I don't consider myself particularly macabre. I'm not super into Halloween. But recently I've found myself rather taken with the plastic animal skeleton decorations you find in stores in the fall. I've collected a trio of them I didn't want to put away when we decorated for Christmas so I've been trying all month to think of a way to incorporate them into our decor. I started by making them a sleigh out of cardboard and construction paper.
Several years ago, I used to upcycle promotional buttons with wire, sequins, and the like for craft fairs. After I ran out of buttons, I got out of the practice. I rediscovered it this week, though, when I found a random button and some Christmas fabric.
I never really got the fascination with nutcrackers, but I have to admit they present a real opportunity for personalization. I purchased this nutcracker painting kit, struck by the fact that he has cymbals instead of a sword or staff.
Have you ever bought those little paintable, plaster figures? They usually come six in a pack and are fairly cheap, cute, and easy to decorate. They're a favorite in our house. This year we bought a set with Santa and five reindeer and split them between the two of us. I'm fairly happy with how mine came out.
Today, I tackled my annual tradition of a Christmas farm display. This year I added some new figures and built a cardboard structure so that our little farm can put on a living nativity.
I make no secret of my fondness for puppets. Especially for sock puppets. Every time I think I've run out of unique ideas, I come up with a new one. I'll admit, I found it a challenge this year to come up with a new Christmas themed puppet. Then, while looking for inspiration for another project, I came across this image.
Wilfred (occasional companion on Doctor Who if you're unfamiliar) was the perfect subject for a sock puppet. I was so excited for this build that I completely forgot to take any process photos.
This particular sock puppet required two socks. One serves as a base with a layer of quilt batting to add some softness to Wilfred's face. I cut the leg off of the outer sock, building the body instead from some green fabric.
Peg dolls are one of my favorite forms of crafting these days. At Christmas, I especially enjoy painting peg versions of my favorite characters. This year, I went with Emmet from "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas". He works quite well in the peg doll form.
