Flosstube: Ornamentations #61: Thankful for fall finishes and holiday cheer

Ornamentations (noun): 2. That in which the process of ornamenting is embodied; the ornaments which adorn a thing collectively; ornament in general
Or, in music, the grace notes that embellish a melodic line.

Holiday kits are available at https://katie-strachan.com/shop

Noah's Christmas Ark II: $38 - includes linen, backing silk satin, seed beads, and all threads used - a mix of Surfine, Accentuate, Bijoux, 100/3, and Gobelins for a perfect silk taster, and a fabulous sparkle prim tiny treasure.  My personal favorite of the kits!

Cardinal Kin: I have opened a waiting list, which you can sign up for here: https://katie-strachan.com/kin

The next tutorial, on sparkling silk wrapped purl embellishment, will go up on November 30 and at that time a finishing pack will be available at katie-strachan.com/shop that includes silk wrapped purl, 100/3, and crystal round beads in coordinating shades with the needles used in the tutorial

Queen Anne's Pyn Pillow, $400, is now open for registration at katie-strachan.com/shop
A full discussion of the class is in the previous flosstube, #56, and a kit unboxing is in that video starting at 58 minutes
It is a 9 month, online class beginning January 1, 2024 and includes all materials.  Full details can be found at https://katie-strachan.com/pyn-pillow but the class covers the making and stitching of this piece in detail, and can be successfully stitched by a motivated beginner.  The lessons are comprehensive and do not assume prior embroidery knowledge - everything from how to start and stop your thread, handle specialty materials like GST, and the finer points of shading with long and short stitch are covered.

My conversion for Plum Street's This Joyous Season can be found in episode 37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWrFVscZoIw&t=2s
You will need a substitute for Gobelins 2636 (the pomegranates) which is inactive

You can find a list of previous silk conversions in my episode guide: https://katie-strachan.com/episode-guide

MFE Through the Bitter Frost and Snow, with motifs used for individual ornaments with Bijoux White Gold Glint on Legacy Linen 38 count Druid Blue, and Renaissance Gold on Legacy Linen 38 count Wayfarer's Cloack
I would also really recommend pairing the Bijoux and white Gobelins from the Noah's Ark kit to stitch MFE Alternative Trees, also on Druid Blue

My conversion for the 2011 Prairie Schooler Santa seen in the recent embellished hanger tutorial, including details on his beaded edging and sparkly beard, was in episode 39: https://katie-strachan.com/episode-guide
And my tutorial is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A76El_Tn4UI

Thomas by Notforgotten Farm will be next year's fall flosstube kit
He was displayed with velvet pumpkins and gourd from the Cheswick Company, no longer available, but you can see her other offerings here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cheswickcompany?page=1#itemshop

Jack's House pinkeep by Stacy Nash, stitched on 38 count Legacy Linen Himalayan Fog - if this is added to the kit schedule, the conversion will be exclusive to the kit.  If not, I will publish the conversion next fall on my flosstube. 

Stacy Nash Deck the Halls pinkeep on 45 count Legacy Linen Hazy Summit - conversion coming in the next episode

MFE AKGIT 1833 stitched on Legacy Linen 53/63 Sicilian Marzipan with Soie Surfine 2099

Haul: Legacy Linen 37 count Smoke Signal, the new color - in stock at the Attic, Needle in a Haystack
Notforgotten Farms: Bobbin Along, Native Corn necklace (punchneedle), Turkey in the Corn (punchneedle), Parson Brown
Heartstring Samplery Baby, it's Cold Outside

The design of my current casket was discussed in episode 58, and my previous start shown in episode 59

A free, authorized PDF download of Twixt Art & Nature is available here: https://store.bgc.bard.edu/english-embroidery-in-the-metropolitan-museum-1580-1700-twixt-art-and-nature-edited-by-melinda-watt-and-andrew-morrall/
The hard copy book is an incredible reference and collection of inspiration, but is out of print and tends to be horrifically expensive on the secondary market

Choice and Precious Work, the new exhibition catalogue from Witney Antiques, is a must own for any needlework lover and you can find it from the Attic, Traditional Stitches, Thistle Threads, and other retailers.  I really can't say enough about how extraordinary this collection is.

English Furniture 1680-1760; English Needlework 1600-1740: The Percival D. Griffiths Collection by Christian Jussel and William DeGregorio
Unfortunately, the fabulous deal on Amazon is no longer active, but they are currently offering it for $225, well below the list price of $300: https://www.amazon.com/English-Furniture-1680-Needlework-Collection/dp/0300259883/ref=sr_1_3?crid=25M1XJDHNV88L&keywords=english+furniture+1680&qid=1700536081&sprefix=english+furniture+1680%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d