Pleased to meet you, fellow stitchin fingers!

[Regina]

Hello fellow crafters, pleased to meet you!

 

My name is Regina; I'm from Rotterdam (The Netherlands); age 27. A few days ago I found this great website and forum and I'm still looking around and figuring out what's what, but I thought it might be polite to introduce myself first. Thanks for the tutorial!

 

I started working with my hands (if you exclude cleaning the house, washing and vacuuming ;)) in december 2009. That month I got my first embroidery set as a gift. Since then, I've finished a lot of projects. Sometimes it's difficult to give myself the peace and quiet my needlework deserves, because I'm very busy with studying History at the University. Last year I got my BA degree in History, and this year I've started a two-years MA programme. But I try to give myself a moment of tranquillity before going to bed each night, and I've been able to finish some projects in this way, so I'm not a lost cause after all.

 

Two months ago my mother gave my the best present ever: A sewing machine! So I'm still trying to figure things out, but I'd love to make some projects with it as well. Last weekend my mother also tried to teach me crochet, I'd love to learn that, too. In two weeks I'll do a workshop at my local crafts shop.

 

Thank you in advance for all the inspiration, I've already seen so many nice and beautiful projects come along!

[Jacqui]

Hello Regina

It sounds so exciting for you, but also rather overwhelming! You have so many new things to try. I think eventually you will find one or two things that you will really want to concentrate on and these will take up most of your time, with short interludes whae you will try other things.

I think we all have projects in drawers that will be completed 'one day'. What sort of thing do you feel that you are leaning towards?

Jacqui

[Regina]

Hello Jacqui, 

Thank you so much for your reply. What a good question! I think you're right, and time will tell. Because I started with embroidery I've noticed I keep leaning towards it. I like it so much, it's so relaxing for me to do! I wonder if the other techniques will give the same fulfillment. For now, I think working with the sewing machine is more like a means, in stead of an end. With embroidery I like to do the "work" as well, not only because of what the result will be. I like sewing, too, but I like the product especially, if you get my meaning. But maybe that feeling will change over time. There's only one way to find out ;) Thanks again for your good question! Have you found your favorite thing to do yet?

[Jacqui]

Hello again,

In answer to your question, I love embroidery as you do. I particularly enjoy stumpwork and goldwork, but with any embroidery I love the whole experience of choosing, or designing the pattern, picking the threads, beads, etc., and discussing the choices with like-minded people.

I am quite fussy in that I like to know that I have either a half day, or even better, a whole day to set out my things and lose myself in the embroidery.

Another great love of mine is bobbin lace, but that's another story.

Regina said:

Hello Jacqui, 

Thank you so much for your reply. What a good question! I think you're right, and time will tell. Because I started with embroidery I've noticed I keep leaning towards it. I like it so much, it's so relaxing for me to do! I wonder if the other techniques will give the same fulfillment. For now, I think working with the sewing machine is more like a means, in stead of an end. With embroidery I like to do the "work" as well, not only because of what the result will be. I like sewing, too, but I like the product especially, if you get my meaning. But maybe that feeling will change over time. There's only one way to find out ;) Thanks again for your good question! Have you found your favorite thing to do yet?

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

Welcome to S/Fingers, Regina,

This is such a wonderful site to learn, exchange information and just gaze at everyone's marvellous work!

I'm sure you will feel at home in no time :)

Best wishes

Barbara

[Katie Cisek]

Hello! I am new to this too...just today! You're right, a sewing machine is the best gift! I just got mine about 2 1/2 years ago. See you around here soon!

[Regina]

Thank you so much for your replies, all! 

 

Jacqui, how nice to hear about the things you like to do most, very inspiring. Thanks for sharing! Funny how one always leans towards a certain type of crafting, but nice, too. I've been experimenting with my sewing machine this week, and I'm beginning to like it even more. But still, my heart mostly goes out to embroidery, so we share that preference :) I'm always working on an embroidery project.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, Barbara! Indeed, I've noticed there's a lot to learn from the members of stitchin fingers, and until now it has all been very inspiring!

 

Katie Cisek, a warm welcome to you as well! I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do. Have fun and be inspired!

[Di Watson]

Welcome Regina!

 

I am a couple weeks late welcoming you to this wonderful site. I'm pretty new here too. And I'm new at embroidery and just about anything to do with stitching of anything anywhere, LOL

 

You have your hands full with schooling but I think it's a wonderful idea to turn yourself to something different to absorb and relax you.  Like you, I find it a very relaxing thing to embroider, even if I am pretty bad at it. I just love the motion of the stitching -it's like a meditation of sorts.  After stitching I am sure you have a fresh mind when you have to go back to the books and papers.  

 

I've eavesdropped on your and Jacqui's conversation and found it interesting. It made me realize that I started with wanting to do crazy quilt (known in Europe as crazy patch I think).  Then I realized I would need to learn to embroider because I wanted to embellish crazy quilt blocks.   I am also learning to silk ribbon embroider. Love that too. It's very forgiving and just about everything comes out looking beautiful in silk ribbon.

 

Have you joined the Embroidery group here? Sharonb has lots of wonderful tutorials - you'll find references and links to them in that group and also on her blog pintangle.com.

 

As for me settling into something - I hope I do but my 59 year history of crafting doesn't promise I ever will. I've made soap and candles, lotions and primitive dollies, potpourri and punchneedle and enjoy them all; but then I have alot of time because I'm home with my husband who isn't well and I don't work anymore.

 

Cheers, Di in Ohio, USA

 

 

[Di Watson]

Me too Katie and I'm still trying to find my way around it, LOL!

Katie Cisek said:

Hello! I am new to this too...just today! You're right, a sewing machine is the best gift! I just got mine about 2 1/2 years ago. See you around here soon!

[Regina]

Di, thank you so much for your kind reply! I'm sorry for my delay in answering. I liked reading about your experiences. I think it's very nice you've learned how to do all these different crafts, I envy you! (in a good way of course).

 

I think it was a very nice way you put it: crafting is a meditation of sorts, indeed. Haha, you should make my boyfriend understand that: now he just frowns when I get my crafting gear. No, I'm kidding: He likes the fact that I spend my time doing other things than studying alone.

 

I haven't joined the Embroidery group yet, but I think I will in the future, sounds great! I'll check out the blog, too.

 

Thanks again for your nice reply and we'll probably see each other around here on stitchin fingers, hopefully with some projects to share in the future as well!

 

Lots of greetings from the other side of the Ocean,

Regina

[Lyn Clinton]

Hello Regina

Why not combine your love of embroidery with using your sewing machine?  Have you tried free motion embroidery on your sewing machine yet?  It's thrilling.  I embroider on handmade felt, if you're wondering what it looks like, there are some pictures and free tutorials on http://www.rosiepink.typepad.co.uk