than reguler embroidery? I have never done any machine xxx stitch and I just love the Advent Calendar. I had downloaded 1-13 and now thru 15 and I need to get busy and do not know if I need to buy some extra heavy material. I have done alot of hand xxx stitching in past years but would have a hard tiime doing it now because my eyes are not what they used to be. The very 1st piece I ever did was on 22 cloth and a Ga. Bulldog design for a friend. I almost NEVER did anymore. I was 16 and had no idea what size material meant when the lady started asking me what I wanted. I thought the bigger the # the bigger the spaces. I sure did learn alot on my 1st time out of the gate. First of all I learned to ask more questions and not pretend to be so smart!!! I got it done but until today I still have never used another piece of 22! As my eyes got worse over the years, before my machines, I learned to like the stiff Aida(not sure of spelling) because I could feel the holes with the needle. I still have alot of books and patterns packed up that will never be used since I got my machines. My best friend does/did alot of huge intricate designs for many years but her younger sister has moved in with her and she hardly has time to go to the bathroom now. She has turned into a housewife without a husband. She is 1 day older than I am so she is no spring chicken and she also has arthritis as I do. I think I will haul my stuff off to her and see if she wants it. My designs are pretty but not so involved! I wish I could turn some of them into machine xxx stitch. I have some very cute real southern dark charm if you get my drift that are just great! It shows the "old real south" with the gardens, quilts on the clothlines, 1 room shacks behind the big houses and then the outhouses. I have not seen those designs in twenty years or more. Glenda was raised in the country and had all of that except the big house when she was a child. She loves anything with a quilt and a garden on it. I guess You can tell I am in a very "wish I could turn back the calendar and change things" mood today. I have kinda hit an all time low this week. I wish I could turn my son in for a new model that has not turned out to be a carbon copy of his dad from whom I have been divorced 30 years this month! He only decided to become friendly with him after he turned 37. He is only 42 now. He has not lived with him since he was 11 nor has he had anything to do with him. How in the world did he turn out to be just like him??????? Off that subject--that was not my question--Sorry! Linda