BRIGHT SOCKS FULL OF CHEER.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

Local sewing enthusiast Susan Stroda had an emergency ribbon situation this week.

While in the midst of creating a pink Christmas stocking with a ballet slipper design, her cats got into the ribbon she intended to use and destroyed it.

To get more supplies, she went to the Eugene Vacuum and Sewing Center, where another of her creations was already on display as part of the Bernina Club's stocking project.

Her glittery snowman stocking is labeled No. 6, and for about another week, the public can vote on that stocking and about 20 others.

But it's their final destination that makes these stockings special.

By Dec. 7, they will be packed and mailed to about 25 children who evacuated to Gonzales, La., during Hurricane Katrina.

"I just kept looking for ways to make it more glittery for someone who had a dismal year," said Stroda, a new spool of pink ribbon in hand. She attached dichromatic beads and hot glued gems, and sprayed her little Frosty - complete with a silk top hat - with a sparkling adhesive.

Kathleen Cooper, a clerk at the Eugene Vacuum and Sewing Center, said the stockings are unique.

"They are extremely special. (The women) put a lot of thought and effort into them," she said.

During the storm, Cooper said Gonzales sheltered 6,000 evacuees.

Cooper's son-in-law has an aunt and uncle who worked with many of these people during the crisis.

In September, Bernina Club organizers announced the sewing challenge to make stockings for a contest.

At that point, the stockings were not destined for Louisiana.

When the idea of giving the stockings to needy children surfaced, Cooper thought of her son-in-law's relatives and suggested they send the stockings there.

That motivated many women to work harder on their projects, she said.

Some of the 70 or so active Bernina Club members have multiple machines, which can cost more than $4,000 apiece. They can serge, embroider and sew just about anything, and the women said they like having a challenge.

Valerie Beckenhauer, 62, contributed two stockings to the project; one with a stuffed bunny face on the front and puff tail in the back, and the other made from children's jeans with a puppy peeking out the rim.

"Christmas is for children, and it just breaks my heart to think of those little children suffering so," said Beckenhauer, who worked on the blue jeans stocking for about a week and bought small gifts to put in the pockets.

"A little person can always use their own fork and spoon," she said, referring to a Mickey Mouse plastic flatware set she put in one pocket. "I wanted to personalize it, that's why I put 'Love from Oregon.' '

Many women from the club donated money, and a few customers also have contributed. The money will go to stocking stuffers to be purchased in Louisiana once the stockings arrive.

CAPTION(S):

About two dozen Christmas stockings will be sent to Louisiana.