Mini Mystery Monday, April 2013, pt. 4

There's just a bit more to stitch on this small springtime mystery piece.  Here's the graph to follow this week:

And all that needs to be done is: stitch the center circle with your metallic thread, along with the four diagonal stitches in an accent color.  Lastly, add your beads (or french knots), as I've suggested in the above graph.

But WAIT!  We can play a little bit more with this design, if you want to......

As I was working out this design and got a bit of my model stitched, I realized I could make it a little bit larger by adding one more scalloped border on the outside, which creates an extra curvy look to it.
Check out this quarter graph to help you add one more border row around your outer edge:

Isn't that fun?  It's a very easy addition that extends the size of this ornament, and adds a bit more color to the piece.

I also wanted to share with you the different ways this design can be stitched.  Originally, I grabbed a Watercolours thread and a handful of #5 pearl cottons to work my model... But then I thought you might find it interesting to see how this design looks like on a small count canvas using finer threads.  Here's a picture of the original #5 pearl cotton version with another one I've partially stitched on 22 ct. Hardanger fabric, using #8 pearl cottons and a bit of Caron Wildflowers:

It's apprx. 3" x 3" on the finer fabric, and quite a bit more delicate looking.  You can also work this design on a fine Aida fabric (say 16 or 18 ct.)..... or even your favorite evenweave fabric (I like 24 ct. Lugana).  As you work on finer fabrics/canvases, you need to use finer threads.  Try 1-2 ply of DMC floss or stranded silks, if you want a really fine, delicate look to your piece. 

I hope you've enjoyed stitching this slightly different design.  I'm going to go back to work on a much larger project on 24 ct. Congress Cloth that actually incorporates some of these same blackwork flower motifs.  It's not quite ready yet, but should be finished in the next week or so.  Here's a peek:

And pssssst, if you're curious about that fun needle minder I have on the right, let me direct you to Etsy, where I stumbled on a whole bunch of wonderful "bottle cap" magnets for sale!  I found this one in an Etsy store called "Little EMbellishments", and the owner/crafter is Emillie Dellalucia.  She was selling packs of 4 magnets with the KEEP CALM image in different colors.  Anyway, I asked if she could sell me additional magnets so I could use them on my canvases, and she happily agreed.   LOVE 'EM!!

So.........    Go. Shop. Stitch.            And of course, Have Fun!

Mini Mystery Monday, April 2013, pt. 3

Okay, have you got your scallop stitched?   Pretty darn easy, huh?  Scallops are easy to stitch, but they add such a different look and feel to a piece.  They definitely soften the edges of any square, geometric design!

 So.... this week, let's add a bit of your accent color to the piece:

Now it's REALLY starting to look like a valentine, don't you think?

Use 1 strand of your darker accent color to make the half-eyelet triangles around the outside spaces, and also for the small Rhodes Diamonds within the center area.  Then add the short diagonal stitches to frame them with 1 strand of your lighter/medium color thread.

By the way, I chose those half-eyelets because now there's a place to add some beads -- always a nice touch on a small ornament!

Next week we'll finish this up, and I'll even present you with the option of adding another outer border to the piece.... just in case you'd like a slightly larger ornament.  See you next Monday!

Mini Mystery Monday, April 2013, pt. 2

Did you enjoy working your blackwork flowers in a variegated thread?  Looks pretty different, doesn't it?

The next step is really easy and fast....  Here's the graph to follow:

Work the scalloped edge with 1 strand of your medium solid color. (I was almost going to make it an ecru border, but I thought we'd go with some color; it's always fun to try something new and see if we like the effect.)  Then add the metallic Smyrnas between the scallops. Yes, if you want, you can certainly stitch the Smyrnas first, and then the scallops -- but if you work the scallops first, when you go to stitch the Smyrnas you can push your metallic thread & needle thru your stitched scallops (on the backside) to hide your thread as you move from Smyrna to Smyrna.

Sometimes as you stitch you have to consider your stitch sequences before you dive in and start stitching.  I always try to plan out my stitching so I have something to "tie in to" with my stops and starts and moving the threads around on the canvas.  I use what I have stitched on the canvas to hide my new threads, weaving carefully thru existing stitches.  You know how it goes, Stitchers.... ya gotta be kinda crafty when you work your needlepoint projects!

