small change to the Little Elves pattern

ELF UPDATE: I made a small change to the Little Elves pattern, y'all. You can easily make the same minor change when you make your Elf Boy. Or not! It is completely up to YOU.

What's the change? I took 2 mm off the top of the knickerbockers so that they are slightly shorter. Have a look at the photos. Pink Elf on the left is the new one, and blue elf on the right is the old one. Notice the small difference? In turn, it makes the new Elf Boy ever so slightly shorter overall. Why the change? Just because I like it better. I won't get my feelins' hurt if you do not agree. Feel free to leave your pattern the way it is.

To make the same change on your existing pattern, draw a new cutting line 2 mm down from the waist edge, on BOTH front and back knickerbocker pieces. That's it! The waist will be ever so slightly wider, but you can trim if needed to match the torso. (The Etsy shop pattern has been updated as of this evening. You'll see R3/21 in the lower right corner of the revised pattern.)

#mmmcrafts #twasthenightornaments #itsfuntosayknickerbockers

Little Elves: detailed Benzie color guides – kits available!

Little Elves is the third pattern in my 'Twas the Night Ornament Series. Here are the detailed felt/floss/sequin/bead color guides for you below, so that you can easily make Little Elves that look like my Benzie felt samples!

Benzie Design has long been one of my favorite places to purchase wool-blend felts. They have stellar customer service, quick shipping, and their felt, floss, sequins and beads are an absolute joy to work with! They will be very happy to help you with what you need.

First, some handy links to get you started:

To buy the Little Elves pattern: mmmcrafts.etsy.com

To buy the Classic or Retro felt palettes shown here:
Benzie 'Twas the Night felt palettes

To buy the helpful notions kit:
Benzie 'Twas the Night notions kit

To shop their beautiful sequins & beads:
Benzie Sparkle & Shine page

OK! Here are the color guides:

Classic Red Little Elf Boy:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Tunic trim, collar, torso, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Carmine: Tunic, sleeves
Coral: Knickerbockers

Peacock: Hat
Swan: Legs

Graphite: Belt, boots
*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 321, DMC BLANC, DMC D168, 5 mm gold jingle bell

Collar, tunic trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Tunic: DMC 3845 (including number on back), 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins (sleeves), 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (skirt), Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Belt: DMC BLANC, 8 mm brassy gold cupped sequin, 5 mm aqua cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead

Boots: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads, Benzie Blue glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Classic Red Little Elf Girl:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Coat trim, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Carmine: Coat, sleeves, boots
Coral: Dress

Peacock: Scarf, mittens
Swan: Hat, Legs

Blush Metallic: Mailbag (This Benzie felt is not included in the Classic palette. Sub in Coral if you like.)

*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 321, DMC BLANC, Benzie Red glass beads, 5 mm gold jingle bell

Coat trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Coat: DMC 3845 (including number on back), DMC BLANC, 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Dress: DMC 3845, DMC 321, DMC BLANC, 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Mailbag: 5 mm iridescent cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead, DMC 5282

Boots: 5 mm white mini poms, Benzie Blue glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283

*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Classic Blue Little Elf Boy:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Tunic trim, collar, torso, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Peacock: Tunic, sleeves
Mustard: Knickerbockers

Swan: Hat, legs

Graphite: Belt, boots
*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 321, DMC 3844, DMC D3852, 5 mm red mini pom

Collar, tunic trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Tunic: DMC 3852 (including number on back), 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins (sleeves), 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (skirt), Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads (on sequins), Benzie Red glass beads

Belt: DMC BLANC, 8 mm brassy gold cupped sequin, 5 mm red cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead

Boots: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads, Benzie Blue glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Classic Mustard Little Elf Girl:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Coat trim, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Mustard: Coat, sleeves, boots
Swan: Dress

Peacock: Hat, boots

Carmine: Scarf, mittens
Bronze: Legs

Silver Metallic: Mailbag (This Benzie felt is not included in the Classic palette. Sub in Ecru if you like.)

