My First Cross-Stitch
30 Jan 2013
Well, it isn’t technically my first cross-stitch. I think I made a tiny bunny cross-stitch for my grandmother when I was little. And I started the cutest birth announcement cross-stitch for my baby cousin…who is now 21. I haven’t done any cross-stitching since then, but I have been really wanting to branch out into some new projects this year, so I gave it a go. I found this little kit at the craft store, and it even came with a little frame (which I inexpertly painted…needs another coat!), for only $1.29. Definitely a worthy gamble!
It was a little tricky at first, and there are still a few stitches I haven’t mastered, but overall I really like it and am having fun with it.
I deviated from the pattern a little bit, which gives me hope that soon I can design my own and play some more with colors.
Overall, I am happy to report that my love of making things extends to needlework too. I love watching the design take shape, and I even love that unavoidable pixelated 80s look of things (although this can be remedied if desired by stitches I don’t know how to do yet). I don’t even mind the counting, which seemed kind of daunting at first. The only sad part of this whole story is that I lost an embroidery needle somewhere in the office that I will probably never find again, at least until the day we move. It’s not sharp, so it isn’t dangerous, but I am still considering coming at it with…a very powerful magnet…or a metal detector. Unless you have any better ideas!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 04:31:59
I bought a little cross stitch kit once and when I left the room the dog ate the whole thing, I just found a few scraps of the plastic bag on the floor. The kit had contained a needle, as well as a skein of embroidery threads and the material itself, so I was very worried. The vet advised we should search for the needle every day – so there I was, with a newspaper and an old spoon (sacrificed to the cause, obviously we never used it again!!) chopping up guess-what looking for a needle for the next several days. A couple of days later the threads and material appeared, in one big mass, but we never did find that needle. Eight years later, the dog is still alive, but the whereabouts of that needle remain a mystery!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 07:24:58
Sorry Cameron; no matter how your missing needle story ends, Debbie wins.
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:49:34
I agree! Debbie wins!!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:49:18
Oh, Debbie, that is awful! I am so sorry it happened–must have been really frightening (and the aftermath…unpleasant!). I am glad your dog is okay. Maybe that needle escaped into the soft embrace of your carpet…here’s hoping! Thanks for sharing this!
Feb 01, 2013 @ 06:59:07
Another reason to be glad you don’t yet have a dog. Our dog Sport once ate a whole block of Limberger cheese along with some nice dill pickle spears.
Feb 03, 2013 @ 21:51:42
How terrible! I would like to have seen how Grandmother responded to that!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 10:15:19
Wow — That is such a beautiful creation! I’ve been fascinated with the idea of cross stitching since I was a little girl, albeit in sporadic moments. Thank you for renewing my curiosity with this lovely post!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:50:17
Thank you! I thought it was pretty cute! I rather boldly bought a handful of kits, so I am happy to find that I actually do really like needlework! 🙂
Jan 30, 2013 @ 15:57:42
I love cross-stitch and embroidery! Cross-stitch in particular, because it is like the paint-by-numbers of fabric, which is a perfect match for my artistic prowess.
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:51:07
I love that idea! Yes, the paint-by-number of fabric! Hope you are doing awesome, friend!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 20:17:51
I love it. As for the needle, ask your scientist husband. Maybe the 60″ on Mount Wilson will do the trick. Surely he won’t need the 200″ at Palomar.
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:52:11
Thank you! I hadn’t considered a microscope, but it’s a good idea! I can always count on scientists for answers! (Although the giant magnet idea was Mom’s! )
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:53:54
I love this! Makes me want to try it.
Jan 30, 2013 @ 22:37:22
Thank you! It is pretty fun to watch it take shape 😉
Feb 01, 2013 @ 07:01:08
Cross stitch was one of the first crafty things I tried, along with needlepoint. I wonder if I could even see well enough to do it anymore. What will you do with yours?
Feb 03, 2013 @ 21:54:36
I remember that! You had a really pretty needlepoint with lots of flowers–I wonder what ever happened to it? I am not sure yet what I will do–for now I am just playing around with it, and I would never have thought of it, except I saw some really cool ones lately (like of a world map!). They can be kind of a pain to stretch and frame, at least if you are going to do it properly, but I have never been one to stand on ceremony, now have I? 🙂
Feb 01, 2013 @ 09:10:18
That’s really pretty! I admire the constant growth of your skills! Your apartment must be full of many such “Cameronian” trinkets.
Feb 03, 2013 @ 21:57:32
Thank you! I thought it was a cute design. It is sort of a Cameronian museum of crafts around here, but I haven’t filled up all the walls yet, so I just keep on going! 🙂