Today after work I headed over to Micheal's to check out their cross stitch supplies. Since I wasn't sure how to get there, I put in the address into my iPhone map function.
Here are part of the instructions:
Take 121 S 11.5 miles
Take the exit
Go on the road for .8 miles
Turn right on McCrumber Street
....
Yes, it actually said "Take the exit" and nothing more. Luckily I could see that I had to pass 35, and as I was about to pass 35, I saw a sign for the McCrumber Street exit, and was able to find it easily.
Gave me a good laugh though.
----
I was hunting for those cross stitch kits that included the pattern, thread, needle and a frame. They were ones I could almost always finish in 4 or 5 hours, and usually cost around $3 or $4.
Micheal's did not have any. All they had were kits starting around $10 and up that take 50 hours+ to make - ones I have the tendency (if I even open the package, that is) to start, put in maybe 10 hours worth of work, miss a row and/or add a row, get frustrated and give up on. I have finished maybe one or two of that size.
So I decided to try and find the other store which my landlady had mentioned to me. She wasn't sure if it was still in business or not.
I found it, and it was still in business. However, they do not sell ANY kits. The ladies also told me that they think that the little oval all in one frame kits that I was looking for aren't even made anymore!! 
They showed me a large bin of cross stitch pattern magazines and books in the back that were all on sale for $1 each. I looked through them, and realized that I was going to have to change my plan of action. I hadn't wanted to do anything Christmas themed, but to find seperate patterns that fit into four or five different themes, would mean buying four or five different pattern books - plus of course all the ensuing thread.
So, I picked out a Christmas Mini Pattern book which had a pattern for a Bible with candles. Sort of Christmassy, but not too much. Then one of the ladies helped me pick out a good cloth for it, and she serged it for me. Then I picked up the thread. What I'm going to do is make 4 of them and put each of them into a coaster.
I have a project I'm already working on that I can give my mom and stepdad. When all is said and done, all of these items will end up costing right around $25.
Now it's just a matter of actually getting them all done in time!!
If they turn out good, maybe I'll post pictures on here of them. 
X-Stitch Kits & Funny GPS
October 20th, 2009 at 02:02 am
October 20th, 2009 at 02:34 am 1256006066
October 20th, 2009 at 02:47 am 1256006820
October 20th, 2009 at 03:03 am 1256007790
XStitch
Usually these are crafters that have bought too much and are de-stashing. Let me know if you have any questions.
October 20th, 2009 at 03:13 am 1256008400
I also found a couple items on ebay - the little miniature kits with frames!
October 20th, 2009 at 04:59 am 1256014797
October 20th, 2009 at 05:10 am 1256015436
e-patternscentral.com
freepatterns.com
anniesattic.com
October 20th, 2009 at 01:56 pm 1256047006
October 20th, 2009 at 02:29 pm 1256048962
I have seen some free patterns online, but they weren't exactly what I was looking for. I think the pattern I have now will work. Thanks for the suggestion!
Miclason, I hadn't seen those websites - will have to check them out. Thanks!
Lisa, I didn't realize you could put a companies name into the map search function - I already had the address, just didn't know what exit to take to get there. I was able to figure out what was meant by "take the exit" thanks to the map view showing the exit past 35 and then the direction thankfully giving me an actual street name to turn on
I'm very thankful for the map function - use it all the time!