*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 3852, DMC 321, Benzie White glass beads, 5 mm silver jingle bell

Coat trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Coat: DMC 3844 (including number on back), DMC BLANC, 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Dress: DMC 321, DMC 830, DMC BLANC, 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Mailbag: 5 mm iridescent cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead, DMC 5283

Boots: 5 mm yellow mini poms, Benzie Red glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283

*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Retro Pink Little Elf Boy:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*
Ecru: Tunic trim, collar, torso, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Flamingo: Tunic, sleeves
Marigold: Knickerbockers

Julep: Hat, legs

Graphite: Belt, boots
*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC D168, DMC 3608, DMC 900, 5 mm silver jingle bell

Collar, tunic trim: 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Tunic: DMC 991 (DMC BLANC for number on back), 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins (sleeves), 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (skirt), Benzie Red glass beads

Belt: DMC BLANC, 8 mm silver cupped sequin, 5 mm orange cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead

Boots: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads, Benzie Foxglove glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Retro Pink Little Elf Girl:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*
Ecru: Coat trim, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Flamingo: Coat, sleeves
Marigold: Dress

Julep: Hat, legs

Chartreuse: Scarf, mittens
Graphite: Boots

Silver Metallic: Mailbag (This Benzie felt is not included in the Classic palette. Sub in Flamingo if you like.)

*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 3608, DMC 900, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads, 5 mm silver jingle bell

Coat trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Coat: DMC 900 (including number on back), DMC BLANC, 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Dress: DMC 991, DMC 718, DMC BLANC, 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Mailbag: 5 mm metallic pink cupped sequin, Benzie Foxglove glass bead, DMC 5283

Boots: 5 mm pink mini poms, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283

*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

Retro Mint Little Elf Boy:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Tunic trim, collar, torso, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Julep: Tunic, sleeves
Moss: Knickerbockers

Chartreuse: Hat, legs

Graphite: Belt, boots
*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 991, DMC D3852, DMC 602**,  7 mm pink mini pom (5 mm works great too)

Collar, tunic trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Tunic: DMC 936 (including number on back), 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins (sleeves), 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (skirt), Benzie Foxglove glass beads

Belt: DMC BLANC, 8 mm brassy gold cupped sequin, 5 mm kelly green cupped sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead

Boots: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads, Benzie Foxglove glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

**Actual color in photo is 3607 but 602 is a better match

Retro Mint Little Elf Girl:

BENZIE FELT COLORS:*

Ecru: Coat trim, sleeve/boot cuffs 
Moss: Coat, sleeves, boots
Julep: Dress, hat

Flamingo: Scarf, mittens
Chartreuse: Legs

Gold Metallic: Mailbag (This Benzie felt is not included in the Classic palette. Sub in Ecru if you like.)

*Note: You will need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS:*

Hat: DMC 936, DMC 602, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads, 5 mm gold jingle bell

Coat trim: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Coat: DMC 959, DMC BLANC (including number on back), 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Dress: DMC 936, DMC 602, DMC BLANC, 5 mm iridescent cupped sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Mailbag: 5 mm metallic lime green cupped sequin, Benzie Clover glass bead, DMC 5282

Boots: 5 mm pink mini poms, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads

Hanging loop: DMC 5283

*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

I hope these guides were helpful! (Looking for other color guides? Check here.) The way I've combined these Benzie Classic and Retro felt colors are just a few of the possibilities! Feel free to follow these guides exactly or come up with your own lovely color variations. I'd love to see what you make. :-) Here's the IG hashtag:

#twasthenightornaments

 

I love you, Dad

It still does not seem real, but my Dad passed away January 29. He was injured in a fall and ill for a couple of months, and for the last half of January he was hospitalized. I was very lucky to be able to travel to him and spend many hours with him at the hospital, despite COVID restrictions. (My Dad was not able to use his hands very well at that point, and because of understaffing I was allowed to come every day to help him eat and drink.) One of my sisters is also a nurse at the hospital, so I shared those hours with her and another sister who were also his caregivers at various times. I will be forever grateful for those days with him, because none of us anticipated losing him so soon. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

These are some of my favorite photos from his memorial service, and one from a Christmas before I let my hair color match my dad's. I can strongly see the face of my youngest daughter in his adorable grumpy school photo. I'm sure little overalled Bill Lewis (called Lebo by his family) would have much rather been running in the woods with his dog, Rook, than having his hair slicked down for picture day.

