Cross-stitch work in progress on white gridded Aida cloth in a white hoop, showing a partially stitched landscape scene with purple mountains, a tall orange tower or lighthouse, brown buildings, and layered yellow-green fields in the foreground. Scattered individual stitches extend beyond the main design as work continues outward. A silver tree-of-life needle minder is pinned to the upper left of the fabric.

I’m about 6% done with a pattern by Stitching Land. First time using 16ct aida, going fine so far.

Finished cross-stitch on royal blue Aida cloth featuring a menacing goose holding a knife, stitched in white and brown with a yellow beak, inside a deliberately partial yellow decorative border. Text above reads “YOU BETTER FINISH THIS ONE” in yellow stitching. The goose-with-a-knife enamel pin needle minder is pinned to the left of the design.

The reverse side of the “You Better Finish This One” goose cross-stitch on royal blue Aida cloth, showing the underside of the design. The mirrored text and goose silhouette are faintly readable through the fabric. The back magnet of the goose-with-a-knife needle minder is visible as a small dark circle on the right side.

Cross stitching done! Now I have to cut it out and sew on a felt back.

A cross-stitch work in progress on royal blue Aida cloth in a plastic hoop held by an embroidery stand clamp, whose metal edge is visible in the top right corner. The design shows the early stages of a goose — a partially stitched head in white and dark thread with a gold beak beginning to take shape below. A goose-with-a-knife enamel pin needle minder holds a tapestry needle to the fabric nearby.

I’ve started my next cross stitch project, a bookmark designed by TourmalinePattern. The needle minder is relevant.

Finished but unframed cross-stitch embroidery on pale blue and white Aida cloth, depicting a whimsical fairy or gnome home interior. The scene features a round hobbit-style window at center, shelves with small framed pictures and trinkets, red-capped mushrooms, a small bee, a striped oval rug at the bottom, and a walnut shell bed on the right. Scattered sparkle and pebble stitches surround the composition. Worked in warm browns, reds, teals, yellows, and greens.

The reverse side of a cross-stitch embroidery on natural white Aida cloth, showing the underside of the fairy/gnome home interior design. The back displays a dense network of carried threads, knots, and row stitching in the same color palette of browns, reds, teals, yellows, greens, and pinks — with the composition’s general shapes still faintly recognizable in reverse.

Finished the fairy house! I had to do this one when I saw the pattern since it reminded me of a Polly Pocket, with the circle shape. Love the little walnut shell bed.

Unframed cross-stitch embroidery on pale mint fabric depicting a whimsical fairy or gnome home interior scene. Features a round hobbit-style window at center, shelves displaying small framed pictures and collectibles, red-capped mushrooms, a small bee or bug on a basket, a partially stitched walnut shell bed on the right, a striped oval rug at the bottom, and scattered sparkle stitches throughout. Rendered in warm browns, reds, teals, yellows, and greens on a white stitched background.

I’m about 75% done with this fairy house cross stitch designed by Flossy Fox Shop. Just had to move the hoop so I got a photo.

A bright, colorful scene from a life-simulation video game shows a seaside boardwalk set up like a small outdoor food and arcade area. In the center stands a cartoon-style character with round glasses, a brown wide-brim hat, and a yellow plaid shirt. They’re positioned just behind a small café table set for two, which holds a plate of fish and fries with lemon and dipping sauces. The table is flanked by two teal metal chairs, and a decorative pole with blue-and-white pennant flags rises between them. To the left is a compact ramen stall with a blue wave-patterned canopy. A bowl of ramen sits on the counter beside a cooking station, and a small signboard stands nearby. Behind the character, on a raised wooden platform, is a row of colorful arcade machines and game cabinets, including a claw machine and other retro-style units with stools in front. To the right, there’s a large pastel rainbow ice cream cone display next to another small stand. Balloons and string lights add to the festive atmosphere. The whole setup sits along a sandy beach, with the ocean just out of frame at the bottom, giving the scene a relaxed, summery boardwalk vibe.

A cozy outdoor café scene set on a raised cliff in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In the foreground, a player character sits in a cushioned chair at a small round wooden table under a cream-colored patio umbrella. On the table are a cup of coffee, a small potted plant, and a book, giving the space a relaxed, quiet vibe. The character wears round glasses, a brown wide-brim hat, and a yellow plaid shirt, facing slightly to the right as if enjoying a break. The café area is bordered by a simple rope fence and laid with warm-toned brick flooring. Behind the character, two vending machines—one with snacks and one with drinks—stand side by side, adding a modern, urban touch. Further back, there’s a small utility area with a locker, shelves, and a kiosk-style terminal. To the right, a street scene runs alongside the cliff edge: a red car, a blue scooter, and a delivery truck with a bold logo are parked near a curb. A lighthouse is visible in the distance, suggesting this area overlooks the coast. The whole setup blends peaceful café seating with practical city elements, creating a compact, thoughtfully designed cliffside hangout.

