The Sydney Morning Herald, 11/27/03:

Stitched up

Knitting has been en vogue for some time, but the grandmotherly art of cross-stitch has yet to make a splash in the cool stakes. Until now. The website subversivecrossstitch.com sells kits for adorable mini-tapestries that spell outing messages such as "Go F--k Yourself" and "What Makes You Think I Care?". The cross-stitcher behind the site, Julie Jackson, said she took up the feminine craft as a form of anger management therapy "when I was dealing with an idiot boss".

She quit the job and decided to share her patterns with others.

For a mere $US12 ($17) you can get a basic kit, or for $US20, you can get the deluxe, which includes an embroidery hoop for best results. "Caffeine and alcohol not included, but encouraged," the site states. With Christmas approaching, "Life Sucks, Then You Die" in your finest needlepoint could be just the gift for that special someone.