If you would like your name and a short description of yourself to appear here as a link for other stitchers, send an e-mail message to theresa@shakespearespeddler.com. Please let me know if your e-mail address changes, or if one of these isn't working.

Information you could include:

• Be sure to include your e-mail address and first name at the very least
• The city and state (or country) you live in
• Who your favorite designers are
• Stitching mis-haps
• Your greatest stitching accomplishment
• Other hobbies
• Your line of work

Ivna Barros: "I'm 27 years old. I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. I´m married and I have a 8 months old daughter called Bruna. I work full time as an accounting analyst in a big computing company. I started to stitch when I get pregnant. During all my pregnancy I did a lot of things to my baby. I can´t stop stitch since then. I don´t really have any favourite designers. I work full time and I don´t have a lot of time to stitch, but I never go to sleep without stitch a count at least, that´s why I did a lot of things to my little girl and to my house. I also like to read and play with my daughter."

Kimberley Yarnell Bierly: "I'm from Centre Hall, PA, which is about 13 miles from Penn State University where I work as the national television marketing specialist in the Department of Public Information. I have been doing counted cross stitch for approximately 15 years. I do some needlepoint but prefer counted cross stitch. However, recently I bought a kit (from a local store) for a counted needlepoint pillow. That is my next project after I finish a folk art Christmas stocking on linen -- a project I found at the Valley Forge Spirit of Cross Stitch Festival last summer. Unfortunately, I don't have a local shop that is devoted to counted cross stitch, but am fortunate in my job to travel across Pennsylvania and into major eastern cities. I now have some "favorite" shops based on destination. I would enjoy corresponding with any other cross stitcher.

Sher Carter: "I'm a 46 year old widow with six chilren (Only the two little boys are at home) living on a small farm here in Kansas. In the way of hobbies, I have to many for my own good. Naturally my greatest love is ccs and this has been my greatest love for twelve years. My favorite graphs are samplers, bird houses, sunflowers, Santas, Halloween designs and anything with a country theme. [Gotta have country to go with this old farm house!] If you share any of these designs, please contact me."

Cheryl from Preston, CT: "I am fairly new to cross stitch although been crafting for over 10 years. Had my own craft business at one time. I am not sure that I have a favorite artist as I just kind of see what I like and who a particular piece would be appropriate for. I have completed a beautiful Nurses Prayer for my Mom (Christmas gift) and I am working on a piece that has 3 squares that look like quilt squares for my mother in law. Next will have to be the killer whales for my son. In between, I work as a social worker for UCP of Eastern CT working with individuals with disabilities. I am married and have a 4 year old son. We live in a rural part of CT (between 2 casino's) and we have a dog, cat and 5 chickens. I am looking forward to hearing from others. I would love to see a stitcher's group started in Southeastern CT. Have not been able to locate one. I would like to learn from others."

Lisa Cline: "I live in Newark, Ohio with my husband, 6 year old daughter, three dogs, and three cats. I have been stitching since I was about 10 when my sister (who is a fanatic) taught me stamped cross stitch. After college I got heavy into counted cross stitch and started working on evenweave, which I love. Then I went to graduate school and had my daughter so it got packed away until life settled down (does it ever?). A friend of mine got me interested in picking it up again just recently, so I dug my stash out. Boy do I have alot of stuff!!! I don't know where to begin except first getting organized. So for the last few months I have been alternating between oogling, I mean organizing my stash and starting several projects. I didn't realize it was okay to have WIP until I visited yahoo and saw this is common practice. I have had a fun time doing all this in addition to reading about all the other cross stitchers out there. It almost like an obsession and I have been thrilled to find others who love it like I do. The sad thing is many of the patterns and kits I have are discontinued so I am glad I got them when I did. I guess I am using that same philosophy (excuse?) if I find something I like now. Not much has changed in the way of products other than there's a lot of cool stuff out there I have to have to support my habit. I really like Paula Vaughn, Stony Creek, Theresa Wentzler, and many themes like flowers, nautical, samplers, cats, gardening, birds, and stitching on sweatshirts. I am really anxious to meet others who share thisˆäcraft and learn from the masters."

