Ann The Gran Community

Living on a fixed income in retirement doesn't allow for a lot of extras, and ME is an expensive hobby.  I have had a membership to ATG in the past and did not find that the value was worth the expense...at least for me.  I did in the past, however, appreciate the free designs that were contributed by people who love ME as much as I do.  Perhaps I'm confused, but I don't understand why designs contributed by people (and at no cost to ATG) are not available for download unless one purchases a membership to ATG.  Is this something new or has it always been this way?  

I purchased and use both Alphabet Express and Catalog Express, but can't help but wonder when the money train stops.  For me, it stops here.

Rita Moritz

This took place a few years ago.   The site was sold and this may have been why there was a change.

I guess it could be worse.  There could be a requirement to pay a membership before purchasing, downloading, having discussions, etc.

Almost everyone is finding a need to stretch the budget.

I too am retired and find that money just does not go far enough.  There still are the 'free' designs which are the designs with the icon on the lower left of the free design section. 

I personally just created a personal site for myself and am starting to understand why the free items seem to be drying up.  It is not cheap to do a good site.  I know one site that is now asking for $80 per year or you cannot even post, and it too was free some time ago.

My new site is helping me financially.  If you find that you may want to sell some of your work, consider going to Etsy.  You can see (one of my sites) at:  http://abrideseyeview.etsy.com  I am starting to make money at that site.  People still get married and have babies despite the economy.  There is room for more embroiderers because it is a place to sell and buy great things.  You can see the other embroiderers at Etsy via a search.  Many of us are making extra (and some a LOT extra) money. 

Pat, The Avid Embroiderer

My husband is a webmaster, so I know there are costs involved in creating and maintaining a website.  The "issue" here, at least in my opinion, is that a site...ANY site would obtain designs at no cost from contributors and then charge people (i.e. a membership fee) to download these designs that 1. they did not digitize themselves and 2.  did not pay a cent for.  and 3.  certainly don't pass any of that money on to the contributors.  

Does not matter where the product comes from.  Air is free, but they charge for it at the gas station.

Most of the contributors have sites where they sell their products.

A couple have withdrawn their product, but most do not seem to care how we get through the door.