Snoozin' Santa

I borrowed HEAVILY from last year's Checkin' His List Santa to create this year's Snoozzzzzzin' Santa.

This is what he is doing today, since tomorrow he has a full schedule of deliveries.

I'm guessing he will look like this again on Christmas Day.

Hope you are wide awake on Christmas and having a marvelous time unless of course you are like me and think takin' a midday nap IS a having a marvelous time in which case I wish you merry zzzzzzzzzz's!

I'll be with family the next few days so no posting for a bit. See you some time next week.

Merry Christmas!  and/or Happy Whatever You Celebrate!

Biker Santa

At our house we are NOT "bike" people -------BUT

I realize that many many MANY people get great joy from their bikes and for them I share today's BIKER SANTA

Greg M. - this one's for you!

Switch the color of the pants and the beard and you have any old big belly biker you'd like to make. (Yes, Greg - that would be for you too, hee hee hee)

Here is some how to for Biker Santa:

Head and bandanna - 1.25 circle

Bandanna tails - wing from two step bird near a circle hole

Eyes - standard hole punch white and black - adhered offset - add gel pen highlight

Nose - small circle trimmed on each side

Beard - scallop oval repunched with "end" of wide oval (could use a circle)

Mustache - small heart cut in half

Eyebrows - small circle near an oval hole

Belly - 2.5 circle - trimmed at back and bottom so you are using approx 3/4 of the punch - cut notch with scissors

Belt - strip from trimmer - (word window wasn't long enough)

Pants - large ovals - thin strip of grey from word window on edge of paper

Boots - full heart - trimmed at "base" of boot and "heel side" - rounded at leg opening

Gloves - modern label - repunched with 1/2 inch circle

Helmet  - 1 3/8 circle (use that again to make striped part)

Goggles - scrap into the small holes of the owl punch - toss the circle put the "hole" scrap into the word window (use the sticky of a post it note so you can hold on to it) - repunch again with word window to get the round ends - strap is just a strip

Buckles - tiny tiny scraps (good luck)

Santa 2010 Version

By this time last year I had shown y'all about 12 different Santas and this year - not even one! 

Well something had to be done to correct that.

So...since this year has been the year for Rear View Characters....

I give you....

Santa - Buns of Steel

But before he did his workout tapes he was Santa - Buns of Blubber.

Hee hee - we had great fun as a family arguing the superiority of the two versions.  There was a third version that hubby said looked like he was wearing a diaper.  And while that does happen to some men as old as Santa, I won't show it out of my deep respect for the Magical Man of Christmas.

Head - 1 inch circle
Hair - scallop oval repunched
Shirt - 1.75 circle
Suspenders - word window
Buns - 3/4 or 1 inch circles
Thigh and Upper Arms - small oval
Calves - word window
Boots - modern label and 3/4 circle

Here is the pictorial "how to"

Santa Series Number 14 - UPS Man is Santa throughout the Year

Not really Santa, but if you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator this really is the one who delivers your TOYS!

Brenda Workman sent me an email Saturday night and she started it with a bunch of flattery which I dearly love and enjoy way too much!  I won't make you read that part, but she finished with this  "I am not sure if you’re interested in any more ideas, but I would love to see a UPS man. They help Santa this time of year you know…(and bring our Stampin Up supplies!)   I admit, I am biased….I work at UPS and love this time of year.   A few of my drivers have “brown” Santa hats they wear on Christmas Eve."

Well,...... you know I'm not going to pass up an awesome suggestion like that!  Brenda is absolutely correct.  Stampin' Up! sends all our goodies by UPS and it feels like Christmas when I tear into those boxes that my dear sweet UPS man brings.  I LOVE the brown Santa Hat idea - wish they would wear them the entire month of December!

This was modeled (kinda) after my own UPS man.  He is a blond and usually wears his shorts.  He calls our dog "Killer" since the foolish mutt barks like a maniac at the sound of UPS brakes.  My dog is very smart but I just can't get him convinced that the UPS man is our FAVORITE delivery man.

