Santa’s Elf Hat Project
When we were kids, my parents would have my Aunt Linda, mom’s sister, come and take care of us when they went out for dinner. She was more like an older sister than an aunt, being just ten years older. My favorite memory of Linda was when she came to sit with us just prior to Christmas. I think I was around 6 at that time. We were having one of those snow storms where the snow was shimmery and crystalline, light and fluffy.
We kids were very excited about Christmas, and equally excited that Linda was visiting.
Long after dark, the snow was still falling and swirling. The lights were turned out and the house was lit by the lights from the Christmas tree. Linda had the three of us looking out the window towards the streetlights. When the snow would twinkle, she said those were Santa’s elves, and they were hiding so we wouldn’t see them. At one point, she got all excited. She said, being an adult, SHE could see there was an elf hiding behind one of the bushes right outside the front door. We all rushed to the front hallway and she threw open the door. And, there, on a branch on the back of the bush was a knit stocking cap. I remember we were all yelling and jumping around and excited to see what she’d found. She brought in the cap and brushed off the snow. Inside the cap was a fabric label stitched to the back with the words "Santa’s Elf" on it! There it was, real proof that not only did Santa really exist, but his elves were looking in our windows!
We wanted to keep the cap, but she explained that she needed to return it to the elf so he wouldn’t be in trouble for losing it.
On that snowy winter’s night before Christmas, one of my fondest memories from my childhood was created.
Just before Christmas this past year, I was corresponding with Aunt Linda by email. Somehow, we got to sharing stories, and I told her this one. And she said that she remembered when that happened, and she couldn’t believe I could even remember it. She said that was one of her favorite memories, too, and was so happy that it was one of my favorite memories.
It will be even more cherished to me now. Aunt Linda passed away on Saturday night at the age of 60. She lost her battle with cancer, alone, in her home in Florida. I already miss her. I have a get well card with photos of Miss Lulu and Dusty that I hadn’t mailed out to her yet…
Aunt Linda, 2006
So, here are the details behind the Santa’s Elf Hat Project. In honor of Aunt Linda, I would like to carry on her memory with my most cherished memory: the magic and mystery of Christmas through a child’s eyes.
I’ve had custom-woven fabric labels made up in green, with gold metallic thread detail with a pine tree, and the words Santa’s Elf on one line, and North Pole below it.
If you’d like to make a hat for your own child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor or even to donate or to surprise a little one or a loved one in the military, I’ll provide you with the label free of charge. Just send a self addressed stamped envelope to the address below.
The day your SASE is received, I’ll send the label right back to you.
Then, when the Holidays roll ’round, you’ll have your hat ready to surprise, amaze and mystify your little one by "planting" the hat where it will be found. And the mystery and surprise of Christmas will continue.
As for making the hat, it can be knitted, crocheted, woven, felted, quilted, sewn, whatever you’d like. It can be a simple hat, or an elaborate expression of your festive creativity.
Send your self addressed stamped envelope to:
Address removed. Send me an email to the address above and I’ll write you back with my address to send the SASE.
I’ve had a number of people asking about getting more than one label. For those interested, the first is free, any additional are $1 each.
The letters have been pouring into Santa’s Workshop requesting the Santa’s Elf Hat Project labels. I can’t even begin to explain the emotions involved in this project. I tried to talk to my mom about it the other night, and was so choked up that I had to end the call. (The woman really needs to get to the internet to read it for herself!)
Santa’s Elves:
Alma in Huntland
Anne in Randolph
Anne Marie in Norristown
Benita in Pendleton
Bobbie in Hillsboro
Carrie in Tucson
Cathy in San Diego
Cherry in Denver
Codi in Littleton
Debbie in Mount Pleasant
Debra in Orangevale
Donna in Evansville
Dorien in Gilroy
Eileen in Georgetown
Elizabeth in Gilroy
Erica in Johnstown
Ernie and Donna in Canton
Ginger in Oxnard
Harriet in Highlands Ranch
Heather in Baltimore
Holli in Beachwood
Jane in Gouldsboro
Janet in Chittenango
Janet in Nashville
Jean in Sarasota
Jennifer in Camarillo
Joann in Old Bridge
Jody in McMinnville
Kate in Natick
Kathy in Burbank, SD
Kathie in Merrimac
Kristie in Raleigh posted about it here.
Leslie in Athol
Lois in Tucson
Marianne in Tulsa
Mary in Rockport
Mary Jane in Trumbull
Mary Lynn in Cleveland
Michelle in Bothell
Michelle in Park Ridge
Ronnie in York
Rosie in Amboy
Roxanna in Milwaukie
Sallee in Roanoke
Sara in Claremont
Sarah in Manhattan (KS)
Susan in Rockford>br />
Susan in Sterling
Tish in Colorado Springs
Zoe in Norfolk
©2008 David Taylar Daniels & The Weaving Studio
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce photographs or text without written permission.
