Horses

This one is a counted cross-stitch (from a kit) that I actually finished very recently. I had bought it intending to make quick work of it (an easy, thoughtful gift for a friend), but of course that never happens. The half stitch is really great for artistic effect, etc etc... but not if you forget that it's supposed to be just a half stitch. I did a very large section (of what was supposed to be a half stitch) as a cross stitch, and then I had to take it all out again. I thought about leaving it--and it probably wouldn't have hurt the design that bad--but, of course, it's a kit. And the worst thing about kits is they can't use standardized color thread, oh no, they have to dye their own, and they only give you so much. The company makes it pretty easy to order more colors, but it's still irksome to call them up and ask, and then wait for the thread to come in the mail.

If I liked horses more this probably would have been more fun. It didn't take that long, but it still got a little tedious near the end. My advice is: if at all possible, try to love what you're making, or at least like it.