Christine: "I'm 45 years old, from New Brunswick Canada and work in Information Technology. I am single with two beautiful cats, a Ragdoll and a Scottish Fold. I really don't have a favourite designer but find I am drawn to designs with lots of 1/4 and 1/2 stitches for fine detail. I love lots of colour as well and Christmas Santas are a favourite. I generally have at least 10 projects on the go and get around to finishing them all eventually. I love to read and recently ventured into the land of scrapbooking. My biggest mis-hap¬Ýoccurred while I was stitching a Minnie & Mickey picture for my niece. It was huge and required multiple skeins on floss in each colour. I didn't notice until it was finished that there must have been a problem with a dye lot and the beige background was two different shades. I was devastated! My first instinct was to try to pick it out but it was way too big and no time ( it was a Christmas present). She loved it anyway but it still bothers me to see it."

Donna from Michigan near the Indiana border.  "I have been doing cross stitching for probably 10 years.  I am a Real Estate Agent and I find it very relaxing to be able to come home and lose myself in my cross stitching.  I am a Grandmother of 2 and a Mother of 3 grown sons.  I like to do Paula Vaughn but I like anything with quilts or the long flowing gowns that Paula puts in her patterns.  I have decorated the Real Estate Office with alot of my cross stitching.  I have been married to the same man for over 37 years now."

Joanne Edwards:ˆä"I live in a sleepy, little town called Clarks Summit in PA which is growing by leaps and bounds, tho we don't have a cross stitch shop for miles and miles and miles...that's why I love Theresa so much :) ˆäI am 50 years old, mom to 17 year old twin sons, and am an elementary art teacher to over a thousand kids a week. ˆäLife is always hectic around here and the only way I seem to stay calm is by cross stitching. ˆäEvery year my husband ( who is a saint because he never complains about what I spend for my stitching habit.), my boys and I spend a few weeks in Cape Cod, MA. ˆäWe love it there and one really can't help but to fall in love with the samplers that are in abundance there. ˆäThat's how i became so addicted to them. ˆäIn all, I have stitched over 60 reproduction samplers that are hanging on the walls in my home. ˆäI have Haversham furniture..and my house looks very antique..so the samplers just make a statement...I love Joanne Harvey 's reproductions, as well as Mary Beale. ˆäI have been very lucky to have met and taken workshops from these women, too. Currently I am working on 4 different samplers and probably will start that Celtic Band Sampler by Homespun Sampler..because it is so different. ˆäEventually through the year I will finish them...Well..I nearly always do :)"

Marilyn Edwards: "I am fairly new to cross stitch having only completed about half dozen small designs, but I am about to finish my first large design. I am very interested in most craft, knitting, crochet, cottage craft and ceramics. Cross stitch and knitting being my 2 favourite things to do. I have one daughter Meghan 19 and one grandson Baileigh 10 months - he keeps me very active indeed. I am out of work at the moment having had a few illness' over the past couple of years, will soon be looking for work. I live in the beautiful seaside town of Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast. I am very interested in making contact with other cross stitchers or knitters. I like to do cross stitches of dolphins, and I knit ofcourse for my grandson."

Eileen: "I am 52 years old, hardly a lass eh! ˆäI have been cross stitching for about 7 years. I spend so much time looking at auctions and cross stitch sites that I don't have that much time to sew. I have six kids, 4 left home now thank goodness. I ˆäluv em but love the ˆäfree time that I ˆägain as each one flies the nest. I work for the learning disabilities service as a carer and it's the best job in the world. I ˆäadore samplers and keep buying them from ˆäebay. I have never not received a chart so it's a good reliable way to add to the many I already have. I love shepherds bush and have just sent for Earth Shepherd as a ˆächristmas present to myself. I love halloween charts and charts by the drawn thread too.I love most crafts and we are now making our chriistmas cards with rubber stamps, just wish crafts supplies weren't so expensive, well love to hear from anyone who has ˆäcross stitch or crafts as hobbies."

