Cross Stitch Patterns?

[WolfpackWife]

So, I am loving this hobby. Yesterday morning I purchased a pattern and DH even went with me to Jo-Ann's to gather supplies. We put together a kit including bobbins, needles, the floss colors I needed, two sizes of hoops, etc. Then he even put all the floss on the bobbins for me and organized it by color. He's actually pretty adorable when he sees I'm getting into something - poor guy wants me to be happier/have a hobby so badly so I don't get mopey every 5 - 6 weeks when he's been on a rotation and we've been totally disconnected. It's really sweet.

Anyway - I embarked on my first semi-inappropriate piece, mostly for practice and because I think it's hilarious. I made it to the "and" yesterday. https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1010388008

I bought two more patterns that I want to start working on because they are so colorful and lovely. I've also bookmarked lots of Christmas ones and I think I'll start on those in the Spring as well - try to amass a group of holiday themed ones to pass out as gifts at large family functions this year. It's nice to have find a craft that doesn't require a real artistic ability, but still provides the satisfaction of creating something with color and is a picture of something you really like, if that makes sense.

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1010755584
https://www.etsy.com/transaction/1010746248

[WolfpackWife]

I finished my first legitimate project last night! I posted a picture in the "what are you currently working on" thread, and I'm excited about it. I've also stitched a quick Christmas-themed dog wearing a Santa hat, which is cute!

I purchased a year-long 'stitch along' pattern from The Frosted Pumpkin, because it looks cute and the yearly theme is classic stories...so I figured I'm a big reader, and this will be a cute thing to just...have and use as practice. http://www.thefrostedpumpkinstitcher...stitch-pattern

In a moment of ambition, I purchased a fairly pricey (well, for a newbie like me - $26) piece of linen to stitch this on. Yeah, I was too ambitious. It's hard to stitch on the linen - I feel like I can't get the hang of it!

I had to start over and purchased a much cheaper piece of Aida to do this one. I want to someday graduate to linen, but yeah I'm not quite there.

Now, I don't know what to do with the linen. It's lovely but I'd rather have the $26 back and purchase a piece of linen when I actually know WTF I'm doing. Maybe 123stitch will let me return it. If not, I guess it's better now than never to start "collecting" fabric in a stash so I can have some on hand at all times.