Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Christmas Down Under Festive Ornaments

Summer has really hit us here which means Christmas is just around the corner. Growing up in Queensland I could never as a child understand certain images of Christmas. I loathe and detest spray on snow, and I am not a big fan of snowmen. They probably look fabulous in the Swiss Alps, or snowy Canada, but to have an artificial snowman on your front lawn in the sweltering sun in Australia is kinda silly. I reckon snowmen and gum trees don't mix well!
As for spray on snow I had an Auntie who sprayed snow on her windows with those stencil things. I can remember the snow flakes still being there when we visited at Easter. One of those activities that is easier to do than to undo.
I always feel sorry for the Santa's here as well. I remember one bloke one year who was so hot in his Santa Suit he was a wash with perspiration. Being on the large side I was a bit worried he might have a stroke.

How the heck does Santa get around Australia in a sled? And when he visits our place he has to land his reindeer on the back veranda as we don't have a chimney. The reindeer's like it and we always leave a bowl of water and some grass out for them, as well as a cold drink for Santa.
The neighbours leave him beer and nuts but I reckon he shouldn't drink and drive. I would hate for Santa to get pulled over in Surfers Paradise for a rbt (random breath test) by the booze bus.
It wasn't until I was in my teens that I quite understood what Jingle Bells was about and what "dashing through the snow" meant! Holly is also foreign to me. I had to go to England to see what it really looked like. I must say I was a bit disappointed in it! The colours and the glitter on the plastic stuff had exaggerated its appeal. While I think crochet snowflakes are lovely, they are a bit out of place when it is 38 degrees Celsius ( 100F) in the shade!

So this year I decided I would design some Australian themed Christmas ornaments. No snow, no mittens or sleds and not a snowman in sight!


So Aussie icons are the koala, with a Christmas bow:



The kangaroo and wallaby with jingle bells and ribbons:

Some gum nut pixies:

I tried to make these look like they had little gum nut hats on. A bit like the gum nut babies of May Gibbs.




One of the most spectacular group of critters down here is our bird life. Yet the Chrissy decorations seem limited to robins and doves.

I decided it was time for some fairy wrens to go on my tree. These are pretty amazing little birds with a sticky up tail. The male is the most stunning blue, while the female is a bit drab.


The other group of birds that are always in the trees are are the parrots. Sulphur crested cockatoos and Rosella's. Both are incredibly noisy but beautiful to watch.

I really enjoyed making all of these and the patterns have been tested and are now on my etsy store. http://www.crochetroo.etsy.com

I have a few more to do as I want to attach them to some of my Christmas goodies this year.

I do love Christmas and I reckon you can never have too many ornaments or too many lights.

I hope you like my Australian take on the Christmas tradition.

(c) copyright crochetroo 2007. Copying is bad karma, your name will automatically go on the naughty list.

17 comments:

CraftyAshley said...

I like them a lot. I have to say I didn't really think what Christmas would be like in the heat. I live in the States and I lived in the southern states and where it doesn't snow very often at all. Now I live in the Rocky Mountains in Utah. It is nice but very, very, cold. Your decorations are adorable though, GREAT JOB!

Lesalicious said...

Love all your ornaments very cute.:)

Dragonflymom said...

They are just really cute!!! Good work.

Archie and Melissa said...

I LOVE your ornaments! I am on my way to your store now!
Melissa

Alipurr said...

just went to check out your etsy....man, have got some cool crocheted things there!!!(stasnds up & claps!!!)
really like your little animal squares & beanies & baby things....very creative
if you ever publish a pattern book, i would buy one!!!

Anonymous said...

Cute!!!!
Merry Chrismas

http://www.puntoyseguido.canalblog.com

Wanda Kay said...

The ornaments are so adorable, what a great idea. Snow is always pretty, but you are so lucky you're not having the ice and cold that we're having today. Happy Holidays

vicki said...

susan your ornaments are just darling, what a great idea you had. i have not ever stopped to think about how it would be in australia or elsewhere where it is summer me bad !!!! i hope you and your family has a wonderful awesome fantastic christmas and i hope the next year is a year filled with good luck and is very prosperous in your etsy shop hugs

Lucinha said...

Hi, my dear!
I love your work. You are so talented!!! I'm Brazilian. Sorry my english...
Happy New Year!!!
Kisses
Lucinha
http://viajandoentrefios.blogspot.com

Nezumi said...

I love your ornaments my favourite is the koala he brings back memorys of my aunt, she lived in Melbourne and sent me a toy for Christmas every year. My friends had there Barbie's but I had my Pippa dolls and cute koalas.
You should do a pattern book of your ornaments they are excellent.

Archie and Melissa said...

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to share with you my new parakeet i crocheted today from your wonderfu pattern.

i also showed people how to buy your wonderful pattern on the blog entry i made a about him...

http://pugnotes.blogspot.com/2008/01/happy-new-year.html

thank you for the great pattern. you are very talented and generous. i love your blog and etsy store!

melissa

Fulmer Fam said...

Oh I love the hats! I was wondering about a western theme hat and scarf for my two year old, he has a burnt orange, red and brown plaid jacket that he wears his sheriff badge on constantly.

MissVicki said...

Great ornaments! I think it would be nice to have some local wildlife on my tree for a change, maybe next year. I like the blog too BTW, it is nice to see other Queenslanders like to crochet right thru summer too :-)

Me said...

Very cute.
Have you ever thought of making an Emu?

crochetroo said...

Hey there, I have an emu in the archives. http://crochetroo.blogspot.com/search?q=emu

Aim said...

Those wrens are adorable! I love your creative mind, and it's fun to see your Aussie wildlife done in cute crochet, viewed from the US!

Casa Oficio said...

Olá...adoramos teus trabalhos, sempre visitamos e agora resolvemos criar nosso próprio blog...Beijinhos!!!