Ahem... I guess I should warn you that this little design does not have a hard, square, geometric look. Rather, it's got more of a lacy valentine look, or maybe a kind of stitched doily thing going on. Which makes a nice change from the other mystery pieces, don't you think?

Anyway, as you stitch you can see that you've already got the circular floral motifs that you stitched last week.... and now we're adding a softly undulating scalloped edge. 

Stayed tuned for next week's adventure, when we add some more tidbits of color!

Mini Mystery Monday for April

Hey there, stitchers.... I've been buried under an avalanche of orders for my EASTER EGG ORNAMENTS these past few weeks, and now that Easter has passed and I've mailed out all my patterns, I finally have a bit of time to sit down and think up a new little mystery project for April.....

Currently, I'm working on a new springtime sampler design, and just to try something different, I've added a few blackwork patterns within the larger piece to create a rather interesting effect.  So I have blackwork patterns on my mind, and decided to try designing a small mystery piece around a bit of blackwork.   But we're going to use a variegated Watercolours for the blackwork stitches (instead of a solid color), which will make things more interesting - and colorful - to stitch.

Here's what you need:
-  an 8" x 8" piece of 18 ct. mono canvas in a light to medium color (white, eggshell, or a pale color);
-  a few strands of a variegated Watercolours - select one in the medium to dark range (light colors just don't show the blackwork designs very well, so honestly, darker is better);
-  two solid colors of DMC #5 pearl cotton (one light/medium, one as a bright/accent color);
-  a flat, metallic ribbon in a matching color or metal color (gold, silver, copper, etc.)

Here's the graph for the first part of this mini mystery piece:

The actual blackwork element you'll be creating looks like this up close:



And you start by working the dark lines first, using 1 ply of the variegated Watercolours. I recommend using a "Running Backstitch" (shown below) instead of a plain Backstitch for all your  blackwork.

 

 The Running Backstitch creates crisper corners with no shadowing on the back of the canvas; it also allows the variegated colors to flow more naturally across the canvas as you stitch because you're not skipping stitches, but working each stitch progressively along the design outline.  
 
Create nine of these floral motifs (leaving the center space empty). Then fill their "petals" with the solid color stitches, as shown in the whole stitched flower above, using 1 strand of your solid color #5 pearl cotton. In the center of each flower create a "poofy" padded center with 1 strand of your metallic ribbon thread.

Traditionally, blackwork is done all in one color (usually black) and if you want to do that with this design, please go ahead and give it a try -- it will definitely have a different look...

I really enjoy doing blackwork; basically you're creating geometric elements and then repeating them within a given area to create a lovely, complex pattern.  It seems to me that stitchers either love blackwork or they hate it.  But really, it's easier than it looks and it goes quickly, since you're not covering every thread of the canvas with stitches (like you do with cross stitch, tent stitch, or any other needlepoint stitch).  I hope you'll give it a try and get started on this small mystery piece today!

Mini Mystery Monday, February, pt. 2

Happy Presidents' Day Weekend, Stitchers!  I hope you've found some extra stitching time today!
Right now, we're going to finish up this little cutie with some fun stitches, so let's get to it...

Did you wonder if there would be a place for hearts in this month's mystery?  Oh, yeah....
Well, here they are in the quarter graph:

Time to add a few rows of satin stitch hearts.  I've alternated the rows by color, but you can alternate the colors within each row if you want.... or you can even try padding some of the hearts by laying a few under-stitches going in the opposite direction, then putting the final diagonal stitches on top, as shown above. 

Add the small smyrna crosses in the crooks of the zig zag rows using 1 strand of your metallic thread. And finally, work another layer of the "fan" stitches around the center diamond area, using 1 strand of your metallic thread, and stitching in every other empty hole that remains on your canvas. 

And pssst, if you want a preview of how the whole piece looks, here's the full graph for you:

When you get all your stitching done, you can add as many (or as few) beads as you want.
And, hey.... how about adding a sweet fimo heart or porcelain heart button in the center -- wouldn't that make an extra-special valentine surprise?!?

So, TA DA, there's this month's short and sweet mystery piece. This would definitely be fun to try on different colored canvases in all sorts of colorways (how about pale pinks or creams? or pastel colors, so it looks like those fun candy hearts?), or maybe on plain white canvas, using all red threads.... However you stitch it, have fun playing with it!!

