Valentine Cross Stitch

This charming card with its plaid border and cross stitch heart is quick and easy to make.

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Cross stitch* is one of the simplest stitches to master, particularly if you work on a special even-weave fabric, such as Aida, which consists of a grid of tiny woven blocks interspersed with holes. The simple cross stitch project here makes a perfect gift for Valentine's Day.

You Will Need
Small piece of 14-count white Aida fabric
1 skein of red DMC (No. 304) stranded embroidery floss
Tapestry needle, size 22
Colored or white card stock
Plaid fabric for the border
Fusible web

What to Do
1. Divide the embroidery floss and use two strands at a time. Use pieces about 20 inches long to avoid tangling. Make all your stitches cross the same way. Following the stitch and chart diagram (below) work the heart design on the center of the fabric. Each square on the chart equals one block of threads on the fabric, and each symbol equals one stitch.



2. Before you insert the design into the card, press the embroidery carefully. Lay it face down on a piece of clean cotton fabric. Lay a similar piece on top and press with a steam iron until it is flat.

3. Spray the back of the embroidery with adhesive and then mount it, centered, onto the front of a square folded card.

4. Make a window from plaid fabric to frame your cross stitch heart. Iron fusible web to the back of the fabric to prevent the edges from fraying. Mark out the area of the window and cut it out carefully with sharp scissors. Use the lines of the plaid weave as guides to keep the edges straight. Cut the outer edges of the fabric with pinking shears to fit just inside the edges of the front of the card and glue it in place with spray adhesive.

* To make a cross stitch, bring the needle up through a hole in the fabric and make half the stitch by inserting the needle back through a hole diagonally adjacent to the first. Finish the cross stitch by working a diagonal stitch in the opposite direction, crossing the first. To stitch a row, make a line of diagonal half stitches and complete them when you stitch the return journey.

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• 

When my wife had to rush to the hospital unexpectedly, she asked me to bring her a few items from home. One item on the list was "comfortable underwear." Worried I'd make the wrong choice, I asked, "How will I know which ones to pick?"

"Hold them up and imagine them on me," she said. "If you smile, put them back."

-- Robert Kercher

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