Santa’s Helper

Every year the Lumberjack and I get to do Santa’s job and we love it. This year, the Boy is seven, I’m not sure we’ll get another chance to be “Santa” with our kids again. Another bittersweet moment. The Girls are in the know of course, and they play along with the Santa game every year for the Boy’s sake. He’s a true believer at the moment, trying to figure out how Santa fits down the chimney, how he gets so far in one night, how he carries all the presents, etc., etc..  These “deep” questions about Santa usually unravel the mystery and reveal the parents, standing behind the giant imaginary man in red. Maybe next year, we won’t get to play this game but it’s all part of growing up a family right? They grow up, and so do we. Now I see why folks start looking forward to having grandkids.

This year I got a special treat. I was able to make the Santa gift for a little girl of a friend of mine. She asked for a red hat and kitty cat, and I got a tug on my heart at the idea of being one of Santa’s helpers for another child. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, when you make something by hand and you have a specific person and purpose in mind, your work will show it! Here’s the result, and cannot wait to hear how she receives her Santa gift and I’m honored to say that I was truly one of his helpers this year.

Starting with the work in progress. At this stage, it’s like setting the scene, now to make the characters come to life…

I’m just trying my hand at embroidery stitches with yarn since I love the effect so much. I’ve seen this done by others and love it. Dawn at Fiddlesticks does just an inspiring job of color combining and stitch work, she’s truly an artist. (I love to refer to my creative heroes by first name, even though they don’t know me from Adam, it cracks me up inside.)

And here we have the Kitty peeking out of the bag and below the entire set. A hat, wrist warmers, and purse with kitty, all spiffed up and ready to go under a very special tree.