Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

Hi all, my name is Bob and I am about to jump head first into counted cross stitching. First a little about me. I am a US Army warrant officer and a military attaché. I work in embassies. My most recent assignment was the embassy in Libya but if you have watched the news you know we evacuated. I had to abandon most my worldly possessions in Tripoli and am currently living out of a hotel. But at least I got my family out safely. Watching tracer rounds fly over your house while your baby is asleep in the crib is not a feel good moment. My wife is Cambodian and I have a 5-year-old step-son and a 1 year-old son. They are staying with family in Cambodia at the moment until we come off of evacuation status. I am in DC.

I have plenty of intellectual and physical hobbies, but for years I have been in search of a creative hobby that fits me. I wanted a hobby that allowed me to make things I could share with others or give as gifts. I don't possess the artistic talent to draw or paint anything that approaches attractive. The same goes for carving or clay modeling. The only "creative" hobby I have is that I homebrew beer. It is a quite enjoyable hobby but I am limited by where I can do it and the fruits of my labor don't last long. I want to be able to make something permanent.

Several years ago I entertained the idea of getting into fabric crafts but I didn't because of a couple misconceptions. First, I am in the Army and was a little insecure about taking up a "woman's hobby". That was a sexist attitude and I have matured since then. I had no desire to make mittens or scarfs or any other clothing. I liked the idea of making art for framing but all the patterns I saw were flowery and nothing that appealed to me. I guess I didn't look hard enough.

So what changed? I enjoy photography and messing around with Photoshop (I'm no expert). And I recently learned about the software that lets you convert your photos into xstitch patterns. I started messing around with the software and now I am excited. There is no limit to the number of awesome, and unique, patterns I can create. I am VERY excited. I have been reading all about counted cross stitching, lurking here, and watching tons of videos on technique. This weekend I am going to buy the supplies for my first project.

With so much to choose from I have been struggling to decide what I was going to do first. I know everyone says keep it simple. But I have always been a trial by fire kind of guy. I really miss my wife so I have decided to use her as my muse. I spent several hours going through the thousands of digital photos I have and found a picture of her that I am going to use. Her hair is pulled back so the focus is on her face. I used Photoshop to make it black and white and then cut her head and neck out so it looks sort of like a bust. I used MacStitch to convert it into a pattern that I am pleased with. I'll post pics later in the appropriate forum.

It is a big project for a beginner (about 30,000 stitches on 14 count) but I look forward to learning from it. Being away from my family I have plenty of time on my hands. I am really happy to have found this forum and I look forward to learning from you all!

Welcome! We do have a few guys who drop in from time to time, so you aren't alone. My father was in the army and use to crochet to help with arthritis. My husband also does some cross stitching. He did a picture of the little mermaid for our daughter, and he's working on a scene of horses for our son.

I'm glad to hear everyone was able to get out safe! Look forward to seeing your project! There's always someone around to answer questions if you run into anything.

Hello Bob, welcome to the forum It's always nice to have new members.

I'm impressed and I think we are all thrilled to have a new stitcher friend here 8}

Welcome and thank you for your service. I hope you and your family can be reunited soon. It sounds like a major project. If you can endure a photo stitch as a first project, you'll have the patience for anything stitching related in the future. Always great to see another Y-chromo joining in.

Hi, thank you for your sevice, glad you all are safe but sorry you are not together as of right now! Welcome to the forum!! I looke foorward to seeing your owrk!!
BTW pictures please????

Welcome to the forum. What a great idea and story behind you're first project, hope you're all together again soon. Can't wait to see the pics

Hi Bob - welcome from Oregon!

Welcome to the forums, and welcome home (even if it is just a hotel for now)!

I completely understand the social 'norms' stopping you from getting crafty with fabric crafts; for several years I worked in a large fabric store. Even in Portland, OR (the capital of 'weird'), many men who came in that were knitters, sewers, and stitchers had waited decades in some cases before they gave in to their crafty desires, not caring what their buddies or family thought. My son's best friend's dad is nothing short of a cross stitching FIEND, and he works as a detective for the police department. This guy can sit down and have one of those large Gold Collection kits done in a couple of days! (I secretly hate him....tee hee). Anyway, you are very much NOT alone!

I also love the cross stitching computer programs. I use PCStitch Pro and just LOVE it. I don't have anything up in my gallery here yet, but I've posted in the Stitch-A-Long forum here and in the UFO thread, both projects I put through that program. I have a lot of wonderful images saved up for making more, even though I know I won't be able to do them all in my lifetime. I am also like you in that I rarely start simple... and though I've been stitching most of my life, I know I can always learn more.

I look forward to seeing your first project, do check out the SAL forum, it's great fun to watch members progress.

Hello and Welcome!

I hope you'll be reunited with your family soon, and I'm sure your wife will love it when she sees your work!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Welcome to the forum and a big thank you for your service! Hope that you will be reunited with your family soon

Hi and welcome!

Hello and welcome. I am very glad you have got out safely.
Good luck with the project.

Hello and welcome!!

I think it is brilliant that you have found a hobby which perfectly fits the description of what you wanted to do. We are all here to help and offer advise, if you need it – and don't forget that the only silly question is the one you don't ask.

It must have been a very difficult time in Libya as I imagine concern for your family was more of a worry than concern for your own personal safety. I hope you will be reunited with your wife and kids very soon.

hello and welcome, let's hope you get together soon

Hello! welcome to the forum!

Hi Bob, great to have you here!

Sorry you are having a hard time right now, must have been very scary to be evacuated and in such a fraught situation, its not good there right now!

I was evacuated out of Cyprus as a 3yo - when the war started (we were an British army family, attached to to education service) and I remember quite a bit of it - not the fear, no fear, just the excitement, so I hope that your kids won't have bad memories of it.

Look forward to seeing your SAL.

Niki xxx

Welcome Bob -- what a great project to start with!

Welcome, and sorry for the terrible experiences you had to go through. I have already seen the pattern you made of your wife, it is going to be stunning.