Victoria Sampler Cardinal Bellpull
Design area for Sampler 38w x 151h (2.75″ Wide x 10.75″ High)
Stitched on 28ct Amsterdam Blue Cashel Linen.
The cardinals and branches were the most difficult for me as it was cross stitched, one thread over one thread. Got a bit difficult for me to see what I was doing due to straining my eyes.
Stitches within the printed design for this bellpull are: Smyrna Cross, Satin Stitch, Cross Stitch, Four-Sided Stitch, Beadwork, Backstitch, French Knots, Eyelets, Straight Stitch, Smyrna Rice Stitch, Double Leviathan, Herringbone, Algerian Eyelets, Kloster Blocks, Woven Bars, Wrapped Bars, Greek Crosses, Dove’s Eyes and a few more.
Threads used are Kreinik #4 Braid metallic, Kreinik Mori, Access AVA Soie, Needlepoint Inc. A few Millwork beads are used in the design. It was a fun design to stitch, several new stitches to learn and my first time stitching with silks. Also in the bottom area of this worked piece, as I was doing the finishing work of turning this into a bellpull, I placed bright red tissue behind the open handanger work to place a pop of red color into that area.
In case you would be interested the Victoria Sampler website offers a free ornament pattern 32h x 32h called Cardinal Snowflakes that features a little bright red Cardinal on Amsterdam Blue linen, pearched on a pine bough, framed with white lace, metallic gold stars, and little red flowers! It is designed to accompany the Cardinal Bellpull.