Santa Lucia Dolls

I had such a wonderful time yesterday, painting and dressing these delightful little clothespin dolls. Alicia, at Posie Gets Cozy, is one of my favorite bloggers. She is quite possibly the most creative lady I've run across on the internet. She made these kits available and I grabbed at the chance to buy something designed by her.

Today is Santa Lucia Day. I didn't know much about it, so I read this from Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book.

In Sweden there is a particularly charming Christmas custom centering about the Lucia Queen. Saint Lucia was a beautiful Christian maiden who lived many centuries ago in Rome. Because she refused to give up her religion to marry a pagan, she was burned at the stake by order of the Emperor Diocletian. Her saint's day falls on December 13th, a day that was celebrated even in pre-Christian Sweden as the beginning of the Festival of Light-the Winter Solstice, the day when they say that"the sun stands still." Because Saint Lucia's festival coincided with the time of year when daylight once more began to lengthen she was especially beloved by these people living where winter nights were very long and dark.

In Swedish homes today, the yougest daughter is usually chosen to be the Lucia Queen. On Christmas morning, wearing a white gown and a crown of lighted candles, she brings breakfast and a Christmas song to all the members of her household. The animals are never forgotten; they, too, receive extra rations so they may share in the joy and the good will of the day.

NO BOYS allowed in the girls' dressing room!

"Is my hair OK?"

"Does this dress make me look fat?"

Santa Lucia and her sisters are ready to greet their family.
She wears her wreath of candles. They carry wands.

I painted their stands to match their dresses.

Holly and Maggie will have fun playing with these today. As for me, I must do some work around this house! Cleaning and laundry doesn't exactly do itself while I'm busy playing with dolls!