“Never again,” I said to myself over and over. I must have been out of my mind when I chose Majestic Magnolia, a gorgeous cross stitch design I simply couldn’t resist. It didn’t matter to me that I was still a beginner and I had never stitched on linen. I thought I could tackle any project. Today, it’s my crowning achievement, one that would take five long years and several trips around the globe to complete.
The chart is barely legible anymore; faded, with coffee stains and who-knows-what-else. I saved it anyway. The magnolia with its creamy white blooms and dark lustrous leaves is a statement of cross stitch beauty, even prettier that I originally imagined it. But, what a love-hate relationship we’ve had. “Never again,” I repeated, too many times to count. This project wreaked havoc with my emotions, from tears of frustration and disappointment, to an incredible sense of pride and joy in the finished piece. (more…)