In a Cactus Frame of Mind

 Living in Arizona is it a surprise that I have cactus on my mind??

First, I modified a pattern from a Cross-Stitch & Needlework magazine date unknown. When I moved to AZ, I downsized and instead of whole magazines, I took out patterns I liked. I can tell you it is called A Taste of the Southwest, designed by Laurel Blake and is designed to stitch onto towels (one for each day of the week) and bread cloths. I used just a portion of one design (Saturday) so it would fit in the 3.5" x 3.5" space of a coaster form I have. I also stitched it on perforated paper for ease of finishing into the coaster. 

Here it is in progress, it looked goofy and I was going to have you guess what it is, but I kind of already spilled the beans.

Here is the finished project in the coaster that I plan to sell at our fall EXPO.

This was a fun stitch, and I may make some others in the set. Time will tell.

Second, I found this WIP (work in progress) and started it again. It is a DMC kit called CACTUS that I purchased at Hobby Lobby a while back.  It is 52 stitches wide by 69 stitches high and made to go into a hoop but I will probably finish-finish it differently. Here is my progress after a few nights of stitching.

HAPPY STITCHING!!