How did you get started with digitizing and embroidery?

I had enjoyed hand embroidery, quilting, and cross-stitch when my daughters were both young, because it was something I could do while they were napping. When I bought my first embroidery machine 6 years ago, I was amazed at its ability to stitch out a design "all by itself"! It wasn't that many years ago that we never could have conceived of the idea of sewing machines having computers in them!

When I bought my first digitizing software, I attended all of the group sessions to learn everything I possibly could about it. I took lots of notes in class, but it seemed that by the time I would get home, there would be a question or two that I still had. One day, during one of the classes, I asked the teacher what her best piece of advice would be for learning to digitize. She let a smile creep across her face, and said "Give your family a stack of take-out menus, and lock yourself in the room with the computer. Don't come out until you are smiling!" So, I did exactly that!

I enjoyed the process so much that I went on to teach digitizing lessons in that same store. I always told my students the advice that I had received about giving the family a stack of take-out menus. I think it has worked for a lot of them!

Has your business changed since you started digitizing?
The business actually grew from that starting point. In the process of developing designs for my students, many of them suggested that I sell the finished product. I have since moved away from teaching, and I am spending more time on my own designs for my website http://www.CandyAppleQuilts.com.

In the process of testing my designs, I ended up with stacks of embroidered squares. It occurred to me, from my quilting days, that I could piece all of these squares together, and make a finished quilt. Then, I thought, "How will I have time to hand-quilt these projects?" I went shopping for a long-arm quilting machine. When it was delivered, my family wanted to know how I would ever have time to cook dinner again! "Hmmm……where's that stack of take-out menus…..?" LOL!

What personal information would you like to share?
I have been married to the same wonderful man for almost 28 years. I have two great daughters, and two adorable dogs. Currently, I am machine-quilting for customers, developing quilt patterns and embroidery designs for my web site, digitizing logos for various businesses, and I am in the middle of my second term on our local school board. Many times you will be able to find me in front of the computer answering email, digitizing, and talking on the phone to customers --- all at the same time! How do I do it? Remember that stack of take-out menus……?