My grief is so weird. I'm fine a lot of the time. At peace. And then random memories or objects will make me break down in sobs. His eyeglasses. Stepping inside his RV. Discovering he carefully kept a birthday card I drew for him in 1987. It feels as though there were two strong ropes which tie me to where I belong and who I am, and one of them has been cut.

It's been a very difficult couple of months for my whole family, but I know that God, who so richly answered our prayers all through January, will carry us all through in the coming days. I'm resting in Him and slowly getting back to my every day life and to do list.

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

sewing up 2020

Sewing: A couple of Twelve Days ornaments for some special people. Do y’all flip them over backwards to check the color as you go, too? (Pardon my messy reverse sides. I’m not one of those talented embroiderers who can keep the back looking as great as the front. And that’s OK.) 

Watching: Freelancers. So funny. Actually snort-laughed several times. All part of my charm. 

#mmmcrafts #sewingup2020 #benziefelt #happybetteryear

a very merry Christmas to all

I'm not sure how I have missed it, but I had never heard the Pentatonix version of Mary, Did You Know. There I was, driving through my town to pick up my kid from school, minding my own business, listening to a Christmas playlist, and it filled my car. Then it filled my heart. Then it filled my eyes. Then I started to ugly cry right there behind the wheel as I was negotiating an intersection. It was an unstoppable force. Not good for driving safety, so I had to take some very deep breaths and just let it wash through me. 

I resist crying. I just do. Some folks only become more lovely when they cry. Their eyes get dewy and large and reflective. Crystal tears fall from their lashes and they become angelic and shimmery. That is exactly unlike what happens to my face. It collapses in on itself and my throat constricts and my nose becomes swollen and red. For several hours it's apparent to everyone from my puffy, red eyes and glowing nose that I've cried. 

However. Despite my blotchy appearance, it was a thing of true beauty that the account of God With Us in the arms of his mother touched my spirit like that, even when I've read it and pondered it and treasured it and heard it a thousand times. 

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered,

will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You kiss the face of God

The blind will see,

the deaf will hear,

The dead will live again

The lame will leap, 

the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're

Holding is the great, I Am

Somehow I don't think younger Larissa With No Kids could have been as affected. She no doubt would have found it a faith affirming and lovely song. Current Larissa, Mother of Two Non-Divine Humans, hears it and it just cracks me in two. It gives me chills. What a blessed woman Mary was. And yes, she knew.

It was a moment I needed.

Merry Christmas to you. Today, whether or not you share my faith in Christ, wherever you are in the world, I wish for you a peaceful, joyful day, surrounded by those you love and filled with all good things. And only happy crying.

Little Elves pattern is now available!

Little Elves, the third (and technically fourth) pattern in my ongoing 'Twas the Night Ornament Series, is now available! These ornaments are inspired by Clement C. Moore's 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as The Night Before Christmas. As you may have noticed, elves are not mentioned in the poem (except for the right jolly old elf himself of course!) but we are taking a little tour of the North Pole to pick up some beloved characters before we dive into the actual lines of the poem. 

Samples made from the Benzie Classic palette

Samples made from the Benzie Retro palette

I'm designing this intermediate level ornament series with what hopefully seems like a vintage-meets-modern type of style, with sparkly sequins and beads and plenty of tiny, charming details.

The Elf Girl is just coming back from the mailbox with Santa's letters. She's sporting a scarf and mittens and carrying a teeny mailbag with removable letters while she reads the message on the back of the envelope in her other mitten. The Elf Boy is helping Mrs. Claus check off the Naughty Or Nice List with his little adorable pencil. You can, of course, customize the Naughty Or Nice list for your own family. :-)

This design basically went well but MAN it was just a lot to get done. A LOT. It's two very detailed patterns in one, with no fewer than 139 steps. So many illustrations! I had thought at first to make them separate patterns but soon decided combining them into one pattern just made more sense.

It takes me about three crafternoons to make both Little Elves, and if you have the materials for Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus already in your arsenal, you have most of what you need to make this pair of cheerful helpers. I think the only additional thing might be the toothpick and colored card stock? And if you'd like the metallic felt for the mailbag. But regular felt works well for it also!

The 29 page detailed PDF pattern comes with two extra pattern sheets containing 20 years worth of dates for the backs of both, if you are like me and appreciate the years noted on the backs of special ornaments.

