This blog has been created by Eel and myself to document our HAED competition progress. You can read up about our competition 'rules' on the sidebar, so I won't talk too much about that.

I started cross stitching when I was about 10, but lost interest in it after awhile. About half a year ago, my interest in it started again. Recently, Eel's just begun cross stitching as well! The powers of peer pressure, huh? ;) She's been talking about stitching huge pieces, and I suggested a HAED design, as they're really huge and cool. She said that I should do one at the same time, and that's how our idea of a competition began.

Eel and I are similar in lots of ways. We're both avid readers, we were both in the school band years ago, at one point we were even desk mates in class. Although we're in different countries, we always have lots to talk about when we meet up (even every day when we're at work!). So, this competition should be a pretty fun way to encourage each other to keep on stitching on our HAEDs.

Anyway, our first 'deadline' is to come up with a few design choices by Monday, and then we'll choose the two that have the most similar dimensions so that it's fair. There are so many gorgeous designs on the website, that it's been difficult to choose from them all! Also going through my head was the thought that I'm going to have to stare at it for the next 5 years, so it'd better be something that I really love. After sifting through what seems like hundreds of photos, I've found a few possibilities.

Forest Light by Jonathon Earl Bowser
Finished Design Size 350W by 571H
(14W X 22-3/8H inches on 25ct)

Waiting by Jonathon Earl Bowser
Finished Design Size 450 W by 683 H
(18 W X 27-1/4 inches on 25ct)

Lily of the Valley by Rachel Anderson
Finished Design Size 400W by 600H
(16 W X24 inches on 25ct)

Mountain Beauty by Jim Warren
Finished Design Size 400 W by 592 H
(16 W X 23-5/8 H inches on 25ct fabric)

Eve of Enchantment by Nadia Tate
Finished Design Size 400 W by 537 H
(16 W X 21-3/8 H inches on 25ct fabric)