Sinterklaas

Last week Saturday, the next pattern was up for the Jolly Little Christmas quilt a long hosted by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts.  Santa Claus was the next block.  Santa Claus was not a thing in my household when I was growing up.  As I am of Dutch heritage, Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, was an exciting event.  On December 5th, we would put out our shoes (we didn't have wooden shoes anymore :-) and we would put hay in and a carrot for Sinterklaas' white horse.  In the morning, we would find candies and a chocolate initial and a few little trinkets in our shoe (if we had been good lol).  That evening, many little packages and surprises would be opened complete with little poems which had something to do with the gift or recipient.  

When I saw the Santa Claus block before the quilt along was launched, I emailed Lorna with some links to the Sinterklaas tradition to see if she would be able to design a Dutch version.  Sure enough, when the pattern was posted, there at the bottom was a 'bonus' block which really made my Dutch heart go pitter patter.  Thanks so much Lorna for your generosity!  This just makes me happy! And, the pattern went together so nicely.

Here is the good old Saint himself...isn't he awesome!?  Complete with his trusty staff.