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Sorry for falling down on the job. I completely forgot until today that it was time for a new poll. I guess it was all the excitment of the Dude coming back!!!!!!

I have done most all of the options but the one I do the most is to go in and pick a pattern that I have had for a while and just do it. Which usually ends up being a present for someone.

I usually stitch something and then give it away, so while looking through old charts, I decide I better make one for myself!!

And that is ok about being excited that the "Dude" was back, I was pretty excited to be back!!

Ha, what Dude said, then I usually give that one away too..!!! There always seems to be a better pattern, am I right??

Of course, the actual choice is more subtle, but generally it's the visual aspect of a design that attracts me. Then I have to figure out how to do it. Which is how I came to learn, say, hardanger.
I give a lot of my stitching away. But unless they are part of my stash of magazines or books or a design I would have for myself anyway, I will rarely do a piece that someone else suggests. I have stitched pieces before now that I really didn't like much myself, simply because someone had either asked for it specifically, or because I knew they would like it, even if I didn't. Not a happy situation, since stitching is meant to be for relaxation and pleasure (another reason why I don't stitch for money).

The ever-lasting bell pull is actually for myself, but this is the first project I have ever done for our home. Everything else I have given away - cards, gifts etc. I agree, Serinde, I would find it difficult to stitch something because I 'had to'. I find even colours affect me - the brighter and richer the better.
I thought I had my Christmas cards sorted and had even bought some more threads to stitch a poinsettia design from Cross Stitcher. Then I saw the lovely hardanger cards in New Stitches and so ordered some MORE threads so I could do that instead. Fickle - me?

Yeah, well, you're in good company.

None of them really!(you should include an other option,Rose)I stitch what catches me at the moment,it might be a new pattern in a mag or a gift for someone or for a exchange,Even though I have a lot I want to stitch,I know I'll never get around to all of them,so it's a bit of whatever comes along!

Like most of you I am not keen on stitching something I don't like,so I don't take requests, However, when my Dad was still alive but ill, I took a pile of cross stitch books for him to pick his favourite. he chose a beatiful version of the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
I usually buy in themes that take my fancy,I have a large collection of Dimensions Native American kits,and my latest craze,Heritage County Maps.

I went for "saw it in the store....", but not necessarily the store - it could be what someone else has stitched that captures me.

Most of my stitching now is for myself, interspersed with cards and small items for family or friends, but now only to those who I know appreciate it ! I wouldn't stitch anything at someone else's request (unless it was very small) - if I didn't 'want' to do it, it would be like torture.

mags

I don't keep many random patterns at my home. I ended up choosing the "store" option.

My next 23 are little ornaments for gifts. Just cute little ones that they can hang on the tree. Hopefully done for Christmas.

After that, I'm scheduled to do my Mask of Autumn Harvest, then I'm going to do a set of 5 dragons (one for each element, and spirit). Then I'll see what time of year it is...

I like doing one large one starting in September to give away @ Christmas!

The Dragons sound fascinating Kitsune

They are quite nice.

They were freebies I found on the web last year, unfortuneately I can't remember where.

However, since they were freebies, I'll see if I can scan them and put the pictures in my gallery. Then if you want a copy I could e-mail it you.

Oh, or even better, I'll see if they have the website and who they're attributed to on them!

Have to wait until I get home, but I'll look into it for you!

The freebie dragons are here (under Samples)

http://www.dragondreams.ca/Needlework.html

Kitsune, even though they are freebies, I think it would still contravene copyright to copy them.

mags

Thanks, Mags, for digging out this website. It's a cracker.

I have to agree with rachael and just stitch whatever catches my eye at the moment. i've never given any of my work away though. i find it hard to part with after i put so much work into it (maybe i'm just being selfish ) my sister however did steal one of my pieces once which didn't make me too happy

Since I don't usually tend to buy until I'm positive I want to do something, I'm more of a "whatever I have had bookmarked for a while."

In fact, in looking for graph paper* in our room divider at home I discovered printouts from yeeeears ago of sites (Pinn, Sew&So) that I wanted to buy from! Luckily they're all still around, and are re-bookmarked.


* I work at an engineering firm and we have STACKS of graph paper tablets with our logo at the top for calculations. I can't believe I'm such a darn idiot sometimes. Today I snuck one home. Along with a bunch of scuzzy mismatched highlighters that were in the cast-off box-o-junk. Those I'll return. The graph paper I'm just going to um, shall we say, recycle!

I usually have a running list in my head of the next 3 or 4 projects, but often get sidetracked by something that catches my eye and simply can't wait.

There are so many designs in the mags, I would love to stitch, so I won't run off.

Thanks for finding them. My printed pages didn't say anything which sites they came from.

I thought that since they were freebies it would be okay... especially since there was going to be no money exchange...

Sorry!

Anyways, I'm going to do those and then get them all framed. I think they'll look wonderful in a small set to go on my wall!