Standing nutcracker, 13

 By the time I got to Gunther's belt I had finally decided what stitch to use--the Victorian step stitch.  The fiber of choice was Silk lame braid for 18mesh  which I use on both 18 and 13mesh.  However, it was too skimpy for an upright stitch so I doubled it.  The looseness of the fiber allows the doubling to not be obvious and it allowed me to start stitching without going back to the shop for another fiber. 

I've also been plugging away at the basketweave for his "hands" and the outline of his horn.  And did I mention the ever-widening expanse of background?  

This afternoon Dotty and I finally felted a cloud on the Thanksgiving parade canvas she is stitching using a combination of stitches from Amy's and the Bristly Thistle.  The felting looks good, but Dotty plans to put some glue on the back to make sure it stays put since her canvas is going to be a pillow and not framed.  Whew!