I am old enough to have grown up in an era where you took home economics every year in school and the needle arts warranted a merit badge on your Girl Scout sash.  

Back then it was the Continental stitch only with maybe some Bargello to be exotic.  

I stitched needlepoint pillow kits into my 30’s and then did a mix of crewel, cross stitch and needlepoint projects, often as gifts.  I finally discovered the new world of fibers other than cotton floss and the amazing variety of stitches about 15 years ago and since then needlepoint has been edging out reading as my favorite evening activity (and it’s much more conducive to watching the Mets while doing so).  

I balance out larger projects with doing ornaments for my Christmas tree (85 at last count) and as annual gifts for my children and their partners, grandson, and appreciative friends.  

My multi-year project is currently Raymond Crawford’s nativity series - halfway through after two years - and every year I add some new travel rounds to reflect the newest places visited.  

I discovered Stitch by Stitch during Covid, and even though I now live in Tennessee I continue to be a faithful customer, my stash growing faster than I (maybe) can stitch!