I love gingham, but....

This is like Holly Hobby on crack:

Vintage Gingham Cross Stitch linens

I found my grandma's stash of embroidery on gingham patterns. They were hiding with my cross stitching stuff. This was an article from the June, 1979 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.
The patterns they included were very simple geometrics:
BH&G Cross Stitch on Gingham

Even better is the 1962 McCall's booklet, "Cross Stitch on Gingham":
McCalls Gingham Cross Stitch Booklet

This one has good simple patterns I'll share with you tomorrow.