JOY!

I started working on this project in January 2017 with the idea that I would make it for my Mom for Christmas 2017. I saw the pattern in Cross Stitch Gold, Issue 133, which I picked up when we were back in Blighty visiting Wil's folks in October 2016.

As you can see, the pattern originally called for natural linen -- but I really liked the idea of a festive red and white version, especially since I know how much my Mom loves red. I knew I had plenty of white floss, so I ordered red linen and a massive 12" embroidery hoop in December.

Getting started was easy -- marking the center lines, putting in the first stitches -- but somehow the project just dragged on and on and on.

I put it aside several times -- I really wasn't enjoying it, for some reason. I picked it up again in November, knowing I wouldn't get it done in time for Christmas. But at some point it felt like I was on the downhill slide -- within a couple of weeks of finishing both my 2017 Temperature Afghan and the Zoëghan, I suddenly finished it.

I love the different stitches, especially on this dove:

and on this heart:

I'm really enjoying working on these projects ... and especially finishing them! That's another one of my #101in1001 projects complete, making 4/101!