Operation Cross Stitch

So, I know Christmas was more than five weeks ago now, but in January, I finally finished the Christmas cross stitch picture I was working on.

Yep, my ability to reach deadlines is incredible. I even astound myself.

While I didn't have it finished in time for the festive season, I am pleased with the result, and thought I'd dedicate a post to it. It was the first cross stitch project of this size I've ever attempted, and I'm proud of it. I've given a few Christmas card kits a go in the past, but that's really the limit to my sewing skills and experience.

So back in September, I decided to challenge myself with this cross stitch picture to keep myself busy, try something new, and to indulge the Christmas enthusiast in me in the run up to Christmas. I recorded my progress as I went along, and now I've put it all together. This post is photo heavy, but I hope you'll bear with me.

I chose this pretty 'Noel Peace On Earth' Scandinavian style kit by Riverdrift House, which is a brand I discovered on Amazon. They make the loveliest kits, and this one was just £10.95.

The chart with really easy to follow. 

And so it began...

It all started with the house.

Slowly, it started coming together.

I made a mistake with the turkeys, and each stitch ended up a row out. In the end I had to unpick them and start again, but, I didn't have enough thread to finish. I tried substituting the pinky-purple with lilac, but didn't like the result and unpicked that, too. In the end, I had to put the project aside until I could get to the sewing shop in the next village, but I was laid up in bed for most of December so I didn't make it there until the new year. It was frustrating as I had so little left to do to complete it!

Gobble, gobble!

And here's the finished result! I'm really pleased with how it's turned out and it was worth the hours of work I put in to it. I only made a few minor boo-boos that were easy to resolve, and apart from the turkeys, I really just had a couple of tangles on the back of the fabric. Not bad for a girl who's pretty much a beginner!

All I need to do now is get it framed...  Will I have it done in time for Christmas? Hmm... I'm not holding my breath! Haha!

I'm considering picking up another Riverdrift House kit to do soon, but I can't decide which one to try next. I might work my way through the Christmas kits over time. I have little interest in cross stitching unless it's as a Christmas craft, but I can't deny it was theruputic and it was nice to busy myself with something new. Perhaps next time I'll learn to crochet.

I bought this cross stitch kit on Amazon, which you can find here, and if you're interested, you can shop from the full range by Riverdrift House here.

Thanks for reading!

Do you cross stitch in your spare time?