The New 2025 Ornament Class is Here!

 

The Holly & The Ivy

A Lavish 17th C Inspired Sweet Alms Bag Ornament Embroidered in Golde, Sylver, & Sylke

                                                         

My new Stash Buster Course is now open for enrollment & I am super excited to share this amazing project with ya'll! Watch the video above to learn more about it, and if you decide you would like to make one, or two, or three... click the link to the Diamond K Folk Art Online Academy under the header at the top of this page.... or just click here.

FREE SHIPPING SPECIAL

 Heirloom Ornament Kit Special Offer 

~August 2024~

I am cleaning out making room for new class kits and am offering FREE  Priority Insured SHIPPING within the continental USA on the above ornament kits~ depending on the zone you are located in, this could be close to 28.90 savings per kit! 

Many of the limited edition ornament kits have sold out, I have just 2 remaining of the Ort King, 4 of Winter Queen, 5 Flemish Coffer, and 9 Skarlet Ladye (my personal favorite it looks AMAZING against the green of a Christmas tree). 

Everything you need to make one ornament(silk ground, silk, and REAL metal threads, seed pearls etc) along with full step-by-step colour printed instructions are included in each kit~ full spools of silks are included so you will have plenty of leftovers to add to your stash! Basics like embroidery frames, scissors, pencils, and that sort of basic tools most folks already have are not included~ if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. 

This offer is only good through the email~ if you are interested, email me at rlkinnison@yahoo.com and I can send a Paypal invoice to your email. 

2017 Winter Queen~ 350.00

2019 Ort King~ 260.00

2021 Flemish Coffer~ 385.00

2022 Skarlet Ladye~ 325.00

All Overseas orders will receive a 30.00 USD discount on shipping 

Flemish Coffer Ornament Kits

 Back in Stock

I have a limited number of Femish Coffer Ornament kits back in stock~ if you are interested they can be found on my ETSY shop, just click the link in the sidebar!

Special 2023 Ornaments & Casket Update

 Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday today! I have added six precious hand painted ornaments to the Etsy store this morning. I think she turned out beautifully!

I have been working like mad to get these done in time for this holiday season. There are sooooo many coats of black to get them this dark and dimensional~ there are several 9 hour days of painting represented in this photo. I have had a heavy workload out in the shop. Between the painting and lacquering stages, I have been working on the top panel of my Scenes of Country Life casket.

The center panel is now complete and I have finally started the surround. It seems like I have spent eons on this casket~ its never ending! I'm still not confident that I will be able to get it finished this year, but I'm certainly going to try. You should be able to click on the photo to make it larger~ I love how the Suffolk sheep came out...the black goat is my Keiko Meisie, and her mate Luke is in white with brown splotches. The windmill in the background I saw on a trip to Paris, and swans, well, anyone who knows me knows how much I love swans! I was going to try and draw in a loon as well, but I will save them for another casket. 

If you want to follow my stitching journies, I post daily on Instagram~ just search #diamondKFolkArt or check out my page~  rlkinnison1

Happy Stitching!

Taking a Gap Year?

  Did you Miss a Year?

I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be offering a new heirloom ornament kit this year. There are several reasons, none of which matter to get into because it will not change the outcome! I have had a really glorious kit planned for this year, so will be pushing it forward to 2024, and hopefully I will be able to get it out earlier than later. In the meantime, I guess this means Im taking a gap year~ so if there are any of the kits of previous years you haven't got yet, here is your chance!  

My kits from 2016 to 2020 are limited edition kits. Meaning, that once my kitted quantity iss sold, they will not be sold again. 

Kits from 2021 on are still somewhat limited editions, meaning that they will be sold for as long as I am able to source the materials for them.  2021's Flemish Coffer is a good example~ I am currently awaiting materials to come in for that one before I can restock it, so it is currently unavailable.

If you are interested in purchasing a kit, just drop me an email at rlkinnison@yahoo.com and I can send a Paypal invoice. 

