Finding Flosstube

      As I'm sure many of us have thought at one time  or another that we are alone in this cross stitching world, or at least I did.

       For many years, I never ran into anyone that cross stitched. Rarely even see anyone shop down those aisles at Joann's or Hobby Lobby. After finding the Disney Dreams, I felt more comfortable in my craft. I knew I had found what I want to do throughout my life whether I was alone or not.

       Snow White was taking a lot longer to stitch than originally expected. Stitching on 18 ct was new to me, plus working full time, 2 kids, and moving didn't help me speed things along. During our move, the fabric somehow got separated from the rest of the kit. That took me months to find. Once I had located all the pieces, I was itching to stitch on it again. I enjoyed catching up on TV while stitching with one hand and a hoop in my lap. I skipped around all the blended metallic parts, because they caused me too much frustration. I figured I save those for the end (whenever that might be)

       In September of 2014, we finally decided to get internet through our house. Our cable provider mailed us a kit. Once I received it, I hooked everything together and was ready to get online. Thought the best way to test the speed of our connection was to stream a video. So here I am, staring at YouTube, wondering what to search. Then I thought about something I have never seen online before; Cross Stitching videos or tutorials. I was amazed to see any videos pop up, but here they are. JelliclesForever, Wonderfullyhopless, Tara C, TheLovelyArray, MrsMilkyBarKid, KittyKrew, StitchingMae, and more. Where have I been? WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!!! There's people talking online about cross stitch/showing videos and I never knew. I even found a handful of tutorials that were made years earlier.
       I was hooked. I watched every video I could find for days. I was finding people from all over the world who LOVED cross stitch; Canada, England, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Philippines, Russia and more. I had no idea the popularity of cross stitch in other countries. So many in England. But wait, that's not even the beginning. I found out about hand dyed fabric and floss, needleminders, THE loop method, patterns online, Facebook groups, stitchy magazines, 123stitch.com and Etsy. Why haven't I ever look this up before? The amount of patterns, kits, floss, and fabric online is INSANE. My mind is being blown with each thing I learned. I was still using aida, while the world was using evenweave and linen.
       Finding Flosstube has truly inspired my love of cross stitch even further. I have learned sew(see what I did there?) much. I started to make my own videos on YouTube. It is so neat to share what I've been stitching on throughout each month. Now, there are so many Flosstubers. If it wasn't for all the early Flosstubers, I wouldn't be the stitcher I am today. No, that is 100% true. THANK YOU! Thank you for showing what you love so much. Thank you to all the Flosstubers who came later because, now I know I am not alone in this world of Cross Stitch. I have friends all across this country and ALL over the world. You all have truly enriched my life.