Terry S. Gifford Terry S. Gifford
 
For those who like to know a little bit about how a design comes about, keep on reading; if you want to get on with it, just go on to another page.

I first set needle to fabric when I was about 8. I was visiting my grandmother, and my cousin and I were trying to stitch some crosses on gingham fabric to eventually make aprons. It was not a pretty sight. Fast forward about 5 years and I started doing the classic wool on printed canvas, continental stitch pictures. We have quite a few of those around. Fast forward again. In the early 70’s (when I was decorating my first apartment and first house) I discovered some wonderful pillow tops – still wool on canvas – using a variety of different stitches. Those were fun! The next phase in my stitching career (during the raising kids and having a career stage of my life) involved small counted cross stitch pieces –– who has time for involved stitching projects?

Then about 5 years ago I took Susan Portra’s “Bring Your Canvas to Life” class. And discovered those wonderful threads! (Wool is nice but, oh, the possibilities.) Then I did Jean Hilton’s “Chapter Patches”. I don’t know when I’ve had so much fun doing a piece of stitching. All those exciting stitches! I think my fate was sealed.

Then I got cancer (Everything is fine now) and during treatment I had a lot of time to think. And one of the things that I thought about was “Is there anything I’ve ever really wanted to do? Well Terry, now’s the time. Go for it!”

I’ve always meant to get around to making Christmas Stockings for my 3 daughters, but I just never found exactly what I was looking for. So I decided that it was time I started designing. I was also inspired by a pair of socks I bought one Christmas season – argyle of course – red, with purple and black diamonds. Three daughters, so eventually, 3 stockings.

The XOctagon patterns were the result of my initial design efforts.

See my Christmas Stockings.

Enjoy!

1/3/2003

Webmaster note:

Terry Gifford lost her courageous battle with cancer and died on June 24, 2006.  Her husband Mike will continue to make her designs available to the many stitchers who admire Terry's work.