Interview with Karin

Over on the 2012 Year of Smalls blog I try to get an interview each month with the stitcher who picked that month's small.  I am a month behind which means that in short order two interviews will be posted.

The first one is with Karin who picked the small for July which is The Crown's Sampler by Nicky's Creations.  Please pop over to the smalls blog to learn more about our little project.  In the meantime, please enjoy some stitching talk with Karin who now lives in Illinois but is a Dutch girl from Holland.

Q:  How long have you been stitching and how did you learn how to stitch?

A:  I have been stitching since I was 15 years old. I learned to stitch by myself.  The way I discovered cross stitch is quite funny.  I worked in a convenience store on the weekends and there was an offer from a cigarette brand. When someone would buy a few packs they got a mini kit from Lanarte. One of the customers didn't want the kit and offered it to me. I looked at it and as it was quiet in the store I started it right there and then!  Hooked ever since!
 

Q:   Is there a difference in stitching (shops, designers, retreats) between Europe and America?

A:  There certainly is! Of course there is more availability in America and it seems more popular, although the last couple of years I noticed more is coming out of Europe. Especially the French have more designers getting international interest which is great! Unfortunately there is not a lot of cross stitch everywhere in Europe. Before moving to the US I lived in Ireland for over 5 years and there was nothing!! Even finding DMC was almost impossible. Luckily there was the internet and I ordered everything online. So you can imagine that I was like a kid in a candy store when I moved to the US and visited a cross stitch store!  There were not many possibilities for retreats in Europe. One shop in London, Hanging By A Thread, organized classes with US designers and that was always so much fun!
 

Q:  What is your favorite cross-stitch accessory?

A:  Definitely scissors...I am a collector!

Q:  Do you have a tip for people who would like to try to stitch on 36 or 40 count?
 

A:  Just give it a try! The result is so beautiful and stitching with just one thread is wonderful, no need to worry if the threads are laying nicely. With a pair of readers or a magnifier it will even be easier!

Q:  How often do you stitch?

A:  I try to stitch every night while watching TV.

Q:  Who are 3 of your favorite designers?
 

A:  That is a difficult question....there are so many. I would say Blackbird Designs, Shepherd's Bush and I love reproduction samplers, especially Dutch ones and Quaker Samplers.

Q:   What is your favorite fabric to stitch on?

A:  36 or 40 count Lakeside Linen.
 

Q:  Can you tell us a story of a time that you were truly on a stitching "high?"

 A:  I think it is every time I am together with my stitching buddies:-)

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Thanks for the interview Karin!!!