Nutcracker Love

Once upon a time, a little girl dreamed her Nutcracker doll became a prince.  

And, by the way, they were awesome ballet dancers! That's why we've always loved the story of the Nutcracker, set during a Victorian Christmas time. My daughter grew up dancing ballet, and performed in the Nutcracker every December for several years, and that's when we began collecting Nutcracker dolls!

It all started with a few of the regular soldier guys, then I found a cute sewing bear Nutcracker--I have no idea what that had to do with anything! Then, of course, we collected Clara and the Snow Queen--one of my favorites. One year my husband got me Cleopatra--mainly because she has a black kitty by her side, and we had a black cat, Jack, who lived to be 18, so Cleopatra Nutcracker is a memory of our sweet Jack. Every year we added to our collection...short fat ones...tall skinny ones...a variety of themed Nutcrackers...and now we bring them out every December.

My nephew with our huge Nutcracker!

A few years ago, I was at a department store and found an adorable, huge, oversized Nutcracker. I thought he would be perfect for the entry way. He was holding his own Nutcracker! But then I noticed, the little Nutcracker he was holding had a broken arm--and this was, of course, the last one. He was on sale too! So the manager basically gave me a $75 Nutcracker for $15. I was excited. I couldn't seem to repair the little arm though, so I took off both arms and tied a big ribbon around him! Now he looks like he's holding a little Nutcracker present, and I was happy with my little repair. Although Nutcracker dolls are not really toys, all the kids in our family love getting one, and they bring them out during the holidays. But the tall skinny purple sequined Nutcracker, which we bought one year from the ballet's boutique, stays out in our daughter's room all year! 

Our Nutcracker Collection grows every year!

I am so in love with my Nutcrackers, I also stitch them! I have cross-stitched many of them, and given them away as ornaments. I did not design the pattern that I use--but if you can find one, you can stitch them up in an evening.

 

Eat, Write, Dream, Stitch and Celebrate!