Crafty Christmas Countdown: 11

 I had given these foam cardinals winter sports gear in the past but when we moved, one of the snowshoes got lost. So I figured I'd start fresh. 

Are superheroes especially Christmasy? Maybe not. But maybe superpowered birds help Santa on his magical journey. Besides, who doesn't love glitter and capes.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 12

 I was thinking about decor traditionally associated with Christmas and realized, I don't know if I've ever made a popcorn garland. I have no memory of having done so as a child. And now that I'm adult it seems A)wasteful and B)likely to attract mice. But I do like how they look so I though I'd try making a mock-popcorn garland out of bits of old t-shirt and some yarn. My "popcorn" looks a bit more like soup dumplings but I like how it looks hanging in my window.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 13

 Every year I like to make a peg doll themed on a Christmas special or movie. This year I chose the Rankin and Bass special "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". And what better character to focus on than the antagonist, the grim Burgermeister Meisterburger. His scowl was especially fun to create.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 14

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.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 15

 I wanted to add a couple of Christmas themed finger puppets (apart from Santa and elves) to my repertoire

, so I decided on a donkey and a camel. While a camel is hard to suggest without humps I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 16

 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.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 17

 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.