First Large Cross Stitch project planned

[Deb Lee]

Over the years I have tried my hand at cross stitch, usually a small project with a few simply flowers and a few words then a few weeks ago I bought a few knitting magazines from Ebay and the seller tossed in a cross stitch magazine and I was mesmerized by the patterns/designs within the pages, one designer's pattern (Joan Elliot) caught my attention and I thought the name was familiar and while organizing my stash of yarn, fabric and threads etc. I came across a book by the same designer.

I had purchased the book sometime last year a few weeks before I moved (in July) so it was packed up and forgotten until I was organizing, a fancy way to say I was looking for something. Two things occurred to me

1. Sometime in the Spring of 2011 I was planning to work in cross stitch since I bought the book.

2. I was actually searching for cross stitch pattern I bought from a seller on Etsy a few weeks ago and found the book instead.

Oh the book is:

 I am going to begin this Celtic Wheel pattern but instead of a pillow I am going to make a wall hanging.

I wanted to make the Moon Mother pattern in the book but had to special order some Kreinik braid #4 since the local needlework shop didn't have 2 of the 4 colors I need so once I have everything I can get started.  

While browsing Joann's yesterday for a few unrelated items I spoke with a wonderful customer who gave me a few tips on cross stitch and she mentioned using a frame instead of a hoop and not having to work from the center but from either the top or bottom.  Since this is my first large pattern I think I will stick with working from the center out and maybe try starting from a bottom or top on a smaller project. 

There are several other patterns in this book I want to make I am sure it's the reason I bought the book in the first place.  If all goes as planned I will be starting this tomorrow.