Customer Spotlight - Cheryl Berger from Northern California

This is the fifth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I took French for 14 years and minored in it in college. The Dean had to invent the minor for me, since no one had majored in Computer Science and minored in French before.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? Since I was 9, so about 37/38 years. Our family hosted a neighborhood garage sale, which included a stamped cross stitch "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep". It didn't sell, and the neighbor who owned it insisted I keep it; she wouldn't take my 5 ¢. I have made up for that bargain many times over by now.

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? "My Stitching Treasures" by Jeannette Douglas because it's probably my favorite of all the pieces I've stitched. The range of stitches is amazing, the fibers are beautiful, and the colors are my colors. And it only took a few weeks to stitch!

"Strawberry Thief, Bird and Woodpecker" textiles from the "Art of William Morris in Cross Stitch" by Barbara Hammet. My father-in-law's life passion was his William Morris collection. For his 80th birthday, I stitched the piece, cut the mats and stretched the work, and my husband made the frame. It was a true Arts & Crafts gift, and my father-in-law was speechless. When he passed, the piece came back to us, and we treasure it.

George Seurat's "Sunday in the Park" by Color Charts because it was so labor intensive and detailed.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? Although I do all types of embroidery, I do a lot of cross stitch over one thread on very small count linen. It takes up less wall space :) and the piece has impact from much closer up.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I would love to see the Festivals (Spirit of Cross Stitch, CATS, Hearts of Cross Stitch) return locally. I know they're still around, but to travel so far when I know I'm going to spend SO much at the Merchandise Mall is hard to justify to my very patient spouse.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I try to stitch most evenings; it's my escape. I have my corner of our reclining couch with a table and light set up for my supplies.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? No, most of them insist they have stashes at least as large as mine (but I have my doubts.)

Do you have a favorite quote? "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." - William Morris

Anything else you would like to add? I belong to the local chapter of EGA, and it has been a wonderful experience. I recommend to everyone to find a guild or club of some kind near you. Stitchers are some of the nicest people I know, and it's a wonderful way to share information, tips and with our group, recipes, since food plays a happy part of our gatherings.

Thank you Cheryl! Please post comments/questions for Cheryl below.

Customer Spotlight - Susan Alexion from NYC

This is the fourth in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unusual about your self: I have been a ‘road warrior’ for the last 12 years. That means I travel every week and am away three or four nights.

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? It has been about nine years. A concierge lady at a Marriott hotel got me started. It was fall and I started on Christmas stockings. I did four that season. I started out along the normal path, 14 count Aida, followed by 16 and 18 count, but took the leap to linen about six years ago.


Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? These were pieces that I recently finished. Plaisirs de dentelliere (lace) by Marie Suarez was a gift for my sister who is into making bobbin lace. The other, Sonata by Mari McDonald, Whispered by the Wind was for me whose favorite color is purple.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I tend to do anything that is part of a series. I started with all of the Kats by Kelly (Calico Crossroads) that I have framed and hung in two collections. I have done all of the word trees by M, and the Sekas hearts. I am partial to Whispered by the Wind for the geometry and few colors, not that I haven’t done complex projects such as Tulip Medley by KustomKrafts. I have a Heaven and Earth design (French Filigree) in progress.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? I am sorry to see local needle shops close. Growing up (45 years ago) I was a knitter and had a local shop that I could walk to. I live in New York City, but the last of the old time shops are gone. I have been forced to become an internet shopper. But you don’t get the opportunity to ‘feel’ fibers or threads.

How often do you stitch and where do you do it? I stitch every day. Mondays and Thursdays are travel days so I get a good three hours of work done on the plane. Then there are the nights in a hotel room which affords another hour or two. At home I have my favorite rocker with an Ott light to the left.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Not really. I have organized all of this in spread sheets and stored in stackable drawers. I have every DMC color, most Caron Watercolours and a wide variety of specialty threads. I have more than 300 pieces in my fabric stash.

Do you have a favorite quote? I do consulting, so my favorite line is “A test of one is not a test, unless I am doing it.”

Thank you Susan! Please post comments/questions for Susan below.

Customer Spotlight - Rachie from Olmsted Township, OH

This is the third in our series Cobweb Corner Customer Spotlight. Enjoy the interview and the fabulous photos chosen especially to share with you. Please comment after reading the interview - the featured stitcher will be thrilled to know you took the time to admire and comment on their craft.

Tell us something unique about yourself: Three years ago I discovered my left eye wasn't seeing clearly. I immediately went to the eye doctor who sent me to a specialist. A macular hole was discovered. I had surgery for that some months later and had to lie on my stomach with my head down for an entire week. I thought my days of stitching were over! After the surgery, my eye has slowly healed. I can see to stitch now with reading glasses. Modern Medicine is Amazing!!!

How long have you been stitching and how did you start? I've stitched for about 15 years. I saw a *pattern* in a stitchery book and began. Of course, I didn't do it properly, but I learn very fast!

Why did you select the pieces you did to share with us? I selected the Wool Gatherer (Shepherd's Bush - photo at top). I won the 2nd place ribbon at our local Needlework Guild's Show, I was very excited as this was my first year placing an item. Wool Gatherer took an entire year to complete. I loved the silver charms and the actual New Zealand wool, which gave the piece such dimension. It came alive for me!

I am also happy to share two of my Christmas Stockings, both by Shepherd's Bush. The charms added such old-fashioned character. They're finished in green velvet.

Dresser Drawer Heart by Shepherd's Bush......many tiny decorative stitches, this really keep me on my *toes*. I love the shabby chic frame which finishes off the piece nicely.

Do you have a favorite designer or style that you prefer? I prefer stitching fanciful and fun things. Shepherd's Bush is my absolute favorite. I adore anything *fun* with an old-fashioned flair. I usually stitch on linen over two and I enjoy decorative stitching as well.

Is there anything you wish would change in the cross stitch industry? What's really important is to have someone available at shops to assist newbies with stitching questions. I've come across too many people who became quickly discouraged.

How often do you stitch and where in the house do you do it? I used to stitch everyday, but now just a few hours a week, sitting in my bedroom chair when the light is good. I can see best then.

Are you embarrassed to admit to friends and family how much stash you have on hand? Only to my Husband. I usually say...Why I've Had This Kit for Years, and YES I do need all of those patterns!

Do you have a favorite Quote? Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.

Anything else you want to add? Yes - my own question: How often do you visit your favorite shop? Quite often.....I'm even thinking of *volunteering* there this winter. I can spend hours looking at new patterns, discussing new designers & chatting with fellow stitchers.

Thank you Rachie! Please post questions/comments for Rachie below.