Rebecca A. Ellwein from Saline, Michigan: I have been stitching for about 25 years. I started my own company several years ago, FACES. I painted canvas for needlepoint and designed cross-stitch. I got a patent for my designs, and was quite successful. I am a special education teacher consultant at the local high school. I am a single mom, quite active with my son, who is a freshman and plays hockey. I have designed and charted several new Victorian pieces. I am investigating computer-aided stitch programs, WWW pages, and new innovative ways to publish and encourage others to stitch. I would love to correspond with people who stitch and learn also from them.

Norma Gaston: a 47 year old stitcher from Sarver, PA, located about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh! I have more time than ever on my hands these days with 2 of my 3 gone from the house. But, I tend to do other things before I stitch. When my kids were little, cross-stitch was my sanity. They would go to nap or bedtime and I would make lots of projects. Currently I have several big projects going and 2 are wedding samplers, one being my daughters who was married 7-02. I just purchased an OTT light, so maybe these "old" eyes will enjoy this hobby more in the future. I have one son still at home who keeps me hopping being his chauffer. I have one daughter in college and one daughter married. I am a part-time math teacher at a local Lutheran Day school and also the bookkeeper for my husbands chiropractic office. My biggest sitching error was putting the wrong date on a huge prayer project to celebrate my brother-in-law's 25th anniversary as a Catholic priest! It was already framed and given when he noticed it. The hardest project I ever did was The Newborn by P. Buckley Moss. I needed that Ott light then!!!!!! I enjoy the computer and I have a wonderful pal that I met on this spot many years ago whom I still correspond with on a regular basis!

Jody Gayvert, from Sacramento, CA, says she loves counted cross stitch, but sometimes sews. She's a graphic designer at a University and has two grown boys and one 12-year-old girl. Her daughter is learning how to stitch now and some of her friends want her to teach them too. She enjoys so many different projects and almost never "gives" herself any of them. This year she promises to make "something really cool."

Georgann: "I live in Oregon and have stitched for about 12 yrs. nonstop. I love Paula Vaughan, Alma Lyn, Jeremiah Junction etc. Really I love most all of it, however, not a Theresa Wentzler fan. I like mostly country things."

Rebecca Geraci from Steilacoom,Wa.: "As with many, I too am an addict. I'm 36 years old and have been cross stitiching for 17 years.My first project was sea shells on 22 count fabric, my family said I was nuts and guess I've been that way since,:o). I have finished several of "Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum's" designs and am looking forward to starting some of "Mirabilia's" works and have done some "Mary Englebreit". When I'm not stitching, I am busy with my 3 wee ones of 13, 11 and 8 years old. I also do eggery on the side which is fun in itself. I enjoy carving eggs and beading as well. As with others, I keep very busy but enjoy every minute."

Deb Gotz from I live in Fountain City, WI. I have four children ages; 16,13,10,and 7. We also have exchange students live with us during the school year. This year we have one from Germany and one from Spain. I dont have a favorite designer I just do whatever catches my fancy. My biggest project was a 16x20 pict of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I like to make things and give away as presents. My hobbies are stitching, computer, kids and sports."

Debbie Green from Shreveport, LA: "Enjoy all kinds of cross stitching, but mainly anything with a Victorian touch, such as homes, ladies, etc.  I'm 44 years old and have been married to my high school sweetheart for 26 years.  I have two boys (and a grandson any day now).  Some of my favorite designers are Marty Bell, Paula Vaughan and Dimensions.  I work full time as a legal secretary."

