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This year, I only used about a fifth of my holiday decorations... with the pending trip to Spain and all the craziness the season brings, there just wasn't enough time or energy to go "all out."
I do have some favorites that I'd like to share with you...
From my home....
to yours....
Merry, Merry Christmas!
All my love and best wishes to you!
(I'm joining Beverly's Pink Saturday party, celebrating everything Christmas)
...just 3 more days until that magical guy with the red suit comes calling!
At school, the children (all grades) are uber excited, unable to contain their excitement. Not just because of Christmas, but the 11 days' holiday from school! Amen to that. The teachers certainly need the rest! lol
Sharing the last of holiday ATC's I made this season.
"Jingle All the Way"
"Christmas thru the Eyes of Babes"
"Winter Wonderland"
(created for a special blog friend!)
"Angels Watching Over Me"
Created for swap partner, Patti
Blissfull ATC Swap, December
theme: A Christmas Carol
Happy Thursday!
I can't believe a whole week has elapsed since my last post! Is it my imagination, or are 24 hours turning into 23, 22, 21... they are never enough to get everything done! Yikes!
In the middle of completing all my blog swaps, Christmas shopping and shipping, working, decorating, baking/cooking for the holidays.... I'm so far behind on photographing and sharing more gorgeous, thoughtful gifts I'm still receiving and a few projects of my own.
Also, my husband and I are are going to Spain for Christmas to visit our "baby girl" Bianca! So there's lots of planning and packing to do as well... We are so excited! I truly admire her accomplishments and independence; at 22 years of age, Bianca has graduated (with Honors) from a top academics university, travelled/studied in France, and now has a job teaching English in Spain (Palma Mallorca, to be exact). Lucky girl! She has worked hard for her opportunities and truly makes the best of each one.
She will be back in the States in June of 2012 and will be starting law school that Fall.
(not sure where yet... but I'm hoping somewhere fun to visit!)
You go, girl!
* * *
Okay, now for some catching up on the sharing...
I created this ATC for my swap partner, Karla, for the Winter/Christmas ATC Swap hosted by Tee at The Altered Paper.
I included some other little items for Karla...
These cuff bracelets are so much fun to make! I got my inspiration from (a different) Karla's tutorial... they are relatively simple to make, and the options for creating a "one of a kind" cuff are unlimited!
We were sending to and receiving from different partners.
This beautiful ATC came from Tina... I just love the color scheme she used!
Tina was so sweet... she included lots of fun holiday treats in her package.
Thank you, Tina!
***
Karla and I also swapped other creations...
She asked for this ATC which I had available for trade on Flickr:
... and in return, I received this wonderful altered domino!
... along with lots of other fabulous gifts!
Thank you so much, Karla, you have truly spoiled me.
* * *
Still more sharing to come...
Hope you are having a lovely week!
In previous posts, I've shared the gorgeous handmade ornaments received from my swap partners in Cassandra's Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap.
Today I'm sharing the ornaments I made for my sweet partners.
A mini Christmas stocking....
made from a vintage angora sweater, with vintage laces, crochet, tatting....
soft and sweet.
Tucked inside the stocking is a mini "wish upon a star" wand
A Christmas heart sachet...
...also made from a vintage sweater... stuffed with lavender seeds, so my partners can stow it in a drawer, instead of hanging on their tree (if they chose)
Christmas Angel hanging tag...
...lovely laces were used to embellish, along with beautiful vintage bling.
***
For the Bloggerette Sorority's swap, this is what I made for my partner, JoAnne.
Titled: "The Sugar Plum Fairy"
When I first saw this image of the little ballerina, the Sugar Plum Fairy came instantly to mind.
... creamy white roses, vintage millinery, silver leaves, icy blue sprigs...
***
I'm linking to the White Wednesday here.
Stop on by for lots of white eye candy and holiday loveliness.
Yes... more gifts in the mail. (Are you sick of it yet? I'm not!)
Several more packages made it to my doorstep this week.
The ornaments I received from my third partner in Cassandra's Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap, Linda, are these incredibly beautiful stars...
There are layer-upon-layer of laces, tatting, crochet... ((sigh)) embellished with ribbons and buttons.
I had admired Linda's work in her Etsy shoppe and had my fingers crossed that I would get one of her star ornaments in the swap; lucky me received three!
Thank you, Linda!
Your handmade one-of-a-kind stars will forever shine in my home during the holidays!
***
I participated in another of Wendy's fun swaps...
I was delighted to find out my partner was Karla... she and I have traded ATC's but had never been swap partners before. We have similar styles (pretty, whymsical, glittery) and truly admire each other's work, so I knew we were in for a great time!
Karla's altered tin is a delight...
the inside is as beautiful as the outside... beautiful vintage images...
...and look at the clever "feet" she put on my tin!
As Karla and I have come to know each other, we learned that we have some common traditions for the holidays. For example, we both grew up celebrating "El Dia de los Reyes Magos" or "Three Kings Day" on January 6th.
Karla sent me not only my gorgeous tin, but 12 others gifts! One to be opened each day between December 25th and January 6th. Isn't that the sweetest thought?
I started crying (happy tears) when I read her enclosed card and saw all her gifts.
Karla, you've warmed by heart and soul with your thoughtfulness.
Thank you, friend.
***
Happy Saturday!
I'm joining Beverly's party and sharing all my holiday gifts.
p.s. I've started opening my "25 days ofChristmas" gifts... will be sharing those on Sunday. I'm also enjoying trying to sleuth out who my Secret Santa is (a few ideas).
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