Cross Stitch Pro for Mac

 Been learning how to use this cross stitch design program. This is my first attempt a trying to make a grandmother. It's like pixel art and if you've ever seen my oil painting style, you can see why this is so hard for me! ; ) 

Theodore by Stacy Nash Primitives - Animal Crackers Series

 

Theodore is done! Finished it last night. I made slight changes in the stitches to keep things uniform but tried to keep it as true to the pattern as possible. I added my initials on the bottom right (under his left foot). I used homespun fabric different from what the directions called for because I didn't use a pattern on his little bag. He's filled with ground walnut shells and lavender. I LOVE how he smells. Can't wait to get started on Clementine! 

CalicoPatches will be a place for sharing my new journey in cross stitch and embroidery.

Welcome to CalicoPatches.com!

Here I will share my love of stitching as a journal of sorts and as a place to link to my own resources. It's a great way to keep all my stitchy stuff all in one place. 

I started stitching way back in 1991 when I was pregnant with my first son. My mother in law had a small stitch shop and she introduced me to this world. I made many little things for the baby and some small cat patterns from other designers. I enjoyed it so much that I actually felt guilty of the time spent stitching. I just couldn't justify it to myself so I only stitched with there was something to gift. 

I have stitched many of gifts through out the years. I started and continued the tradition of gifting every 5 year old a Christmas advent calendar which is a lot of work. With my nieces and nephews, I actually started doing aplique kits and converting them into advent calendars. 

This year I have two advent calendars to finish. One is for my niece's daughter and the other for my son's girlfriend. As I worked on these this past couple of years, I realized something big. I really really enjoy working with thread. I consider myself a traditional oil painter but painting feels more like work. It's difficult to get myself to paint. I can start things just fine but to feel motivated to actually paint seems to be harder and harder these past few years. I do still paint, just not as often. 

Since the pandemic, I've made masks, made our own sour dough starter, baked bread and have tried not to succumb to the overwhelming grief. Early 2021, I discovered this thing called FlossTube on YouTube. I gotta say, cross stitch has change a lot since 1991! I am hooked to say the least. I have been starting many patterns, all along hearing the old drawn out voice of guilt. But this time, it's different because I do not give a hoot about it. I enjoy doing this and I NEED something to keep my mind occupied. I also realized that my paintings could be designed into cross stitch patterns. I really would love that! but I do need to learn how to first. There are just so many new designers have inspired me to try it. 

I do not see myself doing my own FlossTube, but I do see myself putting all that I do in stitch on this blog.  

Here is my sweet Calico Patches.