Do you need a tutorial?  Naw, surely you don't.  How about just giving you a list of punches?

Hat - wide oval and small oval in brown, word window and 1/2 inch circle in vanilla
Head - Ornament
Eyes - heart to heart (small one in white) standard hole punch in black
Nose - 1/2 inch circle
Ears - Word window (tips)
Hair - Piece of Ornament snipped in for bangs
Shirt - wide oval snipped with large start point to get open neck look
Collar - heart to heart (small hearts trimmed)
Sleeves - small oval - cut it half to get two
Shorts - rectangle scrap snipped with large star point at the crotch (ouch)
legs - word windows
shoes - butterfly - cut in half to get two
socks - slots
arms - heart to heart (wide one)
hands - flower trio (trimmed to 3 fingers)
box - rectangle scrap with lsticker (from an SU stampset) I hadn't stuck on the box yet. 

He has on a belt but you can't see it since I added the box.

Of course this will be on a card for my UPS man tomorrow as he brings yet another box to my door.  I may not see him again before Christmas (tear) so I have to get it done now!

Thanks Brenda for the idea.  I hope you enjoy this little guy!  Will you please hug a few UPS drivers for me today?  (But don't get in any sexual harassment trouble doing that, OK?)  They have to work so hard this time of year.

Santa Series Number 12 - Texas Santa

BIG thanks to those of you who commented that it is "Fine and Dandy" for me to chatter and blather.  My husband will tell you that "blather" is what I do best...

Today's Santa is the result of a suggestion from my upline when she saw all my Santas - "You need to make a Texas one".  Keep in mind that she is a very talented Red Neck who shot her first deer this past weekend (Creeps me out but I bravely looked at all her photos. She looked cute in her camouflage - I tried not to look at Bambi's mama.)

You could add a Christmas Badge

And here is a close up of the boots (from the 5 point flower punch)

This may reflect parts of Texas but we live in the Dallas Ft.Worth area which is pretty darn urban. A Santa that reflects my area would be in the 34th street suit or wearing a baseball gimme cap, jeans and a Cowboy (football team) jersey.


I realize that many of you will never have need of a Texas Santa but maybe you can alter him a bit and make him a sheriff or a cowboy for some scrapbook layout.  Or maybe you can just shake your head and hope for something better tomorrow.

I checked my email yesterday and there was one from the BEST NEIGHBOR I EVER HAD (who moved away to California) asking  Do you know how to make evaporated milk?   Now, she knows exactly what kind of cook I am, so either she sent this question to the wrong email address or it is the start of a joke.  The fact that she asked me that made me laugh hysterically so I really don't ever have to know the punch line!   I think I'll dedicate this Texas Santa to her.  Love ya Theresa!  Isn't it time for you to come HOME?

Now how would you adorn Santa to reflect your location?  I'd love to see your creations!

Santa Series Number 11 - Skinny Santa...

Yes, we are back to the blog... Me and Santa.  But first some personal blather....(or skip it and jump down to the photo)

The Thanksgiving lasagna was grand - all tummys were full - the clean up was a breeze and no one was exhausted from cooking for two days.  For this and much more, I am thankful!

Now we dash off to the next holiday.  The tree is up.  Most of  the decorations are out.  The annual card photo is taken, agreed on and printed.  The 80 something cards I mail each year are in process (ran out of ribbon, had to place an order).

Had a fun time with college girl home.  We saw Blind Side (fabulous).  We watched numerous movies at home.  Some (not enough) homework was done. We went to see our high school football team WIN their 3rd playoff game (45 to 21) so we are moving on to Finals.  It was a fabulous long weekend!

Now, on to why you came here...  I do have another Santa for you.  This is my 100th post on the blog and this is Santa if he lost 100 lbs.   Unrealistic for the typical American Santa, but if you want more of the "Father Christmas" look, this might help you out.