Mini Mystery Monday, A February Valentine, pt. 1

Here's a little ornament that can be stitched quickly (there will only be two parts to this design) so you can have it finished by next week -- easy peasy!

You'll need just a few threads:
-  a variegated Watercolours thread (pick something valentiney);
-  a #5 pearl cotton solid color that is dark (for the borders);
-  two #5 pearl cotton solid colors that are accent colors - one medium and one light;
-  a metallic thread that matches the medium accent color (it can be a ribbon metallic like Ribbon Floss, Neon Rays+, Kreinik 1/16th Ribbon or a braid like Kreinik #8 Braid);
-  an 8" x 8" piece of canvas - white, eggshell, or any other color you want to play with (you'll see  some of the background when you're done stitching). 

Here's the beginning graph to follow, and again, it's a quarter graph so you can stitch the first quadrant, as shown below, and then turn the graph around to stitch each of the remaining quadrants.

To start stitching, make a hole in the center of your canvas, and then count up 20 threads, to stitch the first diagonal row of triangles (shown in red).  Once you have that first row in place, you can use it to stitch the remaining rows on the graph.

It's much easier to get that first row of triangles in place BEFORE STITCHING THE CENTER EYELET FAN.  Trust me, you want to leave that big center eyelet diamond until LAST.... it's much easier to fill it in AFTER the other rows are in place.  If you want, wait until next week, when the rest of the graph will appear, and you can stitch everything else, before finishing with the center space.

An by the way, when you do stitch the eyelet, place all your stitches going DOWN into the center hole (which you should enlarge as much as possible, because there are going to be a LOT of threads going down into the hole - this graph just shows the first layer!)  And your first stitch should be the VERTICAL ONE.  Then go in every other hole. All the way around the diamond-shaped center. 

Well, go run and get some threads and a piece of canvas.... you'll have this one done in no time at all!  See you next Monday....

Mini Mystery Monday, January pt. 3

Just a few more stitches and we'll be done with this month's mystery piece, so let's get started!

All that remains to be done is fill in the area between the zig zag rows.  Here's the next graph for you to follow, showing three possible options:

And again, you can see that I've selected three different filling stitches you can choose from.

Option A is the simplest; lay whichever thread you want (the fatter metallic ribbon is a good choice), then couch it down with a few straight stitches done with the thin #8 Braid metallic, or even your dark pearl cotton color.

Option B is another fast and easy filling; just lay a trio of diagonal stitches in the zig zag space and cover the intersections with a metallic straight stitch.

Option C is the more complex filling, but it's not hard; it's a wonky, "stretched" cross stitch that fills the space and is then tied down at the middle with a small metallic stitch.  Here's what that Stretched Tied Cross looks like up close:

It's a strange stitch in that it's three stitches covering a four-holed area, but somehow it works.  It looks especially good using the fatter metallic ribbon, tied down with the #8 Braid.  The fatter ribbon thread covers a multitude of sins, so if you get your stitches in the wrong holes it's OKAY... the stitches cover the space just fine, no matter where your three long stitches are placed.

After you fill all your zig zag rows, all that's left to do is add some beads. Again, you can decide how many or what type of beads you want on your piece.  As the larger graph above shows, I've placed beads at the points where the snowflake/star tips touch.  If you stitched the Eyelet Stars, you can also add larger beads in those holes, to alternate with smaller beads at the star intersections.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this Mini Mystery piece.  It's a very versatile ornament and would be fun to stitch in lots of different colors and threads.  Please experiment with different stitch combinations as well.... I'll bet you'll come up with lots of great ornaments using this one design!

Mini Mystery Monday, January, pt. 2

I hope you have your foundation work done for this cute ornament, because now we're going to fill in those empty diamond shapes with some fun starry/snowflake elements.  AND, you'll have some creative decisions to make over what type of snowflake/stars you want on your ornament.

Here's the next graph for you to work from:

I've chosen some simple Rhodes Stars for my starry snowflake elements, to give you some idea of how the alternating colors will look.

A second option is to make Eyelet Stars, where each arm/stitch goes DOWN into the center hole, thereby creating a hole that is an excellent place to add a bead later.

