The Nutcracker Table Runner 'in the hoop' machine embroidery design

Our Nutcracker video

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The Nutcracker Story

"The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" was written by E.T.A. Hoffman. It has been adapted for the stage and is now a world famous ballet "the NutCracker Ballet". Although the ballet is different in detail from E.T.A Hoffman's original story, the basic plot remains the same; it is the story of a young German girl who has a wonderful imagination and who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince. It is Christmas Eve and The Stahlbaums are hosting their annual Christmas party, in their grand, opulent house. The Children's godfather Herr Drosselmeyer arrives. He brings with him beautiful gifts for the family. The family begin to open gifts when Drosselmeyer presents his to the children Clara ( sometimes known as Marie) and Fritz. Among the gifts is a beautiful hand crafted Dolls house complete with carved timber dolls inside. The children are amazed by this gift and quickly open the doll's house to reveal the dolls inside. Drosselmeyer then gives Clara a beautiful hand crafted timber Nutcracker . Her brother Fritz grabs the nutcracker from Clara and accidently breaks it. Clara is heartbroken but clever Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker and all is well again. Later that evening after the guests depart and the family retire for the evening. Clara sleeps fitfully , awakes and wanders downstairs to check on the Nutcracker where she falls asleep under the Christmas tree. As the clock strikes midnight the magic begins to happen. The Christmas tree grows high above her and all the ornaments on the tree seem to come to life. Even the once still doll's house has stirred with life. The Nutcracker awakens to find an army of mice led by the wicked Mouse King preparing for battle on the living room floor. The Mouse King corners the Nutcracker and battles him one-on-one and alas the Nutcracker seems to be no match for the Mouse King. The Nutcracker and his army are defeated and are captured by the mice . Clara saves the Nutcracker by throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, killing him with a blow on the head. The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and takes Clara on a journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest wonderland where they are greeted by dancing snowflakes and then to the Land of Sweets where they meet the Sugar Plum fairy. Clara then awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker. The beautiful images that this story evokes is perfect for ballet and there are many beautiful dances throughout the story.

• The Spanish Dance
• The Arabian Dance
• The Russian Dance
• The Chinese Dance
• The Mirliton Dance
• The Waltz of Flowers

A celebration of the imagination

Christmas is a wonderful time of celebration and imagination and we have tried at Sweet Pea to reflect this in our Christmas machine embroidery designs http://swpea.com/search?q=christmas