So would you like to make an origami wreath?

While searching the web for origami projects, I came across this video. While the gentleman that does the demonstration is "interesting," his directions are clear and easy to follow. Happy Folding!

Packaging

One of the things I love about the ornament swaps I participate in, is to come up with a creative way to send my ornaments off to their new homes. I do enjoy the presentation just as much as the gift itself. Here is this year's swap packages (more pictures of this than the actual ornaments!).

The 5th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap

Cookie boxes - front

Back

Origami envelope with note inside

Creative Color Challenge Ornament Swap

Creative Color Challenge Ornament Swap 2010

Hosted by Louise Gale. The color choices were using one or a combination of red, green and gold (white and black were also allowed). Of course, I went with red since everything I've done in the last year has been in red! I think I need to step away from red and focus on another color for 2011. Here's my contribution.

...and, as always, the back.

(14 count Christmas Red Aida cloth, DMC white, angel pattern from Cross Stitch Silhouettes by Adele Welsby)

5th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap 2010

Hosted by freshlyblended. Here's what I'm sending out this year. Origami wreaths (three-dimensional). I'm sending two out to each of the ladies on my list. I picked up these trees at The Container Store (really cheap) and once I package up my group, I plan on folding some more to fill the trees again. I'm going to put these trees on my entryway table this year. I just love them and I hope the group I'm sending to enjoys them as well. Now I have to finish the ornaments for the other swap I'm in - completely different...you'll see!

I'm back...

Well, since I received my Kindle last year for Christmas, I became a little (okay, a lot) obsessed with reading. It goes with me wherever I go and has saved my sanity more than once (wait in a long line, pull out the Kindle). But, I have this other side of me that still likes to create things and I've ignored the call to create for quite some time.

I recently (just last week) had foot surgery and I have now gone from 100 m.p.h. to zero. I've never felt so helpless in my life. Luckily I'm married to a great guy and we have a great kid, and they are taking care of me. I've got about 7 weeks to go (4 weeks in one cast and then 4 weeks in another cast) before I get put into a boot and can start walking on it. Not being able to walk has made me listen to my creative voice and sit (with my foot propped up) at my little crafting table in my bedroom and start making things again.

It's also that time of year for freshlyblended's ornament swap. This is my third year participating and it's really fun. I also found another ornament swap via Creative Kismet, and I'm participating in Louise Gale's ornament swap.

Most of my ornaments are finished. I'm just working out the last details so I can take pictures of them. More to come...

Life Lessons 101

I'm still working the grid on my multiplication sampler so it's really not worth showing any updates. However, I took a moment during my stitching to stitch this little piece up.

I've been listening to a lot of Jim Croce lately and since I've got so much red thread laying around, I thought this would be fun to stitch up.

I was over at this website and added my little piece to the contest pool. If you're a stitcher of any kind, join their contest. It's fun to see all the creativity.

And, as always, here's the back.

I must be in a red phase

Well, I've gone through all my WiPs and I've decided to finish the Multiplication Sampler. This is a sampler done entirely in red (again!). Here's the original post from July 2008. Nothing more to show right now, I'm just working on the grid portion so it's pretty boring. Here's a reminder of what it will look like when it's finished.

I finished my ABCs

I just finished this about 20 minutes ago. So pretty. Now I have to decide on how to frame it. Instead of french knots, I've used seed beads - love it. Now I'm going to pull out one of my REALLY OLD WiPs and work on it!

Front

Back

Close up of seed beads

Abecedaire coeurs (Hearts Sampler)

14 count Aida, 10" x 12"

DMC 321 and 498

Footprints...for mom

I did this piece back in 1998 for my mom. It was her favorite story/poem. Mom passed away in February 1999 and one of my nephews asked if he could have it. I gave it to him with strict rules about his responsibility for it and that if he really wanted it, he had to abide by all my rules. I really wanted to take it from him and put it back in my collection, but I was so touched that a teenager (and a boy, no less!) saw it as a treasure. It's one of the pieces I did prior to even taking pictures of my work. Fast forward eleven years and this same nephew is now married and this piece hangs in his house. We were visiting over Easter and I finally was able to get a photo of it. It still reminds me of my mom and I was so happy to see it again.

I'm back (and I'm stitching!)

So, it's been awhile since I've posted. This is the reason why...

I love my Kindle but it's very addictive. I think I need a support group. I actually get excited if I have to wait in line for something because that guarantees Kindle time! But I do realize, that with all things, I need to bring balance back into my life. I've really missed stitching, and I'm forcing myself to put the Kindle down and pick the needle up.

Back in August 2009, I started working on this piece. I'm now laughing about how I said I would finish it in a couple of weeks...yeah, right.

Fast forward to March 2010, and I've been slowly making my way through it. I'm just about to start on the last section (T, U, V, W, X, Z). So here's what it looks like as of today.

And, as always, here's the back

I'm hoping that I will start posting more. This really is my diary of all my crafting projects and the urge to create something is embedded in my soul.