A Stitch in Time

I wish that I had taken pictures of all the different cross stitch creations I've made over the years. In large part, the things I stitch, I give away--birth samplers especially. I learned to cross stitch from my next-door neighbor in Colorado Springs when I was about 8 years old. I did it a lot when i was younger. The last thing i remember making (in my youth) was a cheerleading bear on a sweatshirt (it was awesome) for my best friend in 9th grade (she did not stay my best friend for long as she had aspirations of popularity and boyfriends and I really didn't care that much about either). Anyway, I stopped cross stitching for a long time, until September 11, 2001.

I used to be such a news-junkie. I was always up-to-date on current events. After 9/11, the news was so horrible and distressing that I couldn't watch without busy hands. So I started stitching again. I started with Lady Liberty, which i thought was very appropriate and I was pleased with the results. I have a partially finished "Families Are Forever" in my craft area and I did some other fun, easy projects (like one I just now realize I haven't seen since the move...hmmm?...).
When I was put on bedrest with Bode at 20 weeks, I started working on a daunting Noah's Ark pattern that I'd had for years, just waiting to be pregnant and have a reason to stitch it. I would lay or sit down in the basement and stitch all day long. It was totally addictive and kept me busy and sane with 3 1/2 months of bedrest. It was a very intricate pattern and included beading that I'd never done before and was afraid to do. Beading ended up being really fun and a nice change from the stitching. I had intended to put the finished Noah's Ark in the nursery but once it was finished I didn't want to hide it away so I display it for all to see in my home.
Then there's Bode's birth sampler. I found the pattern while I was pregnant and loved it but didn't buy it for some reason I don't recall. I assumed I'd be able to buy it when I was ready to stitch it, I guess. Well, when I was ready to buy it, it was discontinued and nowhere to be found. I was totally bummed. BUT!!!! Thanks to EBAY, I found it two years later and bid like crazy, paying 6 times what it was worth (but it was worth it to me!). I love it and think it's perfect for Bode.
I have one for Keegen that I started while I was on bedrest with him. I like it but don't love it. It's hard to find a good birth sampler--they are often too cutesie. I'll have to pull it out soon and reevaluate and decide if it's what I want for him. I stitched Christmas stockings for both boys. I need to have Keegen's finished (have someone make the actual stocking around the stitching) and then I have the patterns for mine and Doug's. Fun to have something made by my own hand hanging in the house (and not just "Made in China" like a lot of my Christmas decorations ;)).