Wednesday 15 December 2010

Meet Mister Santa!



Do you know, I started this sweet little Santa Claus last Christmas? I got a bit stressed with him because it streeeeetched my sewing skills....and fraaaaaaayed my temper.


{I should probably tell you that 'a bit stressed' is an understatement of the hugest proportions. But I think you probably knew that already....}


 I decided that getting so frustrated with a little stuffed toy was a sign that I was doing too much in the run-up to Christmas and so I popped him away in my craft stash until this year.

{And I didn't do the gingerbread stuffing that year either.....I went and read Christmas stories with the children instead.....Yes, I was officially a Christmas slacker....}


When I got him back out, I found that I was full of renewed vigour for completing the project in time for this Christmas and that it was actually far easier than I'd been stressing about. Yay!


{And that is basically the crux of my excuse for keeping so many craft projects on the go at once. Are you listening, Mr Modern Country? It's all about waiting for renewed vigour, you see.....}


I made Mister Santa following a mix of patterns in the brilliant Christmas books by Tone Finnanger: Crafting Christmas Gifts and Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle. Have you seen these books before? If you haven't, and you like sewing, then I have to warn you that these books will take you to another level of craft-book ecstasy!



They are packed FULL of brilliant and gorgeous Christmas sewing projects, for all skills, and all styled completely beautifully. I've put them over on my Amazon sidebar if you want to link through directly.


I used material that I already had: pinky-beige cotton for his skin, pale cream wool for his hair, thick red velvet for his lovely coat and some bits of my red tea-dyed checked/striped fat quarter for his trousers and hat (the same fabrics that I used for my Cinnamon Heart Garland).


I love his big ole feet!

Every time I see Mister Santa perched on his radiator cover throne, I give a little inner squeal to myself. He's just so darn cute, isn't he? It's honestly as though he has taken on a character all of his own!

Just before I go, may I just tell you that Cath's gorgeous blog, Tigs White Canvas, has *the* most fantastic tutorial for making Christmas clay ornaments?


Really gorgeous ones that totally inspire you to have a go yourself. Have a look and see whether you can resist her charms. Yes, did I mention that she's LOVELY too?

Oh, and I'm just putting the finishing touches to one of my favourite Christmas projects this year. It's a very special two-in-one extravaganza.  


I just can't stay away from the cinnamon, can I?! Come back and see....

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47 comments :

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

I love him! I can think of about 1000 places in my house where he would look super cute. Maybe I'll give it a go next year and see if I can come up with my own Mister Santa. I love the fabrics that you used. They're just right.

Unknown said...

Fortunately, you've decided to finish it.
Your Santa is very nice
Also I have the book by Tone finnanger, in Italian of course!
I rush to see the blog that you recommended
Hugs
Mari

Blondie's Journal said...

This is good advice! Come back with renewed vigor! I need to follow that as I am starting to get stressed out. I eat, sleep and think Christmas. I really need to do something un~Christmas related!

Love Mister Santa...he is darling. You did a fabulous job! :-)

XO,
Jane

Anonymous said...

I want a Santa coat like that!!!!!! make me one and then you really will have FRAYED nerves....I love that english word, we don't use it much here as it comes from the "old country" as my mum in law would say.

High Street Cottage said...

Sarah, you really are talented! And your crafts are so personalized. I just love how you make them a bit mor unique with your talents. hugs tami

Anonymous said...

ooo he is cute!I loved him, your talented sarh, because, i can not make anything like this.

You can be proud!

I will go and look at the other blog for the ornaments.

greetings

Amanda said...

You did an awesome job!!! I love it!!

And I love those polka dot stockings on the cover of those books. I may have to amazon them later...

Amanda

Lisa said...

Love him! Very cute! I really want to try one of those books. I've been Googling like crazy to make some kind of stuffed figure for the holidays and I couldn't find anything I liked. All the good stuff must be in the books!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Sarah!

I had to stop by and see this little Mister. He is charming and not your run of the Mill, Santa. I like how you always put so much care into your work. Adore his coat and big feet.

The books you suggested look like they are filled with fun ideas!

Hope your day is fabulous, friend!
xx
~Michelle

inmykitchen said...

He is lovely I particularly love the velvet coat and his understated face, very Sew Pretty.
Thanks for becoming a follower by the way and your cheery comments.

Jo x

Cidinha said...

Dear Sarah,

I love it! very cute!

Kisses of Brasil
Cidinha

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah, Your santa is soo cute!!I love his coat.

Kathy

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Sarah, I've said it many a time now, but you are an utter genius! I love Mr Santa! And as for renewed vigour, I want some of that. Must tell Mr J and P about renewed vigour too so he can get rewewing his vigour and fix our upstairs toilet because if I have to tramp down the stairs in the middle of the night to spend a penny once more, I shall be very sad indeed.

Sorry, Sarah, I don't know what came over me. Too much information!

Btw, I'm planning to reveal the plastic bag wreath (together with two other wreaths) this Friday. I know, you can't contain your excitment can you?!

It's me said...

I really like your santa doll......he is so cute !!! ...love Ria....xxx....xxx....

Holly said...

He is adorable! Sometimes you just need to take a step back, right? I wish I was wise at knowing when to do that.
Love the red velvet.

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Very cute!! :)Hugs, Rachel

*French Farmhouse 425*

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Oh, I love Mr. Santa! :-)

This is so sweet! It's one of those things that we shoudl cherish and have it forever. It's something very, very special!

I hope you're having a warm and delightful day!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Vintage Tea Time said...

Lovely, lovely Mister Santa - I adore his coat! Well done you!

Brandi said...

And a very well dressed Santa he is! You did a wonderful job!

