Stitch count: 196H x 136W
Model stitched on: 28 count cream Cashel Linen®
Model size: 14" x 9.75"


Description: A border of specialty stitch shells, foamy waves, and frolicking fishes surrounds the classic poem "Footprints in the Sand". Bands of specialty stitches and pearl beads separate the stanzas. The design is done predominantly in ocean blues, accented with ecru, shell pink and gold.

Background Information: The main challenge in designing this piece was trying to come up with something original! This poem has been done in cross stitch several times already, and I was hesitant to do it yet again. But, my publisher seemed to think it would be a good subject, so I took a deep breath and dove in. I decided to make the design a bit on the whimsical side: a foil to the very serious nature of the poem...thus the emphasis (in the border) on the ocean waves and the playful fish. To add interest to what could be alot of very-boring-to-stitch lettering, I designed it to be backstitched over-one, which gives it a bit more "character". The dividing bands break up the lettering and add textural interest...and give the stitcher something new to tackle. The colors for the piece are actually fairly limited, which makes the piece a departure from the norm for me (!).