Friday, December 2, 2011

Ornaments Have a Flipside

Who among us doesn't like surprises? I certainly do, which is one of the reasons I couldn't resist participating in  the Button Floozies Christmas ornament swap--create three ornaments and swap with three partners. (Read that carefully.)





For the foundation of the ornaments I made, I chose three beautiful images from The Graphics Fairy, mounted them on pretty card stock and embellished them with vintage lace and fabric, glitter, and, of course, buttons. The backside of each is Christmas-related sheet music so each is actually two ornaments in one.





The variegated blue lace around the Santa image is an old piece of tatting that my grandmother made. The netting adornment is from an old crinoline that I picked up at a local thrift store. The hangers for this and the bird ornament are made of vintage seam tape from an estate sale.










The photograph doesn't show the glitter around the mitten image very well, but it creates a finished look around the graphic, which is mounted on a piece of painter's canvas drop cloth.





Creating these ornaments was so much fun. But, I think the best part of participating in swaps is meeting and sharing with other artistic women from around the country.



Jeanelle created the sweetest holly ornament and packaged it using a page from a vintage 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' book. She hails from Colorado Springs, which is my absolute favorite city in the nation. Wish I could join her for an early morning walk in Garden of the Gods. Denise created two ornaments: one an of a 1940s vintage postcard featuring a long-established park in my community; the other a granny-circle crocheted Christmas tree with wispy yarn garland and great buttons. What Denise couldn't have known is that I collect vintage postcards and the park shown on the postcard has personal significance to me. Michelle created a wonderful ornament that looks as if it were designed specifically to coordinate with the rustic and primitive ornaments I already own.





If you've ever wondered about joining a swap, don't sweat over it. Jump in and give it a try. I think you'll be glad you did. You can see more wonderful ornaments at Button Floozies.



Make it a great day!

18 comments:

  1. these are so lovely!!! very romantic and christmasy...
    thanks for sharing : )

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  2. Loved the ornaments you made, my favorite was the snow flurries with the pink buttons! Looks like it was a great swap. Laura

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  3. I adore the ornaments you made, Ann, one of which I got to see in person since Jeanelle is my buddy! You'll have to come visit us in CS some time!

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  4. Awwww, what sugar sweet ornaments!
    Love them!
    xoxo
    Olivia

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  5. Your handmade ornaments are truly fabulous and festive! Wouldn't mind having them on MY tree...Happy Holidays! :)) p.s. many thanks for stopping by my blog

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  6. Your ornaments are lovely! Thanks for stopping by my blog & your sweet comments!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  7. The ornaments you made are so pretty, and I love that they're decorated on both sides. The ones you received are lovely, too! Wasn't this a fun swap?

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  8. I love how you used the trim on your ornaments.

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  9. Very pretty ornaments :) it's beginning to look alot like Christmas! :singing:


    Spotted YOU AT BRAG MONDAY at GraphicsFairy's today!
    Smiles, Suzanne in Cold NW Illinois

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  10. They are all great! Very festive and fun!
    Merry Christmas

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  11. These are just too darned cute! Love them!

    Ro
    via Brag Monday

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  12. Ann,
    I just love the ornaments you created, specially the one with the birds. I love birds.
    Thanks for stopping by my button floozie blog post.
    Hugs

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  13. I love the ornaments you created! The ones you received are beautiful too and how nice they seemed to made just for you!
    Deb

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  14. Your ornaments are gorgeous - lucky swap partners!

    Barbara

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  15. Fabulous ornaments Ann, I like the Christmas music paper on the back, a lovely touch. The ones you received back too are lovely. It was a great swap.

    Thanks for commenting on my button angels the other day too :)

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  16. Love the ornaments!! I am particularly partial to shee music!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  17. Such pretty ornaments! They make fabulous gifts! Thanks so much for joining us at Christmas in July!...hugs...Debbie

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