I'm Stephanie, 25, and I live in IL, USA. I'm originally from Tennessee, but I moved here in March, 2008. I'm in school, working on my Bachelor's in Social Work, and I finally feel like I'm making progress towards that.
I did stamped cross-stitching as a youngster, while mom mom did counted. I always thought it was magical how she just knew where to put the x's.
Finally, around 5 years ago, I asked her to teach me how to do counted cross-stitching. Even though I do other crafts as well (knitting, crochet, and some jewelry making), cross-stitching is really special to me because it's the one craft I didn't learn from a book, so I always associate it with my mom. About a year ago, my MIL gave me her stitching stash (quilting is easier on her eyes, these days), and I love having the thread for any project that I pick up, so I've been even more into it since then.I just finished stitching a small old world Santa for my MIL, and I've been working on a design for my SO.. the Earth "rise" as seen from the moon (the pattern is discontinued, unfortunately).
I'm so impressed to find such an active, diverse cross-stitching community, and I'm happy to be here
Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you are loving stitching as much as the rest of us!! 
It's a great place to be. 
