Isn't this the sweetest little ornament? I just fell in love with its simplicity when I found it in one of my old books, Christmas Cross-Stitch by Better Homes and Gardens.

I hadn't done any Assisi work before, and I thought this was a perfect little introduction to it. Assisi work is also sometimes known as Voided Work because you stitch the background, and the fabric that's left showing has the design.

This little ornament stitched up very quickly. In fact, I stitched it twice in 2000. The other coloration was gold thread on a red background. The contrast with this red and white ornament was much more effective.

This ornament was stitched on red perforated paper with #8 perle coton. I then backed it with red felt. The banner's "pole" is just a toothpick, stitched right into place with the top row of Xs. The finials are red beads that I found in my daughter's bead collection. The hanging cord is made from three plies of the same perle coton. The finished size is 1-5/8 x 4-1/8 inches.

If you'd like to learn more about Assisi embroidery, read the page in Needlework 101 called Assisi Embroidery.

If you'd like to learn more about various ways to finish ornaments, read the page in Needlework 101 called Ornaments: Finishing Techniques

Pattern name:	Noel Ornament from the book Christmas Cross-Stitch
Designer:	Better Homes and Gardens
Stitch Count:	21 x 58
Fabric:	Red Perforated Paper
Floss:	DMC #8 Perle Coton
Original Cost:	Book retailed for $9.98 (but I purchased it on a close-out table for much less)
Copyright year:	1987

Better Homes and Gardens
Meredith Corporation
Des Moine, IA

Back to Cameo's Corner: 2000
On to next project: Little Snowfriend