large for stitching and publication pur-
poses. Because of this, Teresa, unlike
many cross-stitch designers, does not
work from a finished color drawing
when charting her designs. Instead she
begins with a rough sketch and then
puts her idea immediately on graph pa-
per. This process helps'her keep the
design a controllable size. As she puts it,
she tempers fantasy by using graph pa-
per. Teresa uses quarter and three quarter
stitches, as well as floss blending, to
achieve detail in her designs.

 Teresa's Favorite artistic medium is pen
and ink. She also does work with oils, water-
colors, pencil, and some charcoal. She
shares her yen for art with her mother,
who paints, draws and makes pottery.

  Of her working style, Teresa states
that "organizing her time is the most dif-
ficult aspect and notes that she does, on
occasion, work all night. If the idea re-
ally appeals to me, I keep on working. "

  The majority of Teresa's designs are
large, significant pieces. Occasionally
she will create a smaller design specifi-
cally for publication in Just Cross Stitch.
She enjoys doing those smaller pieces now
and then, noting thatT "Sometimes, I need
the break from the bigger projects".

  Many of her designs tend to lend
themselves to decorative wall art. She is
also interested in doing clothing with
decorative stitching but notes that from
a design standpoint, the contours of gar-
ments add a completely new dimension
as opposed to the flat field offered by
framed pieces and the fairly flat nature of
pillow tops.

  Teresa comments that. while she
generally has an end-use in mind and
knows how she wants a piece finished
while she is designing it, she would also
encourage stitchers to see the versatility
in each design and to tailor their com-
pleted work to their individual needs.

  For Teresa, "A chart is a tool." She
encourages stitchers, once they have pur-
chased a chart. to do whatever they need
to do to it-enlarge it. color it. even cut it
up-to make the stitching easiest for them.

  Commenting on her work. Teresa em-
phasizes, " I really strive for originality.
You always want to outdo your last design.
hs long as you're growing and learning,
that's the important thing. If I'm not chal-
lenged (designing a piece), I don't think
the stitcher is getting her money's worth."

  A majority of the stitchers who have
completed Teresa's works of art will at-
test to the fact that ~they were most
definitely challenged. Most feel a sense
of accomplishment and pride in com-
pieting her designs, which often include
an assortment of decorative beads, as
well as a variety of eye-catching specialty
stitches in addition to cross. back, half-
cross, quarter, and threequarter stitches.