My name is Louise Jackson, and I am the driving force behind Aljay, but this website would not be possible without the support and active participation of my family. We live in Port Elizabeth, a coastal city in South Africa.

I purchased a Bernina Artista 180 in 2001 and became instantly enslaved to the world of machine embroidery. I catapulted myself down the path of hunting for designs on the internet, downloading all the freebees I could find, and purchasing many design sets from designers who earned my admiration and awe. I very soon developed an ambition to become a purveyor of quality designs myself! Late in 2003 I finally purchased the Artista Designer V.4 software and so here I am at last!

My husband, Kevin, has encouraged and supported me on every inch of this journey.

My oldest son, Andrew, designed and maintains this website. He is also the person that I bounce ideas off and we have spent many hours dreaming together about various possibilities which I hope will become realities in the coming months.

My youngest son, Simon, has been subjected to wearing various items of clothing which have been adorned with embroidery! He has been very patient about this and for that I thank him! There is a standing joke in our family that my husband should not risk standing still for too long or I shall hoop him up and embroider him!