I started cross stitch in my (very) late teens -- having disliked needlework fiercely at primary school, where I wanted to do woodwork but couldn't because I was a girl (this was the 70s) I suddenly found out that cross stitch was actually great fun and very relaxing.
I got into it because I saw a kit of an initial in satin stitch with a lovely cross-stitched cat curled around it; bought it, started it burdened with absolutely no idea of what I ought to be doing, and produced a finished article which bore some resemblance to the photograph on the kit, but with some discoloured white threads because I would use every thread up right to the very last bit, and several of the cross stitches going in different directions.
Not perfect, to say the least...
But I like a challenge
so I kept going and started designing cards and small samplers for births and marriages. Then a lull as I got into crochet and calligraphy, but last year I decided to take it up again. Unfortunately I had to leave a lot of my cross stitch collection behind when I emigrated from The Netherlands to England, so I'm building up my stock again -- which is fun because I get to buy fabrics and things all over again!I usually do plain cross stitch, on anything from 14 count Aida to 36 or 40 count linen over one thread, but lately I have enjoyed branching out into the use of beads, ribbons, and things like bullion stitch and lazy daisy stitch. The best thing is combining several of these in one piece!
I've already picked up ideas from other forums (like what a biscornu is and that I'd one day like to make one
) so I'm looking forward to new things to learn here.
)
but you know what I mean I will just use the same color to outline a section.
There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE! 