Navada Hoover: "I've been stitching since I was 5 years old. I enjoy it so much. Right now, I'm working on another Victorian angel, But I also like to make Christmas things,too. I'd sure like to hear from all of you who love cross-stitching. I live in Pittsburgh, Pa. USA. I'm a music director for a Catholic church, playing the organ, piano, singing, and directing the choirs. Next September 2nd, I'll be getting married to a wonderful man named Frank. He doesn't cross-stitch, but he's shown me how to use the computer!"

Barb Kantola: "I live in Muskegon, MI. Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, I love beach scenes, lighthouses. I also like doing animals, angels, almost anything but cartoons and fantasy. Although I have done some Walt Disney pictures for my nieces and nephews and enjoyed them. I started stitching 20 years ago. It came slow at first, but once I did my first project I was addicted. My niece still has that picture somewhere, it was a birth sampler. She is now 19 and a college sophomore. I am single and have no children but do have 12 nieces and nephews who get most of my pieces. I hope to hear from stitchers anywhere."

Lara from Norwich, Connecticut: "Hi! I'm Lara from North Franklin, CT. I'm a stay at home mom and have a daughter Mary Elizabeth who's about to turn 1 this month (August). I am also expecting another baby in March 2002. I live out in the country and love it! I've been stitching since I was about 12 years old so it's coming up on about 20 years. I've been avidly stitching for the past 5 years and you'll always find me with a project or 2 going at the same time. During my first pregnancy, I completed a few projects including many cows from different designers. I absolutely love Lizzie Kate and Mary Engelbreit. I have completed 2 baby samplers and am working on one for my new baby. I am in the process of completing a wedding sampler right now. I love stitching!!! I really enjoy whimsical, folksy projects and have been feeling adventurous - taking on more difficult projects with lots of different stitches. My next big step will be learning how to mount and frame all of these completed projects. If anyone has any tips for me I'd appreciate any and all!"

Laurie: "I am from Seymour,Ct. and would like to have my info added to this wonderful sounding group please! I am 45 yrs old, married and we have 2 sons. My husband is currently in Iraq with his National Guard unit & they are there at least until next Nov.(2005). I do counted cross stitch, crochet and knit(baby/ toddler blankets). I am a "finisher" of counted cross stitch quilts for a group called Love Quilts for terminally ill children. And one of the group moderators for the spin off group for Love Quilt baby blanket for infant's and toddlers that are in NICU's or PICU's. Both of these are internet groups and always welcomes more stitchers, crocheter's & knitter's. I don't have a favorite designer as I LOVE THEM ALL! I used to work in retail sales then into direct sales (home show Co.'s) and have recently given up all of them( I was with 4 of them) and am a much happier person now just spending my days stitichin' or volunteering for these two groups. All I want to do is whatever the Good Lord will allow me to help make someone else's day just a bit brighter/happier. Thanks for letting me share about me! Oh! And I LOVE to chat with other stitcher's/crocheter's/knitter's!"

Lorraine "I live in Leicestershire which is in central England. My favourite designer is Kaffe Fassett - I love all the wonderful colours he uses. I began cross-stitching using kits and patterns about six years ago, but I now enjoy the freedom of straight stitch using Anchor wool and creating my own designs. I am currently working on my fourth design for a local shop which is an abstract cushion in wonderful shades of blue. My designs are very strong and modern but I can tone them down to give a more traditional feel. My greatest stitching accomplishment is having my designs/work displayed and sold in an exclusive, local craft/gift store. My other hobby is gardening, which tends to take over during the warm weather. I also love shopping and looking at new home design ideas. Many of my pattern ideas come from the tiled floors and walls in shopping centres! Happy Stitching!!"

Laura Hartnett, from Cropseyville, NY, got hooked on stitching when her sister decided to open a cross stitch and framing shop recently. Laura helps her sister run her store, and has recently stitched "Book of Common Prayer quot; by Mary Beale, and is doing a two-part sampler from "Just Cross Stitch." She's a 401(k) Recordkeeper for Milliman & Robertson--(and has her pulse on the stock and mutual fund markets--any questions about your investments?) , a wife, and the mother of a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old son. She says, "stitching has really brightened my life," and that one of her favorite things to do is curl up with a book on tape and her needlework.