The third option is to make a complete Rhodes Star, where each hole is filled, and thereby creates a really fat/full diamond shape.

Here's a detail graph of the three different kinds of snowflake/star elements you can use:

Option A is the Eyelet Star, with a center hole  that can be left empty or filled with a big bead.
Option B is a "light" version of a Rhodes Star, which creates an airy feel to the space.
Option C is the "full" version of a Rhodes Star, where every hole is filled and creates a nice plump star.  When worked with the flat metallic ribbon, the finished raised shape adds great texture, and a whole row of these beauties is very eye-catching.

All three versions cover an 8 x 8 thread diamond shape.  And of course, you can alternate the different types of snowflake stars if you want, and also alternate the colors and thread types as well.... so go ahead and mix & match to your creative heart's delight!

Next Monday we'll finish up with the final filler element, and guess what?... you'll have some more creative choices to make then, too!    See ya then, Mystery Stitchers.

Mini Mystery Monday, January 2013

Well it's almost the start of a New Year, so doesn't it seem like a good time to start another small mystery piece that will kick off our new stitching year? 

To get in the proper mood, let's think about January and the winter season....  What colors do you associate with winter?  What colors make you think of swirling snow and chilly skies?  Okay... now go to your stash and grab a handful of threads that give you a feel for this time of year, and be sure to pick:

- one variegated #5 pearl cotton
- one dark (or medium) solid color #5 pearl cotton
- one metallic ribbon thread that matches your variegated thread
- one thin metallic, like Kreinik #8 Braid, in a base metal color (silver, gold, copper, etc.)
- a 7" x 7" piece of 18 ct. mono canvas in any color you want to play with

[Pssst": the finished piece will be stitched "on point" (in a diamond shape) and will end up as a 6" by 6" design.]

And here's your first graph, which is a quarter graph that only shows one quadrant of the design:

First things first!  Find your center point of your canvas and make a tiny hole as a visual reference point, using your needle tip (you'll cover it up later when you add more elements).

From there, begin working the zig zag rows with 1 ply of the 3-ply variegated #5 pearl cotton, making Straight Stitches that go over 4 canvas threads. Remember to skip the right number of threads between each row, as indicated in the graph.  Easy peasy, right?  (And remember: turn the graph around to complete the other three sections of this design.)

Once you have the zig zag rows stitched (or at least the first quadrant) you can start to add the outer border.  I've shown you this border before (in one of our fall 2012 mystery pieces) and I think it's really fun to create.  I call it my "Woven Border."  Start by laying the long diagonal stitches, using 1 strand of your dark pearl cotton, like this:

Then add the rest of the horizontal trios, so it looks like this:

Lastly, add the remaining "woven" stitches, with the trios of vertical stitches on top:

Continue working the other three sides of your border, turning the graph around to match your canvas area as you stitch.  Now if you get your foundation pattern in place and the outer border done, you'll be ready for next Monday when we'll start filling in with fast, fun elements that add some sparkle and zing!

 See ya then.... and have a Happy New Year's Eve tonight! 

Mini Mystery Monday, November finish

Now that you have the foundation work completed on your November piece, it's time for the fun stuff: adding the final touches that really make this ornament special.

Here's the final November graph for you to use:

And here's the up-close graphs for the acorn and leaf elements you can work in the boxes:

You can choose to work both of these elements, as the graph shows..... or, you can pick just one of the elements (either the acorn or leaf) and stitch them in both boxes.  (FYI: Turn your leaf graph around, so the second leaf goes in the opposite direction.)   Just an idea: You could also attach seasonal buttons in those open spaces, if you'd like something a bit more dimensional and fast!

And Ho, Ho, Ho!  For an extra treat, I've graphed a few simple holiday elements that can be substituted in those box spaces, if you would like to re-stitch the design in festive holiday colors:

How's that for a truly multi-purpose ornament, that's easy to stitch, and fun to use up odds and ends of threads?!

By the way, here's how my model turned out, with both elements in place (it has a sort of rustic sampler look to it, doesn't it?):

You'll see that I used metallic french knots in place of gold beads -- either beads or knots can be used to finish your piece.  You might also notice on my outer border areas, where the two patchwork sections meet, I laid a gold straight stitch, to separate the different patterns.  I thought it looked more "patchworky" that way, but please use your own judgement for how you'd like to finish YOUR PIECE.

