Santa Mardi Gras - Updated 2/6/26

February 6, 2026--Stitching is complete on another one of Janet Zickler Casey's Santas--this one is the Mardi Gras Santa.   The stitch used for the hat brim looked very "tweedy" when first done, but when fluffed up with a Bunka brush, the stitch lost its definition.  However, I like how full it looks now.   I'm thinking about making a Kumihimo cord of red, green, purple and gold 1/8" ribbon.  What do you think?

Santa Mardi Gras Completed

I'm glad to report that my lungs have healed, for the most part, from the pneumonia I caught last month.  The second set of X-rays confirmed this.  Yay!  

January 29, 2026--The hat is done and was a lot of fun to stitch.  The gold thread separating the three segments of the hat was supposed to have been worked up with a Color Twist Dark Gold thread, but I shredded the devil out of it, so gave up and used a Kreinik #32 flat braid couched down with a matching Accentuate thread.  I like it so much more since it really stands out.  Next up--the beard and hair on the side of his face.

Santa Mardi Gra Hat Completed

I'm so glad that along with my husband, I have needlepoint and beading to keep me occupied since I was diagnosed with pneumonia last week and have quarantined myself in order to get well and not infect anyone.  January has been a roller coaster ride health wise.

January 25, 2026--In August of last year I purchased the latest Santa cutie designed by Janet Zickler Casey from the Shining Needle Society.  This one is called Mardi Gras Santa, and I understand the design is based on Polish glass Christmas ornaments which worked perfectly with ANG's 2025 Seminar in New Orleans where this latest Santa was taught as a class. Due to supply chain issues, we didn't get the kits until last week and I've been able to complete Lesson 1.

Now that the "mundane" stitching is done (nose, eyes, face), I'm going to stitch the hat, working from top to bottom.  It has some fun stitches embellished with gold beads. Then I'll do the hat band, beard, and lastly, the moustache.  

Santa Mardi Gras Face Stitched