Jade from Idaho: "I'm a 36 year old mother of three, a Registered Medical Assistant currently working part time at a local cafe(much less stress!). I do many different types of needlework but am especially interested in hearing from people that don't do cross-stitch! I personallly don't like it but I embroider, crewel, quilt, knit and crochet. Are there any other x-stitchphobes out there??? I can't believe I'm the only one!"

Jennifer Ledbetter from Alexandria, VA: "I have been stitching for about six years. My roommate was stitching, and I got a little interested. I haven't put it down since. Like everyone else, I give away all my stuff and I have a ton of patterns yet to do and unfinished projects to attend to. My next few projects I plan to keep. I love samplers, especially antique ones. My next project is to design one about myself. I stitch on both aida and linen and admire difficult stitches and hardanger from afar. I would love to learn how to do that. My greatest accomplishment was about 80 stitched and sewn sachets with my name, my husband's name and our wedding date stitched on them. I filled them with pot pourri made with petals from all the roses while we were dating. They were given away to all the ladies at our wedding. The men got golf balls and tees with our names on them. I like sampler patterns, country/primative folk patterns, and lighhouses for my husband. We don't have kids yet, but we have two spoiled cats and one spoiled dog. I like to read, play raquetball, and sew. I would love to meet stitchers in my area and form a stitching group."

Enid Levy from Westminster, MD "I've been stitching for almost 20 years and am ADDICTED to it. Just can't get enough. I work full time in retail sales, am married and have two grown children, a son 25 and a daughter 21. My largest project was to stitch all 28 American and National football helmets on one canvas, but that was before all the expansions, and I'm not about to add any of the new ones! My girlfriend and I recently opened a booth of cross stitch items in a local craft store, but in six weeks we've sold only one measley towel and are becoming very disappointed and disillusioned. I have over 1000 charts, numerous hard cover books, and subscribe to at least 6 cross stitch magazines and purchase monthly New Stitches and Needlecraft, two excellent publications from England. We just purchased this computer last week and are trying a free 2 month service through Prodigy, so my e-mail address may change in two months, but I'll put my new one in when I have one. Would love to hear from anyone, anywhere, anytime. My favorite subjects are clowns, Indians, Amish, castles, dragons, wizards, carousels, frogs, and turtles. "

Michele M. from Ontario, Canada:ˆäI love anything cross-stitch. I would have to live a hundred lives before I could complete all of the projects and patterns that I have. However, that does not stop me from getting more. I am looking to share items about getting projects done, organizing my stuff and just someone who shares my passion. As a Social Service worker, I use my stitching time as a way of forgetting what I see and hear at work. It also helps me tune out my boyfriend, who sometimes whines "Not that again" :)

Maree: "I am 32 years old and live in Auckland, New Zealand, with my husband of five years who is a school-teacher and musician. I have been doing needlework since I was about 6, esp. knitting, crochet (mainly lace), a bit of tatting, smocking and tapestry, and studied art in my senior years at high school - about three years ago I decided to learn embroidery and joined a weekly class, learning (the basics of) blackwork, canvas, cross, pulled, drawn, cut, Brazilian, roccoco, Elizabethan, hardangar and currently crewel-work. Recently I joined a local embroidererís guild. I was drawn to embroidery esp because of the beautiful whitework and cutwork I had seen and also a desire to perfect crewel to finish a tablecloth started by my great-grandmother, but I like all kinds of fine needlework and am interested in the possibilities for design and also in the social history of needlework and antique embroideries (a bit of a thing on Ayreshire work and embroidery on muslin in Scotland and Ireland 1790s-1850s at present!) I have a mountain of UFO's (naturally). Iím a full-time student, studying accountancy. My husband and I both belong to a local Christian church, and enjoy a fairly ecclectic musical taste."

