Vintage Santa a Cross Stitch Pattern by StitchX Craft Designs

This is a generally easy pattern to work but the shading of the colors is detailed and somewhat large areas of the same color (or shading) is making slow going for me, an 'occasional stitcher'. Making a photocopy of the original pattern and then using highlighters or colored pencils on the photocopy to mark the completed areas has been helpful. From the photo I was expecting the colors to be scarlet/red/crimson and was disappointed to open the package of supplies to find terracotta/orange/brown-ish colors -- when ordering the supplies, I should have noticed the color names or numbers on the list. That said, I truly like the Santa's face and expression, it brings a smile to my face and brings memories of Santas from my childhood. Although I would have preferred it in shades of red, I'm working the pattern and am enjoying seeing it all come together.