Screenshot from Animal Crossing: New Horizons showing a player character in a brown cowboy hat, yellow plaid shirt, and glasses sitting at an outdoor chess table on a brick patio. The cozy seating area is surrounded by tall pine trees, red roses, blue hyacinths, and stone landscaping. A waterfall and tiered cliffs are visible in the background alongside a river on the right.

Screenshot from Animal Crossing: New Horizons showing a player character in a brown cowboy hat, glasses, and yellow plaid shirt standing in a wooden planter box beneath a large orange fruit tree near the town hall. Nearby decorations include an orange-themed juice dispenser, a carton of orange juice with a fruit on top, and pink flowering bushes. A white cat villager walks past on the right, a satellite dish is visible in the background, and black street lamps line a stone path to the left.

I’ve been on an Animal Crossing: New Horizons kick lately and I updated my dream after years of not changing it. If you visit, let me know, and share your dream address too! DA-1482-1207-0163

Framed cross-stitch embroidery of a boba milk tea in a clear plastic cup with a gray lid and straw, showing swirls of cream like ghostly faces and brown tea with dark tapioca pearls visible at the base, set against a pale blue fabric background. Displayed in a warm golden-tan wood frame.

This one just got back from the framer. Love how the color and texture of the frame went with it. Now hanging in my dining room!

Framed cross-stitch embroidery depicting a bare winter tree silhouetted against a pale blue-gray sky, splitting the scene into two panels. Orange foliage and a blue rippling waterway appear at the base, set against a black fabric background. Displayed in a warm walnut-toned wood frame.

I got this one back from the frame shop!

A piece of cream-colored Aida cloth lies flat with its edges covered in masking tape to prevent fraying. Centered on the fabric is a densely stitched design arranged in a semicircle, forming a curved, arch-like composition. Within this semicircle is a vibrant nature scene. Several birds are perched along thin brown branches that follow the curve. At the upper left is a small pink flower, and nearby sits a brightly colored parrot in green, blue, yellow, and orange. Moving along the arc, there are additional birds in varied colors—one with a warm brown chest and gray-black wings, a blue-and-white bird, and a darker gray bird—each positioned among clusters of flowers and leaves. The space is filled with detailed floral elements: red, pink, yellow, and orange blossoms, along with green foliage, stems, and small buds. Near the lower right portion of the semicircle is a small orange pumpkin, adding a seasonal touch. At the bottom center of the arc, a white swan glides on a patch of light blue water, anchoring the composition. The stitching is concentrated entirely within the semicircle, leaving the surrounding fabric blank, which emphasizes the curved shape. The fabric shows gentle wrinkles and is not currently in a hoop or frame.

So the good news is I’ve finished part two of the stitch-along. The bad news is I apparently centered the project wrong at the start and will not have enough room to complete the left half. 🙈 Guess I’ll be piecing more aida cloth on the side!

A cross-stitch project in progress stretched inside a light purple embroidery hoop. The fabric is cream-colored Aida cloth. The stitched design features three colorful birds perched on brown branches, surrounded by flowers and greenery. At the upper left is a small pink flower. Below it sits a bright parrot in green, yellow, blue, and orange. On the right branch is a bird with a warm brown chest and gray-and-black wings. At the bottom center is a blue-and-white bird with darker blue accents. Red, pink, and white flowers with green leaves fill the spaces between the birds. Along the outer edge, a decorative white stitched border is partially completed, forming a soft, scalloped frame around the scene. In the upper right corner of the hoop is a small black needle minder shaped like a round character wearing a top hat. Sunlight casts a diagonal shadow across the right side of the fabric, highlighting the texture of the stitches.

I finished the first part of the Caterpillar Cross Stitch stitch-along. Been listening to The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers while I stitch.

A framed cross-stitch artwork depicting a retro computer desktop scene. The piece is mounted in a light wood frame with a white fabric margin around the stitched design. The stitched image shows multiple overlapping blue pop-up windows with classic “X” close buttons in the corners. One large dialog box in the center reads, “Are you okay?” Above it, another window says, “Hello..?” The windows stack and cascade across the left side, creating a cluttered, slightly chaotic effect. In the background of the desktop is a stylized, colorful scene featuring a large yellow sun (or moon) with a silhouetted shape in front of it, set against diagonal purple and blue streaks. On the right side sits a small, old-style computer icon, along with a few desktop icons including a trash bin and a yellow folder. The overall effect blends nostalgic early-internet computer aesthetics with careful, detailed needlework.

