Cross Stitch Cafe 2011

vickietm

*Louise* wrote: »

The pic I am most proud of is my Vision at the lake which is the first HAED that I tackled in 2009 after being told about the company from forum members - it was support and encouragement from people on here that kept me motivated to finish it. :T

I was going to say that I thought this would be a great picture to send, the one with your little boy next to it to show the size would be great but I doubt you'd want to use that one.

I think one of the benefits of an online club is that we can come and visit whenever we feel like it, need to vent, cry or want to show off . We don't have to set aside a specific time, which would stop me attending a 'real' club to be honest, and we don't have to wait a week/month to visit again. On an MSE side, we can share news about sales the minute we find out about it! We have members from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages, maybe more so than you would get in a 'real' club. Also because we don't actually 'know' eachother we can talk about things that you maybe wouldn't say in person?

Marru

That is fantastic Chicky!!

Benefit for me is to share the enthusiasm with other like minded people, to see other people's work. For example I wouldn't have known about Woodland Folks if it hadn't been for PAP. And it speeds up the needle for me to get a bit more done for my next update.

Oh and I am 42 and love sitting in the conservatory in the rocking chair with my cross stitch. Only the cat is missing (gives my work colleagues endless amount of amusement :cool:)

shelly

How exciting chicky! I don't usually buy xstitch mags but when this one comes out, someone please tell me so I can buy it

As Louise said, if you need help or ideas with answers to the questions then just let us know.

vickietm wrote: »

I think one of the benefits of an online club is that we can come and visit whenever we feel like it, need to vent, cry or want to show off . We don't have to set aside a specific time, which would stop me attending a 'real' club to be honest, and we don't have to wait a week/month to visit again. On an MSE side, we can share news about sales the minute we find out about it! We have members from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages, maybe more so than you would get in a 'real' club. Also because we don't actually 'know' eachother we can talk about things that you maybe wouldn't say in person?

I love this post Vickie and totally agree with it.

Also this site is here 24/7 so we can visit the cafe day and night to ask questions, share info or just give advice. We can log on even when poorly because no-one is going to catch our germs.

Also agree with Marru that I enjoy sharing my love for cross stitch with like minded ladies because in real life I know of maybe 2 or 3 others who have only tried cross stitch but don't do it regularly.

I have learnt so much since joining the cafe and made some great virtual friends! :A

bikerchick1066

Marru wrote: »

And it speeds up the needle for me to get a bit more done for my next update.

Oh and I am 42 and love sitting in the conservatory in the rocking chair with my cross stitch. Only the cat is missing (gives my work colleagues endless amount of amusement :cool:)

I would totally agree with this. Setting myself a challenge for the month really spurs me on.

44, in the conservatory with two cats! Oh, and a hat! Lost all my hair since Monday

mrs-moneypenny

brill news:T

i know i dont post photos of my work but being part of this group has really helped me get back into cross stitch i hoarded tons of kits and cs items and had half done bits stashed everywhere that had long been abandoned, coming across this thread gave me new encouragement to sift through my old projects and stop hoading, as a result my dad is getting a now finished killer whale once its framed for christmas, special people have had made cards for birthdays, and ive used up some of the smaller kits id got, most importantly the titanic kit i got when the film came out has finally been started. so i thank you all for the [STRIKE]kick up the behind [/STRIKE] support and encouragement ive been given.
i like the fact were a virtual group as it means we can drop in as and when we want with no fixed meeting time. this way if anyone needs anything whatever time someone will be along to see the posting soon after its made with whatever help advice or support is needed

*Louise*

vickietm wrote: »

I was going to say that I thought this would be a great picture to send, the one with your little boy next to it to show the size would be great but I doubt you'd want to use that one.

Actually that would probably be the best one - he would be chuffed to BITS if he saw himself in a magazine :rotfl:

Chicky, can you just click and save this pic? Let me know if you still need me to email it to you




Here are some of my views on the questions asked:

1) When did you set up the group and why did you decide on a virtual club rather than a real-life club?

We didn't really 'decide' to start as such. It began as a general enquiry in 2008 about any other cross stitchers on the forum and escalated over the following two years. The 'Cross stitch cafe' nickname came about later, when a new thread was started for the new Year (Chicky, was it 2009 or 2010?)

2) How did you begin recruiting members?

We all gravitate towards the words 'Cross stitch' because we are addicts Also, a lot of people have details about our thread in their signatures so when posting on other parts of the board other posters will notice and perhaps join us.

3) What's the age range of your members and are you all UK based?

