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...