2016 Flemish Fantasy~ SOLD OUT

2017 Winter Queen: 9 available ~340.00 USD + shipping

2018 Peaceful Kingdom~ SOLD OUT

2019 Ort King: 2 available ~ 250.00 USD + shipping

2020 Fanciful Story~ SOLD OUT

2021 Flemish Coffer~ Out of Stock

2022 Skarlet Ladye: 19 available~ 315.00 USD+shipping

2022 Annual Ornament Kits are In Stock

 This years Skarlet Ladye kits are in stock and shipping now! All the preorders(thankyou so much!) have been sent, and I am in process of sending out the tracking numbers now. If you have ordered a kit and checked your email and do not see a tracking number yet, give me time to eat supper and I will be finishing up the rest of them ;)

If you have been considering ordering a kit, I have just 22 left in stock. You can learn more about them here                                       

    Happy Stitching!

Kitting Up

 2022 Skarlet Ladye

I have been kitting up Skarlet Ladye & getting them ready to ship~ just look at these colours on the skarlet silk ground. Soooooo beautiful!!! I have teased making an embroidered jacket from this silk...but my latest daydreams have been of a skarlet silk embroidered casket. 

Just. Imagine. That. for a moment...

I may just have to make it so. Here is a view of the embroidery of one of Skarlet Ladye's four panels. Its a super fun stitch and kits will be on their way soon! If you are interested in making up an ornament of your own, you can find out more info here .

Happy Stitching!

2022 Heirloom Christmas Ornament Kit

 Skarlet Ladye is Available on Presale Now!

I am super excited to offer you this year's 17th c inspired embroidered ornament kit, Skarlet Ladye! Have a peek at the video above, she's really awesome. I said it before, and the more I have her out, this is absolutely my favorite of all the ornaments I have designed. You can click the tab at the top of the page to learn more about the kit and see exactly what is in it...or just click here.

Here is a look at some of the silks

There are 21 full spools of silks in this kit! There are 2 spools of metallic braids and a few other silks in lesser quantities on flat bobbins. Are you going to use alllllll of this silk on this ornament? Heck no! Some colours you may, but others you will have plenty left over to add to your stitching stash~ and these are glorious Au Ver a Soie silks in Ovale & Perlee. Lucious!!! With full spools, if you want to change the colours around, you should have enough of all to do so (except for the yellows).

Kits will ship in Mid November, or sooner if possible. 

And if you're wondering why I added the 17th c embroidered jacket tab to this post...well...I just may be planing on making a skarlet red embroidered jacket ;)

Happy Stitching!!

A lil peek!

2022 Heirloom Embroidered Ornament Kit

Skarlet Ladye 

Oh. my. gosh. I finished stitching the model for my 2022 annual Christmas ornament kit and it is so beautiful! I wish you could see it in person! Several years ago I was lucky enough to see a 17thc embroidered silk petticoat before it was auctioned, and I fell in love with it. The embroidery was fabulous, but what was most striking was the scarlet red silk it was stitched on.  Can you just imagine an embroidered red silk jacket!? (swoon)

I have wanted to make this ornament for some while, but could never find the right colour duchess silk satin. When I saw this satin earlier this year, I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it. I used some of my favorite motifs from the petticoat and designed what I think is my favorite ornament to date. It was super fun and pretty quick to stitch, so keep watching for the kit so you can make your own! 

If you would like to get on my annual ornament kit mailing list, just drop me an email at rlkinnison@yahoo.com

2021 Flemish Coffer Ornament Kits

 Only 8 left in Stock on ETSY!

If you have had your eye on the 2021 Flemish Coffer Ornament Kit, I have just 8 left in stock on ETSY, ready to ship. I can with all confidence say that there is no way I will be able to restock them before year's end. You can click on the link to my ETSY store in the sidebar if you would like to learn more about the kit. 

2021 Annual Ornament Kit

 All Flemish Coffer Pre-orders Have Been Shipped

If you have ordered this yearś ornament kit, it is on its merry way to you! I shipped the last of the preorders this morning. Etsy has been sporadic about sending out shipping notices, so if you have not got yours, check your order on ETSY. I have uploaded all tracking numbers so you will have accurate info on when your kit will arrive. 

I have cut, packaged, measured, primped and counted, and checked, and rechecked each and every morsel of happiness in each and every one of these kits myself. There is a Kit Contents page nestled in between the 60-page instruction packed and pattern packet. 

