A Clearance Cross Stitch Dolphin

For Mother's Day we went to the craft store to find a project to do.  I was preparing to move away from Illinois in only a few weeks so I wanted something inexpensive and small that I could do that was outside the realm of what I normally do.  I found a whole section of clearance cross stitch patterns and thought that this would be perfect!  I haven't tried one of these since I was a little girl, and how long could this cute little dolphin take me?  $1.99 is the perfect price for a nostalgic project.

There are tons of amazing cross stitch patterns on Etsy and other websites.  I'm not sure if this is something that I'm going to get really involved with, but it would be fun to create some hangings for our walls.  For now, this simple Dimensions Learn-A-Craft Dolphin Delight Stamped Cross Stitch Kit: 3" Round should help me scratch the itch to try cross stitch again.  

Look at how organized the kit contents are!  I freaked out for a second thinking that the only instructions were in French, but then remembered that really I only need the visual instructions to get started.

My first attempts to get the dolphin in the hoop were less than successful.  It took a few tries but finally he was centered.  I am a little bummed that the crease in the fabric is so obvious, but at $1.99 I can't really complain.

Wait, where is my needle?!?  I found it, thankfully before Lucky did.  I don't see the threader that they mention in the kit but I do have some bead threaders in my kit that could function as needle threaders if necessary.

I had no idea that you sometimes separate embroidery thread to do these types of projects.  See, I'm already learning something!  Very quickly I'm off and stitching on my little mini hoop.

It is so much fun to see this design take shape.

For finishing I know that I should iron this and maybe re put it in the frame... but I am going to leave it for now.  We are about to move and I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet.  Maybe it should go into a different kind of frame, I don't know.  For now, in my head I have this checked off as a one day project until I figure out what I want to do with it.

I am feeling inspired to do more cross stitch.  Good thing I purchased a second (more complicated) kit.  I've always wanted to do one of the "hard" ones but felt too intimated.  I still feel intimidated, but hopefully I'll give it a shot sometime this fall.