Just like my Twelve Days Ornament Series, these ornaments also utilize Sulky Stick 'n Stitch to make the embroidery, beading, and pattern assembly a snap. More ornaments are to follow in this series, so stay tuned later in 2021. I will be back to working on the Ebenezer series in the first half of the year. You can be sure you will see updates and posts right here and on my other channels.

All the samples you see here were made using Benzie Design's wonderful wool-blend felts, glass seed beads, and sequins. Such lovely quality! I really enjoyed working with them, and highly recommend them for yours. I'll be posting detailed Little Elves color guides for these samples but probably not before I make the other samples I need. I'm missing the mint/pink/green palette samples and need to get those done. They will be similar to the samples you've seen already for the rest of the series. (But in the meantime I am taking a break to get ready for Christmas. Holy cow. So much to do.)

UPDATE: The samples and color guides are now complete! 

If you are wondering, Benzie Design already offers kits for these ornaments! Yay! (They are the Classic and Retro 'Twas the Night bundles.) The red/blue and mustard/blue samples in this post are all made from the Classic bundle and the pink/orange and mint/olive samples are made from the Retro bundle. Thank you once again, wonderful Benzie folks!

huge THANK YOU to you, and it's back to work for me

The halls of my house have been decked, pecan pie has been devoured, leftover turkey and ham have been reinvented several times over, shopping has been semi-completed. I even managed to lose a pound after Thanksgiving weekend at my weigh in. I did not expect that I can tell you.

ONE THOUSAND THANK YOUS for making my annual sale the best one ever! It's clear y’all have some serious sewing to do. Chop chop! And I also have some serious ground to cover for this pattern. Nose is directly on the grindstone, I promise! Working working working. No one wants to finished with this two-in-one pattern more than I. 

Every year I say to myself, LARISSA, I MEAN IT, DO NOT BE WORKING ON A PATTERN AFTER THANKGIVING. One of these years that is going to work out but it's laughable I thought that might actually happen in 2020. I had very strong hopes to be finished with it by my sale but that was not to be. #life

I'll shout about it on every available channel as soon as it's in the shop. And that will be a wrap for 2020 and patterns. My goal was to release four patterns this year and that is what I'll have done:

Mr Scrooge

Mr Marley (he was such a pain)

Little Elf Girl

Little Elf Boy

I decided in the end to make the girl and boy elves a two-in-one pattern, because it just makes more sense to me that way, even though they are mostly different. Oh. And I'm not sure I've mentioned it here, but I've expanded the 'Twas the Night patterns to nine patterns. I just couldn't get it done in six and still be happy.

My goal for 2021 is the same, only this time I hope to be finished by Thanksgiving. #goals #icandoit #timemanagement #morecoffee

happiest of Thanksgivings to you, and my annual sale is on!

Hello hello to you. Today I plan to mindfully and thankfully devour sausage balls, smoked turkey, ham, pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, the WORKS. And to be especially grateful for delicious, lovely fat and sugar as I have been on WW since May and I'm ready to eat allllll the things to celebrate the day. There may be a faceplant in a plate buttered yeast rolls. (Humor and holiday splurging aside, WW has actually been really great, and I highly recommend it. I love to eat, and there's always something tasty I can eat for zero points. I've lost a good bit of weight and I'm feeling pretty fantastic about that. I plan to stay on it for the long haul. Tomorrow.)

Besides butter, there is much to be thankful for in my life this year, yes, especially this strange, sad, and challenging year. I've heard from so many folks who found a special refuge in all forms of handcraft this year, and goodness knows I have. I can just see in my mind's eye lucky people around the world being delighted and amazed to open their special handmade gifts on Christmas morning as a result of worldwide lockdown crafting. What a lovely vision. I'm so grateful if my patterns have played any small part in that joy.

Do you have plans to sew for Christmas? Better get crackin'. (I'm mostly speaking to myself there.) Today through Monday there's 20% off of all patterns in my shop, so be sure to take advantage of that if you've had your eye on a project or two. Be aware the sale is automatically keyed to my US time zone, Eastern Standard, so factor that in if you are in a different zone on our wonderful planet!

I wish you the warmest, happiest, most delicious time spent with your loved ones today, whether an unlucky turkey figures in there or not. We can all take some time to count our many blessings and say a prayer of thanks.