Christmas Ornament - Done!

Here is my little ornament, I'm ready to start covering the wire. I used two strands of wire, stripped from a bigger wire my husband gave me. I don't know the size or what it was from, he has electrical wire in the basement and gave this to me for a project a few years ago.
It's all done, and the ornament holds its shape pretty well. I learned several things: don't use blue thread to couch the cordonnet when you have a blue denim 'pillow'. There's just not enough contrast to pull out the threads. Don't use white cordonnet if you are going to use colors in your design. It is a pain to hide it later on. Next time I will put the wire all around my design, not just at the top.

Candle Ornament - Step 3

I finished my filling stitches, and even though I'm not ecstatic with the results, I went ahead and started buttonholing over the cordonnet.

I can see little blips of white peeking through the stitches, even though I'm being very careful. I really should have used colored thread from the beginning - I have so much to learn.

I may keep this one and try to make a different ornament for the exchange. I really like the colors, and I like the candle.

Christmas Ornament - Step 2

I finished couching the cordonnet, and started stitching the design. I'm using DMC Cebelia #30 and a much smaller tapestry needle. (Thanks, K!) The candle is side stitch and the bowl is double brussels stitch, both from the little leaves I did earlier. The Cebelia is very twisty, I understand now why I should use pearl cotton. I have some beautiful variegated orange/yellow/white from M., which will make an awesome flame. We'll see if this is good enough to swap at the Ornament Exchange.

Needle Lace Lesson 5 - Cutting from the Working Base

Here is my little sample removed from the base. I had a few threads that were tough to remove, but everything was buttonholed together and in one piece. I'm pretty pleased, even though I can see how I could do better next time.
Speaking of next time, I've already started another small piece. I need an ornament for the Christmas exchange of our lace group, and I thought I would try another simple needle lace project. I drew the candle myself, and have started couching it down. This time I pay attention when my needle pierces the cordonnet, and back out and make another stitch.
I thought about doing this in color, but automatically grabbed white thread for my cordonnet. I don't want white peeking through my colored thread, so this one will be all white. I think it will work fine, it will allow the stitches to stand out. My current plan is to do the candle and base in #30 thread, and a background stitch in #50. I have some thin wire and if it looks good enough for the exchange, I will add the wire to my outside cordonnet when I buttonhole every down. That will make everything a bit stiffer when I take it off the working base.

Needle Lace - Lesson 4

I finished Lesson 4, Buttonholing over the Cordonnet. I can see some little red threads peeking through the stitches, so I know my buttonhole stitch needed to be a bit closer together. I think part of my problem is the rather large tapestry needle I'm using. I plan on stopping at the fabric store and looking over their needle selection. Maybe I can find a smaller tapestry needle or even a suitable ball point needle.

I have many questions, and I've been looking all over the internet for my answers. I also am planning a needle lace sampler for my next project. I don't know what kind and size of thread I should use, I may stick to pearl cotton, maybe some #12 and #8 for variety.