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Pin/Ornament
of the Month -
General Instructions
Start HERE!
Click HERE
for January thru April
Click HERE for May thru August
Click HERE
for September thru December
Pin of the Month Gallery - Past and Present
Designs with links to their Charts!
Check out the Stitchers' Gallery
featuring Stitchers' Interpretations of these Designs! Better yet send or email Pictures
of YOUR Creations and show off YOUR Creativity!
Check out the beautiful Beaded Stitch Counters.
Smyrna Cross Border found further down
on this page.
Each month is a different Pin/Ornament.
I saw each design as an opportunity to explore different Threads and Color Combinations as
well as experimenting with Beading Effects. When possible, I've shown several versions of
each design. Along the way I have included suggestions/hints to enhance the design. Look
for  and remember these can also be applied to other Stitching Projects!
I have recently discovered the joys of Thread Heaven and I can't
recommend it enough! The Thread Heaven folks suggest having 2,
one for light threads and the other for dark threads. Since I am stitching with Metallics
almost exclusively these days, I have added a third which I reserve for Metallics and
Sparkle Threads. Let me tell you, my frustration level has dropped dramatically. Thread
Heaven really makes Thread work and play well! Additionally, Thread
Heaven acts as a conditioner to greatly extend the life of your threads.Thread
Heaven should be available at your LNS. PS- I am not affiliated with the
company, I am just a VERY satisfied customer!
In an effort to make the diagrams more clear, I have chosen colors with maximum variation
and have NOT used the colors called for in the design (i.e.: the Smyrna Border is red on
the Chart but not red in the Design). Please read the Design Instructions to know what
thread and what color is ACTUALLY used for each Design.
I have imposed a common format with all of the designs starting with a border of Smyrna
Cross Stitches, 14 per side. The elements of a common border and size serve to emphasize
the differences that evolve with an exploration of Design, Color and Central Motif. The Chart for the Smyrna Border is on this
page along with Stitching Tips which apply to all of the Pins in this Series.
Because Beads vary so much, I'll give general description of what I've used and let you
Stitchers go wild!
As I've gotten up to speed, I've noticed that stitching time for a Pin is about 3 hours
with beading time added after that. I tend to stitch 6 Pins per sheet of plastic canvas
(8"x11") and wait until they are all stitched before beading them. Doing this
minimizes the problem of having the threads of one Pin catch on the Beads of another.
I've gotten most of my Threads from my LNS, M's Canvashouse and I am keeping them
together as a sort of Mini-stash! I have moved up from zip lock bags to Plano tackle boxes
divided into 3 categories: Sparkle Threads in Warm Colors and Cool
Colors and Non-Sparkle Threads. Since most of
the designs use only a portion of a thread package, I'm finding that my Stash is fairly
long lasting.
I currently have my beads in 3 Plano tackle boxes divided by Color Families: Warm, Cool
and Neutral. Since I have just started beading, I have a wide variety of basic beads but I
am still building a stash of what I call Accent Beads.
Chart for
Smyrna Cross Stitch Border
NOTE: Each square is a HOLE in the Plastic Canvas.
Stitch the Smyrna Cross Border first and you'll find it much easier to place the central
elements correctly.
Six pins will fit easily on a sheet of plastic canvas (8x11).
Be sure to leave enough space around the edges of the sheet and between the pins so that
you can stitch comfortably.
Double check the Instructions to tell which Thread or which Color is used. Chart Color are
NOT indicative of the Design Colors.
Thread Heaven will tame Metallics and I now use it on
everything.
When working with Plastic Canvas, I find it helps if I remember that each square of the
chart represents a HOLE in the Plastic Canvas.
Smyrna Cross Stitch Diagram
This Smyrna Cross Diagram is drawn to represent the order of stitching
for a typical Smyrna Cross Stitch. I have found that by changing the order of the
individual stitches (legs) forming the Smyrna Cross, I can manipulate the look and effect
of the stitch.
Design Suggestions:
Suggestion 1:
When working with Sparkling Threads (Tiara, FyreWerks, Kreinik Braid) alternating the
direction of the final leg of the stitch from that of the Smyrna Cross next to it (such as
between horizontal and vertical) will give the stitches more sparkle.
Suggestion 2:
When working with Variegated Threads in a Border, I make sure that the final leg of a
stitch is at right angles to the side that stitch is on.
Along the Top and Bottom Borders, the final leg would be Vertical and along the
Right and Left Sides it would be Horizontal.
I make the Corner Stitches transitional by putting Diagonal Stitches on the Top. The Top
Right and Bottom Left Stitches have their final legs going like this - / and the Top Left
and Bottom Right like this - \. The change in direction of the Corners brings the focus to
the center of that Border.
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Any comments or suggestions regarding my site
would be welcomed/greatly appreciated.
My email address is:
Tink Boord-Dill Needlework
PO Box 1046
Richmond, KY 40476-1046
(859)624-3525
Fax (859)623-5566
Please support your Needlework and Quilt
designers and Retail Shops by not making copies yourself or accepting copies of
any copyrighted designs, instructions, photos or books. Thank you.
TB-DN Privacy Statement
My Email list is ALWAYS Confidential
and would never be given away or sold to anybody.
All
Designs and Graphics © 1998 - 2007
by Tink Boord-Dill.
Not associated or affiliated with
Tink's Stitchery or copyright infringement.
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