I have been thinking about my first experiences with this website. It was long ago that I discovered Cute...(late 2008 I think). I didn't post anything for a very long time. I just read everything I could. After a long while, I hesitantly commented inside another post and then asked a question inside a different post. I was welcomed by some of the kindest Cuties and treated rather briskly, hastily, and even severely by some others.

I came onto this site thanks to a friend who is an excellent sewer & embroiderer who gave me a list of sites for free embroidery designs.
I wasn't lurking for very long before I made my first comment as someone needed help and as no one seemed to know the answer, she had mine.
I was nicely surprised at the wonderful welcome that I received from everyone.
THANKS
Most sewing/craft people are lovely people I have found. With the occasional misunderstood bit or two.
But then we are only people and as I know from doing storm rescue work, one person's large tree is a sapling to another. Even when the tree in question is only 4 inches in diameter . :-)

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by Patricia109 31 Oct 2016

Of that list of 6 or so sites. I only frequent 2 as they suit me.
These days, I only download freebies that I know I will use. Gone are the days when I downloaded everything that was free. :-)

by rescuer 31 Oct 2016

I stumbled upon it quite by accident. It has been a blessing to me and I have learned more here than I have in any class about embroidery. I am glad you were given a warm welcome!

What a beautiful and memorable walk I have just taken down memory lane.I am most grateful to you rescuer for helping me through some difficult times with my cp.. Have been here since 2007 and have seen a lot come and go.Many have left lasting memories with me. I have loved Cute and Cuties it seems from the beginning. Green I was with a lot to learn..Ms V. I dearly love, there is no finer,kinder or generous person than she is. I've always said and still do this is the finest embroidery site the web has to offer. I am so thankful for the caring cuties that are here and the prayers that have been offered up in my behalf. If I were a millionaire, I would ,if possible try to bring us all together to hug one another in person. Don't know what I would do without your words of encouragement my dear friends./Lillian

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by rescuer 30 Oct 2016

That would be a large gathering!
You are one of the kindest Cuties. Your heart is always in the right place. I will always treasure our friendship as I have learned so much from you about life, family, friends, and a bit of embroidery too. ;-)
I hope all of us learn to give words of encouragement. It is what makes this place home!

Wow, Rescuer, great post!! I was a lurker (read and didn't post) for a long time........I felt too timid to be involved and I was so new to embroidery I didn't feel I had anything to offer.........I have experienced the best of people (and the worst for a short period), but with the mods, all is so good and kind again.......I have grown so much as a person through the nurturing I have gotten here......this website is a great source of knowledge, fun and most of all love!!

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by rescuer 30 Oct 2016

I think many people lurk as they feel they have nothing to offer. I felt I didn't belong to the group because I was certain it was a family or closed group and I hadn't been invited.
So, if you are reading this and feel you need a invitation -- here it is Welcome to Cute! If you feel you have nothing to offer -- say hello anyway. Most of us do not bite. ;)

I've been a member off and on for many years. I check in daily, but don't comment or share my stitch outs very often. Time, or lack of it, and a lack of confidence seems to be my excuse. I do love this site and feel like I know many of you well since you are stalwarts and post often.

I loved meeting Meganne and her hubby a few years ago in Australia. I appreciate the moderators and Veronica who is so generous to provide this site.

I especially enjoyed this site the three years I was living in Mainland China. You were an important life line that kept me grounded and connected to my other life in America. Thanks for letting me lurk. I love embroidery and hope to do me doing a lot more of it in the near future with a new 10 needle. But for the present, I am working on downsizing to a home nearer our children, with a smaller yard. We have someone coming on Tuesday to look at our place, please pray with me that it sells. I love our place and will be sad to move, but we know it is time. I Love you all and wish you the best. Hugs to the moon and back.

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by rescuer 30 Oct 2016

I am so glad you are here. Even if you only lurk, you are an important part of Cute! May you be blessed with all you stand in need of at this time.

So TKS to read post. Bless you!

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by rescuer 29 Oct 2016

Bless you!

I am always grateful for the friends i have made here!How wonderful that people reach out to help. My life has hung by a thin thread at times but words have helped heal me. I couldn't have gone on without the help I received. To all who throughout the years have helped me I can only say THANK YOU.I feel close to my friends here and look forward to everyday. I have learned a lot from everyone. I do hope everyone feels welcome.Ms Veronika has given me a place to call home.

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by rescuer 19 Oct 2016

I often wish we all lived on the same street -- it would be a very long street! I too have been cheered by the kind and tender words my Cute friends have offered. You have always been a kind and gentle friend. I am glad we both have the same online home.
Hugs dear Duchess

Oh my. This is taking me down memory lane. Having bought a second hand machine with really not much support, I was desperately looking for help. I am not sure how I found Cute but it had to be in the year of 2008. My first membership purchase was August 2008. I did what most of us did. I first read, tried to find my way around and then had the nerve to ask a question. I still can remember asking my first one, trying to figure out what the number next to my name is all about and those flowers. I think I have stated it many times that most of what I learned about machine embroidery was through Cute, either through links, posts and answered questions. Thank you all.
I made dear dear friends, laughed with them (over their comments), cried and prayed with them yes and even got a bit mad at them. Like a family. What a great one!!. Rescuer said it very well and I could not say it any better. I hope you all feel the warm and welcoming spirit here.

