Joel sticks his paw down to where I am stitching.  Ethan just sits and blinks his eyes.  They are otherwise known as "the boys".

Keep stitching!