Yes I am gonna keep obnoxiously starting posts here until someone else joins in, get used to it 😅
Over the last few years I've tried all kinds of pattern styles, in both cross stitch and blackwork (and I've tried a bit of regular hand embroidery but am terrible at it!). I've discovered the following:
Despite my blackened goth heart, I love stitching bright happy colours
Big blocks of solid colour are the best
Any nature scene involving mountains is an instant win
I surprisingly love big full-coverage projects but can only have one at a time because I'm such a slow stitcher each one is going to take me about a decade!
Therefore my other projects should be fairly small and manageable to keep me motivated.
The project in the photo is Alpine by Satsuma Street, and it ticks all of my boxes. Funnily enough it was reading an interview with this designer that made me want to learn cross stitch in the first place, so obviously my gut reaction was spot on there.
I tend to do cross stitch so I have something to do, rather than something (finished) to have, so I go for ridiculously huge projects that I will probably never finish. I currently have three HAEDs and an Unconventional X-Stitch on the go and just pick up whichever one I'm in the mood for. They are all massive but they are all full stitch - no half stitches, backstitch or beading to be seen.
Hardcore! Totally understand though, it's all about enjoying the journey and let's face it most things just end up in a pile of shame waiting to be FFOed for literal years anyway.
I have to admit, my only full coverage is being done in tent stitch otherwise I'd go mad lol, it's 2 over 1 on 28ct though so makes no difference to how it looks until you get about 6 inches away.
Looking forward to seeing pics of all these big projects! Cough cough hint hint hint... 😉