Countdown to Christmas, ready or not!

For the first time in years, I'm nearly ready for Christmas!

No cards sent out (again), maybe next year...

My Latest Santa

 I took on a Christmas project fairly recently, and just finished him. He's packaged, giftwrapped, and delivered!

Old World Santa stands about 15 inches tall. I used Tibetan lamb cut from the hide for his hair and beard. Never again! I learned the hard way that loose wool locks are much easier to use.

'Tis the Season

I just finished my 2024 Christmas ornament prototype. She's about 4x4 inches in size. I'm considering reducing the size a bit, but this would probably increase the difficulty level a bit. I plan to publish the pattern, but this won't be until 2025. 

'Tis the Season

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

 Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

New Santa Pattern

I have a new Santa pattern available. This is an ornament/pin doll I designed many years ago. You can find the pattern on my website, or for instant download you can go to my Etsy store.

I'm starting to feel better and am nearing the end of my Covid isolation. Since I still had Santa-related fabrics out, I decided to finally write the pattern/instructions for the Santa head ornament (originally designed in 2004). I'd started writing out the instructions many years ago, but had finalized until today. This meant I had to sew another ornament.

To distinguish this pattern from my "Sleepytime Santa" pattern (which was an off-shoot from this original design), I'm naming this one "It's a Wrap" - meaning Santa is done for the year, and is ready for a good long rest!

Two More Sleepytime Santas

 I've been sewing, and sewing, and sewing. No more until after the New Year! These Sleepytime Santas will be giftwrapped today, just in time for Christmas.

Sleepytime Santa

I finished this year's Santa doll. I don't know if I'll have the time to make another before the holiday this year. This guy's made from my Sleepytime Santa pattern. I'll be taking him to tomorrow's holiday craft fair. 

More Ornaments

I've been working on a few more Christmas ornaments for next week's holiday craft fair. These are based on my Sleepytime Santa doll pattern. I love this pattern, and the white-on-white fabric beards and mustaches (so much more interesting than a solid fabric). I usually add a pin to the back, so they can be worn, but these will be ornaments only. 

Merry Christmas!

 

I'm working today, so let's hope everyone behaves!

Quick Nick

Today I finished five new ornaments, taking photos as I sewed, stuffed, and glued. This will become a new pattern after we get through the holidays. I think he'll be available in digital format only.

I call him "Quick Nick" because he is a *relatively* quick dolls to make. I suppose he could be a pin doll, too!

Update, 12/27/21  I've just finished the pattern and instructions for this cute little doll:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1149171651/new-quick-nick-santa-ornament-e-pattern 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

 Hoping for normal Christmas gatherings next year. Please be safe!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

White Elephant

Tonight's our ER Christmas party. We'll have a gift exchange, so I thought I'd make another Santa pin/ornie. I did the same last year, though the cap fabric is different.

I normally glue a pom pom to the cap, but the ones I have are either too (bright) red or too white. I was lucky to find a tiny poinsettia that fit the bill.

The only things left to do are to add a string for hanging, and wrap him up.

Ho Ho Ho!

Sleepytime Santa

(pattern available)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Blessings, everyone.
Surround yourself with those you love and cherish.

I love finding old (olde?) postcards to edit each holiday.

Whew! Finished a Santa Doll in the Nick of Time

Last year I made a Santa doll for my eldest son and his SO. Which, of course, means I need to make one for my youngest son and his family. I've just finished, and with no time to spare as we're celebrating our Christmas tomorrow.

 

This is "Reindeer & Santa" from a pattern by Karen Nieforth of B&K Creations/Primitives Collections. When not seated, this Santa is about 17 inches tall.

 

Now to find a suitable box and get him wrapped and under the tree.

Merry Christmas!

You know, I'm getting pretty good at Photoshopping these vintage cards to tidy up the borders, and removing defects and watermarks. Thought I'd better post this today, as hubby and I'll be working tomorrow.

 

We'll celebrate our holiday next weekend. Hope the weather cooperates, with minimal snow and ice over the coast range. 

 

I'd love to be able to sew a Santa doll for a family member, but the week will be quite full. Most of the shopping is done. This is the first year I had a day to send out Christmas cards, only to find that the box of "30 handcrafted cards" contained just that. No envelopes - so special ordered some that arrived yesterday. Very frustrating.  

Merry Christmas!

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and blessings to those celebrating any of this season's holidays!

Another Santa

I finished another Santa doll today. This one is a gift. I forgot to measure him before boxing him up, but I think he's 13-14 inches tall.

 

"Santy Claws" is made from a pattern by Hand Made With Love. I tried to find gray Kunin shaggy fur online, with no success. I did have some of the honey colored shaggy felt that I bought years ago. There were no illustrations in the instructions (which would have made the face sculpting a whole lot easier), but it's a neat pattern. I made quite a few notes in the margins for next time.

Patriotic Santa is Done!

I've just finished my Patriotic Santa for next weeks' Winter Festival at the hospital (where I work). I may try to make one more Santa from a different pattern, but I may not have a chance - I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new grandson. Due date is today, and I would've bet good money he'd be early, but here I wait.