The Great Cross Stitch Showcase

WARNING: photo-heavy post ahead :)



Inspired by a gorgeous cross-stitch display by Linen and Raspberry, the enthusiastic-and -always-encouraging -Chookyblue thought it would be a lovely idea for us to pull out our completed cross-stitch pieces, and have a little blog-hop. I couldn't agree more :)

I have to say, it's been a long time since I've put a needle into aida fabric...despite the fact that each year a cross-stitch UFO makes it onto my to-do list :)

I will start by showing you some of my completed pieces.

I completed this sampler in 1999, and it currently hangs in my front entry.

This blurry photo is Lydia's Beatrix Potter alphabet sampler, which hangs in her bedroom. She won't hear of it being moved...

...unlike Riley's Beatrix Potter Colour Sampler, which was removed from his bedroom quite a few years ago. I've done several other pieces over the years, but have given them away...and believe it or not, the photos I have of them are even worse than these ones LOL! Merryn didn't get a Beatrix Potter cross-stitch...3 children left very little time for counting threads!

I've saved the best for last though...

...my very first cross-stitch, completed in high school textiles class, and framed by the very cute boy who lived across the road :) It lives in my walk-in robe...behind a cupboard...and probably will for the rest of it's life.

Since I don't have many completed pieces to show you, I thought I'd do a cross-stitch walk of shame...and show you the ones that are living in my UFO box :)

There's the Christmas stocking done on black (virtually impossible to stitch in anything other than bright sunlight)

...the Home Sweet Home banner, which could be completed in an afternoon or two (if only I would put my mind to it!)

There's the teddy bear sampler, which unfortunately will probably never be completed due to rust stains, and the transparency of the aida cloth...

...and the other teddy bear sampler, due to be completed for my sisters' 18th birthday...

...she has since celebrated her 21st, 30th, 40th and more....hee hee.

There's the charming cottage, stitched on the leftover yellow cloth that featured in my first cross-stitch...eeewwww...

...and the sewing room sampler, which I managed to complete about 10 crosses on before moving on...oh dear.

Then there are the kits...

...which I loved to buy, but never found the inclination to start. There's a bit of a teddy bear theme happening there :)

A cross-stitch Christmas stocking for each of the children would be a lovely addition to our Christmas decorating...

...if only I would make a start!

So there you have it...my cross stitch history in one blog post! Hopefully this will give me a bit of a push to do a few more crosses, especially once I check out everyone elses beautiful work. Head over to visit Chookyblue if you are interested in seeing more...she has the links to everyone who is participating.

Thanks for hanging in this long...and please join in if you have any cross-stitches lurking in your home..we'd all love to see!

TTFN xxx