Halloweenies update

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

At the TNNA Market in Columbus, I had the chance to see the newest Halloweenies from Kelly Clark, Elvira Spida. She is quite a looker. Let's hear it for the Full Figures Girls! WhOO!

Elvira Spida • Kelly Clark Needlepoint

To refresh the memory of Needlepoint Study Hall Blog readers, Amy Bunger stitched 8 of the Halloweenies pieces through her Home Study. You can read all about the specific Halloweenies postings on this blog by clicking on the HALLOWEENIES topic list or by clicking on their individual names.

Katt Z. Witch • KCN 9125
Stitch Guide by Robin King available.

I stitched Katt Z. Witch (KCN 9125) and wrote her stitch guide. Anyone (Retail Shops or needlepoint customers) interested in purchasing the Katt Z. Witch stitch guide can email me at creativecats@comcast.net.

Dr. Acula • KNC 9131

Linda finished Dr. A. Doesn't he look great. Be sure to read all about it on the Stitching Sisters blog. Here's the link: http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/doctor-is-in-house.html

I read Melinda's Living the Good Life blog about recently sending more Halloweenies pieces to the  finisher. Here's the link: http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/06/looking-back-and-looking-forward.html Hope to share their photos after they are all dolled up.

Know of any more Halloweenies updates? Be sure to let me hear from you. Thanks, Robin

The Photographer's Best Friend

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

It's the 300th blog posting for Needlepoint Study Hall blog. Who knew Peggy and I had so much to talk about?

I wear many hats: designing and managing websites, writing stitch guides, teaching and photography. Through all of those tasks, I had a constant companion... Elliot, the Cat.

Elliot loved to be in the spot light; the center of attention. So, when there was a needlepoint canvas or needlepoint model to be photographed, Elliot was right there. He liked the lights, the camera, and the action.

Here are some photos of Elliot's best work.

Elliot will be missed. He was the photographer's best friend. Thanks, Robin

Glow in the Dark Threads

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

Ghost is finished. Here is your first viewing of him. He is the 6th character from NeedleDeeva's Creepy Characters club/series (ND 0467-F).

I used Glow in the Dark threads for each of the Creeps... except for The Devil.  Mostly, I used the DMC Glow in the Dark E940 floss. It is a nice thread to use because it is stranded and works beautifully with the laying tool.

I've used other Glow in the Dark threads in the past. After all, my passion is Halloween.

Kreinik has a nice assortment; these are from my stash. Kreinik's Glow in the Dark collection is available in sizes 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, 1/8" ribbon, 1/16" ribbon and Blending Filament. Sweet!

Rainbow Gallery introduced their Neon Rays Plus Glow in the Dark NP300 at the Columbus Market. I was fortunate to stitch with it on the Ghost. YEOW! It's awesome. Works beautifully, too. Rainbow Gallery also has another Glow in the Dark thread called Zoo Eyes (Z001) for Needlepoint: 13-18 count or Cross Stitch: 7-11 count. The things I have learned while stitching the Creepy Characters!

Here is a group shot of available Glow in the Dark threads.

So, what do you think? Might give it a try? Thanks to all of the awesome thread companies. You know how to put the fun into stitching. Oh, yes... here's the Ghost, too.

This week the Ghost goes off to be finished. Won't they be surprised. Thanks, Robin

Creepy Characters Group photos

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I've been tying up loose ends from Market and began Phase Two of Creepy Characters deadlines. All stitch guides must be written and printed by July 31st. The Ghost must be stitched and sent off for finishing. Hooty Owl must leave the nest and fly to Oregon for his Needlepoint Now debut.  Lots to do.

Yesterday, I photographed the Creeps both individually and as a group. The group shot is quite impressive, don't you think?

The ornaments were finished by Elizabeth Turner Collection in Lexington, KY. Boy, was I pleased. Each one has its own color of moire and twisted cord trim complimenting the piece. And, I LOVE the ribbon. ETC is the best!

It's a fun surprise when you turn the ornament over to see what color is on the backside. You can sign up with your local needlepoint shop to join the Creeps. You can stitch them all on a monthly plan or just pick out your favorites. I carried many of the threads from kit to kit. We've got over 30 participating Retailers and the list is growing. You can see the info on the new NeedleDeeva website, www.needledeeva.com

Here's the link: http://www.needledeeva.com/creepy_characters.html

Oh, I forgot... one more deadline: teaching Fraidy Cat at the TNNA Fall Market in Baltimore, August 12, 2011. For those shop owners attending, come take the class (FT201). It will be a fun time, indeed.