I hope you've enjoyed stitching this one; there are soooo many different ways you can change this design, I'm sure you'll have fun playing around with it, and whipping out a few gift ornaments, if you're so inclined.

See you on another Monday......

Mini Mystery Monday for November, pt. 3

Ready to fill in more of the borders?  Let's get started!

Here's the next graph for you to use to fill in more of the patchwork areas:

and here's the up-close look at the "Dimpled" Square you will be creating using more of your fall leaf color (or you can even introduce another fall color in this area, if you want more colors to your piece):

Using these "dimpled" squares instead of full mosaic squares leaves you with a place to add a bead or french knot.  Or you can even add a small tent stitch in a different color, for a very discreet color change.

And for those gold Rhodes Squares in the corner boxes, here's a close-up graph for you:

Okay.... now we're ready to add the fun stuff in the middle -- which is next week's exciting installment.  Can you guess what will be inside those empty boxes?  Think about what you'd like to put in them, and next Monday I'll show you what I've chosen for you to stitch!! 

Mini Mystery Monday: November, pt.2

I hope you have all your stitching from part 1 done, because now we can add a bit of color in the next segment.....

Here's the graph to follow this week:

and here's the up-close look at how to make the little floral motifs:

As the graph shows, I've used a rusty orange pearl cotton to create these little floral elements, then added a cross stitch on top, using a metallic gold braid.  It's a simple but fun way to make little flowers that are good for filling in small areas.

You can see that things are starting to look interesting now, aren't they?  We've got the beginnings of a "patchwork" effect going, so next time we'll fill in the other patchwork borders.  See you then!

Mini Mystery Monday for November, pt. 1

It's time for another mystery piece, and this time it's sort of a mini sampler that celebrates the season....

Grab a handful of threads in fall colors:
   - a variegated Watercolours that has your favorite fall colors
 (you'll only need 4 or 5 of the 3-ply strands; I used a bit of Watercolours  285, "Sherwood Forest")
   - a dark color #5 pearl cotton for the borders
 (try medium-to-dark greens or browns; I used green DMC 3345)
   - a bright color #5 pearl cotton that reminds you of fall leaves (I used rusty orange DMC 920)
   - two #5 pearl cottons that are a nutty brown - one light and one dark
(just a strand or two of each is all you'll need, and not until the final lesson, so there's no hurry on that one!)
   - a Kreinik #8 Braid in your favorite gold (I used 002HL)
   - a piece of 8" x 8" 18 ct. canvas in sandstone or tan or eggshell is fine, too.

Here's the first graph for you to start your stitching:

From the center of your canvas, start stitching the Large Cross variations, using 1 ply of your variegated Watercolours.  Work outwards until you reach the narrow border lines, then stitch those with 1 strand of your border color #5 pearl cotton.  

Work the remainder of the Large Cross sections, and then start on your wide outer borders.   You can go back and add the gold squares in all the border intersections, using 1 strand of your Kreinik #8 Braid.

Here's an up-close graph of those Large Cross variations (I don't know what else to call them!):

These are rather odd stitches, in that the large cross goes over 5 x 5 threads, then you add pairs of straight stitches on top.  What I like about this composite stitch is how "bumpy" it is.  It creates an interesting texture when you fill a larger area, and they remind me of little raised "buttons" on the canvas.  Go ahead and stitch a few, and see what you think....

Next Monday we'll add some more color and texture and little by little, this design will start to POP!
(Trust me, this is a really fun one to stitch up and there will be several interesting options for you to play with down the road...and when you get further along, you'll be saying, "oh yeah, this is definitely a Novembery piece...")    See ya next time!!

Mini Mystery Monday: October Finish

It's time to wrap up this autumn ornament, so let's get going...