Mary Lou "I live in Pennsylvania, and enjoy several different crafts, but cross-stitching is my favorite. I also do a little quilting, and am starting Creative Memories Scrapbooking. I am 42, and have a son who is 14, and a daughter who is 6. I have worked here and there while my husband was in the service, but for the last 15 years have been a stay at home mom and homemaker. I have lived several places because of my husband's brief time in the Army, Indiana, Salt Lake City, New Jersey, but was born and raised in Pa, and this is home now. I really don't have a favorite designer, but I love western theme cross stitch which is hard to find. I have started to design my own with the Pattern Maker since I got a computer. I love to stitch designs of children, and country scenes."

Jo McCord from Skegness, England: "I am 34 years old and I have been married to Rob for nearly 3 years. I work as an Infant school teacher, and I teach 4 and 5 year olds. I love cross-stitch and knitting. When I get the time, I like to stitch teddy bears, Paula Vaughn and lots more. I especially love Winnie the Pooh: I have a few Pooh designs that are on the list to do when I am not so busy. I always give away my stitching to other people. My biggest achievement so far has been a golden wedding card I stitched for a friend's parents. She found a design that she liked, but she wanted the colours changed and some of the flowers changed, so it became quite a challenge. This was the first time I had been asked specifically to do something. Fortunately, my friend loved it and her parents were over the moon with the card. In fact, they were so pleased, that they had the card framed afterwards and it is now a picture hanging on their wall. I would love penpals from any where, but especially Prince Edward Island as I loved the Anne of Green Gables books and the Megan Follows version that was filmed over there made the Island look so wonderful, that I am totally in love with the place now, and I would love to visit there one day."

Michele: "I am 38 and live in England. I am married with one 10 year old daughter. I love my cross stitch and have many charts and kits waiting to be stitched. I have an interest in samplers old and new and have recently started to collect charts for "needlework smalls" as I am running out of wall space. My favourite piece of work to date is "My Michelle" by Indigo Rose.I enjoyed the challenge of the different stitches involved in the design."

Cynthia Mitchell from Oil City, Ontario, Canada: "I am 34 years old, married with 2 girls ages 6 and 4. I work as a claims adjuster for an insurance company. My husband is 38 and is an elementary school teacher. I have always had a love of crafting but had no patience for it when I was younger. My mother and both grandmothers tried in vain to get me to crochet, cross stitch or do other embroidery. When I finished university in 1985 and had extra time on my hands, I retaught myself how to crochet and began to cross stitch for the first time and was hooked. My first project was a "Sisters are Special" kit for my only sister. She still has it hanging up after all these years. I am starting to try other crafts as well but love crocheting and cross stitching the most. I still have no patience for sewing. Maybe someday."

Lorri Nevil from Canton, TX: "I joined the Fibercrafts Forum on Compuserve over a year ago, and have been invovled in Round Robins, where there are 9 people in each group and we have a "theme", the last one I did was santas, and I'm currently working on angels. It takes over a year for them to come back, but when they do, you have something stitched from all over the world! I have been cross stitching since I was 12 years old and I'm now 36. I recently won a blue ribbon for Lorri Birmingham's "Hallalujah Angel". I began her fanatically after beginning on a MLI only to have the bottom quarter done, and realize the store had cut the fabric design size...I still have it, as a painful reminder to not only have them measure twice, and cut once, but to do it myself after they have done it twice! I have 2 children, Katherine Clair age 6 and Paul Wesley age 3 (on August 11th). I sell nutritional products and work from my home, am very active in volunteer work with my church and the community for at risk children. I love Nancy Cole (whom I've been unable to find on the Web), MLI, Lorri Birmingham."

