Standing nutcracker, 8

I've been trying to rush my stitching on Gunther so that I can move the canvas on the stretcher bars.  Isn't it true that time slows to a snail's pace when you're anxious for something to happen?  

You can see that I finished his epaulets and managed to do a lot of the chest area of his uniform.  I'm just about ready to do his beard.  I also need to do more on the background Jacquard stitches.  And we must add some "brass" to his buttons. 

This is the time of year when Christmas finishing starts coming in from the finishers and when phone calls start with:  "Is it here yet?"  My ornament and belt finishers are still accepting items which is phenomenal, I think.