Mary Beale: How long have you been stitching?  Who taught you to stitch?

Maria Jones: "I started sewing when I was about 6. My mother taught me. As a 12 yr old she sold handmade toys to a department store during WW2."

Mary Beale: Do you mainly cross-stitch or needlepoint?

Maria Jones: "I cross-stitch during the summer and do needlepoint/tapestry during the winter."

Mary Beale:  Do you stitch mainly for yourself or others?

Maria Jones: "I mainly stitch for others but try to make one item a year just for me."

Maria Jones: "I decided in my madness to make a red tablecloth for Christmas. It has a border of white snowflakes. I have 138 snow flakes to stitch. I am at the half way point."

Mary Beale: Which Mary Beale design have you stitched?  Have you stitched more than one?

Maria Jones: "So far I have stitched Stocking II. I made it for my niece in Australia."

Mary Beale: Do you have a favorite? Why?

Maria Jones: "I have been collecting the patterns for all the stockings. Each time I get a new one I think that is my favourite."

Mary Beale: Do any of your Mary Beale needlework projects have a story

Maria Jones: "I have a photo of the stocking before I sent it to Australia."

Mary Beale: What do you collect?

Maria Jones: "I used to make bobbin lace. I have a large 12" across that I made before I had my son. I stopped making lace while my son was small as I didn't want the pins to hurt him. I thought I would have fewer problems with cross stitch as I would only have one needle to keep track of."