Cross Stitch Cafe 2011

Marru

chickywiggle wrote: »

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.

Pretty please

Oh did I say that I won't stitch any more Valerie Pfeiffer's birds? I sort of accidentally ordered today Simply Wren to give company to the Chick Berry which is almost ready. Ooops (My excuse is that then I have both birthday present and xmas present sorted for potential MIL)

nykied

*Louise* wrote: »

Ahhh I've found them now - thanks. Well done on etting all those baragins, they will keep you busy for a long time!! Lucky you going to see TT, Gary was (and still is) always my favourite :smileyhea



Pap - the flowers I have are:
Issue 178 - July - Larkspur
Issue 177 - Junee - Rose
Issue - 176 - May - Lily of the Valley
Issue - 175 - Gone AWOL
Issue 174 - back to the patriot bears

I have issue 175 in my stash if you need that flower.

Chicky, well done on getting that in. I like the face that geography isn't an issue for us, nor are time constraints. We all help each other and you're welcome here whether you stitch every day or not. And you don't always have to talk about cross stitch I'm 36, by the way.

In 2009, I finished a UFO I'd started about 16 years before :eek:

maria_and_the_imps

bikerchick1066 wrote: »

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

sending you a great big hug :grouphug: (sorry its quite a scary hug lol) how are you doing?

well done chicky i agree with everything that has been said i found the group just after i had my still born and picked up a neddle for the first time in years to keep myself busy i never told anyone at the begining what i was going through but just coming on and seeing what everyone was up to helped alot.

the 3 words i would use to describe the group is
supportive
friendly
and helpful

nykied

Chicky, I need a number!

The 3 words I'd use are: fun, close and supportive.

sweetcarer

Hi Girls

Sorry I haven't posted in a while - I have been lurking. I also have been so busy with work - been travelling away from home still, coming home exhusted and no time for stitching - tho I am missing it. I have some good news - I got my transfer, so waiting on a start date.

I am so very proud to be part of this group. You have all been an inspiration and a great help when life is not going the right way. You lot got me going again with my UFO - floral alphabet - the one my late hubby got me and after his death I abandoned in the shed for you lot to encourage me to wash it and get on with it.

What it looked like after 5 years in the shed . . . . . .




Then afterwards - a good clean again (never be afraid to clean) and saving up to frame it . . . . . .





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

Found it by chance when searching for some cross stitch patterns- a pattern someone was doing was one that I was looking for.

2) How did you begin recruiting members?

It is open to anyone who finds us and whats a cuppa, cake, companionship and stich.

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

Well I am 40 this year :eek:, have a husband and my wee cat Sam. I am in Scotland.

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

That we are all here for each other no matter what - we share good news and bad news - just to know there is someone out there for you.

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?

I was very sad about the quilt. I stitched two squares and also made a wee pin cushion as a wee thank you. I even sent them recorded delivery. I know life gets to us at times.

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

Would be lovely to meet up. I know we are all over. I know I have now made new friends and we are on facebook now - nice to know we are not alone.

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

That we have so many varried people. We all are different but the same, if you get what I mean.

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

friendship, kindness and fun


Hope everyone is well. Going to try real hard and get into stitching soon - hubby came home with a cheap frame from the charity shop - so might attempt to get my floral alphabet framed. Also was at my parents a couple weeks ago and managed to get some cross stitching that got saved from the fire - the frames are damaged but the stitching just needs a good wash and new frames - which were also found in charity shops.

Kind wishes to all

sweetcarer

Bubbles911

chickywiggle wrote: »

ARGGGG GIRLIESSSSSS GIRLIESSS GIRLIESSS..........................
............. look what was waiting in my inbox!!!!!!



any help would be great!!!!!

any perticular pics you are REALLLYYY proud of that you woud like me to send??

any stories you think we can send - i don't want to offend anyone.....or bring back emotions people would rather forget.

(will catch up on this thread and the going ons when i have come down from cloud 9!)

Omg this is so exciting! Although I dont want to submit anything that is part of the article (I had my own article and wouldn't like to take that away from someone else) I would like to say what this place means to me and all of you in it, new or old. When I came here I was at the lowest place a person could be. I was recovering from a suicide attempt and was looking for somehwhere to understand and help fill my hole, I tried a few places before here that were depression based but it didnt fit. Then Crisis suggested I take up cross stitching again and I found here. I had no money as was having problems with benefits and wanted to start cross stitching again and the lovely people here sent me supplies but not only that you were all here for me and when I needed to talk you listened, understood and supported and because this was online it was the only place in the world I could share my true feelings. I know I dont post as much now but I will never forget what the people here did for me. You helped me find myself again so I thank you.