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I am so glad to have friends like you. I have made it through some very tough times with the help of kind Cuties.

I am sure my first postings are long since removed...but I really wasn't posting a lot anyway. I just read all I could.

Thanks rescuer for joining the moderators and I for one am certainly pleased you stayed. I joined from the beginning and have always loved being a member, not only for sewing hints, but for the challenges from Sue, birthday wishes and the privilege of praying for those in need. It's great to have so much help from such experienced sewers from all round the world. I've made wonderful friends and gained a plethora of knowledge. Luv Chris

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I love all the fun, love and learning here on Cute. I have learned so much from Cuties like you. Thank you for being so helpful to newer Cuties and "older"ones too. I am always in awe over your Santa's and other complicated stitched designs. Thank you for the inspiration and also for the prayers you offer for Cuties around the world.

We are all truly blessed!!

by mops 18 Oct 2016

Hi Chris, you introduced yourself Feb 2009, asking how to upload a picture/avatar. That's a feature we lost in one of the upgrades and now the "oldies" are easily recognisable.
Just like rescuer I love seeing your Christmas gifts. Amazing what you come up with every year! I am looking forward to seeing this year's surprises.

My machine embroidery journey started in 1992. That was the time you could only use expensive embroidery cards. Brother offered a scanner that let one do very simple auto-digitising. I still have it - and some of the designs I made with it.
The first website I visited was Cute in September 2007, bought my first membership in December that year. I think welcome messages were not the usual thing at the time. I commented on some projects but did not ask a question till the last day of 2007 - I looked that up otherwise I would not have known. It was: "Can anyone tell me if it's worth upgrading to Husqvarna 4D? I upgraded from System5Pro through VIPpro to 3D Pro. Is it worth updating (again!) to 4D."
The site has changed enormously since then. We now have all the different categories to post in and that must be confusing for newcomers.
What did not change is the sort of problems cuties have - fortunately the number of experienced cuties has grown, so there's always someone who has an answer.

I have made many good friendships here and only met one Cutie so far - would love to see that number grow.

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I am so thankful you are here helping Cuties find their way around Cute. You have a wonderful knowledge of all things sewing and embroidery. I count myself blessed as you are one of my dear friends.

by mops 18 Oct 2016

Thank you so much, I truly appreciate your friendship, a real blessing!

I'm sorry you were not welcomed by everyone.
I first joined Cute a month after the forum was opened. I have seen many ups and downs, some jaw droppingly bad and others heart breakingly good. I must say it's been a lot better since we have had moderators. Thank you Moderators! ( I am sure there will be ups and downs again but we are real people here and our views will differ - lets hope we can find it within ourselves to accept that we ARE different and use that as a reason for celebration)
P.S. My user name was different when I joined but I had to change it some time ago because of some of the bad. I don't post very often, very little in fact - but I do pop in as often as I can and ALWAYS appreciate my fellow cuties.
Thank you each and everyone

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I'm glad you pop in...
I look back on the "unwelcome" comments and I know I asked the right questions but they were taken the wrong way. It sounded to some as though I only wanted free designs and worse yet -- I asked what happened to a feature of the site. I was not offended but I suppose I could have been. That is one reason I try VERY hard to be kind and welcome new (or new to posting) Cuties.
Thankfully, the jaw dropping days are in the past -- here's hoping they stay there!!

I for I am also glad you stayed. I also found Cute in 2008. I had just bought a second hand embroidery machine - which my husband said I would never use. With no instruction book and about 8 reels of thread I went on to the web and learnt. I am still learning thanks to cute and the wonderful people here.

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I bought a second hand machine too. It took me ages to figure out the beeps and codes. I was always setting the machine off. My family thought I would go crazy before learning how to use it. I was so glad to find Cute and all those who were able to help me learn.
I cherish my friends here and count you as one of the best!

I have enjoyed everyone on this site. You have helped me thru some sad times with your prayers and thoughts. Thanks everyone Damaris

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I too have needed the prayers and positive thoughts. I appreciate all those that pray and also those that do not pray but send the positive thoughts my way. Everyone here has a special place in the Cute family.
I always have a few Cuties (some times many more) that are added to my prayers. You have been there more than once...

Sweet walk down memory lane! I went back and found my first post...Hi all "Newbie Here"...Sewmom was the very first to post a reply, followed by many others still active daily here...so lucky to have stumbled onto Cute. I don't even remember how I found it...but it was my lucky day that day. Never did I dream I would make so many friends worldwide whom I may never get to meet in person...would be nice though! Rescuer, you are truly a "rescuer" and have warmly given of yourself to all of us...I will be forever grateful for your friendship and kindness...Hugs for you and all Cuties...I can't thank all of you enough for your warm welcome and continued support....