Mustache is 1/2 of a butterfly.  Nose and hat and mustache are popped up on dimensionals. Hat brim was double punched in word window to shorten it.  You should be able to see the rest.  This one is simple enough that you could mass produce them.  The other Santas I have shown you were a little too time consuming to make very many.  I'm working on those 80 cards so easy, mass-production is on my mind this week.

I put him on a tag - fortunately the back side of this paper is very light so the "To: & From:" can just be written there.  Unfortunately the back side has words on it and I ran this through the Big Shot with the Two Tags die upside down. 

Lesson learned and I will just cover it up by layering the tag on something bigger.

I also plan to use him on a scrapbook page.  My plan uses this face - a word window body - lines drawn for very skinny arms and legs and punch his usual boots.  I think it will look fun - I'll show you if/when I get it done.

I just reread this for "proofing" purposes and realized that I have been really chatty lately.  I'll try to keep it down to business for a few days (if I can!)

Santa Series Number10 - Santa on 34th Street

The golfer Santa looked so refined I just had to put him in a suit like the Santa in Miracle on 34th Street.  Doesn't he look dapper?

His nose is smaller than the golfer - I used a standard hole punch on this one.  I dropped the eyebrows and the clothes are made similar to Conan.  (Talk show host Conan NOT Conan the Barbarian)

Santa Series Number 9 - On the Links

When he needs to get away but can't make it to the beach, Santa heads for the golf course to work off some of those Christmas cookies.

This is the third "style" Santa in this series.   Yes, you still have to figure it out on your own (not hard)... but I will tell you where I got the cleats for his golf shoes - the part that you throw away when you use the spiral punch!  Aren't I a clever girl?

I have no photos of hubby as a child with Santa.  I will add photos of hubby on the golf course to this layout because this is the only way I'll ever have photos of him with Santa --- you do what you have to do...

The golf bag was freehand not punched so don't spend your time trying to figure that out.  But the golf clubs come from the word window and brushed silver paper.

Santa Series Number 8 - On Vacation

Even a magical guy like Santa deserves a little rest and relaxation.  He has spent a few days on the beach and gotten a nice tan.

So sunny and bright - he needs shade AND shades!

Some years he vacations in Hawaii.

The snowflake punch in his lei is an OLD one from my stash and the snowflake on his swim trunks is a retired SU stamp but I'm sure you can find something to substitute.

I got my first "blog award" from dear Patti Lee!  Stampers (and punchers) are such wonderful people - I have made several new friends in my short 3 months of blogging.  Thanks Patti for the shout out and the award.  You are a sweetie!

Santa Series Number 7 - Santa and The List

Poor Santa had to sit down and hold his aching head over that naughty list. 

Is it because your name is there? 

Or is Santa scratching his head because he can't figure out why your name is missing?

I leave you to ponder this for yourselves - and yes, my name is on that list.

Santa Series Number 5 - Goodnight Santa

Going back to a Santa in his red pajamas (like the rolly poly Santa) but this time it is Goodnight Santa with hands, legs, socks and teddy bear.  Yes, a teddy bear!  The guy's life revolves around toys - don't you think he is entitled to one toy all his own?

You can have him "bald"

Or you can give him a nightcap

Or you can give him a different kind of nightcap.

Can you tell I LOVE the bald head and curly beard Santa?  I will show one more totally different "look" Santa later in this series but this style is my favorite so he gets the most attention (and props).

The hat is the same as the traditional hat I've been showing but a simple switch from the small oval to the word window punch and some green instead of white turns it into the nightcap.  The second "nightcap" is from the stampset Cheers to You.

Santa Series Number 4 - Workshop Santa

Today we are leaving the traditional Santa poses because as you know, Santa's work is not just riding in parades, squeezing down chimneys or delivering gifts using magic keys.  He has to help the elves if all those toys are going to get finished. Here he is... Workshop Santa

Back to showing his balding head and I changed his eyebrows (but you have seen these brows before on the pointy chin clown.)

