An Introduction......

Now that I’ve started this blog, I thought I would share a little about me, who I am, what my interests are, etc, and the like. But firstly my reason for setting up this blog? Well, I’ve been reading several other stitchers’ blogs for awhile now and have thought gee, that’s something I could do. Currently I write down in a little book that sits in my stitching basket all my projects, finishes, and goals each month, something I’ve been doing for several years. So why not write down all those things here? Also, its now exactly one year and one day (22nd October 2005) until my fiance Glenn and I get married so I thought it would be really cool to have an online journal of all the wedding preparations and details.

So a little about me then: I’m 30 years old and live in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, in a small rural town. I live with my fiance Glenn and our cat Pudd Pudd. I work as the Manager of a service for people with disabilities, and with Glenn, who is a Joiner, own a business called Jamieson-Davies Joinery Plus, with another couple. A pretty busy life at times. My immediate family – Mum and Dad, and my younger brother all live locally as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. I also have a 3 ¾ yr old niece Zoe, who I love spending time with.

I think my love of stitching and other handcrafts comes from both my Nana’s, and also my mother. When I was a child I loved to sew my own doll clothes and was forever making "something" to wear. I discovered cross stitching at my previous job when one of my co-workers was stitching during her lunch break. It was about the time of my Mum’s birthday so I went along to the local sewing shop and bought a birthday card kit. Well, its really funny when I look back at that card – all the crosses are going in different directions, different number’s of threads are used – urrggghh. So then it was onto the next project – a gigantic Christmas sampler! A lot of my earlier stitching is hanging at my Mum and Dad’s and it makes me shudder just to look at it, lol.

But I think it was the Internet that really introduced me to the world of stitching. I’ve made lots of wonderful friends thru various exchanges, trades and the different boards over the years and of course, all the great online needlework shops, making access to all my favourite designers’ patterns and supplies so much easier. Speaking of designers, I have several favourites – The Drawn Thread, Sweetheart Tree, Shepherd’s Bush, Just Nan, Mirabilia, Lavender and Lace, Elizabeth’s Designs, Indigo Rose and Lizzie Kate and many many more. My addiction when it comes to stitching are needlerolls! I have two baskets of them! You could say I’m pretty partial to ornaments too, especially since Christmas is my favourite time of the year.
So that’s me I guess.