Here's the final graph to follow for your last stitches:
 

All you need to do is fill in your empty spaces with the two motifs shown above; one is a modified Rhodes shape and the other is a Leaf motif.  Here is the Rhodes shape up close for you to stitch within the variegated diamond boxes (use 1 strand of your gold metallic thread):

All that remains to do is stitch the Leaf motifs.  And here's how you stitch them, using 1 strand of whatever thread you want to use for bright autumn leaves (can be solid color OR variegated):

And TA DA.... here's how my piece ended up:

I finished my leaves with larger 3mm round, gold beads (visit your local craft store and see if you can find these larger, round gold beads).  And along the outer border rows, I alternated rust french knots (wrapped twice on the needle) with regular gold seed beads.

Of course, you can use any combination of beads that you'd like to jazz up your piece.  And hey, you can even attach a leaf-shaped bead or button in the center diamond, if you have something that would fit that space... perhaps an acorn or small pumpkin button would be fun. . . . wouldn't that look great?


Another idea I had after I finished this design was doing it in red, green and gold holiday colors, and when you get to the leaf shapes, add another "petal" on the lower side, so the "leaf" becomes a "flower" and if you add a cluster of gold beads you'll have red poinsettias... or later, next spring, this design could be stitched in pale pastel colors, working some bright flowers instead of leaves....

Another way to change the look of this design is to change the background canvas.  Try working it on the canvas with metallic sparkles woven in it!  Or use the darker tan canvas with other fall colors, to create a more dramatic variation.  There are lots of possibilities with this design, so I hope you have fun working with it.

Enjoy watching the colors change on your autumn leaves, and I'll see you next time with another quick Mini Mystery!

Mini Mystery Monday for October, pt. 2

For the second part of your mystery piece, we're moving to the outer border and getting that stitched and in place.  Here's the graph to use this week:

Again, it's a partial graph of the whole design, but you should be able to use it to stitch the whole border.

Here's an up-close look at the basic border elements:

Notice that your "dimpled" squares change direction on each quadrant of the design, so be sure to make those directional changes as you stitch.  Each of the corners has a nice elongated cross stitch (over 10 x 1 canvas threads) that is tied down with three small straight stitches.  Use your metallic thread to work this element, and add a bit of bling to the corner areas:

I thought it would be good to get the borders out of the way this week, so you can have fun next Monday filling in the jazzy central motifs that really make this little design POP!  And by the way.... as you're working this border pattern, consider how easy this would be to use as a finishing border around other ornaments, or small pieces (that are on the diagonal, or on point).  When I finished stitching my border, I really liked how it looked -- it's fast and easy, yet fun to look at -- and I am going to remember to use it again as a way to finish smaller geometric pieces.

So for now, have fun working your borders, and I'll see you next time, okay?

Mini Mystery Monday: October Treat

'Tis the season for falling leaves and other surprises, so I thought I'd treat you to a new little mystery that will be perfect for this month.

Grab a handful of threads that have a fall colorway, so you have on hand:
-  a variegated #5 pearl cotton (try finding one with fall colors, and you'll only need 1-2 strands)
-  a dark solid color #5 pearl cotton, for the outer borders (think dark green or brown)
-  a bright solid color or variegated #5 pearl cotton (think autumn leaf color of oranges or reds)
-  a metallic ribbon thread (or braid) in gold or copper
-  and then cut a piece of 8" x 8" 18 ct. mono canvas, in eggshell, sandstone ,tan, or sage green
-  you might also want to grab some matching beads, two sizes, for finishing touches at the end!

Now here's your first graph to follow:

It's not a complete graph, because I'm trying to keep the graphs as small as I can so they are easier for you to see.  You should be able to work the remaining areas using the stitches shown above.  Also note that this is NOT the finished size of the piece; there's still a few more borders coming up along the outer edges....

Anyway, find the center of your canvas and count outward to stitch the four variegated diamond shapes, using just 1 ply of your 3-ply Watercolours (or whatever thread you choose). [FYI: this is the only place you'll be using the variegated thread.] I've included a few of the metallic stitches in this first graph, so you can use them to connect your four diamond shapes. Here are those stitches up-close, and please use 1 strand of your metallic ribbon or braid to create these:

Then move on to stitch the easy narrow border that surrounds your variegated diamonds - straight stitches over 3 canvas threads -  using 1 strand of your dark solid color pearl cotton.

Once you get these elements stitched, you'll be all set to do the next set of borders that I'll share with you next week.  Have fun stitching this up, and I'll see you again next Monday!

