Bodice, Bell and Belt

I am thoroughly enjoying this project; it's very compartmentalized (unlike me who is all over the place usually). The center chest area was next and I really liked the lacy effect of this stitch, Four-way Continental. It's easy and quick and adds texture even using floss. The grey outline is perle coton.

The jacket bodice was outlined in gold Neon Rays (regular Continental on the right and reverse Continental on the left side, you need to enlarge the photo to view it). The inside was filled in with Criss Cross Hungarian in white Neon Rays and Continental stitches in floss in between. The sleeves are the same stitch again reversing on the left. Another fun textured look.  The bell is mostly Basketweave but the outside of the bell was padded 3 times! Then diagonally long stitched in Balger braid #8 to cover. The belt buckle to the right is Smyrna Crosses and tent stitches; using doubled over Balger #8. The white part of the belt is outlined with Neon Rays and then padded once with perle coton and covered over with a vertical long stitch in 5 ply floss, stitched over twice.

Santa's mittens were padded once with perle and stitched over in long stitch with 5-ply floss. Cuffs on the sleeves were French Knots in 2 ply Medici in grey, then a row in 1 white and 1 grey strand, then all white. Cute!

I didn't get to stitch today but plan on tackling the fur on the jacket and hat in the next day or two. I still haven't practiced my Bullion either. Santa seems to be coming together pretty quickly. I think I like this as a stand up instead of framed or as a pillow...but I'm always open for suggestions. Many thanks for stopping in today!