Who we are and what we do.

I don't know that I've ever contributed to one of these threads, or if I have it's been quite some time ago. I'm Tegan, 47, technically single, but I consider myself widowed, as we lived together for 20 years before he passed. No kids, and one 16 year old spoiled rotten cat. I live in a small town just about half way between St. Joseph, MO and Kansas City,MO.

I've been doing cross stitch pretty much exclusively for about 15 years, and for quite a while I'd lost interest in it as well. Or maybe not interest, but enthusiasm. Having several major life changes occur over the course of one year threw my equilibrium off quite a bit. I don't think my enjoyment of stitching actually returned until the past year or so. I've done a small bit of what I would term surface embroidery over the years, but I find that for now, cross stitch is what suits me best. I watched Catherine doing some Blackwork sleeves for her DH's garb a few years ago, and was amazed at her ability to do it with no chart (or, if there was one, I never noticed it!). I aspire to learn how to do that,someday. I've tried tatting, and honestly, I can't make my fingers cooperate. Same goes for knitting. I can almost crochet comfortably, but I've never really done enough to say I do it and not feel like I'm fibbing. I think the main problem is I enjoy reading almost as much, if not more, than stitching, so I have very divided loyalties.

My main goal in regards to stitching at this point is to try very hard to finish at least one of the "big" projects I've started this year. One of my few life goals is to eventually be able to live in England. That has to wait until I no longer have any responsibilities here, though. So for now, I'm trying to move a small hill and get back over there for another visit in October. Tegan

Thanks for the information, Lucy. I know many crewel stitches but my technique could definitely be improved. Maybe in the not too distant future, a Crewel Camp outpost will be established closer to me ;-)

Pat EAXStitch said

Spew!!!

Shoot - close enough for a flying visit if you'd like! Are you flying in or driving?

Cheryl

Nancy, 52, Pittsburgh, PA. Retired programmer moved back to Pgh in 02 after

17 years in CA. Did my first sampler in Girl Scouts on gingham. Crewel in college and post-college. Did several latchhook rugs (remember Skillcraft) in the early 80s. Then found counted cross stitch. Did lots through the late 80s but let it slide leaving many UFO in my stash. About 2 1/2 years ago got started again. Have many finished but unframed projects ...need to find a framer. Had a great one when I lived in Houston. When I'm not stitching I'm taking care of the yard..with lots to do right now, with 6 trees removed this spring. I've been reading newsgroups since the early 90s but just started lurking in rctn in Dec...just before AOL dropped groups.

Can you define "fine/delicate" for me. :-) How I wish I could attend one of these! Dianne

Mickey, 31, Mansfield, MA, USA. Married to DH almost 5 yrs. No kids, but a few "dragons": Norman and Vandemeer, the bearded dragons (who can be seen at:

), and Clio, the mountain horned dragon. Work as a chemist full-time, researching potential drugs for bipolar disorder and major depression.I mainly cross stitch and knit, though I do have a small surface embroidery kit in my stash. And I have been known to crochet a thing or two. Currently, I'm working a couple of marriage samplers for friends, though my stitching time is divided between those, reading, gardening, and cooking/baking... and, of course, reading RCTN. All the best,

--Mickey

to reply: mickey18385 at yahoo dot com

(who posts under various accounts, so you may see various screen names, such as Mickey, Norman77, or Michele)

I just had lunch last week with a woman from my EGA group who only stitches Betsy's designs and goes to camp there every year. Sounds like SO much fun! I think a trip might be in my future, I always want to learn new crewel skills! Is there any site to see her designs? I didn't see them in the pics from the B&B. Thanks!

Ah, yes, a bit of poison dripped in the right spot, and that'll put ALL of you off licking your floss! :)

Rita,age 62-turning 63 on 8/31...YIKES-live in Zion,IL up ear WI border on Lake Michigan.

Used to be quite handy w/needlecrafts. Bad arthritis in hands,depression,etc made me stop til this past year.

Now I'm slowly getting back into it. Have accumulated decent "stash" of materials for projects...

Just need will to start...

Click here to feed an animal for free;

You start with something small and appealing and make one stitch. :-) There's no police around to tell you that you have to do more than one stitch. There's no good reason you have to finish. There's no time limit. Just one stitch.

Depression is a nasty disease that is often misunderstood. I hope you feel lots better very soon. I'm glad you feel well enough to make the attempt. That's a HUGE improvement. Dianne

I mostly lurk here - retired, live in Florida. love needlepoint, but in the past did my share of crochet, crewel and a little xs which I have sworn off as too irritating. Never could knit, but wish someone had forced me to learn and get good at it. I envied those gals who could whip off a sweater which didn't look homemade and dared to work in cashmere etc. Can't sew clothes either, but have a machine for mending, simple alterations, basic curtains.

val

ps; forgot to mention 2nd-and final-hubby of 13 years; 3 grown,successful children;5 grandkids-one just graduated from college last week.

I'm a former grocery store owner-from '80's-former sales rep for kellogg cereal products-present part-time customer service evaluator.

i also am owned by an 11 year-old kitty named charlie.....

Click here to feed an animal for free;

I'm a lurker also. I've been a cross stitch junkie since about 1982. I mostly stitch large projects and have them framed professionally. At last count I had 52 projects hanging on walls all over my house. I keep about 6 projects going in rotation. I'm currently stitching a Silver Lining Iris, a Jerimiah Junction pattern, a kit entitled 'Mississippi Memories', a Prairie Schooler pattern, a Barbara & Cheryl (my favorite designer) pattern of Rainbow Row, and just started a Linda Myers pattern. I have at least 50 projects in the wings but since I am pushing 65 years old, I'll have to start being picky about what I start as time could be limited from now on?

I have been retired for 1 year and loved every precious minute I've had to enjoy my hobbies of CS, computer surfing, and reading. Went to the CATS show in Davenport, IA. (I'm in western Illinois) Of course, bought

2 more patterns. Happy stitching everyone..............

I've delayed responding because most days I'm not sure who I am!

Every day I'm a mother to two wonderful daughters and wife to a very understanding husband. Most days I'm a taxi service, but I'm a cleaning service very few days, if at all. I am a 'retired' library director - I stopped full-time work because of child care concerns and now work happily from home for two libraries.

I have been stitching ever since my mother taught me as a 6 year old. I still remember this dog I did. My mother used coloured pencils to draw x's on the cloth and I stitched over in the corresponding colour. I did the same for my girls just a few years ago. As a child and teenager I did all sorts of crafts and things, but it wasn't until I was engaged and my husband got me my first reproduction sampler kit that I really got serious about needlework. I was into samplers until the girls were born, then I slowed down and started smaller things. Now that they are older (10 and 12) and require much less supervision, I'm back into needlework with a vengence.

I'm very lucky to have one great-grandmother,s band sampler and a more practical sampler that includes mending stitches and edging stitches from another great-grandmother.

Margaret Henderson Midlothian, VA

Sorry to take so long to answer this post. I have been away to see my splendid grandson.

My friend and I are driving up to NH in her car so I am reluctant to plan any side trips without her say so. This is her first visit to Betsy's and she is really looking forward to it as I am. Thanks for the thought. I have always wanted to put faces to the names of the folks who post here.

Lucy Crewelwoman

Lucy,

I am just a few miles from RT 93 and could meet you at the Cracker Barrel at exit 4!

Or Sandwich is only a hour ride for me!

Cheryl