Friday, December 12, 2008

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas

It's been a loooong time since I've participated in Kelli's Show & Tell, but in the midst of the mess of fixing yet another water problem, I've decided to spend a few minutes contemplating some lovely things.

We have some sweet Christmas ornaments and my youngest son still enjoys decorating the tree with me and reminiscing over each one as it's unwrapped. Here are just some of my favorite ornaments (some are hand-made, some old and precious - and some are both!)


This star ornament is from Greg's childhood. Waaay back when those big lights were all anyone had, this ornament was to be hung just above one of them and the heat rising from the bulb would cause the whirly-gig inside to turn. Cute.




And this beaded ornament is also from Greg's childhood. It honestly looks like something someone might make today.





This Victorian-looking ornament was made by yours truly nearly 20 years ago.




I needle pointed this bird many, many years ago -- probably 25 or more. Memory fades.





This was stitched up (along with several others) in the early 80's -- when candlewicking made a come-back. Does anyone do candlewicking anymore?  Does anyone know why it's called candlewicking?




And here is a sample of some crewel work that I used to love to do. Again, over 20 years ago. I'm not sure I have the eyesight or the patience to do this kind of work today, but I do love it.




And I made a number of these sweet little cross-stitched, sampler ornaments...oh, about 15 years ago, I'd guess.



I stitched up a bunch of these bears almost 20 years ago (using a variety of Christmas prints) when a friend and I decided to sell some hand-made goodies at a craft show. I've given so many of these away -- I wonder where they have all ended up. ;^)




This was one of the first ornaments the boys and I did together (it's older than it looks).  We made several.  We simply took an old jigsaw puzzle, glued the pieces together, spray painted it green, added a bell and a bow and voila! A cute little wreath.




And the boys and I made these a couple years ago. Just a white feather and some white/clear sparkles in a glass ball. Very simple.  Kind of elegant.


And I've saved my favorites for last:


These two store-bought balls are probably from the 60's. I'm amazed they have been preserved so well.
 





And this geo-ball (below) was ahead of its time. It was made lovingly by Greg's mother many years ago out of old Christmas cards - and I'm glad she passed a couple of these along to us. I want to try my hand at making one someday. I found this tutorial on-line and it doesn't look too hard, but I like ours better. I think the different-textured gold cards make this one look beautiful.




Hope you enjoyed a small sampling of ornaments from our tree. Visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home to see what others have decided to show and tell this time around.

23 comments:

  1. I think the whirly ornament is the most novel and unique and I'd love one on my tree. How cool!

    Glad I came to visit!

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  2. Great ornaments! I loved the beaded one. My MIL made a few these long ago!

    Manuela

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  3. Hi Becki
    I love the comments and pictures of your ornaments! I think I would like to try the feather in the clear one!

    Diane

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  4. OHHH--Your ornaments are just striking!!! I think my favorite though is the puzzle wreath:)

    Julieann

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  5. What great ornaments! I had forgotten about candlewicking. Boy that was big in the 80's wasn't it. I bet I made 1/2 dozen candlewicked pillows!

    Blessings

    Linda

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  6. I love all your ornaments.

    We made gingerbread ornaments when all the kids were her for thanks giving.

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  7. Hi Becki! And thanks for visiting my blog!! I couldn't believe it as I was scrolling through your ornaments, and came across the star with the metallic spinner in it!! Those were our favorite childhood ornaments, and I asked for them when my parents died so I have the only one of ours that survived the years!! What a joy to see someone else who has one!! Also the puzzle wreath!! I have one on my tree that our 3rd born daughter made when she was young!! Thanks for sharing the fun!!
    Blessings to you and yours! I'll be visiting your homeschool blog after the holidays when I have a bit more time!! My older brother lives in Elkhart!!
    :) Becky

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  8. I did some crewel and some candlewicking both over 20 years ago. Your ornaments are all so nice. I also made some beaded ones back in the 80s similar to yours. No time for that kind of crafty stuff now. I've gotta be bloggin'.
    Charlotte

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  9. Beautiful ornaments, so glad they have survived.

    Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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  10. hmm, I think my favorite is the feather.

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  11. I love all the ornaments, simply beautiful! I can't even decide which one I love best - thanks for sharing with us.

    Please feel free to stop by my blog and visit anytime.

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  12. Thanks for looking at my page. I checked out your homeschool blog and appreciate your thoughts there on public schooling. Why we homeschool - wow! how could I not? We are in our 10th year and loving it.

    Thanks for the microscope info. The one we have is not great. I am going to look into the Ultra one - good info, very timely for me. Thanks :). I'll be following your pages. Alice

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  13. VEry interesting--ornaments have such a variety and display so much creativity....isn't it amazing!!

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  14. I enjoyed the photos of your ornaments. I have all the ornaments that my chidren made when they were young. I also have a few of the ornaments that my husband and I bought the first year we were married (1978. Thanks for sharing yours.

    Elizabeth

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  15. I love all the different ornaments. Our Christmas tree is like that too!

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  16. Wonderful Christmas ornaments! Homemade ones are the sweetest!
    ~Kelli

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  17. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful ornaments. I love it when ornaments hold a special story or memory. Thank you for sharing a comment on my reindeer sleigh.

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  18. I loved seeing all your pretty tree ornaments. Thanks for sharing.

    Also, thanks for taking time to visit Ravenhill Cottage...it's appreciated.

    Merry Christmas!

    Sandra

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  19. I loved looking at your decorations

    That beaded globe is amazing

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  20. Absolutely GORGEOUS ornaments! I can't figure out which on I like the best because their all so lovely!

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  21. Your ornaments are very special. I love the beaded one.

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  22. Very fun! You've made me think about the stories behind many of our ornaments, as well. Thanks for the tree-tour!

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