I think most people are around the late 20's/ early 30's mark but they do range younger and older.

4) Any funny/uplifting stories you can share with us?

Every time someone puts up a link to a special offer or
sale and begins their post with 'I know it's not technically Moneysaving BUT'..........:p

Also, everyone is so willing to help each other out. If someone needs to fnd a chart, MSE is a better place to start than Google. Many posters have sent threads to people who have ran out a few stitches short, sent spare materials to someone who is just starting out and everyone has shared countless tips and tricks

5) You mentioned the quilt joint stitch project which sadly went missing... Will you do any more joint projects do you think? And what would you do with the finished article?

Dunno - I still have my square though, it's a little sad and lonely

6) Are there any plans to ever meet up in real life?

None as yet - being spread all over the country makes it difficult, but a few members have met up at various stitching and craft shows.

7) What are the benefits of being part of an online club over a real-life club?

Real life clubs could be only once a week. We are here every day, all day, anyone can pop in when they have time, they can leave messages in the dead of night if they can't sleep, it's 100% flexible

8) Can you sum up the ethos of the club for me in 3 words?

Moneysaving Stitching Experts :D:j

Ailsb

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. What with new kitchen being fitted, then half term, then having to decorate the kitchen it's probably been 3 weeks.

Great news about the article, happy to help if I can. Bearing in mind I'm fairly new I just want to add that this forum has given me the encouragement to start stitching again. I used to stitch with my mum but sadly she died suddenly 5 and a half years ago. I inherited her kits and half finished pieces of work as well as having my own. Unfortunately, I didn't have the enthusiasm to actually do any stitching.

I stumbled across the cafe earlier this year and took the plunge to join and have posted quite a few times since. Since joining I have completed my oldest UFO - the Mother & Baby, which I started about 13 years ago and I am very proud of. I have also finished several cards, I'm nearly finished a house warming gift for my nephew and also I am so organised now that I am almost finished a wedding sampler which isn't needed until June 2013.

Will read back over the other postings shortly but have had a quick look and there are some lovely makes happening.

Promise not to leave it so long until my next post and will add a photo of my progress for the wedding sampler and house warming gift.

tellmeitsfriday

I would agree with the convenience and the 24/7 availability of the online element of the cafe.

It's also nice to have somewhere to be open with each other, to share good/bad/sad/happy news.

The benefits of online rather than real life are that we can talk about things "privately". Although any one can read it, know one actually knows who I am.

I am sure that now we all "know" each other, we'd get on stunningly in real life, but we'd never have "met" up in other circumstances. We could meet - it would be nice, but would slightly defeat the MSE element of the club. Other groups on here have met up though... it's not unthinkable. Could be fun

I'm 33, on the sofa with the laptop, and the cats at my feet!

Biker, sorry to hear about your hair - at least it all fell out in one go though, and it's not in silly little clumps on the pillow for weeks. How are you feeling? Is it really tough, or are you doing ok xx

Ailsb

*Louise* wrote: »

Actually that would probably be the best one - he would be chuffed to BITS if he saw himself in a magazine :rotfl:


2) How did you begin recruiting members?

We all gravitate towards the words 'Cross stitch' because we are addicts Also, a lot of people have details about our thread in their signatures so when posting on other parts of the board other posters will notice and perhaps join us.

Quick question - sorry to post so quickly after not posting for so - but how do you know what your member number is? Is there a list somewhere?

chickywiggle

thanks everyone.......keep em coming...... (any help like Louises post is fab as i can send them with it to give an element of tean spirit (and proove ive not made it up)

i know there's been some fair few old projects.....without reading back is this one of the oldest??

Ailsb wrote: »

Since joining I have completed my oldest UFO - the Mother & Baby, which I started about 13 years ago and I am very proud of.

can anyone better Ailsb?? (would it be wrong to mention i was only 16 when you started it?? )

my quilt squares are lonly too.....

i'm wondering if it would be nice to do a joint solo project (if that makes sense?) perhaps all stitch one piece we like but would never do cause no where to put it/ give it to - as large or small as we like.....and ebay them (i am happy to do this for people) for charity?? (like that lovely ballerina one?)....... that way we'd not be waiting on people/ not expecting one person to do a certain bit etc??

examples: i have seen a fab cottage i'd love to do but would never bother cause it'd be wasted......
i could stitch a joan elliott sayings one cause they are my favourite and i know others would appreciate it........


member numbers are on page 1 Ailsb - tho it hasn't been updated in a while - just made you number 59..... if anyone else needs a number do let me know.