embroidery

[idreamofblue.livejournal.com]

hey, i want to get started in embroidery! i looked in memories and found some cool sites and am excited about giving it a try!
i didn't see any sites with letters, and i have some things with words in mind. do you just draw them out and embroider over them?
also, i saw some cute towels and such on those sites. my best friend is getting married in oct, and i'd like to give him a nice, thoughtful gift, and i think they would like towels. i know traditionally they have names or initials, but i was thinking something more modern-minded, although including initials wouldn't be bad. i saw some pretty cute birds on  http://www.sublimestitching.com/kurthalsey.html, so maybe those plus initials.
anyhow, there's plenty of time, and i want to get some practice first.