Felting Childhood Memories

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I treated myself to a birthday present: a book called Pocketful of Posies, A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor. I don't remember where I first saw this book; surely, on someone's blog. Amazon.com has this book as well as her other Felt enhanced books. Check them out here.

excerpt from Pocketful of Posies by Salley Mavor

It was fun getting re-acquainted with my Childhood Nursery Rhymes. Some I remembered... some I never knew. The Felt Work and Embroidery is enchanting. It really spoke to my heart. Such a talented lady, Salley Mavor.

I've done some Felt work attached to my needlepoint. Have you? It's fun to do. Not too expensive. I've used the Craft Felt from the craft/art store; I've used the Weeks Dye Works Wool Felt, too. I'd like to share some of my pieces with you.

Felt Dolls added to Nutcracker Santa's Bag
Design by Dmarj

Pumpkin Head made from Felt with Embroidered Features
Design by Melissa Shirley Designs

Indian Girl and Felt Doll
Series stitched by Maelyse Webb/ Memphis, TN
Design by Rebecca Wood
Robin made the Indian Girl for Maelyse

Kitty Bra and Tap Pants
Felt Bra
Design by SharonG

Add some Felt to your needlepoint and reconnect with your childhood.

Thanks, Robin

Harvest Fairy Update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's the day before Thanksgiving. Peggy and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Things have been quiet in Needlepoint Study Hall, but I've got some fun news to share with you. Look at the awesome cover art Melissa Shirley (her very self) designed for my Harvest Fairy Stitch Guide. Thrilled and honored, indeed.

My Stitch Guide will be available from Melissa Shirley Designs once the Harvest Fairy canvas (MSD DM-09) is released at the January 2011, TNNA Market in Long Beach, CA. Just imagine seeing your name amongst the needlepoint rock stars who have written Stitch Guides for Melissa Shirley's canvases: Wendy Harwood, Cynthia Thomas, Amy Bunger, etc... How cool is that? You can see the current list of Melissa Shirley Designs Stitch Guides here.

Enjoy your family and friends tomorrow; we are thankful for you. We will be in touch soon.

Thanks, Robin

Cats and Dogs

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

This morning I have been adding new items to Amy's website...

Custom Stitch Guides. This new group of canvases reminded me of something Amy once said: 

• Dog owners want to stitch a canvas that looks like their dog. 
• Cat owners will stitch any cat.

"Poodle on Couch" by Amanda Lawford (CC 148)

"Cat on Couch "  by Needle Crossings (#3130) 

That Amy-ism got me thinking about my own selection of Cat and Dog canvases. Back in the day, I owned Golden Retrievers. I wasn't doing needlepoint at that time; thus no dog canvases.  However, even now when I go to Market, my eyes gravitate towards any Golden Retriever canvas. Funny.

Now I own cats. You've heard me mention them. I have stitched a cat or two in my day... with more waiting for me in the Works in Progress (WIP) pile. You, too?

Here are some photos of my finished or almost finished cat canvases. Quite an eclectic group... just like my cats at home. Enjoy the week. We'll be in touch, soon. Thanks, Robin

Boots Bailey 7026

Charley Harper canvas... inspired by Jules

Black Cat in Red Chair... inspired by Mow

Chat Blanc (MSD J106)

Good Mews (MAG 364)

Sunday Night's Bullions

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope all is good with you. I'm watching The Food Network:  The Next Iron Chef... and stitching... for ME.

Yes, the Harvest Fairy is done. I re-did her lips. At first, she was looking like the poster child for Collagen injections-gone-wrong.... now, she looks like a Glam-Fairy. I've got her Stitch Guide typed and charted. Next is adding her photos. This week she's going to the finisher! (Big relief.)

So, for tonight's simple pleasure, I have returned to the Kathy Schenkel, Mr. Mummy. Last time you saw the Mr. Mummy was during my roadtrip to Nashville. (Since then, I have finished 2 projects for the January 2011 TNNA classes.) I'm reserving tonight... pour MOI.

I've beaded the STAR and finished the BORDER. Next, I'm going to Bullion Knot the Spider Legs using Frosty Rays. They will be off of the canvas (almost 3-D, if you will) so I will now need to go back and fill in the previous open guides for the legs.

For those who shy-away from Bullion Knots (and why do you? with all of the available resources... including Amy's DVD #1, Tips, Hints + Knots... and other online websites, they aren't hard... REALLY!), I'm going to attempt a pictorial tutorial for the Bullion Spider Legs. It's a great Knot to have in our arsenal... so please, don't think you can't do them. You can!

Have you been following The Next Iron Chef? Guilty pleasures, for sure. With their encouragement, tonight, I made a Penne with Ground Turkey, Onions, Garlic, Tomato Sauce for dinner. Yummy, with leftovers, too.

Well, Bailey just walked into the room. Need to go hug a Kitten.

Peggy should be back this week. Sure have missed her.  Thanks, Robin

News and Mower News

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Hope everyone's Halloween was their best, ever.

