New Cross-Stitch Project

I used to do a fair bit of cross-stitch. One of my pieces even won a first place at the Chilliwack Exhibition in 1993. I don't believe I've done any cross-stitch at all in the past decade though. My passion for other fiber arts has left little time for this less creative, yet enjoyable and relaxing, hobby.

I say "less creative" because I find it very much like paint by number except with thread and needle. I don't have to draw the picture or choose the colours. I just place all those little stitches exactly where the charts tell me to using exactly the colours specified. Still, it is not without some measure of skill. Those thousands of tiny stitches do still have to be correctly formed and done with care and neatness.

Although I may find cross-stitch less of a creative challenge than some of the other things I do, it is still very relaxing and somewhat addicting in nature, and results in a spectacularly beautiful end product.

I've been admiring this particular kit for years now. I have seen it often in the Mary Maxim catalogue. When I saw it recently in a local department store, and for a reasonable price, I just couldn't resist its lure any longer. I thought I would put it away for "some day", but despite all the other things I have on the go right now, this little bit of pleasure snuck to the top of my list.....at least for a while. I put no time limit on these kinds of things. It could be years before I actually complete it.