Niza from Malaysia: "Apa khabar (Greetings) from Malaysia. I'm SAHM with four young boys all under 7 y o. I'm a self-taught stitcher but a late starter, at the the age 28 I realised I can do needlework. I 'm 34 y o (Sept 2001) and has been married for 8 years to my wonderful husband. I enjoy most types of needlework but I have more projects in cross stitching. And my first love is band samplers. My other interests are photograpy, geography, waterfalls and baking. I don't quite fancy doing housework which I think it's a waste of time. I'd rather stitch or spend the time with my 4 precious boys before they left to get a wife. Write to me. Would love to hear from you. Take care & Happy Stitching :)"

Diane Noramczyk, from La Salle, Illinois: "I'm new to the internet but am an old avid cross stitcher. I have worked in a bank for over 10 years and would rather count stitches than money any day! I have been "stitching" for about 15 years and am totally addicted. In the past I have enjoyed crocheting, knitting, crewel work and needlepooint. My home is done in country designs of all subjects; quilts, teddy bears, hearts and flowers, farm scenes. I am married and have a married 28 year old son and a 23 year old son at home. Both are artists in their own rights. One is a mechanical engineer and the other is a computer graphic artist. I have no artistic talent so I am content to create with thread! I would love to hear from anyone that might have patterns to swap. I'm looking for patterns for advent calendars, something to do with "Left-Handed People", and Lighthouses of Door County, Wisconsin."

Page "I am from Florida. I have been xstiching since I was 10 and now I am 31. I primarly like the celtic or medival style patterns but will so just about anything. I am wven will to exchange. I have a large variety of stuff. I also do Weaving and would like patterns for that at well. I am one of those people you love to hate. I see it, I do it, and it turns out great. I have taken that talent and teached with it. I teach diable kids. They learn patience and eye hand cordination."

Marian Poller from Herzlyia, Israel , formerly from Minnesota. "I've done lots of different crafts but prefer crewel embroidery and knitting. I started out as a child doing cross stitch but never enjoyed it. The type of crewel I do is early American using fine linen and appleton yarns. I get my designs from Pamela Strousse of Rye, N.Y. and they are based on museum pieces. I'm pretty new to the Internet but just love it and this fine page as well. I'm on the knitlist for knitting but haven't found penpals for crewel as yet. I'm a librarian but working as an optician and have two grown up kids each with their own computers. I also enjoy mysteries."

Pamela: "I am a 32 year old stay at home mother and wife. My son is seven years old. I have been stitching for as long as I can remember. I love to stitch sweatshirts, towels, bookmarks, magnets, bibs and samplers. I am also learning how to quilt. When not stitching I am working on my associates degree in accounting, volunteering at school, attending bible study and Sunday school classes. I am also the treasurer of our local PTA. I'd love to hear from busy stay at home mom's, students and volunteers!"

Dena Peavler from Houston, Texas: "I am a 41 yr old mother of two teenage daughters. I work for the local phone company. I enjoy cross-stitching and am trying to teach myself to quilt, which seems to be more than I can fathom. My favorite designer is Paula Vaughn and I try to collect all her patterns as they come out. My biggest stitching mishap is having my husband discover I have left a line out of a sampler. I am also involved as a leader in the Girl Scouts."

Teraza Rew: "AGE: 28. NATIONALITY: Australian New Zealand Citizen (NZ passport) UK Citizen (UK passport) PERSONAL: Excellent Health (non-smoker) Defacto relationship for 5 years INTERESTS: Reading (Fiction/Biographies) History (esp. Tudor England) Cross-stitch Western Districts Fast-Draw Club Eastern Philosophy."