Well, time for more morning coffee and putting the finishing stitches on the Ghost. He's so cute!  Thanks, Robin

Driving through the SNOW

Hi Everybody... Robin here... back in Memphis.

Market was a wonderful experience. I treasure the opportunity to travel with Amy and Jill. On the drive home from Columbus to Memphis, I decided to stitch on the canvas from the Associated Talents' class I took on Sunday.

"Let it SNOW" is one of the Associated Talents seasonal message canvases. I know you have seen some of their other ones: Be Mine, Happy Halloween, Happy Easter...  It is on 13 mesh and measures 8.5"W x 4.5"H. It comes with their stitch guide; Don's ideas are cuter than cute.

In class, I began stitching the background. Carol and Sandy taught an awesome technique for twisting & couching the DMC Memory Thread spelling out the "let it."  Later that evening, I cut my lengths of Neon Rays and straightened them with my flat iron.

(Here's the link to the video I did showing that technique:  http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/03/straightening-neon-rays_27.html)

Stitching on the SNOW canvas was perfect for the drive home. The 13 mesh is very car friendly. Here's the game that I played. From Columbus to Cincinnati, I stitched on the S. Once we made it onto the other side of Cincinnati, I changed to the N. It didn't matter that I hadn't finished the S...
I was playing a game.

From Cincinnati to Louisville, I stitched on the N.

From Louisville to Nashville, I stitched on the O.

From Nashville to Memphis, I stitched on the W.

A 9-hour car ride was enjoyable and productive. Amy was productive, too. She stitched on both the H and the A of her upcoming THANKSGIVING banner for her Home Study.

Now, I am back home. Time to put SNOW down and pick up the Ghost. He is the last piece to stitch of the NeedleDeeva Creepy Characters series.
I took the finished models to the Rainbow Gallery booth to show Sally.
I asked her if Rainbow Gallery had any "glow in the dark" threads?
I was thinking about making the Ghost special but the inspiration hadn't appeared... until Sally said, "Yes, we have the NEW Neon Rays Plus Glow in the Dark thread." OMG. Can you believe that? I can't wait to use it.

Thanks for letting me share my traveling experiences with you. I'll be in touch soon. Thanks, Robin

Cats in Columbus

Hi Everybody... Robin here... in Columbus... Day 3.

Today was another fun day in the Deeva booth. More and more shop owners had thought about the Creepy Characters over night, and turned in their paperwork today to join the Club. Looks like the Deeva will be increasing the size of the upcoming Needlepoint Now magazine ad in order to list all of the participating Retailers.

I did sneak away to photograph some things with Amy and Jill. In the Maggie Co. booth, there was a new cat canvas which caught our attention. Love that comfy cat on the chair. But wait... have we seen it before?

Maggie said it was a new designer; not the same designer as the one I had stitched. Very interesting, don't you think? I'm having a déjà vu moment... how about you?

Sundance had the Lampwork Bead cat heads with painted canvas cat bodies. Too cute. Clever idea. I know not all people are cat lovers so thank you for allowing me to do so. It's been 3 days since I've hugged a cat.

Thanks, Robin

Buckeye CRUNCH

Hi Everybody... Robin here... in Columbus... Day 2.

Oooweee!  WHAT a day!  My dogs are barking!

I was in the NeedleDeeva booth all day today.  The time passed so quickly. People came in... two by two, even... with interest about the Creepy Characters. Many Needlepoint Stores are signing up. The Deeva is thrilled.

Today's show closed at 6PM. Tonight's rested evening was wonderful. We ordered a pizza and had Buckeye Crunch for dessert.

Buckeye CRUNCH

Buckeye Crunch? Have you heard about it?  It's Peanut Butter & Chocolate Carmel Corn... OMG! I never knew that was possible. Jill and Amy stumbled upon it at the Krema Nut Company. They bought it, and we devoured it. A Columbus memory has been made.

I hope to venture outside of the Deeva booth tomorrow. And if I do,  I will share it with you. Thanks, Robin