I have a suggestion for what we could do with the prizes if thats ok? I go to a place called Bridge (http://bridgeproject.org/main.html) which helps women with mental health problems, illness, pensioners, battered wives etc. Most of the courses are based around boosting confidence but there are taster courses of other things too. I started there in January after over a year of not leaving the house and they have totally changed my life, I cant imagine my life without them, I never want to leave! So to try and give something back me and two other students have volunteered to organise a summer fete and a ebay auction and we are going to ask companies to contribute. They are really struggling financially as because funds everywhere are so tight they have lost nearly all their funding. They only charge £2.50 a course as they know people struggle. If anyone else has suggestions though then fine, it was just a thought as its been a lifesaver to me.

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.

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 agree the picture of the lake would be brilliant. And I loved money stitching expert, it maked me laugh although I have never stitched on money!

So sorry about your hair biker chick, i lost 2 3rds of mine due to medication so I have a fair idea how depressing it is and how unglamourous you feel. I will be thinking of you. xxxxx

Bubbles911

my answers

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

I joined when I was looking for something to fill a hole in September 2009 and everyone was so kind and cared.

2) How did you begin recruiting members?

We made a list of members and most of us have the name of the thread and the membership number in our signatures.

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

I'm 32 and in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. I stitch with my Chihuahua Bobby

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

I said that in my earlier post, should have done it all in one!

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?

I would like to think we will but we were badly burnt. I would love to do it again but think we would have to keep it in house, we know we can rely on each other! We would probably auction it but I did hear about a charity who asks people to make quilts for a terminally ill child.

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

I would love to in future but not ready to travel yet. I would be scared to really as my expectations would be so high!

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

You meet people from all over the country or abroad, its varied ages with lots of different personalities and situations. Also, it gives me the confidence to say things I couldnt to anyone else, my family used to ask how I felt all the time but how do you tell them yo don't want to be here? Because this place was online it was easier to type how I felt and I could never share how I felt at a normal club. Between here and Bridge I found the will to live again.

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

Support, stitching-addicts and the most important -FRIENDSHIP!

ejs2311

Nice one Chicky!!!

The 3 words I'd go for a friendly, supportive and non-judgemental.

You asked about old, old UFO's - I started Titanic in 1998 when I was 19....I'm now 32 and so close to finishing thanks to the group spurring me on, after the Fathers Day Cards it will be finished(i'll go for the end of July just to be on the safe side!) - even managed the Kingfisher for MIL as well!

I stitch on the sofa while trying to fend off my puss cat!!!! Have some great pics of her with her head through the gap cetween the aida and edge of the frame trying to get closer and closer!

I agree with others - the benefit of an online club is being able to get things off your chest more easily than with close friends - someone has usually got great advise and you all have very sympathetic ears. It's also great to be able to pop on anytime.

xxx

chickywiggle

ejs2311 wrote: »

Nice one Chicky!!!

The 3 words I'd go for a friendly, supportive and non-judgemental.

You asked about old, old UFO's - I started Titanic in 1998 when I was 19....I'm now 32 and so close to finishing thanks to the group spurring me on, after the Fathers Day Cards it will be finished(i'll go for the end of July just to be on the safe side!) - even managed the Kingfisher for MIL as well!

I stitch on the sofa while trying to fend off my puss cat!!!! Have some great pics of her with her head through the gap cetween the aida and edge of the frame trying to get closer and closer!

I agree with others - the benefit of an online club is being able to get things off your chest more easily than with close friends - someone has usually got great advise and you all have very sympathetic ears. It's also great to be able to pop on anytime.

xxx

ohhhh can you post the pusscat piccie for me to send?? and that ISSS a long UFO

Observer

sammr85 wrote: »

Morning all, received a v.exciting e-mail yesterday from WOXS...

Huge congats Sammr!!! Very excited for you!

Bikerchick I'm so sorry about losing your hair. I hope that stitching and coming on here is helping you to 'forget' for a little while.

Chicky - Wow is all I can say :j
Please please may I have a number??

I would say that the cafe gives me confidence to say what I want to and I personally would be reluctant to go to a 'real' group as I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to meeting new people Also here I don't feel embarrassed to show you my teeny weeny little projects. If we were non-virtual there is no way I would turn up with a 4" sq stitched piece when others turn up with their HAED ones lol!!! But I also LOVE seeing all the designs you do - both the big ones that I'm amazed at, and the smaller ones that have so much vairety in their content and style. Its lovely to know what is out there to be done when I get up a little courage to do something a bit bigger :rotfl:

Although I'm very new I'm happy to help with content if you need it. I'm 31 next week and in the north west.