Cross (stitch) My Heart

I started cross stitching the summer after I graduated college (i.e., a long time ago). I used to spend my lunch hours cross stitching at my desk and one day a young woman with whom I was acquainted stopped to talk to me when she saw me stitching. It turns out that she had recently picked up cross stitching, too, and we quickly became friends. We started out exchanging patterns and visiting cross stitch shops together, and before we knew it, we were the best of friends. In fact, three years later she was the bridesmaid in my wedding.   

While visiting Jace's blog at Jace Scribbles the other day, I came across a post in which Jace shared some pictures of a cross stitch project she was working on and I became inspired. I decided it was time to revisit some unfinished projects of mine.

When I first started stitching all those years ago, I made so many beautiful wedding, baby, anniversary and housewarming samplers as gifts for friends and family, but never made anything for myself. When my first daughter was born, I finally managed to stitch a birth sampler for my own home. I thought I had a birth sampler started for my second daughter, but I can't find one. I'll stitch one for her. Hopefully before she graduates high school. 

She's nine now. 

At one point, I started the love sampler below that would be for my and my husband's 10th wedding anniversary, but didn't manage to pull that together in time. 

This is what the final project should look like:  

(Of course with our names and wedding date stitched in .... )

Pattern by Bent Creek.

This is what I have so far: 

(click on the photo for enlarged view)

And you know, I just missed finishing it for our 15th wedding anniversary-- because, well, we just celebrated that today. [Okay, how'd that happen? One day we were newlyweds, and then Poof! Here we are married for 15 years!  ]  

I have come up with a new deadline, though. Since we are doing an addition to our house which includes a new master bedroom, I am going to finish this sampler--and have it framed-- before we are ready to spend our first night in our new love shack bedroom.  

This is another unfinished project that I started even earlier than the love sampler. This one I will try to finish in time to hang in my future renovated kitchen. 

(click on photo for enlarged view)

Can you believe that? I got stuck on R for Rooster. I only have S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z left! 

Who else cross stitches or does any other form of embroidery or needle crafts? 

What about any other craft projects like beading or jewelry making?

Scrapbooking or stamping? 

(I have a friend who makes beautiful homemade cards). 

Decoupage? Paper mache? 

Basically, what's your craft thing?