Sad News today!!

Do you know that feeling when you meet someone and there is an immediate connection? That feeling of being able to "talk" to them and have them "talk" to you like ya'll have known one another for a lifetime?
Robin Ellis was that such of person and I don't think with just me. She was one of those that considered everyone she met to be a friend almost instantly. Robin owned the chic gift shop, Robin's Nest, here in Foley and she is the one that had requested that I make some of my Santa's and have them in her Christmas open house. I spoke with Robin two weeks ago and she was very excited about having some of my ooaks coming to visit with her and was sure she would sell each one. I called her today just to touch base about bring them in next week and received some very shocking news. Robin Ellis passed away yesterday. Perfect health..no sickness...just fell down and collapsed. Robin had an aneurysm and never woke up.  Robin touched many lives and will be sadly missed but her heart and kindness will be long remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this trying time.

Life can be taken away from us in literally a blink of an eye. Make sure to tell those you love that you do indeed love them. Tell them and show them each and every day. YOU my friends are what I consider heartstrings...I want you to know that. Each one is very important to me and I love you and hold you dear to my heart. The past is in the past....the future isn't known and the present is a gift..so cherish it!!!

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi

Santa and his Wicker Sleigh

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen....come on guys, give an elf a break. Please!!! Santa is patiently waiting in his sleigh and ready to go. How can he go if you guys aren't hooked up to the sleigh. Nooooo, Comet...you can not have another granola bar. You have eaten four already. Any more and you won't be able to get that big ole reindeer hiney off the ice and fly with the others. Santa needs all of you and that doesn't mean he needs more of YOU all bigger. It means he needs all of you reindeers at the head of his sleigh.

Dancer shakes his head at Comet and the elf as he hears the elf as he walks off say, "I'm so NOT signing up for reindeer duty next year...that's for sure. I don't care how much hot chocolate Santa promises to pay."

Santa IS patiently waiting on those reindeer.  You see, they get way to hyper if they are hooked up first and then Santa and his bag get in. Thank goodness Santa is a happy, PATIENT, jolly old soul...HO HO HO!!!

Santa is holding his bag so it won't fall off  until those reindeer come and get hooked up and behave. His bag was so full that he had to carry one of the Teddy bears he is delivering this year. He doesn't mind though, it will keep him company while he is on his way.

Santa's bag is filled to overflowing, as always!! It's a miracle that the toys don't fall out during his flight. There's going to be some happy little boys and girls this Christmas Eve it seems. I see a musical teddy, a train, building blocks, baseball, a wooden rocking horse, a doll baby and a gift bag. Just once I would love to peek down into Santa's velvet goodie bag....just once!!

It looks like the elves are finally getting those reindeer to cooperate. They have turned Santa's sleigh around to get ready to hook them up. Not to long now and Santa and his reindeer will be on their way!!

Santa and his Wicker Sleigh are, of course, another piece in the 2012 Santa series. The piece sits at 14 inches. That's from the bottom of the sleigh up to the shinny, green bow. I love being able to reuse vintage and/or antique items and this sleigh was perfect for this piece. I attached faux pine garland to the handle and attached a beautiful bow made from a green  ribbon. Santa is one of my hand sculpted pieces, no molds are ever used. His head, feet and hands were sculpted from clay, baked and then detailed using acrylic paints. His hair and beard are made from angora wool yarn. His pants and bag are made from velvet. He is wearing a felt vest and has a lace collar. Which I know you can not see now that he is fully dressed but I know it's there and so do my sweet friends that come to visit. Thank you by the way...I love your visits!! Santa's cloak was made using a piece of fabric that I have been saving for some time. I think it looks like Christmas ornaments. Perfect for Santa!!  I lined the hood with velvet to give it a beautiful finish. I'm sure Mrs. Claus would have done the same. ^_^  Santa is permanently attached to his sleigh as well as his bag. This piece will be going to the Robin's Nest Christmas Open House and will be available to purchase.

Now...it's on to my next piece. It seems some little missy stayed up to SEE Santa and Santa got caught!!!

Until next time..........Hugs,
Regi

Vintage Wicker Sleigh

Well, the Chazman's fever has been gone for 24 hours so he decided he wanted to try and go to school today. It's lunch time and I haven't received a phone call so I'm assuming he is doing good. I hope so, I so hate to see my lil man not his happy, healthy self.

I have been working on the Santa and the wicker sleigh today and am hoping to get him completed by this afternoon. Thought I would share some WIP photos with you and then it's back to work I go.... ^_^

The wicker sleigh....it's probably about 60 years old. I'm going to put some artificial greenery around the handle along with a pretty shimmery green bow. Of course, Santa and his never ending bag of goodies will be sitting in it.

I'm working on Santa's cloak and just need to attach the hood but that's after I apply his hair and beard. He looks handsome sitting in his sleigh!!

Wait...how did that pic get here? OMGOSH...Santa is such a ham!! He is showing off his leather boots and belt buckle. Good grief, I can't turn my back for a second.

Until next time.........Hugs,
Regi