Drum Roll Please...And the Winner Is...

Stacey from Primarily Primitives by abigailes_mommy is the winner of my Christmas In July Giveaway! Conrgrats! Stacey, email me at wood-n-stitches@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

Thank you all for entering and posting the giveaway on your blogs. Check back often to see what will be given away next.

Nakie Santa After Photo

This is the after photo of the nakie Santa from a previous post. Is it what you invisioned?

Another New Cypress Knee Santa

New Cypress Knee Santa

Christmas in July Giveaway Countdown

Only 2 days remain until the drawing for a softball or baseball Santa. Get

your name entered before it is too late. Scroll down to see the details. Baseball available only in burgundy. Softball available in red or burgundy.

"B's" Knees

The other day I was asked, "What are those pointy things your Santas are painted on?". Well, those "pointy things" are some of nature's most unique creations. They are cypress knees! For those of you not from the south, I'll explain. The "knees" are part of the root system of the cypress tree which grows abundantly in the south's lakes, bayous, and swamps. Their exact function is not known, but it is known that if one is cut another usually pops up. (Note: My supplier lives in an area where the trees are cut for lumber and he harvests the "knees" after the trees have been cut.)The "knees" have been cut, boiled, peeled, and dried before I take over. I then clean, putty, sand and prime them before I begin to transform them into Santas and snowmen. This photo shows one just before I begin the transformation.To do that I turn it ever which way looking for the best side. Then I study its lumps and bumps. What could each become? Perhaps an arm, a toy bag, a teddy bear, etc. Come on give it a shot. What do you see?

"B's" Knees Part 2

I learned a new word recently from a friend at Crafty Old Crow. It's nakies. That's her term for her doll bodies that she has yet to dress! What you are looking at here is a Santa nakie! That's one of my cypress knee Santas that has yet to be "dressed'. Well, actually, I guess I would have to say this one is in his underwear since he has had a coat of primer and a base coat of red paint.

I spray paint Santa's robe basecoat color for all colors except burgundy and some shades of green. The trouble with these colors is that the basecoat color bleeds through the lighter colors of the beards and fur trim. Burgundy turns the beards pink and green turns them yellow.

Therefore, I sketch the design onto the gray primer coat. Then I add the burgundy or green being sure not to get it onto the areas where beards and/or fur will be added.

With all other colors, I skip the sketching and just pick up the paintbrush and go to town winging it as I go!

Scroll down to a previous post to see the "dressed" Santa.

Christmas In July Giveaway!

Play ball! Since Dixie Youth All-Stars are playing softball and baseball across the nation I thought this might be a good time to give away one of my original softball or baseball Santas. Come on over and put your name in the hat. Perhaps I should make that put your name in the cap! Just put your email address in the comments box and let me know if you would like the softball or baseball Santa and if you would like his robe red or burgundy. Mention the giveaway on your website or blog and I'll put your name in 5 times instead of once! Drawing will be held July 31st. Good Luck!!!

(Contest open only to US residents because I do not ship internationally. The prize will be shipped to the winner free of charge.)

Visit my website to see more Santas and such. http://www.wood-n-stitches.com/