Thursday, July 7, 2011

My IF Craft Project – Finished!!!

In November 2009, I made my first appointment with an RE. We had tried to get pregnant for almost a year, and it wasn’t going well. I had tried for a year with my ex in my 20’s, and that didn’t go well either. And so I was sick of the waiting, the longing, the constant thoughts that go through my mind. At the time, my hubs had a very stressful job, one that would often keep him at work until midnight or later. So I had many evenings by myself, with nothing to do but stress. I expected to go to the RE, magically get fixed since that’s what docs do, and have a baby soon! Oh how naïve I was… But I knew I needed to figure out something to do while waiting for my baby.

I scanned the internet, looking for a cross-stitch project which I could love. I really enjoy doing cross-stitch, but most of the designs out there are very country-looking, or kitschy. I wanted something that I could proudly hang in my house and would look a little more contemporary to fit with the rest of the house. I looked up modern cross stitch, and found gecko rouge. If you’re ever looking for a modern cross stitch pattern, take a look at gecko rouge – they have a shop on etsy with lots of great designs.

The whole thing, with the pattern, fabric and thread, cost less than $30, but I have spent countless hours on this project. It is 14 inches square, and made up of 40,000 stitches. Most nights since November 2009, I’ve worked on this project. It made the time go by quicker. So many nights, I would be counting the days until the next treatment, until the next shot, until the beta, until the whatever… And this cross stitch project would get me through. There were months when I wouldn’t touch it – after the miscarriages, during the hopeless times, somehow I couldn’t bear to work on the project. But when I got back in the TTC saddle, and started treatments again, somehow I would be drawn to this project.

I didn’t know where I was going to hang it, as there is absolutely no pink in my house, but I figured I would remodel a bathroom or a guest room all around this project, once I got it framed. But now, I’m having my little Alex, and I think it will go great in her room. I spent countless hours working on this project, waiting for her to arrive, so now it will be a perfect addition to her room. Here it is:



And a close-up of the stitches:

32 comments:

  1. Wow1 that is BEAUTIFUL!! And i love that it has a story. How fitting that all of those stitches in time helped you to wait and prepare for baby girl Alex. Whew! did not expect to get all teary this early in the morning! i love it.

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  2. Alex, I've been a lurker for some time now, so I'm finally coming out today :) I too cross stitch and find it to be very therapeutic. Your piece is so beautiful. I had my first appointment with an RE yesterday and I am very hopeful after listening to what she had to say. I like the idea of turning worry and stress into something productive!

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  3. That is beautiful!!! WOW! I am very impressed!

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  4. Wow that is beautiful and it looks difficult to do!!!!

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  5. It's beautiful!!! Job well done! :)

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  6. How beautiful, Alex! I used to do cross-stitch when I was a kid. But, nowhere as nice as that. It's perfect for a little girl's room!

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  7. Beautiful! You rock! It's lovely!

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  8. It's perfect for your little girl. It's like deep down you always knew she was coming so you had to make it for her!

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  9. Oh wow, I would never be able to do something that intricate, it's beautiful!! It would so go in a little girls room PERFECTLY!!!! I am so excited that you are getting closer and closer to meeting her!!!

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  10. It's beautiful! And you were so dedicated to it, just like TTC. It will be a wonderful addition to Little Alex's room. Great job.

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  11. Gorgeous and I love the meaning behind it! It will be perfect in your little girl's room!

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  12. It's beautiful!!!! Alex is one lucky girl. :)

    ~Marissa

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  13. It's beautiful!!! I love it and will go perfectly in your baby girl's room :-)

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  14. Wow, it's beautiful! How perfect that you finished as your IF journey has come to such a wonderful place! And that you're having a girl who can handle some pink in her room :).

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  15. Oh wow, that's an amazing piece you have done, and I love the story of this blogs name and baby Alex. I'm very impressed how patient you must have been to get it finished.

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  16. It's beautiful!! What a perfect thing for little Alex!!

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  17. So beautiful and what a wonderful story to tell your little Alex someday!

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  18. Its gorgeous. You clever thing :)

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  19. I came to check in and discovered you PREGNANT and with a baby girl!! I am so so happy for you. I am glad to hear all is going well with Baby Alex and you too. I have been away in the 'mama land' but I never forget the support I received from you. Congratulations again!

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  20. How super cool is that. Wow, truly beautiful. Love it!!!

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  21. Wow. That is really gorgeous. As someone who has spent time doing cross-stitch, I can appreciate the amount of time and skill that went into that pattern.

    It is going to look gorgeous in your daughter's room, and she will cherish it always as she grows up.

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  22. How beautiful and perfect!!! I love it.

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  23. Holy crap. Beautiful work!!! How perfect for Alex's rom!

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  24. Awesome, Alex! This will be a great thing to hang in lil' Alex' room :)

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  25. Wow!!!!! You have serious stitching skills! Little Alex will treasure it forever, I know. It is GORGEOUS.

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  26. how pretty..I want to learn this?

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