More Stitchy Stuff

Well , I made a mistake last time .While the cat was my first counted cross stitch piece , in actual fact , it wasn't my first cross stitch. I was reading the comments on here on Sunday , when I suddenly remembered this :

This is a stamped tablecloth that my penfriend sent me when I was about 13 or 14 . It is awful , the top arms of the crosses are not all the same direction. I followed the stamped image , which wasn't very good , so the stitches are all wonky and it looks pretty naff. I can't remember there being any instructions with it , but I suppose there must have been or I wouldn't have known which colours to use where.

Kept in the same bag is this little beauty My Great Auntie used to give me things like this , knowing I liked cross stitch , she thought I'd like embroidery too. I wouldn't fancy doing it , but I like to look , and appreciate the beauty of items like this . I doubt it will ever get used , but it will be kept and treasured.

Just wanted to share these pictures with you .

So , after my first little bits and bobs , I started buying magazines , as you do (Still got loads of them upstairs), and decided to try something a bit more challenging. I saw one of the readicut ads where you got a kit dirt cheap and got some cheap threads free kind of thing. Spotted a kit I liked and ordered it . I made a start , and got on quite well , even though the colours were very similar. I got about half way through , when I thought I'd made a big mistake and done a whole lot of stitches in the wrong colour.As they were all dotted everywhere , I hit despair and put it away to sort out another time.

There it remained for several years (I kid you not) until I finally plucked up the guts to take it out and see if I could salvage anything.And then , I could not find a mistake ! Typical . So , I finished it off , with a few wrong stitches here and there , but nothing too drastic , washed it and had it framed and it now hangs at the top of the stairs.

Every time I walk past this picture , which is quite a lot , I snarl to myself. I think I'll always keep this picture ,as it was my first proper stitch , and first framed piece , but I don't really like it after all the hassle. Grrrrrrrrrrrr

So , how did you start stitching?

I was out shopping with my Mum and sister , and we happened to go past the wool and haberdashery stall in the local indoor market. Hanging up were some cross stitch kits , and my sister mentioned that she wouldn't mind trying it at some point. The next time I was in town , I went and bought a couple of kits for us to try . Both the same ,and looking back now , quite cheesy . I do think stitching styles have changed immensely over the years , and charts are much better and more varied now. Anyway , here is a picture of my first ever cross stitch I'm going to be really brave , and show you the back too. It's not great , but not bad for a first attempt. Those are not french knots by the way , as I had no idea what they were , I just knotted the thread close to the fabric lol. Anyway , these are a few more photos of my early stitching experiences. I have gone on to do bigger , and I hope , better things. These are kept in a bag , and will probably stay there , but it's nice to remember where you started. Still love this kitty , as it reminds me of a cat I used to have. So , have you still got your first stitch ?