Thank you!

Many thanks to you for making my annual pattern sale so successful! Y'all got some cozy gift sewing to do! Off you go! Queue up a good movie and make some fresh coffee! Don't be naughty like Larissa and leave the sewing to the last minute. Every year. *sighs*

As you dive in to mmmaking the patterns, don't forget this blog is a great resource for helpful tips, color guides, and links to materials kits! Have a look around the sidebars and nav bar.

OK, now back to the pattern making sweatshop for me so I can clear this Ghost of Christmas Present pattern off my desk, for ever lovin' pity's sake! LOL

Shown: Boy Elf from my Little Elves pattern, made with the Retro 'Twas The Night color palette from @benziedesign. Buy the pattern here.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! My annual sale is now on!

Thanksgiving is a good time to count my blessings, and among the many other wonderful things in my life, I thank God that I have not only the opportunity to design and sell my detailed felt imaginings, but also that I have such a wonderful group of mmmakers who enjoy putting them together as much as I do, and who continue to support my designs. Thank you! 

If you've been waiting to snag that pattern you like from my Etsy shop during the annual sale, now's the time! Get 20% off your pattern purchase through Monday with no code necessary. Please note: the sale is keyed to my time zone, Eastern Standard, so please factor that in if you are in a different part of our lovely world.

Please accept my wish for you, wherever you are on this beautiful planet, that you have the best, chattiest, and most delicious day ever, whether you celebrate with an unlucky turkey or not. We can all pause to give thanks. May God richly bless you with happiness, health, and special times with those you love.

Update on Mr Christmas Present

UPDATE: For those of you waiting patiently on the Ghost of Christmas Present pattern, I thought I’d jump in here to say that despite having high hopes of adding it to the shop in time for my Thanksgiving sale, that just ain’t happening. I must accept. Hopes dashed. 

It’s just physically impossible with the samples I need to make and the photos which need to be taken. So I will let myself enjoy some turkey and my girls being home from college and I’ll shoot for releasing just as soon after Thanksgiving as I can possibly make it. That will hopefully be plenty of time for your Dickensian Christmas crafting.

In the meantime here are some supplies you might need to gather: 

All the usual items needed for my people ornaments (wool felts, wood beads, floss, cotton pipe cleaners, Sulky Stick N Stitch (2 sheets), fabric markers/pencils for faces, Tacky Glue, stuffing) but here are some others for this ornament:

1) One or two chenille stems for his twisted holly crown (I like two different colors or finishes, like one regular and one metallic)

2) Metallic or iridescent chenille stem scraps in one or two colors for the torch flame

3) Metallic wool felt for his belt and scabbard and possibly his torch

4) A tiny jingle bell (4-6 mm) as an optional decoration on the scabbard

5) A chenille stem for his beard in any shade of medium brown or red, plus a skein of matching DMC floss for his hair, plus a tiny tiny scrap of coordinating wool felt for the mustache. In the photo, you can see the reverse side of the bronze metallic felt does well for a mustache, but you can also source a brown felt from your felt stash. Another option is to cut his mustache from matching sturdy card stock if you don’t want to buy a sheet of felt just for that. In that case I recommend adding a coat of Mod Podge to make it more durable.

 
6) Metallic sewing thread for attaching sequins/beads, plus the usual seed beads and sequin array needed for the Ebenezer series. In this case you will need an 8 mm one for the belt buckle and it’s good to have both 4 and 5 mm to alternate for the holly berries if you like. Using one or the other is also an option if you don’t have both.

7) Metallic DMC Diamant is such a nice option for some of the embroidery — it just adds Victorian glam.

 
Alright! I hope that is helpful for your planning. 

(Shown above: Ghost of Christmas Present redhead in progress featuring a side part and an unfiled thumbnail in serious need of a manicure)

a host of ghosts smiling at me

I'm certainly in cheerful company over here as I work to get this Ghost of Christmas Present ornament pattern in the shop in time for Christmas makings. Besides the smiling host of ghosts, a lot of espresso, chai tea, and old episodes of NewsRadio are helping me along. I'm still deep in edits and sample makin'.

More info on the Ebenezer series and where to buy