Cross-Stitch Chronicles: The Story Behind My Family Portrait

🧺Bucket List #93: Finish cross stitch – family picture

The story begins on October 1, 2015. I had just passed the licensure exam for my degree, a moment of pride and relief. But as the excitement settled, I found myself wondering what to do next while searching for a job. Then, an idea struck me: why not commemorate this milestone by sewing a cross-stitch version of our family photo taken on my graduation day?

Excited, I went online and stumbled upon Pic2Pat.com, a tool that converts photos into cross-stitch patterns. The result wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough for me to envision the final outcome. I challenged myself to create a massive 20 x 26-inch portrait, a project that required hundreds of threads and endless hours of dedication.

At first, I was eager to start, pouring my time and energy into every stitch. But as the days turned into weeks, life got in the way. Work became busier, priorities shifted, and the project was set aside. There were moments when I thought it might never be finished. Eventually, I added it to my bucket list, hoping that one day I would find the time and motivation to complete it.

Then came 2020, and the world turned upside down. The COVID-19 pandemic brought lockdowns and restrictions, leaving me with more free time than I’d had in years. With nowhere to go on my days off, I picked up the unfinished portrait and began stitching again.

It wasn’t easy. The hours were long, and my patience was tested. But I was determined. Every thread I added felt like a step closer to achieving something I had dreamed of for years. And finally, on March 5, 2021, it was done. The project that started as an idea on a whim had become a reality.

Looking back, this journey wasn’t just about creating a piece of art. It was a lesson in perseverance, patience, and the power of holding onto something you love, even when life gets in the way.