The Ornament Exchange

Over 15 years of ornaments,

12 new handmade ones each year.

Each one is different.

Each one wonderful in their own way.

Some painstakingly ornate,

some lovingly hand stitched,

some rustic country, some shabby chic,

some painted with great detail,some with treasures from the past,

and some with spiritual meaning.

They were made using wood,

fabric, sticks, wire, buttons, old lace,

spoons, nails, teabags, clothespins,

and anything else that looked like it

wanted to be an ornament.

But all made with a ton of love by and
for each member of the group.

I think that it is safe to say that as
each member made their 12 ornaments
for the exchange it was with those other
members in mind-thinking of them,
praying for them, remembering past gatherings.

What precious times we have shared!

This wonderful collection ornaments

is a lot like each one of us-

all different and each one unique, beautiful,

charming, funny, special, detailed, rustic,

and handmade by our Creator

to be a blessing to others!

Christmas Ornament Exchange

For over a decade I have been part

of an ornament exchange group.

There are 12 of us, crafty creative friends.

Some have been in the group the entire time

and some have moved or left for other reasons.

When that happens there is someone

anxiously waiting to be part of the group.

Every year each one makes 12 ornaments. This is mine for this year.

In case you would like to make your own

peppermint ornament here are a few instructions.

I used a spice jar lid to make my circle.

Then I added a small ruffled

"fan" shape at both ends. I cut my pattern out of card stock and
then transferred the design to thin wood.

I had some scraps of thin birch or ash

cabinet grade plywood.

This was perfect for my project. Next, I cut out my shapes using a band saw.
It has been awhile since I have cut
crafty little shapes with this saw. Here is my stack of blank ornaments.
I drilled a hole for the hanger and
then sanded front and back.

I softly rounded of the front edges.

All the ornaments were base coated in

white acrylic. Using graphite paper,

I transferred the swirls to the ornament.

2 coats of red.
I floated a dusty blue around the

edges to give it some dimension.

And I added a few white highlights

to make it look like cellophane.

The exchange is Thursday night (tomorrow).
This is supposed to be the last one.
We will gather and eat, laugh, tell stories,
reminisce, ooh and ahh over all the ornaments.
We each get one each of all the ornaments.
12 new ornaments!
We have meet long enough to that I have well over
100 handcrafted ornaments made by precious friends.
What great memories!

Oh yes! I almost forgot to tell you.
On the back of my ornament I wrote,

"JESUS, sweetest name I know!"

Remember that Jesus is
the reason for the season!