Raine and Sage said...

Hi Sarah,

I love your Santa. His warm coat with big buttons and hat is very cute. Another great creation. Sonia :)

Vanessa said...

Oh Sarah! You are a kindred spirit for sure! I totally relate to that moment when you realize that you are killing yourself and feeling so frustrated over the most ridiculous little thing...like a stuffed sweet Santa. He is pretty darn adorable though so I'm glad you brought him back out to be finished so we could all enjoy him! :-)
Vanessa

Country Livin' said...

Love the santa and good for you for picking it up and finishing it!! I probably would have shoved it to the back of the closet and forgotten all about it!
well done!
Trish xo

Anne said...

different,and cute-- love his coat!

michelle said...

You are my hero girl!! I love him!! You should squeal, you did an amazing job and I totally get it when you need to walk away from a project until you can find that vigor again!! usually I just walk away never to revisit, but there are those special projects that I will finish! :) Love Him!!!!

Casa Très Chic said...

You did a great job, your Santa is lovely.
Hugs.
Tereza

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

i LOVE when great bloggers like you admit to getting really stressed and doing too much! THANK YOU! That Santa is soooo sweet and well worth the time away to refresh. I too love the Sew Pretty Christmas book (and I barely sew). I'm always inspired after a visit here. Hope your Christmas is full of JoY!
hugs,
Leslie

Tricia said...

Oh Sarah, your Santa is so cute. You did a great job. I probably wouldn't have finished him, after all that frustration. I have that Sew Pretty book too. Isn't it wonderful?!

Miranda @ Pressing On said...

I love him! He has so much sweet and simple personality. I like the idea of putting him away if it's too stressful, but I love that you went back the next year. Good determination. :)

Hey, thanks for your comments on my blog...you make me laugh this morning when I saw them. Have a very Merry Christmas my friend.

Catherine said...

Hi lovely!!

Mr Santa is just love personified! I adore his red velvet coat too - what is it about red velvet?!

And, you are a total angel! Thanks so much for linking to my ornaments...gush gush...love you...you totally made my day!!

Mwah

Cath

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Ohhhhh, He is so Great! I think that he is worth the frustration! And, I completely agree with you- sometime you just have to walk away for a little bit and come back refreshed.
You are very talented!
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Oh... your Santa turned out wonderful, Sarah. I love his velvet coat... so pretty.
Can't get enough of the cinammon either... love it!
I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!
xo,
Jo :)

Carla @ Hammers and High Heels said...

Mister Santa is so cute! Love the hat and rosey cheeks :)

Anonymous said...

So cute his sweater!

About the piano..no i don't play... i used to "play" the violin years ago..lol.. my daughter is learning the piano. :)

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Sarah,

I'm just dropping by to say "hi" and to thank you for your daily visit on my blog. That always makes me happy! :-)

Have a lovely day!

xo


Luciane at HomeBunch.com

designchic said...

Oh my gosh...he's adorable and so worth the year of stashing and pulling back out!!

Gwen @ Gwenny Penny said...

He is so cute, Sarah! I love his hat. I did the same thing with my advent calendar... it took me two years to finish it:) Sometimes it's just better to walk away. And thanks for the links to the books... off to check them out!

Brandi said...

Hey Sarah! I didn't prime the frames first I just spray painted them. I always take shortcuts! : )

Jenni said...

Hi Sarah!

Your Mister Santa is so cute! I love his little coat! :) He looks so adorable sitting there, and you did a fantastic job on him!

I am also very glad to know I am not the only one who gets frustrated with crafts sometimes! (At one point this week, I was having trouble making my felt ornament *perfect* enough, and it went sailing across the room straight past the dining room table where my family was having dessert. (I was not aiming at them.) I muttered something about being a dismal failure, as my family looked on as if they had never, ever seen me have a mini meltdown before...So if you did not throw Mister Santa across the room, then I'd say you have WAY more patience than me! :)

I hope you had a good week! Are you as ready for the weekend as me?

Have a wonderful Friday~

Jenni

Holly Lefevre said...

He needs to be in my home...he is fabulous. I don't have a lot of Santa's but I would love one like this. Cannot wait for more cinnamon.

Kellie Collis said...

Very well done! It's so adorable! Enjoy the gorgeous weekend, Kellie xx

Hootin Anni said...

Your Santa is darling!!! And I must admit, he'd look so grand here at my home with my Santa Collection. LOLOLOL

My Show n Tell - A Jim Shore Find

Do stop by and say 'hi' if you can find time. Have a great week ahead.

Unknown said...

I'm usually not big into "Santas" but your guy is adorable. Glad you were able to finish him. I know you will cherish him for a long time

KimMalk said...

I agree with the renewed vigor theory! Your Santa is adorable. I love his luxurious coat. (I made an Easter bunny who's body was similar, I'd like to give this Santa a go.)

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

He is brilliant!
I especially love his warm coat and big buttons... another friday's favorite for sure!
Merry Christmas~

Vanessa said...

Now, you ARE a good friend linking up 2 posts this week! Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Vanessa

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi there Miss Sarah~ I love this little guy! He turned out just so charming (and I know nothing about projects that make you crazy and get put aside and forgotten about...lol) He is a sweet little guy for sure ~ thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday~ hugs to you and Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

Sarah, he's absolutely adorable! I bet he's looking forward to Christmas as much as you are this year! Well done - he's a real achievement - I'm so pleased you left him till this Christams to finish him - you sound as if you've really got such a lot of pleasure out of making him!- And discovered something about not doing too much around Christmas - which every mother finds really hard at this time of year, but never has the time to do anything about! A wonderful blog post- thank you! Angela XX

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