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Christmas Craftwork from Santa María


Christmas is a favourite subject for the Sewing Co-operative and there are many variations on the campesino Christmas.
We have been making beautiful hangings for some years - two designs were chosen by the Paraguayan Post Office as the national Christmas stamps for 2004, as seen above, and we have also featured the designs on the Santa Maria Education Fund Christmas cards.
This year the co-operative is not only making the usual lovely hangings, but has branched out with some exciting new designs - a clever Advent calendar and a capacious Christmas stocking, both of which can be re-used for years to make a charming family tradition.

click on any of these cards to find out more about them! For Gift Cards to help specific projects in Santa María, click here
2004	2005	2006	2007
	2008	2009

The Advent calendar, and Christmas Stocking were developed together with young people in the UK.
Because they are made individually, every one is slightly different, as you can see below, which means that each family can have their own unique version.
NB ADVENT CALENDARS SOLD OUT FAST IN 2009 - ORDER EARLY FOR 2010!

Here above are three examples of the Advent Calendar: they measure approximately 42 cm high, and hang from a little bamboo stick. Each pocket is open at the top so could be filled with a little chocolate or sweet (not included). The angel is detachable and can be moved from pocket to pocket, and eventually hung on the Christmas tree. The Christmas Stocking below is approximately 36cm high. Calendars and Stockings cost £12 each plus £2.50 p&p, but two items (either Calendars or Stockings) can be bought for £20 plus £2.50p&p. Ordering details are here!

Below are some of the hanging designs - each piece is an individual work of art, so the colours and designs are subject to considerable variation, but they nearly always show Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in traditional Paraguayan costume; the baby lying in a hammock and gifts of sweet smelling fruits in front of him. This is the tradition with Paraguayan cribs, because Christmas here falls in the hot summer. And if there is a palm tree, it will sport its fragrant yellow flower, always associated with Christmas.

Christmas card 2005 click on picture to see it in greater detail	The Flight into Egypt	Christmas in the daytime the Christmas card for 2007	Shepherds and sheep as featured on the stamps

Three variations on the theme of Christmas night click on the far right picture to see it in greater detail

This craftwork can be ordered in the same way as other craftwork: the designs can be made up as hangings as above or as scenes for a Christmas stole, as in the designs here.

For more about the collaborative UK projects, click here!

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