Did you ever watch Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Celebration? It was on television a couple of times when I was a kid and a couple of details always stuck with me, largely involving the California Raisins. Now that we have it on DVD, we watch it every year. And I have a growing appreciation for the hosts, a pair of dinosaurs named Rex and Herb. I though I'd pay tribute to them with these small portraits, done in acrylic on canvas board.
I wanted to add a couple of Christmas themed finger puppets (apart from Santa and elves) to my repertoire
I have short hair that sometimes gets in my way. So I'm trying to embrace headbands. Since it's been a bit of a challenge, I thought a couple of festive ones might help. I made a simple broad one out of some snowflake knit and a braided one in candycane colors.
In all honesty, I think I like making them more than wearing them. If you know of a less pinch-y headband style, let me know in the comments. I'm open to suggestions.
We're a full week into December and that means it's time for my annual Christmas card. I spend far more time fretting over the image and the verse than I do actually creating the cards (I have a small streak of perfectionism). This is what I came up with this year.
I had a make-your-own snow globe kit a couple of years ago. It turned out well but when I got it out of storage this year I found it was leaking. With a little fiddling I was able to open it back up and drain out the water. And while I had it open I decided to completely remake it. This time I used styrofoam pellets instead of water and glitter.
I decided to theme my Christmas decorations in my cubicle at work this year and on a whim settled on dinosaurs a that theme. Of course, I have plenty of dinosaurs around but not many that are especially Christmas-y, so it's the perfect opportunity to craft. I painted one dinosaur (I wasn't fond of the bright, toxic colors it came in) and made bonnets and top hats for the group of larger figures.
I have plans for the smaller ones, but more on that later.
I've been trying to stretch myself a little bit with my Christmas themes. So instead of classic American Santa, I decided to make a plaque with more of a Father Christmas look, leaning into the more muted tones and longer facial features. It gives him a sort of man-in-the-moon vibe.
