I am thinking of taking up cross stitching

@SomeCowgirl (32191)
United States
September 20, 2011 10:06am CST
There are a handful of patterns I see online that I'd like to do and have framed. A lot of them look quite nice, though I bet they are sort of hard. I still want to take it up and plan to buy one kit and maybe do it at christmas. My sister has done the cross stitch rug things, those look fun as well. Do you do cross stitch? Do you keep them for yourself or gift them out?
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6 responses
@ur4mae (217)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
Actually, I am cross-stitching right now too. LOL. I have three framed and hung in my living room. All of them are landscape designs which are my favorite. I have been doing this since I was in grade school and I have sold many of my finished products. I also made one as wedding present for my best friend. There are software products that can make patterns out of pictures. So I would take pictures of beautiful views and make patterns and stitch them.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Oh wow! I am looking on everythingcrossstitch.com and see a lot I think I'd want to do. I like the saying ones, but I also like the beautiful scenery ones. There are a few on there that look like Thomas Kinkade paintings! If there is software that allows you to convert a picture to cross-stitch I will definitely be looking into that but not anytime soon. First things first, I'll browse and pick out a pattern i want to do.
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@ur4mae (217)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
Go for it! x-stitching is easy. Yes, there is software for that. It is very useful especially if you want to do like family pictures. Sayings are a good start. They are the easiest to do. Good luck!
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
20 Sep 11
That is neat. I would love to see what you make afterwards.
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@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
22 Sep 11
my wife's good in cross stitching. she already made lots of projects and some of them are displayed on our wall, all over the house. she even made one for mentalward and we actually sent it to virginia straight from the philippines. i have tried once but never learned the way my wife wanted it to be.
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Sep 11
crafting is not easy but If you can learn it it's relaxing and rewarding. I wonder if the patterns and instructions are different for the Phillippines, then for the US.
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@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
27 Sep 11
i believe the patterns and instructions are the same wherever. i also learned that some projects are not originally coming from the Philippines and are imported from elsewhere.
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I have never done this before but I used to be interested in it also. I just do not have the time for things like that anymore. I wish I did though.
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I may wait a few years, but I am not sure. There are a few sayings that I want to do, a few bible verses and things like that. I've got to do a lot of straightening up and cleaning etc and there are other thigns I need to buy BEFORE the cross stitch.
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@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Sep 11
I used to do alot of cross stitching but I don't anymore. It is time intensive and there are so many different types and varied projects you can start up. Embrodery can be very beautiful and complicated. You can get little samplers and practice or big ones that take a long time to complete.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I think with anything like that I'd start off with the simple ones that'd take maybe a month to complete, then move on to the hard ones that take a few months to a year. There are so many beautiful ones I'd love to have... but I want to be able to create it myself as well.
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@celticeagle (168334)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Sep 11
I can certainly understand the feeling of accomplishment you would have to the things around you or to give them as gifts.
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@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I can cross stitch but it has been a long time since I have sit down with a project. I have done things as gifts but if you don't get started early enough..it can take more time than you initially thought. If you start with a small one and work your way up..that is the best. You'll need to get used to reading the patterns. I did a big one once and I figured it would take me a month or two..no..it took me 6 months to finish that thing..LOL. From then on out I pretty much stuck with medium sized ones.
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Sep 11
I would start out with the small to medium sized ones. the ones that are like word ones etc, that kind of thing really. Then move up to the bigger ones, the portrait type ones. I won't be gettign supplies for it for awhile though.
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@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
20 Oct 11
I have done cross stitch for about 10 years now. I just finished a piece that took me 9 months to finish but its like a tapestry piece. I like doing these projects much better in cross stitch because every stitch is used. When you purchase a kit there are areas that are left open for the cloth to still be seen. Then to enhance you have to do backstitching and specialty stitches. I still have a few kits I would like to do but I am drawn to the tapestry ones because once those x's are finished there is nothing left to do. Three of the most popular sites for cross stitching the type I am doing is www.mysticstitch.com www.heavenandearthdesigns.com and www.goldenkite.com Just make sure you have lots of time to drool over the computer and a large pot of coffee or tea I want to get a heaven and earth design and I am really having a hard time to pick one from my wish list. Want them all of course then that makes me a pattern collector not getting them done LOL Send me a message if you would like one of my kits I know I will never get finished. We can discuss what I have LOL here goes another pot of tea for me!