Lois Smith began doing counted cross-stitch 20 years ago.

Since that time, the Cabot woman has been creating framed wall hangings that reflect her faith and sense of design.

Stitching tiny Xs into fabric to create artful images, Smith said some of the pieces are intricate enough to take months to complete.

"Most of them are pretty complex. I don't tend to do things simply," she said, explaining that counted cross-stitch entails counting squares in the weave of the fabric to know where to place stitches rather than working with a preprinted template as in regular cross-stitch.

"I had been sewing and doing crewel work and embroidery since I was a young girl," said Smith.

"Then a friend showed me her cross-stitch work, and I gave it a try, and loved doing it. I enjoy all facets of creating a piece - reading the scriptures and finding a verse, creating and graphing the design, doing the actual stitching, and framing the finished work," she explained.

"The pieces in my collection are from the last 15 years. I gave away most of my early work," said Smith, who also said giving her

work as gifts is inspired by divine intervention. "God would impress me with a particular verse of scripture, and then he'd tell me who needed that verse, and I would get to work creating that piece.

"Sometimes it would be for a dear friend, but a couple of times I made pieces for total strangers. Either way, God meant it to bless someone. I was so privileged to be a part of the blessing process," she added.

The tone of creative expression is dependent on Smith's moods. "God's word speaks to me in different ways at different times," said Smith. "Some days I need the peace that comes from the muted colors and gentle scriptures, other times I rejoice with the more vibrant colors and verses of triumph and joy," she said.

"I suppose the one that means the most to me is a three-piece set, one piece being the name 'God,' one the name 'Jesus,' and one the name 'Man.' The design itself took over a year."

"Each large name is made up of tiny stitches spelling out all the related names found in the Bible. For example, Jesus is known as the Lamb of God, Savior, Rose of Sharon, Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Shepherd and Friend.

"Most of the verses I have used are my favorites, of course. And, if they're not a favorite when I start, they are by the time I finish!

"Because stitching is a slow process, I find myself meditating on the verse as I stitch it, and it becomes alive and real to me," Smith explained.

She finds the art form relaxing and creative. "I like to do stitchery, and the process of cross-stitching fascinates me, building a picture tiny square by tiny square of color. It's a nice balance of the freedom of creativity and the structure of the precision of counting each little square. It's also very relaxing, and can be done almost anywhere."

The work can also be done on large or small pieces of fabric, so it can also be displayed in a variety of places.

One recent location was the Butler Library, where Smith was featured in a showcase on needlework.

"I am responsible for a showcase, which I try to fill with Butler area interests. We've had collections and information on clubs, but never needlework," said Ginny Besterman, public relations coordinator.

"I displayed about 30 of her pieces and also included the books we have on cross-stitch," she said. "Of all the displays we've had, I received the most comments about her cross-stitch creations."