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Friday

Project: The Nutcracker

"The Nutcracker" is well loved by many and is perhaps best known as the inspiration for the a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. You may or may not have seen the ballet which is now produced by many ballet companies worldwide, but you would without doubt have heard of the "Nutcracker Suite" composed in 1892 by Pyotr Ilyich (Peter) Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).

Before your time? Well you surely have heard of "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", a fantasy adventure film recently released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

"The Story of a Nutcracker" by Alexandre Dumas in 1844, was an adaption from "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" written in 1816 by Prussian born author E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822).

The unabridged version I own, is simply called "The Nutcracker" and was published by Templar Publishing in 2016. It is beautifully illustrated by Australian graphic designer, illustrator and writer, Robert Ingpen.

Robert's astonishing creative vision has breathed life into more than one hundred books and delighted countless children around the world throughout his remarkable career as an illustrator.

For his "lasting contribution" as a children's illustrator, he received the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1986.

His alluring illustrations have also been the inspiration for a number of my creative endeavours over the years, and in particular, for the five character dolls which I'm currently working on.


Marie: the eldest child of Dr and Mrs Stahlbaum. She is delighted with the shiny wooden Nutcracker doll that her Godfather Drosselmeyer has given her on Christmas Eve. However, once night time falls she finds herself in the middle of an adventure! Saving her doll from the evil Mouse King, Clara then travels to magical new lands.

Mamzell Clara: Marie's new doll which she received for Christmas.

Nutcracker Prince: the nephew of Drosselmeyer who was turned into the Nutcracker by …


Mistress Mousie:  mother of the seven headed Mouse King who leads an army of mice who secretly live in the Stahlbaum’s house.

A Princess: from the Marzipan Palace in the town of Candyburg.

Of course, as I am dressing dolls, I will use a touch of "artistic license" to achieve my own versions of the characters.

Both the story and music has become a wonderful part of our Christmas tradition and I would love to know if or how "The Nutcracker" is part of yours.
Big hugs,
X
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14 comments:

  1. Fantasywoods24 November

    A 5 dolls project? I'm intrigued!!! i didn't know Dumas wrote a version of it, how interesting. I've have only read his three books regarding the three musketeers (which I love, but make me sad at the same time).
    I don't think the nutcracker is much of a part of our Christmas. I know the Municipal Theater puts up the ballet for the season, but I've never seen it.
    I do love the nutcracker dolls though, they are all so colorful and pretty.

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    1. Xanadu24 November

      I'm not sure I'll get them all finished before Christmas as it becomes quite busy leading up to the day. Hoffmann's book is a little "dark" and perhaps was written with teens/adults in mind, whereas Dumas' book is a "softer" version. If you get a chance to see the ballet, I'm sure you would enjoy it, if only for the wonderful costumes. :)
      Big hugs,
      X

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  2. Sharon25 November

    How lovely! I really admire how you have such great ideas for your dolls Sandi, such as with Pippi and now The Nutcracker! I have some tiny Nutcrackers ornaments for my Christmas tree and one large fellow who's about 20+ inches tall and used to stand at the bottom of our stairs over the Christmas period...I got him on one of my visits to a Christmas market in Germany some years ago.
    Once again I look forward to seeing what you do with your dolls!
    Big hugs Sharon xx

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    1. Xanadu25 November

      Thank you, that is so kind of you Sharon. Sometimes having this much imagination can get me into deep s**t, as I often bite off more than I can handle, let hope this is not one of those times. :)

      There are so many Nutcrackers around now (thanks to the Chinese), but if you've managed to get one of the German ones you are so lucky and I envy you . . . they are exquisite.

      Finally finished knitting for the recent arrivals and once my camera battery is re-charged I hope to take photos. :) Then I can get busy sewing.
      Big hugs,
      X

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  3. AlasseCarnesir25 November

    You have such interesting projects. Of course, I always look forward to seeing the results.

    I have to admit to not really reading the full story of the Nutcracker, just bits and pieces here and there ... speaking of, isn't there supposed to be a movie of that coming out in December?

    I think I am more familiar with the ballet of The Nutcracker (I wanted to be a ballerina when I was younger and followed a lot of the traditional ballet performances).

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    1. Xanadu25 November

      Thanks Alasse, I am looking forward to seeing the results myself. LOL! I have been debating about Mistress Mousie, not sure if I want to make her a full costume or give her a mouse mask.

      Yes, the Disney one I mentioned in my post . . . it's actually showing here in Melbourne now, so hopefully I will get to see it soon.

      The ballet is quite different to the Hoffmann's story, but it's well worth seeing. I was hoping the Australian Ballet would do it for Christmas this year, but it's not on their Melbourne schedule until September 2019.
      Big hugs,
      X

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  4. Sionnach25 November

    Hi Sandi,

    That's a big and really interesting project, I'm looking forward to see the results already.

    I have to admit that I haven't read any of these books, only have heard of the story and some of the characters, and the ballet, though I'm not into ballet at all XD Neither haven been to the cinema to see the movie, I guess I'll see it when it's aired on TV.

    Greetings ^^

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    1. Xanadu25 November

      It's going to take me some time to get them all done Lily, but I'm working on them one at a time so I don't end up going round in circles and getting nowhere. :)

      I realise it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I hope you do see or perhaps read the story one day. Hoffmann's story would suit you best, it's a little on the dark side. :)
      Big hugs,
      X

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  5. Kamelia26 November

    I'm so intrigued... I'm sure your project will be amazing!
    Well, The Nutcracker wasn't my favourite book. But I really like the ballet.

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    1. Xanadu26 November

      Thank you Joanna. Oh it wasn't my favourite either, but it is a nice one to read again at Christmas. :) The ballet is really beautiful, I love the costumes especially the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen.
      Hugs,
      X

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  6. Musume26 November

    I honestly never saw the Nutcracker! I will have to watch it, then! Good luck on the project, I can't wait to see what you will do! Five dolls is a lot, so... will you mix-and-match outfits, or create everything from scratch?

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    1. Xanadu26 November

      If you see the movie Musume, you will find it different to the book, but if you're anything like me you'll love the costuming. :) Thanks, yes it will be a challenge for sure. I'm not making the dolls, just dressing them but I will be making their costumes from scratch.
      Big hugs,
      X

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  7. DollsDolour06 December

    Hello!
    Nutcracker is a beautiful story and has been a part of the Swedish winter holidays since it came out for the first time in 1848. I have seen many versions of it, especially one with Barbie (because the girls wanted to show me the movie from 2001).
    I hope it goes well with this project, when you decide to take it on!
    Hugs!

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    1. Xanadu07 December

      Hi Again!
      Yes there are many versions, but I still like the original the best. :)
      Oh me too, but it is definitely going to be next year now.
      Hugs,
      X

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