Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Ho Ho Ho... and mo'

Thank you for stopping by my blog on this most auspicious day: first day of the Ho Ho Ho blog hop sponsored by Sew We Quilt, and cheered on by Carol.

The Story

One year, at the after-Christmas sales, I bought several Santa figurines from Goodwill.  The idea was to give them each a new suit of clothes.
 
Basket o' Santas

This particular Santa (the rear left) is the last to get his Ho Ho Ho on, so to speak.

I used the clothes he was wearing as the beginning of a pattern for new clothes.  Made things prettier
with an embroidered and sequined velveteen in a deep maroon.  Reused the fur trim for Santa's robe.  Found several gold lame fabrics, and was determined to use as many of them as I could squeeze in (I just love mixing fabrics).

The banner he was originally holding was just silly: merely a piece of cloth.  No message.  No embellishment.  And barely hanging onto a dowel by cellophane tape.  Would that do for such a handsome, well-dressed fellow?  No way.

I took a lesson from my youngest daughter and embroidered on burlap (she is making a cross-stitch Christmas stocking in sort of a rustic theme this way).  Had to jazz it up a bit with trimming around the banner (who knew they made gold lame rick-rack?), a fancy metallic on the reverse side, and gold cording to hang it.

Had much fun considering what would be in Santa's sack.  The sack he came with was filled with greenery and holly berries.  Bah!  What about the toys?  Embroidered and added some beads to the top edge of the sack, then made a simple teddy bear. 

 Gold paper-wrapped gifts and toy-shaped plastic beads and buttons fill out the sack.  I still have the intention to make a tiny hobby horse, but we'll see if that really happens.  There is a definite tension here between having actual tiny toys that a child might explore, and having things arranged beautifully so they peek out of Santa's sack just so.  I considered hot gluing everything together because I was having such trouble arranging the items for the photos.


There you have it: the tale of a much-loved Santa who has been given new life.  And now looks fabulous.  (Thanks to my son for going up into the attic on such a hot day to bring down wrapping paper for the photo shoot.  The sacrifices our loved ones make to support our hobbies...)

Have you visited the other blogs who are hopping along today?  Such variety!  How can you pick a favorite?


July 31
Rainbows. Bunnies. Cupcakes.  (that's me!)


80 comments:

  1. I love how you refashioned your Santa and made him so much classier and stylish...he's such a charming fellow now! You've got a good son to get that Christmas stuff down. I totally understand the need to get those decorations down in temperatures reaching 108 degrees. LOL! Thanks for hopping with us!

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  2. What fun to do something so unique! I love the Santa with all of his goodies! Thank you for doing such a wonderful job and sharing it with us!

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  3. Such a charming post and a beautiful Santa. No hot attics for us - it's freezing cold here in Melbourne Australia.

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  4. Love how you "recycled" the Santa, his clothing is fantastic! Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Just a charming old fella - you did a beautiful job in refurbishing him. Oh, my kitties were extatict that I got some Christmas balls out for them to play with when I did my photo shoot!

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  6. Great work ! Thanks for sharing :)

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  7. Its very pretty Thanks for sharing

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  8. What a gorgeous Santa. Thanks for sharing him with us.

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  9. What an amazing idea! It looks gorgeous. I think Santa is very pleased with is new wardrobe. He looks shiny! Thank you for sharing.

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  10. That is a great idea to re cloth Santa - he is very smart and handsome now. The tiny presents peeking out are great. They would have to be super glued round here or Snowy the dog would be sneaking them out for a nibble...ha..

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  11. Your Santa looks now so elegant and noble. Such a gentleman, not at all like our Swedish Santas. they are more grey and modest. He must be very satisfied to have gotten so beautiful clothes.
    Thanks for sharing your creativity and to your recycled Santa
    Christmas hugs from Sweden

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  12. Santa looks good. What a great idea for a project.

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  13. You have brought Santa to life! Ho Ho Ho!!

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  14. Your old, new Santa turned out lovely. Love how you gave him new life. Great job.

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  15. Lucky Santa to have a beautiful makeover! Thanks for sharing the idea!

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  16. What a brilliant idea! I never would have thought of it! You're right, he does look fabulous. :)

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  17. What a wonderful project - and a treasure made new! blessings, marlene

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  18. What a clever idea....love it!

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  19. Love your newly outfitted Santa. What a great idea.

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  20. Wonderful idea!! Santa looks great in his new suit!! Thanks for sharing in the hop!!

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  21. What a great idea - thank you for sharing!

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  22. Santa is lovely! Thanks for sharing.

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  23. Santa looks great. What a wonderful job you did. I can "hear " the fun you had in your post.

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  24. What a great idea! I have several Santas who could use new clothes! Beautiful!

