wreath ornament with crystals

I had such fun doing the Christmas tree ornament with heat-applied crystals that I decided to stitch a Christmas wreath ornament.  Using a different shade of silk lame braid for 18m, I did the criss-cross Hungarian over the entire surface of the wreath.  The natural flow of the stitch leaves openings which are perfect for French knots, cross stitches, or heat-applied crystals.  I had originally planned to do a combination of French knots and crystals, but the French knots just didn't look right in either a contrasting color or the same shade of green. 

From this photograph it's difficult to discern whether the sparkles are crystals or beads.  I applied crystals to every other row and left a hole between crystals in a row.  That does not show in the photograph, but does show in person. 








The wreath and the tree were both such fun to stitch that I decided to produce kits so others can have the same fun.  I've started the stitches on each and included enough of the silk lame braid to complete the project.

hot glue sparkles

Ruth Schmuff on her blog http://www.notyourgrandmother'sneedlepoint.com/  December 1, 2010, featured a hot glue gun and crystal beads that she had previously used on November 26 to attach crystals to a fairy needlepoint.  Well, I'm not crazy about sewing beads on canvas (beads can and do go everywhere in the room or perhaps the universe whenever I come near).  Being ever hopeful, I went to Michael's and purchased a "cordless crystal & study head-setting tool" and a package of 300 "iron-on crystals".

With the addition of 3 AA batteries and some tweezers, I was ready to start applying crystals. 

But on what?

My first thought was as ornaments on a Christmas tree.  On 18mesh canvas I did a pyramid of leaf stitches in 18mesh silk lame braid.  Then I placed

my crystals randomly by color on the spaces where the sides of the leaf stitches meet.  Ruth said she picked her crystals up with her tool--not being so steady of hand, I placed my crystals where I wanted them and then applied the tip of the heat-setting tool.  Be careful to keep the tool on the crystal and not on the fiber.  If you look closely you can see some spots where I singed the fiber. 

I also added 6 crystals at the top to form a star.  Now I'll add a row or two of continental stitch to smooth the edges and the tree ornament will be ready for the finisher.  I'll post a photo when I receive it back from the finisher.  (NOTE:  and I managed to not burn myself!!)