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

Thank you!
Cute is a place filled with kindness, love, and selfless support. You are always there -- supporting Miss Veronika and providing designs for those that "show and tell" in Projects. You have been there to show newer Cuties the best of the web. Your designs always inspire me and so many others too.
You may not remember how you got here -- but I will be forever grateful you came and stayed. You are a dear friend!

by dragonflyer 18 Oct 2016

Thank you, Rescuer...your words touch my heart...

I can't remember when I found Cute, but have loved coming here every morning to read all the posts I can. I know I found the site because of the free designs. I haven't posted a lot, but everyone have been so kind to me. Thank you Cuties!!!
Kathy

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

Cuties are the best!

It is a privilege to belong to this family, so many wonderful helpful people. Maian

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I have always felt it was a privilege to come here. While here I can help myself to free designs ever day, chat with friends that are more like family, mourn with others, ask questions, praise the amazing projects, and always feel at home.

and what a wonderful Cute family member you are !!!!

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

YOU are one of the kindest Cuties!
Sending hugs to you.

I bought my first embroidery machine in November 2009 and joined Cute very soon after. I was attracted by the six free designs a day but I soon realised that there was so much more on offer!
After a couple of weeks, I bought my first membership and tentatively posted some of my projects. Like you, I felt mostly welcomed, but I did get a few rebukes here and there. (I probably deserved them!)
Over the years I have met quite a few members "in the flesh" and made good friendships with some I will never meet.
I too am ever so thankful I stayed!

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I just asked relevant questions at the "wrong" time or my questions were misunderstood. It was a hard lesson -- but I learned to be careful with my words.
Whenever my "ship comes in" I will be planning my Cute world tour. :D

by spendlove 18 Oct 2016

There is always chocolate in my fridge!

I just went back to my order history and it said my first order was Dec. 2007. I take it that I had been on a while before my first order. I actually bought my first embroidery machine and did not have a computer. My boyfriend gave me his old one and I got on line via some close by neighbor not having a secure site. Ha! HA! Yes, I remember all the spats and never understanding them. We all learned from each other and we all had different machines and software. Many of you were one up on me with computer knowledge and I welcomed all the help I could get. Veronika even commented many times. Yes , we have grown to be family and the trouble makers seem to have disappeared. This has always been my favorite site! Kay

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

No other site has the same feel as this one. I would have been lost with my first machine, if it weren't for Cute and the wonderful folks that always helped. Even the ones that only offered virtual hugs (as they didn't know the answers) helped immensel

I also came along in 2008. I had an embroidery machine, about 10 spools of thread an absolutely no idea what I was doing. I stayed in the background for some time, I couldn't offer any advice , I think after a short time I asked a question or made a comment on someones project. I have learned a lot since then and have met some wonderful people. Even though we may never meet in person I feel as if I know most of you. If you are new join in. it's a fun place to be and I have always felt welcome here.

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

I remember buying designs on CD's for the "bargain" of 50% off -- so only $45 for 10-12 designs! When I found Cute, I had just paid $150 for designs. I was thrilled, as my local fabric store told me that free would be a mistake.... I loved all the designs offered here! I only collected a few of Miss Veronika's beautiful designs -- until I found the Subscription Membership. Then, I collected them all!

What a great post. I came on somewhere around July of 2007. Wasn't much or many here then. I asked a question and Miss Veronika herself came online and answered it for me. I knew then I was in a kind, safe, nurturing place.
I hope that I have never made anyone feel unwelcome (with exception of the spammers). We are all different and that's what makes us such a good community. We have tolerance that is tempered with love and the desire to further our craft.


I'm thankful you stayed, too, rescuer. I've made some very near (to my heart) and dear friends here and you are certainly one of them.

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

Most of the Cuties have been wonderful to me. You were the one with the sweetest welcome! I knew if there were more like you -- then I found my online home. You are one of a kind -- but there are so many kind and wonderful Cuties...too many dear friends to list! My heart was filled with joy when I had my first answer from our dear Veronika. Her generosity and desire to serve us was (and still is) unmatched.
This is home and I am so thankful you were here to greet me!

by jrob 19 Oct 2016

Me, too. ;)

I cant remember just exactly when I fond Cute but I do remember that it was at least 6 months that I read what was being posted before introducing myself. I do remember receiving a very warm welcome. Over the years have received excellent advice, had some great laughs, cried at some of the sad happenings, seen some excellent work and made sewing friends around the world. Rarely a day goes past without me mentioning Cute to some one. My local sewing friend joined about the same time, I often tell her what is happening as sadly she doesn't visit to too often. I really aught to ask why. I have great fun here and like many have a Cute addiction. Thanks Rescuer for the post which also has taken me down memory lane

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

You are one of the ones dear to my heart. I never knew I could have so many friends all over the world until I found Cute.
Thank you -- for being you!

We wouldn't be cute without you!

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by rescuer 18 Oct 2016

You are so sweet!
Cute needs all of us to be the warm and friendly place I love to visit. I feel a vacancy whenever one of our Cuties passes. I am thankful for Cuties like you that are always willing to lend a hand.