I had this one framed! It’s hanging on my office wall now. I love how the frame color worked out.

A round, framed cross-stitch piece with a cream fabric background and a dark wooden hoop frame. A decorative wreath of green leaves, red flowers, and small yellow accents encircles the text in the center. The stitched words are arranged in stacked lines, each in a different color: • BREAKFAST (red orange) • 2ND BREAKFAST (pink) • ELEVENSES (blue) • LUNCHEON (green) • AFTERNOON TEA (purple) • DINNER (green) • SUPPER (red) The floral border forms a complete circle around the lettering, with larger red blossoms at the top and bottom and symmetrical leafy vines along the sides.

I had this one framed! It’s hanging in our dining room now.

A completed circular cross-stitch aquarium scene on muted blue Aida cloth. The design is densely filled with colorful sea life arranged in a balanced, wreath-like composition. At the top are several tropical fish in shades of yellow, orange, black, and teal, along with small stitched bubbles. On the left side is a tall purple jellyfish with trailing tentacles, and below it a small shell and a tiny blue fish. Bright green seaweed rises in multiple clusters from small gray rocks. Near the center are a branching pink coral and a large red sea anemone or sea cucumber form with green accents. Scattered around are more fish in orange, red, and blue, including a dark blue fish with a yellow tail on the right. At the bottom are additional elements such as a red crab, a red starfish, more seaweed, and a patterned orange-and-blue fish. The stitches are tightly packed and vibrant, creating a lively underwater scene with strong contrast against the blue background.

I finished this one and forgot to post it! For whatever reason, by the time I was near the end I was ready for it to be done so I could start a new project. Loved this aida cloth though.

I’m convinced much of my later musical taste was set early on by listening to the Jazz Jackrabbit and Vinyl Goddess from Mars soundtracks so much.

A close-up of a cross-stitch embroidery on deep blue Aida cloth. In the center is a red, rounded sea creature—likely a sea cucumber—stitched with darker red shading and bright yellow-green vertical accents. Behind and above it, tall strands of green and yellow-green seaweed rise upward in layered tones. Pinned over the red stitching is a small, glossy yellow star-shaped needle minder with a black outline. The text “your did it” is printed in lowercase letters across the star. To the left edge, part of a pink coral shape is visible, and at the bottom left and right edges are hints of other aquarium elements, including a yellow fish fin and a gray pearl. The texture of the individual cross stitches is very clear, emphasizing the handmade detail of the piece.

I got my own! 😄

The cross stitch is gonna be lovely, but WHERE did you get that needle minder?? 😆 I love it!

A smartphone screenshot of the ChatGPT app in dark mode. The screen shows a response about using tempshift plates around coal generators, stating that igneous rock is the best all-around choice. Below the heading “Why igneous rock works so well,” several bullet points are visible, including good thermal conductivity, high specific heat, abundance early game, and that it doesn’t melt or complicate things. Part of one bullet point is highlighted in blue selection handles, specifically the phrase referencing “Nashville-style sandstone/igneous starts.” An overlay near the center shows options like “Ask ChatGPT” and “Copy.” At the top status bar, the time reads 9:24, the phone shows full signal and 100% battery. The ChatGPT header and icons (menu, edit, profile) are visible, with the text partially cut off toward the bottom as if the user is scrolling.

Fascinated by this context mixing by ChatGPT. It knows I live in Nashville. I have a thread where I only ask it questions about the game Oxygen Not Included, here about the material I should use for building something. It mentions Nashville as if where I live is relevant to my game colony!

A close-up of a colorful aquarium-themed cross-stitch in progress. The fabric is deep blue Aida, held taut in a purple hoop. The stitched scene shows: • a branching pink coral cluster near the top left • ribbon-like bright green seaweed anchored to small grey rocks • a red sea cucumber or sponge form on the right • two tropical fish: a yellow one with black stripes above, and a multicolored orange/blue/yellow fish below A floss bobbin wound with rainbow thread and a needle rests on the fabric at the upper left. The lighting emphasizes the texture of the stitches, giving a sense of dimension like an underwater vignette.

I hit 35% done today! I think this is the softest aida I’ve worked with, it’s from Picture This Plus. Would definitely use it again. #CrossStitch

A cross-stitch aquarium scene on deep blue Aida cloth. On the left is a pink coral shape with small white bubble-like dots around it. On the right is a red sea cucumber with green fronds. Below and slightly left is the beginning of an orange fish, partially stitched. A birdhouse-shaped needle minder with a blue bird is pinned near the top right of the fabric.

My current work in progress is of an aquarium scene designed by Aliton Embroidery. My needle minder is from Caterpillar Cross Stitch.

What is this delightful pattern!

