Pattern found here: http://www.birdiestitching.com/?p=3921
I figured with Pikachu's bright colors and bright balloons, it would be a great way to test out the tie-dye thread for cross-stitching. The only color I used that is NOT from the box set is the brown. I used the recommended DMC 433 color. You can tell it is different, though, because it is shiny, whereas the rest is matte colors. (You can't really tell in the picture, but I could definitely tell as I was working and moving the fabric and so forth.)
I simplified the pattern a lot and used backstitching to define lines rather than different toned colors. To be honest, I like both versions of Pika, backstitching and colored tones. I can't decide which I like better...
I had to change my stitching habit slightly once I got to the balloons. I usually fill one line with half stitches and then go back across the line and so forth - the generally accepted way, yes.
However, I found that if I did so, I would end up with small chunks of colors rather than random colors, so I half-stitched the entire balloon area before going back across it.
My conclusion: It looked like color barf before I added the backstitching to separate the balloons. I found I liked the half stitching better.
I tried blackworking a border that was similar to the frame but not too much. I feel like I was successful there. I got the fill pattern from gatchacaz, which you can find here: http://gatchastitch.blogspot.com/p/useful-stuff.html
The thread is soft but good quality, so I recommend it if you are interested. The box recommends it for friendship bracelets, and it feels like it would be good for that.
I was a bit off in my cutting of it to fit the frame, so it's not quite as centered as I wanted. I also stitched the border a bit too wide vertically, so it clips it off. Oops. Eh, live and learn. I'll do better next time.
If you would like to see all the process images I took, and a full image of the borders, click on over to the Imgur album I made for them. You can see the balloon color barf while you're at it and a creepy Pika with no eyes. You can find it here: http://imgur.com/a/cYo1V#0
Also, first post! Yay! Hello all you sprite stitchers!

