Get creative with cross-stitch to make cute & colourful wall ornaments.

You will need:

• Embroidery hoop
• Masking tape
• Dropsheet
• Spray paint
• Cross-stitch cloth
• Scissors
• Embroidery thread
• Tapestry needle
• Pattern
• Ribbons

Step 1 Separate inner embroidery hoop from outer hoop. Tape up screw at top of outer hoop. Place outer hoop on dropsheet in well-ventilated space and spray with black spray paint (or colour of choice). Allow to dry.

Step 2 Cut out cross-stitch cloth slightly bigger than your embroidery hoop. Place cloth over inner hoop then place outer hoop over the top and tighten screw. Ensure cloth is even and tight and the cloth squares are level.

Step 3 Separate threads from stranded cotton. Using only one thread, moisten tip and thread through needle.

Step 4 Consult your pattern and count the number of squares you need to make sure you can fit the letter in centre of hoop. Note: you can always adjust the cloth later if you are a little off-centre.

Step 5 Choose an outermost point of the letter and insert needle from underneath the cloth on bottom left of the square. Pull thread through and insert in the top right of the square. Insert needle from the bottom left of the next square and use ends to tie a knot as you are doing this. Continue in a diagonal pattern counting the number of squares in the pattern for each line, then repeat on a diagonal back the other way making a “cross” for each stitch.

Step 6 Keep following the pattern one line at a time. When you are done, loop under an existing stitch on back. Tie off.

Step 7 Trim excess cloth around outside of the hoop to create a smooth edge.

Step 8 Tie a ribbon to the screw at top of hoop and hang up your work!

PROJECT: Round embroidery hoops (7.5cm), $1.60 each, Aida cross-stitch cloth in White, $4.19, DMC stranded cotton in Fluoro 990, $2.09, and Knot cord in Silver, $2.99 for a 10m roll, Spotlight. Vintage Grosgrain 2cm ribbon in Fluoro Yellow, $4.95 a m, The Bay Tree. Builders string in Pink, $3.95, and White Knight “Squirts” spray paint in Black, $7.95 a can, Bunnings.

THE REST: Iron/timber console, $495, Loft Furniture. Porcelain lightfitting, $20, and electrical cord in Neon Yellow, $20 a m, Tiny Bird. Light globe, $9, Koskela. ON CONSOLE Polyresin antler, $6.95, Domayne. White enamel candleholder, $25, Doug Up On Bourke; holding white candle from Woolworths. T-bone skull decoration in Black, $9.95, Hart&Heim. Secondhand books, $3 each, Junktique.