Found a pattern online and whipped up this simple 4”x4” cross-stitch in the traditional black floss with white cloth. Once I was done, I decided I didn’t like it, and that I should redo a negative version of it because that would be easy and fun (spoiler alert: it was not). The top of the skull is a little wonky because I had to go off-pattern a bit for it, but I think it looks okay. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. 

Another project done! I tried to use a marker to darken the inner mat, and of course immediately scratched the white mat with the black marker. Sigh. So I used calligraphy ink that I had on hand to dye the mat.

Step 1: cross stitch something dirty based off of a game you’ve never played yet recognize the characters to. 

Step 2: go to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and spend $10 on a frame whose cutout matches the size of your artwork. 

Step 3: take it all apart and wonder at the amount of staples and tape they use to secure a fairly mundane image. 

Step 4: use a marker to colour the inside mat black, and immediately fuck the white up like you knew you would. 

Step 5: continue to fuck up the front of the mat with marker, leaving weird streaks and unfinished parts. Use calligraphy ink to dye the entire mat. 

Step 6: put your image in, put it all back together, tape, and hang. 

Step 7: be glad it’s done!