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  25. Oh wow! This is such a wonderful idea! He looks absolutely beautiful. You did a great job on making a new Santa out of him. Thank you for sharing. I loved seeing it.

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  26. I love how you took something old and made it new again. How wonderful! Santa looks handsome in his new clothes. Thank you for sharing.

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  27. Ho Ho Ho, I love that santa and how you gave him some new duds and all the extras. Fabulous way to take my mind off the heat outside!

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  28. Santa is now ready for christmas. Loved ones are so useful =) Mine actually helps me with sandwiching when I make the larger (king and queen) quilts. Provided that I am patient =)

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  29. I love the older looking Santa's. The new clothes are perfect for him.

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  30. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

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  31. Ha ha that is a cute idea. You got me thinking now. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. Santa is stylin' now thanks to your loving (and fun!) care. You have done a lovely job on him and are all set for part of the holidays anyway. Enjoy your featured day!

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  33. How ambitious! If I tried something like that it would stare at me accusingly from a shelf for at least a couple of years before I got around to it. Great update!

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  34. How ambitious! If I tried something like that it would stare at me accusingly from a shelf for at least a couple of years before I got around to it. Great update!

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  35. Great job fixing Santa for a new year, That teddy bear is CUTE!

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  36. Your Santa is fancy and bringing some good cheer to the hop. Great idea!

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  37. Such a handsome Santa....great work!

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  38. You did a wonderful job making ol' St. Nick all spruced up....

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  39. Hiya!!! What a WONDERFUL Santa!!! He looks absolutely splendid in his new attire. And I love his little banner---what a clever idea to use burlap. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas, blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

    pamspretties57 at gmail dot com

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  40. Love how you reused a worn Santa. His new clothes, banner and sack of toys are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. Now that is just too darn creative. What a fabulous face life ole Santa got! Perfect!

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  42. What a great idea for refreshing something. I will have to keep this idea for future reference. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  43. what a great idea!!! your santa definetly has his ho ho on now!

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  44. He looks so handsome in his new duds. Love his sack full of toys.

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  45. I have a collection of Santas that I put out every year. Most of them were from my mother's collection. I like that idea of freshening up their "duds".

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  46. Great job - Santa has new clothes! Crafters understand about going to a hot attic or garage for a much needed item. Thanks for participating and sharing your creativity with us.

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  47. New clothes are always nice. Thanks for sharing. I have a Santa that I made years ago. He makes an appearance every Christmas.

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  48. Your Santa looks wonderful with his new clothes and toys!

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  49. Apologies for being at the end of your day....I had to be out today but not without seeing all of the projects before I left. and Alla..hour work and detail is amazing...soooo pleased you join in our hop...there is no doubt you have soo much to share...BRAVO!

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  50. Wonderful Santa He is very elegant, You do beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.
    cheers
    maggie

    maggiemine42@gmail.com

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  51. Very good idea to reclothe this santa. Thanks for sharing.
    xo jan

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  52. Santa looks regal in his new outfit; you did a wonderful job refitting him. Thanks for showing us.

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  53. What a great idea--Santa looks spectacular!

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  54. I think I might have a couple of Santas just like this who need some sprucing up of their own. Thanks for the idea. Your Santa looks wonderful!

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  55. What a great idea and Santa looked very pleased with his lovely new finery.

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  56. I lvoe these santas. I haave quiet a few of them I have collected over the years. You did a fabulous job. Thank you so much for shareing this with us.

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  57. That's such a creative idea and so green, too. You did a wonderful job with Santa and I applaud all your decisions with his banner, his toy bag, the fabrics. Splendid!

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  58. What a great idea and you did such a great job too. Now when I see a sad looking Santa at a garage sale, I'll be looking a little closer next time. (NOT that your Santa was sad looking by any means)

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  59. You did a great job. Thank you for sharing.

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  60. Love your Santa in his new clothes - thanks for sharing.

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  61. This is great and unique. Your Santa is very special indeed!

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  62. Very Clever! Love the idea of giving Santa new clothes. He turned out fabulous!!

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  63. Wow, what a fantastic redo for the jolly man! Great job!!

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  64. Well done...giving Santa a new life! You certainly made him look fresh and special!

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  65. I LOVED this! Seconds ago I was making a note to myself to make a note to myself to find a Santa to re-dress. Thanks for sharing the fun - nice job!!!

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  66. I love your story .... and Santa too.
    I think he is well love in your home.
    thanks for sharing his story with us.
    in stitches

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  67. This is a great idea and your son was lovely to help you out!

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  68. Your Santa is definitely on the best dressed list! Thanks for sharing!

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  69. You certainly gave Santa a beautiful suit.

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