How about those denim coveralls?  Pretty nifty huh?  That is faux denim.  SO EASY!  Bashful blue cardstock then just rub your night of navy ink pad all over it.  Back and forth.  Up and Down.  I would faux my paper then punch instead of trying to do faux denim on a tiny little punch piece.

You have seen all the basic Santa pieces before.

The paint coming out of the can was free hand.

I had originally given Workshop Santa a saw but I thought it looked a little menacing...

And here he is with no props...

If this isn't "Santa" enough for you - just add back his hat.  Or if you can't use this character as Workshop Santa you might need a farmer or a handy man character someday.  And the faux denim comes in handy a lot!  Have fun with him.

Santa Series Number 3 - Traditional Santa Top and Bottom

This tag is from the exclusive Two Tags die that Stampin' Up! has for the Big Shot.  I took the head from yesterday's hat-less rolly poly Santa and gave him his hat back.  The "to" and "from" go on the back of the tag.  Pretty traditional so I felt I had to do something else...

Here is the bottom end of a traditional Santa...

And the masonry work on this chimney is just about as professional as I would be able to do with real brick.  It is amazing how many mistakes you see on your work when you photograph it - you see things you would never see looking at the real project.  (Maybe I should photograph EVERYTHING before I call it "done") Crystal Effects on the boots so you can see them on the black paper.

I was inspired to make this layout because of Sharon Field's post the other day about Santa's magic key.  She has a great idea about the key winding up as an ornament on the tree and her post reminded me that "Santa has a magic key" was what my parent's told us when we were children and had no chimney.  Thanks Sharon for giving me the key to unlock that memory. I can actually remember the sense of relief I felt when I heard that explanation.

The key is a Sizzix die that I have had for ages but I'm showing the close up hoping you can see the texture on the black paper (try clicking on the photo to see it better) - this one of SU's texture plates - they add just that little extra finishing touch to your cards and layouts.  If you have a Big Shot you need to try some texture plates.

Santa Series Number 2 - Rolly Poly Santa

I used to collect Santa figures but quickly accumulated too many, so I had to limit myself.  I began collecting what I call Bald Headed Santas, although they should probably be called "Hat-less" Santas.  They are much harder to find.

(Now you know how all those critters posted last week got hats  - because several of this week's Santas didn't need them.)

This is one of the simplest Santas I'll be showing you - but how can you have those nice round sweet treat cups and not make a Santa belly with them?  This is Santa at home - no coat, no hat (no legs or feet for that matter!)

This is the only red candy I had on hand - Red M&Ms would be my choice but then if I had red M&Ms in the house, I'd eat them all and I still wouldn't have any for the photo.

You can look back at some of the pointy chin men if you need help figuring out this Santa's face or arms.

REMINDER:  The ornament punch is from the holiday mini catalog - available for a limited time only.  BUY IT SOON!  I have about two dozen posts on this blog using that punch and only ONE is using it as an ornament.  If you are a punch art addict, you need it - you really do!  Call your demo soon and order it!!!!

Santa Series Number 1 - Parade Santa

All the Santa hats on the critters lately have been to warm you up for this series of Santa Characters.

I thought about numbering these as a countdown to my favorite one, but who knows? I may come up with more before we are done, so I started the numbering at one and we'll just have to see how high we can go.

I'm calling this Parade Santa since he has that pageant wave thing going on...

His beard is shortened word windows (reinsert into the punch to get the length you need) - his arms, boots and gloves are all hearts from Heart to Heart punch.  Who knew Santa and the Blog Babes could have the same arms?

You can tilt his head a little bit and he looks like he is really looking down to wave at some kid...

No tutorials during this Santa series.  The recent poll I had on the blog indicated that most of you don't need them and VERY few of you would buy them and since I hate writing them (and was only using the 'selling them' idea as a motivation for me to get them done), I consider this a Win Win situation! (grin)

If you don't "do" Santa at your house for whatever reason, my blog might not be your favorite thing to read this week.  But you might see something in the Santas that you could use for something else, so I hope you will keep coming back.