Thank you for the reply. I'll look into getting the book.

Welcome to this board.
You work is gorgeous. I use to do both but, gave them up to just make quilts.

Hi and welcome to the board. Very beautiful cross-stitch and crochet! What do you mean by petite cross-stitch? My first love is cross-stitch, and I love the 18 count aida cloth, is that what you mean? Just finished a wedding one for my youngest son and bride getting married in November, it came out sew cute. I do appreciate the back of your work, and I'm proud to show mine too, I keep it neat! Anyway, will post pics of it soon, gotta go take my mama for her walk.

I use to do a lot of cross stitch but my eyesight is not as good as it once was.

Thank you to everyone for complimenting my work!

Latrinka, Please post photos of your wedding gift. I would love to see it.

Petite cross-stitch uses tiny, fine stitches. It shows more detail than traditional cross-stitch. I used Hardanger 22. Hardanger is a cotton fabric, and stitching on 22 Hardanger will make you go buggy-eyed... It is more difficult to see your squares. A magnifier helps. Stitching on it is like picking up a piece of cotton and cross-stitching in the weave. Most people cross-stitch on Aida 14. The number on both the Hardanger and the Aida refers to the number of stitches per inch, but you probably already know that. I have never entered a competition, but I have heard that one of the things that the judges look for is how well the stitches are buried on the back of your work. I am self-taught with almost everything that I do, and I learned to cross-stitch by reading. From the beginning, I tried to practice burying my thread. It is validating to know that you understand why I showed the back of my work. Sharon

wedding cross stitch
 

Here it is! Hasn't even been pressed yet, just finished it a couple days ago. I usually mist them with water, let them air dry on one of those clip hangers, then lightly press the back using a thin cloth to protect stitching. I frame them myself, this one will go into an 8x10 frame or larger with that size opening if I decide on a mat. It's done on 18 ct aida, light oatmeal is the color. I miss working on it already! Started back on hexis! I know what you mean about it being very relaxing, I'd be totally bonkers without my stitching! Wish I would have learned crochet or knitting, but never did, and have invested enough on quilting, cross-stitching, etc.! Tried to put a pic of the back also, but it wouldn't download.

Latrinka,

I love your motto about woman's work. My thoughts exactly!
This is a beautiful pattern and what a great job you did! Do you sign and date your work? I think a mat would really showcase the design. I bet they'll treasure this. Very nice work! Thank you for posting it. Sharon

Hey again Sharon, thank you for the compliments. I'm thinking a larger frame with a mat also. About signing my work, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. My kids always want me to, so since this is for one of them, I will. Maybe even on the back of the frame, not sure yet. Not going to cross stitch it though.

You do beautiful work & welcome to our group. My passion is quilting, but have done lots of crocheting also in the past. Not so much anymore. Also done a lot of cross stitch when my kids were young. They are all grown now & have given us 15 G-kids & 4 Greats. Yes, they all have at least 2 quilts each.

Beautiful work...