birthday kits for loved September babies

When my big sister Leigh said she wanted a 'Twas the Night Ornaments Santa Claus pattern and custom kit for her birthday I was like, girl, please. 110% can do. My mom is a September baby too, so I put together a Snow Bird pattern and kit for her also while I was at it.

It’s ridiculously pleasing to me when my friends and family tell me they’d like to try one of my patterns. It makes me kind of giddy, but it's also a lot more pressure. I spent a long time overthinking everything in the kits, providing alternate options, and making custom color key illustrations to include with their patterns and materials.

Kits are also just fun to me because of the neat folded bits, tiny bundles, and tins of small supplies. It's a bonus when I can find the perfect sized box for the kit just lying around in my studio closet. I knew I was keeping those for something. #packrat

Santa Claus: detailed Benzie color guides – kits available!

Santa Claus is the first pattern in my 'Twas the Night Ornament Series. Here are the detailed felt/floss/sequin/bead color guides below for you, so that you can easily make Santa Clauses 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 buy the Santa Claus 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 SANTA CLAUS color guides:

Classic Red Santa:

BENZIE FELT COLORS*:
White: Mustache
Ecru: Coat trim, hat trim, boot/sleeve/stocking cuffs
Graphite: Belt and boots
Carmine: Coat, sleeves and hat
Coral: Body
Swan: Mittens
Mustard: Stocking
*Note: You will also need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS*:
Hat trim: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads
Coat trim: 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (or sub 4 mm Benzie Moonstone), Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads
Coat: DMC B5200, DMC 3846 (also for number on coat back), 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads
Belt: DMC B5200, 8 mm brassy gold sequin, 5 mm aqua/light blue sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass bead
Boots: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent glass beads
Stocking: Silver sewing thread, DMC B5200, DMC 3799, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent, Teal, and Strawberry glass beads
Candy cane and jingle bell ornament: DMC 666
Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

OTHER NOTIONS:
Hat and bell: 5 mm and 9 mm brass jingle bells

Classic Blue Santa: 

BENZIE FELT COLORS*:
White: Mustache
Ecru: Coat trim, hat trim, boot/sleeve/stocking cuffs
Graphite: Belt and boots
Peacock: Coat, sleeves and hat
Swan: Body
Mustard: Mittens
Carmine: Stocking
*Note: You will also need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS*:
Hat trim: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Teal beads
Coat trim: 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (or sub 4 mm Benzie Moonstone), Benzie Teal beads
Coat: DMC B5200, DMC 783 (also for number on coat back), 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads
Belt: DMC B5200, 8 mm brassy gold sequin, 5 mm red sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent bead
Boots: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Strawberry beads
Stocking: DMC B5200, DMC 3799, DMC 3844, Benzie 4 mm White sequin, one 6 mm white sequin, one 8 mm white sequin, Benzie Graphite and Rose Quartz beads
Candy cane and jingle bell ornament: DMC 666
Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

OTHER NOTIONS:
Hat: White 5mm mini pom
Bell: 9 mm silver jingle bell

Retro Mint Santa:

BENZIE FELT COLORS*:
White: Mustache
Ecru: Coat trim, hat trim, boot/sleeve/stocking cuffs
Graphite: Belt and boots
Julep: Coat, sleeves and hat
Chartreuse: Body
Moss: Mittens
Flamingo: Stocking
*Note: You will also need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS*:
Hat trim: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Kelly beads
Coat trim: 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (or sub 4 mm Benzie Moonstone), Benzie Kelly beads
Coat: DMC B5200, DMC 937 (also for number on coat back), 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads
Belt: DMC B5200, 8 mm brassy gold sequin, 5 mm green (or sub pink) sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent bead
Boots: 4mm Benzie Jade sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads
Stocking: DMC B5200, silver thread, Benzie 4 mm Moonstone sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads
Candy cane: DMC 666, DMC 603
Jingle bell ornament: 9 mm pink jingle bell, DMC 5282
Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

OTHER NOTIONS:
Hat: White 5mm mini pom

Retro Pink Santa:

BENZIE FELT COLORS*:
White: Mustache
Ecru: Coat trim, hat trim, boot/sleeve/stocking cuffs
Graphite: Belt and boots
Flamingo: Coat, sleeves and hat
Marigold: Body and mittens
Julep: Stocking
*Note: You will also need matching floss or thread colors

FLOSS/SEQUIN/BEAD COLORS*:
Hat trim: 4mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Rose Quartz (or Foxglove) beads
Coat trim: 5 mm iridescent clear cupped sequins (or sub 4 mm Benzie Moonstone), Benzie Rose Quartz (or Foxglove) beads
Coat: DMC B5200, DMC 606 (also for number on coat back), 4mm Benzie White sequins, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent beads
Belt: DMC B5200, 8 mm silver sequin, 5 mm teal sequin, Benzie Rainbow Iridescent bead
Boots: 4 mm Benzie Moonstone sequins, Benzie Teal beads
Stocking: DMC B5200, DMC 3799, DMC 606, Benzie 4 mm White sequin, one 6 mm white sequin, one 8 mm white sequin, Benzie Graphite and Foxglove beads
Candy cane: DMC 606, DMC 603
Jingle bell ornament: 9 mm teal jingle bell, DMC 5283
Hanging loop: DMC 5283
*All sequins/beads sewn with silver sewing thread

OTHER NOTIONS:
Hat: 5mm silver jingle bell

Santa Claus pattern is now available!

Santa Claus, the first pattern in my new '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. I love the vintage look evoked by the sparkly sequins and beads.

The 20 page detailed PDF pattern comes with a 2nd pattern sheet that has 20 years worth of dates for the back of the ornament, if you are like me and appreciate the years written on your ornaments.

These four sparkly samples were made using Benzie Design's wonderful wool-blend felts, glass seed beads, and sequins. Such great quality! I really enjoyed working with them, and highly recommend them for yours. I'll be posting detailed color guides for these samples, and yes, Benzie Design will be offering kits for you made up with these colors! Yay! Thank you, wonderful Benzie folks! Stay tuned for more information on that.

Red and white is such a classic and lovely combo for your Santas, but don't feel like you have to stick with that! He looks smashing in all kinds of color combos.

You guys know tiny things are my jam, so I especially love the miniscule stocking with candy cane and jingle bell ornament. The jingle bell makes a little cheerful sound whenever it's moved. Choose to make either a Christmas tree stocking or a snowman stocking. Both designs are included in the pattern.

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. I do not have a release date for the next pattern, but you can be sure you will see updates and posts right here and on my other channels.

WHERE TO BUY: These PDF patterns are only available in my Etsy shop for instant download. There's a detailed list of materials needed in the listing in the photos but I'm always happy to answer questions! Just shoot me a convo via Etsy.com.

Lots more information about this series can be found on this dedicated resource page. I'll be updating that page constantly as this series develops. Now on to pattern no. 2...