Pep

I always thought Jeffrey Jump-Up (the basketball player) was the most time-consuming ornament. Now, I'm not so sure. Pep could give Jeffrey a run for his money! Because I stitch everything, the soccer ball alone took over an hour. Between the black patches and the changing colors of thread as I stitched around the outside, it was a pain. I needed this to be a girl, so I stole this hair from one of the angel patterns. This was one of those tricky patterns that totally changed shape once it was stuffed. If I ever make another one, I'll be adjusting that hair to eliminate that whispy thing that winds up looking like a sideburn.

This is for Cally -- the girlfriend of our friends' son, John. She got the Leiloni hula girl last year. She doesn't have ornament-related hobbies and I was about to cut out Betsy Bubbles for her because I know she likes to go to the spa . . . . but then John told me she plays soccer recreationally and suggested that might be a better fit. (That just means she's getting Betsy next year!)

Hiccups

This is the ornament my older nephew, Alex, picked. He also chose every single color. You can't really tell in the picture, but the tie is purple -- it looks like it's the same color as the suit. This is another one I might have to make for myself now that I see the finished product. He's really cute!

Hobo Hurry-Up

My nephews were here for a week in August and I decided to let them each pick an ornament pattern for me to make them this year. They're 10 and 12 and all boy and I had visions of the astronaut and the viking. As we were wading through the animal designs, Zach (10) became enthralled with Hobo Hurry-Up . . . or "Hobo Turtle" as he called him. From then on, no matter what Zach saw, it was all about Hobo Turtle.

"Look at this lumberjack!"
"HOBO TURTLE."
"What do you think of this astronaut?"
"HOBO TURTLE."
"Don't you think this antique car is cool?
"STILL HOLDING OUT FOR HOBO TURTLE!"

Hobo Turtle it is.

I have to say, though, that Hobo Turtle turned out to be really cute in person. Thanks, in no small part, to Zach's design choices. Hobo Turtle was to have not one, but two, blue patches on his hat -- different shades, of course. His red pack with white polka dots had to be carried on a golden stick. A golden stick! Scott is perplexed by this. His thought is that if Hobo Turtle can afford a golden stick, then he has the financial means to choose a non-hobo lifestyle. LOL!

Mr. Squealers

This is another original design and another ornament with a story. Taylor is one of my church kids and piano students. Her mother is one of my best friends and her family goes on the VBS mission trip with us in July. They also happen to be one of the five families of the local 4-H mafia. (Ha ha -- that's how I like to joke because they're all so serious about it!)

Her grandparents own a hog farm and sell a large number of the hogs that wind up in in the county fair. Taylor's father, Matt, was very involved in 4-H as a kid and was even the fair king when he was in high school. There was no doubt that Taylor would be the heir apparent. This was her first year to show a hog and what a way to start. Mr. Squealers wound up being crowned the Grand Champion! Her family was beyond ecstatic, needless to say.

And I, of course, decided this momentous occasion needed to be commemorated in the form of a felt ornament. I wasn't crazy about any of the DeAngelis pig patterns and I wanted this one to really look like Mr. Squealers. Some online clipart and references to photos for correct placement of spots led to my miniature version of the prize-winning pig.

Here is Taylor at the big moment -- parading Mr. Squealers before the judge:


And here they are after they received their big prize:


And here is Mr. Squealers in his new permanent form -- all ready to hang on the Christmas tree for years to come.

Happy Heidi

Here is Al Pine's significant other, Sofia. Either they are twins whose mother likes to dress them alike, or their one of those couples who've reached the age where they've started wearing matching outfits. Whatever the case, I really like her and her ensemble.

Al Pine

After seeing Clif's version of Al Pine, I immediately knew I wanted to make one of my own. It's funny how seeing it finished makes it so much more appealing. I doubt I ever would've taken a second look at him. Now I want to make a pair of the international figures for myself every year!

I went with some traditional German colors for his lederhosen. (How DO you spell that word?) I also added an arm . . . though it seems to make him look as though someone needs to give him a stein of beer!