For over 50 years, Denise has had a passion for sewing and creating new things, and the crazy idea to help others; is what began this interesting journey for EME.

From the story appearing in the Magazine - "Galleria of Machine Artistry and Quilting" published in 2009.

Denise May has been using needles all her life. From the age of five she was learning to knit using five-inch nails and darning wool, and then she progressed on to skewers from the local butcher!

Always obsessed when it came to being creative, Denise experimented with all forms of stitching: dressmaking, crochet, knitting, cross stitch, and sewing, all on her Bernina machines and Baby Lock serger/overlocker. She always had some form of needlework in her hands. Upon retiring in the early 1990's, Denise discovered patchwork and her quilts then multiplied like wire coat hangers in a wardrobe! Cathedral Windows and Wedding Ring quilts are two of her favorite patchwork design styles.

When the Bernina 180 Embroidery Machine came into Denise's life; it opened up a whole new world - that of machine embroidery. This in turn created a new learning curve for Denise as she enrolled in classes at Bernina Chermside. In one of these classes she made the Latte quilt, designed by Kerri Hay, and chose shades of soft pink to make it with. Attending these classes inspired Denise and her quest for knowledge became insatiable.

It was her passion for machine artistry that prompted Denise to enter the Ronald McDonald Challenge through the Creative Expressions magazine. The opportunity to produce a block for his worthwhile charity touched Denise's heart, so instead of making one block she made twenty (which were later made into two quilts, and then auctioned, with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House). Denise did all this work on her Bernina 180 using the Jenny Haskins' Rose design, specifically designed for the challenge.

Denise won the challenge and was awarded a Bernina 440 embroidery machine and design software. This machine has never stopped stitching - not a day goes by when it is allowed to sit idle.

Since then Denise has entered a number of charity competitions, geared to raise money for a worthy cause (which also gives her another excuse to purchase more fabric, batting, threads and designs!).

Then in 2007, Early May Enterprises Pty Ltd was founded by Denise, her daughter Karen & her husband David.

We are a family-owned company, located in Brisbane, Australia, specializing in creating beautiful embroidery designs for children of all ages (including adults...). EME's aim is to produce high-quality machine embroidery designs using original artworks, especially for the home sewer, worldwide.

It is with delight that Denise makes all the quilts to showcase her stunning designs, which she displays at all craft shows throughout Australia. Denise is now also giving classes at these shows, teaching her easy quilt-as-you-go techniques and machine embroidery.

Denise was honoured to be asked to participate in the Bernina Australasian Creative Challenge to launch the Bernina 8-series machines and accepted with enthusiasm.

This publication is still available - it features 29 very talented girls (Friends of Bernina). It showcases the Winning Quilt from Kim Bradley and features the full instructions to make Lizzy Allens' Quilt - Black and White Dreams.

Since 2009 - EME has been travelling around Australia, promoting our Collections, Quilts and Designs at Craft Shows and giving presentations in Dealers Stores.

In January, 2010 - Lizzy Allen joined EME as Creative Director. Lizzy is a professional longarm Quilter, Accredited Teacher, Digitizer and a Floriani Educator. Lizzy now working with Denise to advise and help with creating new Designs, Quilts and showcasing our embroidery collections.

In February, 2010 - EME went to the USA - our first introduction to the USA was fabulous. Attending the VDTA/STDA Trade Convention is Las Vegas. Our introduction to create a Dealer network across the USA was of paramount importance; to provide stores with our designs, give Trunk Show presentations, and most importantly ... making it easier for consumers to get out product locally in the USA.

July 2010 - Seattle, Washington - we were invited by Paul LaPonte to present and showcase our designs in all of his 15 Stores throughout Washington State. Absolutely fabulous. We had an awesome time and amazingly, the girls in the USA are just they same as the girls in Australia, they absolutely LOVE to sew !!!

October 2010 - Los Angeles, Colorado, Houston,TX - more in-store presentations with our Dealers, and EME attended Quilts Inc, International Quilt Market & Festival in Houston.

Oh my goodness - if you ever want to go to a Craft Show - then put HOUSTON on your bucket list - 30 aisles, 600 vendors, 100's of Classes, Quilt tours and about 1 KM (5 miles) of Quilts to walk around - In all about 3 Km of Stuff to look at .... (sorry not sure if the conversion is correct) however, I do know that it is HUGE!!!! BIG !!! MASSIVE !!! go take a look for yourself if you don't believe me..

February 2011 - back to VDTA/SDTA for our 2nd fabulous trip, then across the USA attending the Original Sewing & Quilt - Craft Shows in Atlanta, GA; Lakeland, FL; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL and Worcester, MA. David and Karen drove with our beautiful friend for 6 long weeks across the USA, even with a very brief 10 minute stop in Canada (watch your turns if you ever get to Niagara Falls - don't turn left into Duty Free, unless you have your passport, as you have to go over the bridge or blow out your tyres. Guess it's their way to make money!!!)

October 2011 - Early May Enterprises Pty Ltd - is appointed the new Exclusive Distributor for RNK / Floriani, USA - Embroidery, Sewing and Quilting products for Australia & New Zealand.

We have a new website created for Floriani Australia - visit www.FlorianiAustralia.com - we feature the full range of products, listing all the Australian & New Zealand Dealers (where you can get your Floriani Products from Direct from a Store near you).