For the last 17 years, I have been selling my craft projects at craft shows around the country.  My all-time favorite craft project is counted cross stitch.  There is such a wide variety of patterns out there… from angel blessings to zoo animals!  Sometimes, I get so lost in looking at all of the selections, I have a hard time selecting one at a time!  I usually end up buying several at once, and then, I have to flip a coin to decide which one to start first!

Cross stitching helps me build the “spirit” of the season around my house! For that reason, I try to limit myself to choosing seasonal or holiday designs only during that particular season.  No Christmas in July for me!  Some great Christmas designs to try are the "Wire Welcome Christmas Friends", "Snow Family Christmas", and "Meowy Christmas Cuff".  For Spring, try the "Thomas Kinkade Beyond Spring Gate" or the "Spring Floral Cross".  Summer designs are fun…"The Magic of Summer" and "Summer Afternoon" are my favorites.  I love autumn designs the best… mainly for the colors!  "Glory of Autumn"and the "Daydreams Autumn Charms" kits turn out just beautifully!

Try Leisure Arts Boutique for some great cross stitch freebies!  You can download many different counted cross stitch patterns.  If you are having difficulty with all the counting in these patterns, try to using a stamped cross stitch design.  These are always fun… there is less counting involved.  I am always amazed at how the ordinary picture that is stamped on the fabric just comes alive when I add the stitching!  It reminds me of how taken I was the first time I tried a “Paint by Number” when I was young.  I consider steps like these as building blocks to talent… painting, sewing, walking… there are starting places for everything!