Kathryn Richards: "I am from Charlotte, Michigan and currently work in communications. I have been "surfing" for about 3 years but mostly use the web to avoid going to the store and to keep in touch with scattered family. I enjoy many forms of needlework but cross stitch is my favorite after embroidery. I am married,ˆä45 years old, and not too far away from the last teenager leaving the nest. I have plans to turn her room into a combination home office/storage area for my crafts but I promised to save a place for her to spend the night. I love the rich colors of Theresa Wentzlerˆäand am currently working on the triptych, very, very slowly.ˆäˆäOur combined family has 5 children,ˆäand 10 grandchildren aged 1 month to 10 years old.ˆäˆäMy worst mistake wasˆäspilling coffee on an almost completed project. It came out but took some time. I think the tears helped!!"

Valerie Richardson from Australia: "I am a descendent of Sarah Wildes ( Averill) who was hanged at Salaam in 1692. As a needleworker I would like to work a sampler in her honour, using a pattern dating from the era. I have looked at all the local needlework shops and have found nothing suitable so hope someone in this big .w.w.w will have something suitable."

Pamela Robinson: "I'm 59, married, no children, and live inland from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia. I love all forms of embroidery, but my passion is Counted Cross Stitch which I have been doing for over 40 years, followed by Hardanger. I also adore Bobbin Lace-making. Until fairly recently I owned and ran a beautiful shop -The Strawberry Stitchery - specialising in embroidery of all kinds. Our shop became too small so when our lease expired we decided to close, have a short break and then find somewhere more suitable. However, my husband suffered a severe stroke just after we closed - 3 years 8 months ago - so I am a full-time carer, which means I have little outside contact. He has virtually no speech although he understands everything going on, so I lack the mental stimulation conversation gives. I thus decided to try to get on the Internet, but I have a lot to learn, but I am determined to master it."

Donna Sell from Painesville Ohio: "I am 36 year old and have 2 sons ages 4 and 9.  I have been an ICU nurse but have now started my own home inspection business. When I have a few precious moments to myself I like to cross stitch and have more recently fell in love with Hardanger.  I have done a heart sampler from Shephard's Bush and am now working a Paula Vaughn piece. I also have just started to learn to knit from a book but this has been very frustrating as I am left handed.  I also love to read and bike with the family."

Judi Stevens from outside of Syracuse, New York: "I have cross stitched since I was about 7-8 years old (I am now 42). I started on stamped and learned to do gingham cross to make aprons for gifts. Also learned smocking from my mum. My favourite designs are Lavender and Lace and Miribilia and my biggest accomplishment was "The Wedding" for my 25th wedding anniversary this year (97). I have two daughters ages 24 and 21 and both are as nutty as I with cross stitch patterns. Thank goodness my husband is a patient man."

Marilyn Sykes "I live on two acres of rainforest in Queensland AUSTRALIA.Have been cross stitching for longer than I care to admit.I love P Buckley Moss,Linda Meyers,Just Nan and anything that is a little different orˆäunusual.Did a sampler of all my favourite Just Nan and it ended up over two feet long.ˆäI am 57 ,son25and daughter 23.Also have two very spoilt cats and lots of possums and native birds with visiting rights.Husband David is s porcelain painter and woodcarver Would love to hear from anyone out thereI am also a MAL of the EGA."

Wendy Symes: "I am English and have been living in SW France for 7 years now. I am a retired nurse and live with my husband Barry in a small single storey stone house in a rural area of France north of Toulouse. We have 2 grand children who live in UK. Hobbies include cross stitch, gardening and motorcycling. Life here is good and the food and wines are wonderful. Look forward to hearing from anyone anywhere."

Carol Titus from Dartmouth Nova Scotia: "I'm a 42 year old navy wife living in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I work as a teddy bear artist from home and am an¬Ýadmitted craft addict (my supply stash proves that!). I have 3 kids (aged 19, 17 and 12 - when did they get so old?). My favourite designers include Marty Bell, Thomas Kinkade and Paula Vaughn. I prefer garden scenes to stitch and usually manage to pick out the most complicated pieces that I can without even trying. I also enjoy reading mysteries, knitting, gardening and cooking. My biggest complaint is merely a lack of hours in the day when I can sit and stitch."