ornamentation: st. nicholas day

Happy St. Nicholas Day! I've been familiar with this day, and with who St. Nicholas was, but this year I learned a little more. Where did I learn my new information? From the new What's in the Bible? DVD! Actually, this DVD is filled with all kinds of things that I learned, and I recommend it for both kids and parents.

Finding out exactly how St. Nicholas become Jolly Old St. Nick and his connection to pawn shops (really!), and even the Santas we see collecting money for charity, was enough to inspire an ornament. And since today is his special day, it's the perfect time, right?!



Here's what you need:
Embroidery floss
Flesh colored felt
White felt
Red fabric
St. Nicholas pattern



Cut out the large face piece from flesh colored felt and stitch on a face. (Remember Coneheads? I'm sorry to say that I do, and this photo reminds me of them. Let's fix that fast!)



Cut out the beard from white felt, then stitch it along the bottom of the face.



On the red fabric, stitch the cross lines. You can do small stitches, or large ones like I've done.



Cut out the hat shape from the embroidered red fabric. I cut mine to be just a teeny bit larger than the template. It may look a little strange, like mine here, but don't worry! It will come out fine!



Stitch the hat onto the Conehead...er, I mean the top of the flesh colored backing.



Take a piece of embroidery floss and thread it through the top, between the felt and the fabric. Tie a knot to make a hanger.

At this point, you can leave it and be done, or if you'd like to cover up your stitches, add a second large face piece from felt and glue it to the back.



St. Nicholas is ready to go on the tree! Keep him close as a reminder that we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!