Christmas Craftiness and Cuteness

"Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness."
--Richard Bach, author

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! My own Christmas was filled with much craft and cute, both given and received. I worked my fingers to nubs stitching gifts for family and friends til the very last minute. However, it was more than worth it to see the delight on their faces when they opened their boxes. Not to mention they generously gifted me with many wonderful things in return!

Now that Christmas has passed I can finally reveal a few of the softie gifts I was excitedly working on.

Here's a more elaborate take on my usual owl. I was going for a Victorian era look. I love how distinguished and proper he looks. I had such fun making him that I'm thinking of doing more owls in costume like say . . . a Zorro owl, a pirate owl, or a roman owl in toga garb. Such possibilities!

Here's a new softie design of mine, which I'm calling a Wee Beastie. I was inspired by Max's wolf suit in the book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak as well as Mario's Tanooki Suit. Basically, instead of wolves in sheep's clothing, think kids in beastie clothing.

This little guy is the first I've made from the new pattern and I'm so pleased with how it came out. He looks so cheerful, smart, and ready to take on the world, don't you think?

A close-up of his face.

As for the things I received, I must have been very good this year or at least I've gotten better at hiding my shenanigans.

Look -- another Eveluche! How lucky am I?! This little fellow is called the Frozen Raccoon. That explains his sadly sweet expression. I just started to crochet and I cannot imagine making something so intricate. I counted at least 5 different yarns used to make him. He's quite a work of art. Every time I look at him I'm amazed all over again.

Don't be sad anymore, Frozen Raccoon. You're in Hawaii now, where it's nice and warm. We'll have to put that scarf away and get you a straw hat! Do you remember your fellow Canadian, Little Blue Bear? He'll give you the grand tour of your new home.

Look at this tiny sculpey charm modeled after one of my owls. It's only a centimeter tall. One must have such steady hands to paint something so lilliputian. I love it!

No, these are not bowling pins. They are wooden nesting dolls ready to be painted! What a unique canvas, don't you think? I have so many ideas for these . . . all which include bunnies of some sort. I cannot wait until I have the time to start working on them.

Thank you everyone for all the goodies and good wishes. Thank you for visiting me here, my own little corner of the universe. Most of all, thank you for making my holidays so happy, crafty and cute! Much aloha to you all!