I CROSS STITCH TOO!!

,Lori Holt has been an inspiration to me in so many ways.  I love her You Tube videos each Friday and when I saw her first "FlossTube" I was smitten!!

During my childhood, my mom encouraged me in many crafty pursuits.  Although she wasn't a cross stitcher herself, she generously bought kits, fabric, and thread for me to pursue the craft.  

As a young wife I continued to cross stitch many of my early home decor items.  I stitched a large picture of a stuffed bear sitting in front of a wardrobe filled with quilts!  Another patriotic piece, complete with a rippling flag and outstretched eagle, hung in our Americana themed entry way for many years. 
Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that I hauled those pieces off to Goodwill a few years back, thinking they were dated.  

Little did I know that cross stitching was making a comeback! 
Oh, how I wish I could retrieve those pieces now!

After viewing Lori's first "flosstube" video (I didn't even know what that meant at first!), I began investigating the new patterns that had been published and the new threads that were available.  I was astonished to see what I was missing out on!  I started buying patterns and thread.  I began watching other flosstubers.  And I began searching out cross stitch shops both in my local area and online.

I have finished stitching a few pieces over the past year but this pillow is my first "fully finished" piece, meaning I did something with it once the stitching was done!  

This Antique Scissors & Spools pattern is published by Shakespeare's Peddler.  It is one in a series of "Antique" things including Baskets, Birds, Teas, and Keys (which is next on my list!)
 
 Look closely at the finish to my pillow, I used an antique hanky as trimming.  After making the pillow itself, I laid an antique hanky over the top and tacked down the lacy edges.  Once the edges were secure, I carefully cut away the inside cotton fabric of the hanky! 

And the back . . . I  added a Lori Holt inspired finish to the back by layering scraps of wool and finishing it off with antique laundry pins!  Oh, so adorable!

When I entered this pillow in the county fair this summer, it won Reserve Grand Champion! 

I am so happy that I started cross stitching again this past year, after a 20+ year break. 
​ I am loving it!

Have you jumped on this bandwagon?  Have you taken up cross stitching AGAIN?  Or maybe for the first time?  Many quilt shops are now offering supplies and expanding this part of their store.  Let me know what you're working on.  Leave me a comment below!

​Happy Stitching!