My favorite stress reliever is cross stitching. I learned the skill (which ain’t that hard) from my mother. It’s one of the few things we can bond over. Stitching and tennis. Aida fabric and Roger Federer.
While my mom likes intricate complex patterns that can take months to stitch, I like to stitch much simpler things. My mom will give you teddy bears or Charleston’s Rainbow Row. I like to stitch cuss words.
Some of my designs I do freehand, and some I design in Excel. If I’m a on a boring-ass conference call, I’m either painting my nails or designing a cross stitch pattern. Almost all of what I make, I give away. Sewing is like Xanax to me, especially when I get in a rhythm.
*The boot came from the free patterns over at Country Living.
A few years ago, I designed an Outlander pattern of Jamie and Claire. It’s my avatar, and a few people have asked where I got the pattern. I made it, yo!
And you can have it. For free. Don’t say I never gave you anything.
Jamie and Claire Cross Stitch pattern PDF for Download
I used Aida cloth in 14 count because that is all I buy (because that is all my local craft chain sells).
Now, please don’t judge my pattern making skills. I make graph paper using Excel, and I type everything in. I don’t use a fancy program.
For this pattern, I did the flowers and stem freehand, but I gave you the DMC colors I used. Of course, feel free to make it your own. I just ask that you don’t sell it. Or if you do sell it, all proceeds must go to the ASPCA because FUR BABIES!