It’s a completed autumn-themed pixel-style cross-stitch stitched on tan Aida fabric. The scene is arranged in a lively, circular composition full of small seasonal motifs, all outlined in black for a crisp, graphic look. At the center: • A gray-black cat sitting upright with little sparkles around it. • A large pumpkin to the left. • A crow perched above the pumpkin. • A red mushroom with a beige stem. • A candy corn–colored witch hat or whimsical hat with a green garland and a crescent moon detail. • A mug of something warm, decorated like a candy corn. Above the crow and mushroom: • An open book or journal with colorful marks, as if it’s a spellbook or autumn sketchbook. All around the border: • Scattered fall leaves in reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. • Tiny acorns, mushrooms, berries, sparkles, apples, and pumpkins. • The border feels loose and floating, like bits of autumn swirling around the central motifs. The whole piece has a cozy, magical, October vibe with strong pixel-art influences and bright, cheerful colors.

The neat backside of a cross stitch on tan Aida cloth.

I finished a seasonally appropriate cross stitch today! It felt like this one took forever because I kept giving my arm and wrist rest. Pattern designed by Flossy Fox Shop.

Dark iOS keyboard with blank white keys

iOS 26.2, sometimes my keyboard will go all the wrong color such that I can’t see any letters on it. Switching to another keyboard will fix it, but coming back to the default one, it’s still not fixed. 🤷‍♀️

This image shows a piece of cross-stitch embroidery on black fabric, featuring a stylized landscape design. The stitched section depicts a dark tree trunk dividing two panels. The upper part shows a cloudy sky in shades of gray and blue, while the middle section has orange-brown areas that look like autumn trees or foliage. At the bottom, a blue and white pattern suggests water with small waves. In the upper right corner of the photo, a gray cat’s paw and fur are visible, resting partly on the fabric.

lol I forgot a few stitches of sky in the top right. Fixed, and now with bonus cat paw for scale.

This image shows a piece of cross-stitch embroidery on black fabric. The stitched design is a stylized landscape divided into two rectangular panels separated by the trunk of a black tree. The background features a gray and light blue sky with darker gray clouds. Below that, there are orange-brown shapes resembling autumn foliage or shrubs. At the bottom, a band of blue and white repeating wave-like patterns suggests water. The overall composition gives the impression of a tree by a lake or river on a cloudy autumn day.

Back of a finished cross stitch on black aida cloth.

I finished a small cross stitch today. Design by Max Pigeon from his book Cross-Stitch in the Forest. Love the texture of the sky and the absence of floss to make the trees.

This image shows a finished cross-stitch design of a plastic cup filled with Thai iced tea and tapioca pearls, resembling bubble tea. The swirling tea contains ghostly faces, giving it a playful spooky theme. A straw extends from the top of the cup. The piece is stitched on white aida fabric.

Back of a finished cross stitch piece on aida cloth.

Finished! Now to wash the grid out before letting it sit for weeks in a box while I procrastinate the ironing and framing part. 😅

The image shows a Steam Deck handheld gaming console resting on a brown surface. The screen displays a Windows error message with a red “X” icon, stating that the .NET Desktop Runtime must be installed to run an application. The message includes details about architecture (x64) and app host version (8.0.16), along with options to download the runtime. The console has a purple protective case and matching purple joystick covers.

Well this is a first for me on Steam Deck. I get it when trying to launch Let's Build a Zoo. 🤔

This image shows a cross-stitch work in progress depicting a cup of Thai iced tea with ghostly faces swirling in the drink, giving it a whimsical, slightly eerie feel. The piece is held in a tan embroidery hoop, and a lemon-shaped needle minder is attached to the upper left of the fabric. The cross-stitching is detailed, with shades of brown, caramel, and cream creating depth and texture in the tea.

My next #CrossStitch project is some spooky Thai iced tea. 👻 Pattern by ThreadingOurJourney.

This image shows a completed cross-stitch project beside a sleeping gray cat curled up in sunlight. The cross-stitch features a circular floral border of green leaves and red and yellow flowers around colorful text listing Hobbit-style meals: “BREAKFAST,” “2ND BREAKFAST,” “ELEVENSES,” “LUNCHEON,” “AFTERNOON TEA,” “DINNER,” and “SUPPER.” The piece rests on a light brown surface, partially wrinkled, while the cat lies just above it, tucked in and peacefully napping. The warm light highlights both the stitches and the cat’s fur.

Finished! I did end up frogging the pink text in favor of a darker pink. Cat for scale. 😺 #CrossStitch

Mobile Safari browser with url visible above browser back button

Ooh yes, it totally does, thank you! I'll keep it on this setting.

Screenshot of Safari mobile browser

I do wonder how I'm supposed to enter a new URL in Safari in iOS 26 when I can't tap the right part due to it being so small. 😭