The Nutcracker Suite ballet felt ornament patterns, Klara or Clara

 As a little girl I remember  watching Mikhail Baryshnikov in his prime dancing “the most romantic version ever” of the Nutcracker with Gelsey Kirkland.  It came on PBS around Christmastime, and was one of my favorite shows, ever.  I could instantly relate to Klara, since I had a pesky brother and a vivid imagination.  Ballet has got to be the best combination ever - fantasy, dance, pretty costumes, and beautiful music. 

I love being invited to see my friend's daughter, Emma's performances every year.  For a few hours, I get to be transported to the most magical world, childhood.  

In the ballet, Onkel Drosselmeyer presents to Clara. Delighted, Clara begins dancing with her new nutcracker. Fritz, though, becomes jealous and he snatches the doll from Clara and breaks it. Clara is heartbroken, but Drosselmeyer quickly repairs it and presents it back to Clara. Then, all the girls dance with their dolls amidst irritating interruptions from the boys.

According to ballet moms, all the little girls want to be Klara (or Clara).   The challenge was to make her a dancer, but still a little girl.  In every ballet I've seen she's got a set of long ringlets held back by a ribbon.  To the rescue:  doll hair.  Don't get the kind from a big box store, it's too soft and will fray.  

Make the ornament yours - give her a sash or embroider, if that's your style.  My trusty bullion stitch made a challenging, but pretty detail to her dress.  Making a mini nutcracker can test the best of us, feel free to use a button or a charm from the bead section of a craft store: