Softies

Päkapikk! Delightful little elf like creatures that visit good little Estonian children every night during Advent! (See "mermaid's " comment below for the proununciation.)

Not much is known about Päkapikk! They started appearing in Estonia about 40 years ago and it seems they have been very secretive about where they come from or how they came to be!

Second week of the Dala Craftalong and here are a few little guys I have made using my very simple (and free) pattern for a Dala ornament!

Most of you who know me, know that I am big time into celebrating traditions, but often in untraditional ways! The three Dalas I am sharing are definitely not traditional! But I am hoping you will enjoy them and their stories.

I almost let Christmas in July go by without officially introducing you to Snow Alice! You have seen her peaking out from the background here and there these past months, but you haven't been officially introduced.

Last July you got to meet the first member of my snow family. At that time, I believe I told you I was making several more to share in November!

Making Dala has been a journey - a journey filled with learning new skills, wrong turns, flashes of insight, mistakes and successes.

Dala was a challenge and it is the overcoming of that challenge and what I learned along the way that I am sharing here. It is a long post. It really is. In fact - you might consider it a free e-book! But hopefully, anyone wanting to make stuffed toys be they Dala's or frogs, will find it and the resources within useful.

Happy Christmas in July!

I have been so excited for this day to arrive as I am sharing the celebration with three friends who love Swedish Dala Horses as much as I do.