I’ve been wanting to have a go at cross stitch for a long time.
Some time ago when someone was giving away things they didn’t want I acquired a small cross stitch kit to make a notepad with pretty cover. I thought that it seemed a good place to start, though I was a bit worried if the stitches would be too small. There were six different coloured threads. Two green and two red and two orange.
I was very pleased when I finished the first green portion, having decided to start in the middle. 
This is 14 count. I was however happy to discover that I could see well enough to do it even in the evening.
The only guide I had was the photograph of the finished design on the sheet I showed you above. I did struggle a bit to decide which colour I should be using for the red and orange part but decided that as long as I made it symmetrical it didn’t matter too much if I got the odd stitch in the wrong colour. 
I was very pleased with the finished design. (I was also pleased at the result of using a piece of white polystyrene to reflect the light so that it was more even as advised by Deborah of Circadianreflections)
Here are the pieces needed to make up the notepad.
I normally give my children money as the main present but I like to give them a little something as well. I decided to give this to my younger daughter for her birthday which is this month, so here is the finished present with the birthday card. 
I hope to find time to do some more cross stitch in due course but my list of other things, expecially knitting, seems to be getting longer and longer!
You did a great job, especially considering they didn’t provide a chart (which blows my mind; I think that’s a first in my experience).
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Well it does say “Free” on it so it was probably a giveaway with a magazine. Good as a starter for me though!
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The chart could have been in the magazine itself; that makes sense. You did a good job with or without a chart. 🙂
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Thanks! I used a magnifying glass to help me!!
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That’s lovely Jane, knew you could do it. Looking at the pack almost 99.9% certain it’s a free magazine pack. The chart will have been in the magazine. Done that way because when the chart was in a pack they got nicked on newsagent shelves. Magazines were very apologetic when they had to start putting the chart in the magazine. Be good to see you stitching some more, it is quite addictive when you get going.
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I would like to do some more small ones at some point. The only problem, apart from time, though is that knitting and crochet can be used to make useful stuff and I am not sure what I would do with the finished cross stitch.
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Previously, items cross-stitched used to be used as table cloths, bedsheets or even napkins- I guess, these days, no one is interested in them.
Susie
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I have quite a few embroidered dressing table sets and table mats and a tray cloth so I suppose yes they could be done in cross stitch but you are right they are an old-fashioned thing.
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I still use all my embroidered place mats dressing table sets, napkins etc. They make me feel good, whether people consider them old fashioned or not! I love cross-stitch but the old eyes aren’t what they were so it is more difficult to see now. I love your blogs Jane. Thank you. And, Happy New Year from snowy Ontario, Canada
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I use as many of the ones I have as I can, as well as crochet lace items, both ones I have made and ones my mother made but I have a lot!
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Let us bring it back!! cross stitch is truly an art form …
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Well it does seem very popular these days. Lots of people in my craft group are doing it!
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And rather easy to do as well.
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Birth samplers, pictures, pin cushions, cards,Christmas decorations,, key rings,bibs,towels,curtain tie backs, coasters, bookmarks, cake bands, jam jar covers, shall I stop now? Honestly there are lots of things you can make! Then there’s plastic canvas so you can do three D objects and fabric you can use to add decoration to clothes. I will be quiet now!
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Quite a list!
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Lots you can make, and encouraged me to think beyond cards again. Thanks
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Very nice! I love the pattern and colors!
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Thank you! I particularly liked the way it shaded from red to orange.
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For me, part of the value of cross stitching or any other embroidery is the therapeutic nature of the activity – it’s very calming 🙂
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I suppose you are right though I do seem to prefer things that don’t end up in a drawer.
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I used to use embroidery wool on canvas and make cushion covers – I still have loads rolled up yet to be made into cushions! although I realise I did the sts all going one way – so that’s not cross stitch, but you could do cross stitch.
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I did things like that with my mother – tapestry – We did flower pictures in wool and embroidery thread. (I have the four wool ones on the wall in my study.)The wool was so expensive though. I wanted to make a piano stool cover for my mother’s duet stool but it would have cost a fortune. I started a tapestry cat picture recently but have yet to complete it. Cross stitch feels very different to me though, especially when you do it without filling in the whole area. I was looking for inspiration in my two cross stitch books this evening but I couldn’t see anything I wanted to do. But I expect I may find something one day.
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