Mini Mystery Monday - final installment

I hope you had fun filling in all your blank spaces last week!  Is your piece starting to look more vibrant and elegant now?  Are you liking the variegated colors you've chosen? 

Let's finish up by adding the final touches -- a bit more metallic, as well as a handful of beads.

Here's the final graph for you to study and follow:

As you can see, there's just a few more things added to this graph:

First, there are some fine stitches added around the central cross box, using 1 strand of Kreinik #8 Braid.
I also added a really long metallic stitch down the "ditch" where the quadrants meet each other (see the photo of my stitched model further down this post) - which you may or may not want to do as well.

Second, there are the beads to be inserted wherever you can find places to put them.  I added gold seed beads in the places noted on the graph above.  But there are other places to sneak in beads, and I've indicated an "optional" line of beads in the Tied Triple Cross row, as shown in the graph above.
You may find even more places for beads, and by all means add them!  If this is going to be a sparkling hanging ornament, you can't have too many beads, can you?  So bead away!!  (Maybe you can use both large and small beads in your piece.... so please have fun beading this design...)

Third,  I've added an additional line of backstitching along the outer edge of the woven border - just because I wanted to finish off the edge and was curious to see what it might look like.  Use 1 strand of whatever pearl cotton color you used for your woven border, and place the backstitches as indicated on the graph above.

Here's what my finished model looked like (I used a variegated thread I hand-dyed myself in fall colors):

I'm planning to finish it with a tassel hanging from the bottom point, so I can hang it on a door or drawer pull....

I hope you've enjoyed working on this diamond-shaped project and will consider stitching it again in some different colorways.   You can even try it with solid colors (not variegated) and alternate the colors in each quadrant, so you have a true "harlequin" ornament.  Why not create a red and green Christmas version?  or maybe an elegant black & white version, with touches of gold?  oooooh, there are so many intriguing possibilities with this one design.  I hope you have time to do some exploring.....

In any event.... I'll see you again on a future Monday with another fun Mini Mystery project!

Mini Mystery Monday:a diamond-shaped ornament

It's been totally crazy around here trying to get patterns printed and models shipped to various stores; orders mailed to stitchers around the country; getting ready for my next cyber class; working on my new pattern for August; scribbling down ideas for other new projects.... and somewhere in all that, planning a new mystery piece for you Monday stitchers.  Yikes!

This time, instead of making a square design, I've decided to create a diamond-shaped ornament that will be 6" x 6" on 18 ct. canvas... It will be  something really fun, fast and elegant to stitch -- and I know you'll enjoy making a few of these in different color combinations, so let's get to it....

Grab a handful of threads:
--  one variegated #5 pearl cotton (like Watercolours or Overture, or any other variegated thread)
--  one dark #5 pearl cotton (for the outer final border, so make it dark enough to stand out)
--  one bright accent color #5 pearl cotton
--  one bright color metallic ribbon
--  one base metal (gold, silver, copper) finer metallic thread  ( I like Kreinik #8 Braid)

I'm starting to think about fall colors, so maybe grab some fall colored threads... or maybe some Halloweeny type threads (purples and golds), to get you ready for that season...

And mount a piece of canvas (colored or not): for 18 ct. canvas, cut an 8" x 8" piece.
(If you want to use 24 ct. Congress Cloth, your finished size with be 4.5" x 4.5" and you can cut a 7" x 7" piece of canvas. Also, choose finer threads to fit your finer canvas...)

And here's the first graph for you to follow:

I'm just giving you a quarter graph to follow, since each quadrant is the same.  Center your cross-shaped box on the center point of your canvas (where the dotted lines on the graph meet). then work your zig zag rows outward from there. 

Use 1 ply of your 3-ply variegated Watercolours thread to work the above stitches.  This zig zag pattern is one of my favorites, because it's simple, yet very eye-catching and creates so much movement.  And there's lots of different ways to change the elements in the box openings, so that makes it fun as well.  Anyway, here's a closeup of the zig zag stitch pattern for you to study:

 

And, as the red arrow shows, your zig zag stitches will share that hole when they meet.  Sometimes, you can leave a canvas thread (or two) between the rows and later fill it with a cross stitch or bead.  We're not doing that here, but keep it in mind for future projects!

I'll be back next Monday with the next installment, so Happy Stitching until then!