Initial Post or My Stitching Story

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Hi there!  I'm Sarah, and I've been cross stitching for three years now.  I started out doing very simple kits (the kind parents buy for their kids).  Over the years, my stitching has gotten way more advanced and my love for the craft has grown tremendously. I've mastered simple stitches (the cross stitch, half cross stitch, three quarters stitch, french knots, backstitch, etc).  Recently, (read: last night) I learned my trickiest stitch to date: the Lazy Daisy.  I've also gotten quite quick at stitching.  Projects are not taking half as long as they used to and are looking a LOT more polished when they are completed.  I know I still have a lot to work on, and I know I can improve my stitching even more. 

About a year or so ago, I discovered several magazines that teach technique, showcase patterns, and answer reader's questions about the craft.  I became addicted.  Every month, I checked my local bookstore for new magazines with new and exciting patterns.  Around the same time, I stopped buying kits (which usually contain the floss, needle, fabric, and pattern) and started my own floss collection.  Now, I have quite a collection of floss, needles, and fabric!  Then, this year for my birthday, my husband bought three lovely stitching books full of patterns and techniques.  I knew that I was ready to take my hobby to the next level.

  My goal here is to create a catalog of finished projects, stitching goals, and tips or tricks I learn along the way.  Most are purely for my reference, however, I would love to have feedback.  Until now, I have had no way of cataloging projects once I finish them.  As soon as I give them away, I hardly ever get to see them again.  It would be nice to have a record of each project as a keepsake. So far, it has been a wonderful and rewarding hobby.