Looks like Melinda's Bride Z. Illa and Zomme B. Groom came back from the finisher. Awesome! You can see them on her blog as well as the group shot (including Stirha and Frank) on her mantle. Great job, Melinda.

My head has been down; blinders on... stitching on the Harvest Fairy. Deadlines, I tell you... deadlines. But... I am so pleased to say... she's DONE. Tonight I will begin writing her Stitch Guide. She's a cutie, if I say so, myself. I do hope her handlers (Melissa Shirley and Debbie Mumm) are equally pleased. Fingers crossed.

The TNNA website has posted the two classes I will be teaching at the Long Beach 2011 Winter Market.  Here's the link to the Zecca/Bird & Worm class (8AM - 10AM, Saturday, January 8, 2011).  Here's the link to the Melissa Shirley/Debbie Mumm/Harvest Fairy class (8AM - 10AM, Sunday, January 9, 2011).

(If you click on the links you can see a preview of the canvases... I'm not saying... I'm just saying!)

Each class has limited seats of 20; open to the Needlepoint Shop owners attending the Market. So, if you know someone who will be attending the Market... give them the heads-up about my classes. Regular Registration for TNNA members is now open thru December 16, 2010... then the price goes up. It's an affordable class and it comes with an awesome Thread Kit.

My Stitch Guides will be available from Zecca and Melissa Shirley Designs... talk about your powerhouses! It is really an honor to stitch their designs. Here's an excerpt from one of the stitch guides: the Oak Leaf. I thought, being that it is November 02... it would be a fun thing to share with you in the Needlepoint Study Hall. Enjoy!

Here's some more news... the day after the Market, I will be traveling to Needle In A Haystack (Montrose, CA) to teach a one-day class, NeedleDeeva's Heart #150G. How exciting is that! Here's their website so you can see the announcement of my class. Jody, the owner, is a wonderful lady, and I am most excited for this opportunity. For those of you within the sound of this blog, come join me at the Needle In a Haystack (Montrose, CA), Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Have you noticed the title of this blog entry: News and Mower News... I'll explain. This summer, during grass cutting season, Pat went to get some Mower gas. He also got some gasoline for his car. There were 2 same-day credit card charges reflecting these transactions. Everything was fine. The next day, he got a courtesy phone call from the Credit Card company; they noticed the transactions. They asked him, "Were you shopping at the QuickMart?" "Yes," he replied. "I got Gas." They said, "and then..." He said, "I got Mower Gas." The Credit Card person thought he was being a smart-a##... but actually, it was a case of mistaken "Southern Drawl." He said Mower Gas.... their heard More Gas. We laugh about it, even today... bwahahhahaha.

Well, we will try to not be such strangers this month. Peggy says things are getting better and thanks for all of your thoughts.  Best news, ever. Thanks, Robin

Hear Ye... Hear Ye...

Hi Eveybody... Robin here.

I'm the Town Crier today... it's my pleasure to spread the word.

First of all, here's a message from Amy regarding the Eyelashes for the Haunted House:

• "The eyelashes that I used are the ones in the upper right-hand corner of her picture. They will all look good but people always want to know which ones." -- Amy Bunger

Also, in the comment section of Cat Walk, Melinda had a question about the Peyote Beading on Dr. A's coffin. I am posting Melinda's question with Amy's answer as it might be helpful for others when they get to that point of their stitching:

• Melinda:  "This is off topic but I am struggling with the peyote beading on Dr. Acula's coffin. I understand the concept of what we are doing with each row of beading but I can't translate that into actually doing it. My beads on the second row will not stay in place at all. After about 4 attempts tonight on the second row, I am just not "getting it". Amy's instructions are quite detailed but if there are any other suggestions or hints, I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks!"

• Amy Bunger:  "The second row of the peyote beading is the hardest. I also had problems keeping the line straight. Will try to give advice from memory. Put a finger of your left hand under the string of beads to lift them off of the canvas and help to stabilize them. Aim the needle up or down away from the beads as you slide it through each bead on the return trip. Hang in there....I really mean it, the second row is totally the hardest to do. In row three the beads stay pretty much where they are supposed to, making it a piece of cake. After row three I wished that there were more rows to work!"

In my world, last evening I stitched the Harvest Fairy's wings. Today I am working on her face.  She is looking pretty good. Once I got her dress and boots finished, she started to have confidence in me and eased up her attitude. 

preview of Harvest Fairy

Just as a reminder, the Harvest Fairy is the new Melissa Shirley/Debbie Mumm canvas (MSD DM-09) which will be released in the January 2011 TNNA Long Beach Winter Market. I will be teaching her canvas at the Market, as well as my Stitch Guide will be available through Melissa Shirley Designs.

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the weekend. Thanks, Robin

Been so long...

Hello everybody,

Sorry to be away so long.  And just when things were getting better, my mom is back in the hospital.  But the prognosis is good.

My thanks to Robin for keeping the blog exciting.  And I recommend you follow Melinda's blog to keep on track.  Thanks Melinda!

Take care,
Peggy