When I was in college a friend of mine tried to talk me into trying cross stitching. I just could not get over the 'mess' on the back and told her no. We graduated and moved on with our lives - and lo and behold - - -I discovered cross stitching on my own - LOVE IT... our first year of marriage I told my husband we would always have new handmade ornaments each year - to add to our collection - the first year - all new cross stitch ornaments - 22 years later we still have them!