I know you will be so excited to open the box and inspect the contents, just like I do when I get a new kit! I have strategically placed all the contents into their box carefully, so do take care when putting everything back into the box. Be sure things are in their proper place so as to not squish the packet containing all the metal threads! It is shown in the upper right-hand corner in the picture above~

I hope you all have as much fun making your Coffers as I did. If you are interested in purchasing one, they are available in my ETSY store~the link is in the right hand sidebar. Currently, I have just 8 left in stock. Once these sell out, I cannot give a definite answer as to when they will be in stock again, as it has been a chore to get some of the materials!

Happy Stitching!

Working Hard

 Flemish Coffer Ornament Kit Update

I have been working so hard these past few weeks kitting this ornament. It's ready to go save for the gilt broad plate coming from Australia. It has been so challenging getting everything during this covid nightmare. I owe a huge amount of gratitude to Access Commodities for really hooking me up and helping me find nearly nonexistent materials~ we have scoured the globe for this kit, literally, and I am so proud of it. The instructions made arrival from the printer today~ 60...yes, SIXTY glorious full-colour pages of instructions, along with 8 pages of diagrams and keys, all printed for your stitching pleasure at your leisure.

If you would like to learn more about it, it is available in my ETSY shop, link to the right in the sidebar.

Happy Stitching!

2021 Heirloom Casket Toye & Ornament Kit

 Flemish Coffer

A Tisket A Tasket.... a lil Coffer for your Casket!  I am so excited to share my new 17th c Flemish Embroidery-inspired Christmas ornament kit with you all! It's not just an ornament either, as it is so tiny it can easily fit into a casket~

Its beautiful dome top coffer shape was inspired by a tiny antique one I saw several years ago. Embroidered in beautiful silks and real gold threads and plates, it will look stunning on your Christmas Tree

Of course, it opens and is finished beautifully on the inside. All the materials you need to make one is included in the kit!

There is space on the back panel to personalize with your initials and date~

It fits in the palm of my hand. This dainty very feminine little coffer measures just 2.5" wide, 1.5" deep and 2.25" tall.

This would make such a beautiful gift box for a special treasure....

Or a special spool of thread!

This sixth edition of my Heirloom Embroidery Kits is available now for preorder in my ETSY shop!

 If you would like to be added to my mailing list for Ornament notifications, please add it to the notes on your ETSY order or email it to me at rlkinnison@yahoo.com. ETSY does not share email addresses of  buyers with sellers!

A Summer Weight Suit

  To Celebrate Summer, 1825-40 Style!

Happy July! I hope all of my US readers had a happy & safe holiday this past weekend. I am now home from a up to see my parents in Washington. It has been over 2 years since I had seen them due to blasted covid! It was HOT.  Pip cooked an egg on the sidewalk on a 105+ degree day...and yes, I have the video to prove, it really does work!  I had planned to put up this year's ornament kit for sale when I got back home, but as usual, I am a little behind. I took work with me on my trip, but just couldn't wrap my brain around it so here I am, behind as always. Hopefully, I'll get it done and up later this week! 

In the meantime, I wanted to share a peek at this stunning little buys suit. I have a wide date on it from 1825-40 as it is so hard to date more everyday wear for boys that dont have fashionable cuts to help date them. The high armscyes, curved back seam, turnback pointed cuffs and faux waistcoat can all be found in garments in that time period window. Straps on petticoats and trousers were very common in 1820-30 periods, and some even crept their way into the 1840s. 

One thing that I love about this particular suit is its condition. It was not worn once on some special occasion and put away. It was a daily use garment and it shows magnificently by the wear and repairs. The above view of the trousers is the backside of them. Note the coarse printed insertions center back...this is not an alteration. The waistband, this back section that would never be seen when worn with the jacket, and the lining of the jacket is all original construction. The plaid fabric has been pieced together from several tiny pieces~ most likey leftover scraps from Mom or Dad's clothing. The trousers are open from the crotch to the waistband in the back, as shown. The cut of the seat is full to allow ample room for the bum when sitting.

Here is a closer view of the piecing in the back. No evidence of back closure, these would have been pinned closed. 

The linen straps have been lengthened. In the above photo at about the 3:15 pm position, you can see the seam of their original length.

The fabric is a summer weight, very light and thin. There are several worn holes to both the front and back of the trousers. Some are mended, some not. 

