Friday, December 10, 2010

The Big Cheese


It would be impossible to design a series of ornaments based on The Nutcracker ballet without including the Mouse King. His battle with the Nutcracker in Act I is the catalyst for the dream sequence which continues through the second act of the ballet. It was the one ornament I dreaded designing, however, for a simple reason: I loathe mice!

Living in Connecticut for so many years, and now in Massachusetts, it's inevitable that the occasional field mouse will make an unwanted appearance. DH and I have had a long-standing agreement: he gets rid of the mice and I get rid of snakes. Yes, we had several slithering visitors when we lived in Texas!

Gritting my teeth, I began with his pose--one arm raised in a call to battle--dressed him in royal purple and gave him a regal crown. By the time I was finished, I actually liked the little guy, and look forward to bringing him to life!

3 comments:

Possibilities, Etc. said...

I also loathe mice and snakes, and we had an abundance in east Texas of both. However - your little mouse king is wonderful and has personality, as usual. I'm sure he will begin to really sparkle when you stitch him.

Cool City Stitcher said...

I share the feeling about mice and snakes, and would add chipmunks, after one got into the furnace/air conditioning ducts this year. Phew.. But this little guy looks regal already, and it will be fun to watch you stitch him.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering where the Mouse King had got to - I'm glad you have got to him, and more particularly that you like him!