I love the woven design of the fabric...a woven plaid not printed, but with random streaks of blue that breaks up the pattern and makes it look very organic. 

The tunic or jacket is wonderful. The body and arms are fully lined. No lining to the skirting. Lovely little turn-down collar. Piped seams. All original buttons have been removed. Construction includes an inner faux waistcoat~ meaning that the front closure is basically a double flap so that it looks like the little guy is wearing a matching inner waistcoat. The outer flaps fold back to form a fashionable lapel.

Remenants of original buttons remain on the lining.

The back view~ from shoulder to trouser hem this set is a mere 28" measure. Cute!

Worn in the usual places, bum, knees, elbows....  

Here is a tip when trying to decypher original garments and wear, from 'fakes' (garments made to deceive)...

Elbow wear is nearly never at the actual 'elbow' but below it. When wearing a long sleeve jacket we tend to jet the arms out forward before we bend them, say to rest the elbows on a table. This, along with bending of the arm, hikes the sleeve up the arm...wearing the fabric in an area down closer to the wrist. 

Would Ye Be Interested???

 In Finishing Workshops?

 I have been entertaining the idea of offering either in-person or online Finishing Workshops. Students would bring whatever project they need help or guidance with and work on that. Would ya'll be interested??

 The project would not have to be mine either.  You could bring a Christmas ornament you need a little help with to get together, or any wooden box or casket you need help with covering. 

      For in person class I would bring my tools to help with finer box/casket fitting and adjustments. 

 I love this idea because I can help you to achieve your dreams for your embroidery! Not all embroiderers have my woodworking background or have the right tools to get everything ship-shape.

For a beautiful finished project, as much time and care should be spent on the finishing as the embroidery itself.

I have lots of tips and tricks I can share....

Please let me know what you think. If there is enough interest, a Finishing Workshop could be in your future!

Heirloom Ornaments ....

 Heirloom Materials!

When I say that my ornament kits are heirloom quality, I mean it. I like to think of them as the perfect way to introduce yourself to working with the finest materials available. Real gold and silver metal threads. Real seed pearls. You are what you eat~ you should expect no less in one of my embroidery kits. The beautiful threads above are included in the 2021 ornament kit~ I think Rumplestilskin himself would be envious!

There are gilt spangles and gilt Grecian Twist...so luscious.....

Clockwise from the left  is gilt rough purl, which is a hollow spring coil of gold wire... real seed pearls, and non tarnish check thread. Real gilt check thread in a small enough size is not available currently. This that I  have chosen for you is so sparkly and beautiful you will love it!

Along with the 2% gold Elizabethan Twist shown in the first picture, there is both broad and narrow crenelated gilt plate. I show you how to keep it from tarnishing so much in my instructions!

Now, back to my earlier post on the amazing camouflage abilities of couching with Trame...can you see it anywhere??? (and this picture is seriously magnified!)

Silk Threads...

One of My Favorites!

One of my favorite silk threads is Soie Trame. These colours shown above are included in this year's ornament kit. Aren't they beautiful? I love gazing upon spools of gorgeous thread just as much as what I make with them.  Will you use the entire spool for the kit? Heck no! A spool of Trame silk lasts for eons.

Trame is a very fine straight filament silk~ it has no twist in it. In the picture above it is the fine gold silk on the left. The purple on the right is one stand of Soie Ovale, which is also a flat filament silk. They both are beautiful when worked in satin stitch, but as you can see, the Trame is just sooo much finer than the Ovale. When trying to embroider weensie designs, scale is everything. The Ovale is just too thick, and while it can be divided....why would I want to do that when I can just use the much finer Trame?

The corn and gilliflowers on the ornament are stunning worked in long and short stitch with Trame.

But my favorite use for Trame is as a couching thread. It's just so fine! Instead of distracting from what it is being used to couch down, it simply fades into the background. All the metal threads on the ornament shown above are couched on with Trame!

I like to double it up in my needle as shown above. I use one long piece, pass it through the needle, and knot it on the end. This way my needle is captive and won't keep coming out of the eye. 

A tiny 2mm f4 size gilt spangle attached with Trame....

A double strand is used to couch crenelated gilt plate. Once finished you won't even be able to see it! I love this thread and if you have some in your stash, I hope you will pull it out and use it!