20 December 2014

4th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap + Hop


Each year I look forward to making ornaments for friends and family. And for the 4th year, I have enjoyed doing this little ornament swap + hop organized by the lovely Miss Sally Russick.

You can see the ornaments I swapped in the past here:


This year I was delighted to be paired with Miss Lesley Watt. She hails from the UK and makes a delicious assorted of ceramic and PMC beads, components and charms. I love them all! I figured that she would send me something created from one of her regular lines. Imagine my surprise when I got this package...

Cuteness! That sweet little card and the package were wrapped up in brown paper on the outside with the cutest washi tap that I have ever seen with these little birdies on it. The birdies say things like...this cardinal wants french fries on his lunch break... the world needs more skateboarding sandpipers...


...and will you look at the little package decoration! One of Miss Lesley's awesome bronze PMC charms. Swoon!

Now I don't know if Miss Lesley knew this or not, but I sort of have a thing for snowflakes. And snowmen. And cardinals. So I was over the moon excited when I pulled this out of the package


Do you see that little cardinal on this little guy's shoulder?
I love it! So freakin' adorable!

Not the best picture of my living room, but here is the tree. See the mantel with the stockings? I made each one of those with a different felt snowman on them. And the snowflakes all over the mantel art? I made that, too!


Hard to capture in still pictures, but the painting that is lit actually twinkles on and off, like snow falling. It is painted pearl cream on white canvas and reads 'Let it snow' in my own handwriting. On the mantel are assorted mercury glass votives, a forest of tiny bottle brush trees that I bleached (check out my ornament swap post from 2012 for the details), little white glitter putz houses, and even an indoor snowball fight waiting to happen! 


 Here is a closeup of the lighted mantel art. Fuzzy because the lights were twinkling!
I got smart this year and added a remote control box on the top of the mantel (there is an outlet there, I think that is what sold me on the house!) so that all I need to do is flick a button. 

Thank you for sharing in the holiday fun with me. Thank you Miss Lesley for the wonderful gift. I will place it on my tree each year and think of you! Thank you Miss Sally for organizing this each year. Please go and see what the other participants received including what I created and sent to Miss Lesley!



16 comments:

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

I remember your blog post related to your light-dancing picture!! That is so cool!

I knew Lesley would make something fantastic! I, too, collect snowmen and this would also become a treasure for me for years to come! It is all in the details - and your Frosty is so sweet! And a bonus bronze snowflake - you lucky girl!!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Erin,
Oh wow Lesley sure knows how to send sweet packages. The snowman is so adorable and I love the snowflake charm. Your house is so festive I love the snowflake painting and I bet it is beautiful with the twinkling lights.
Merry Christmas,
Therese

Jenny said...

That Lesley - she sends adorable packages. Makes me think I need fun tape too. I knew she was planning clay, and her snowman is stellar! Its nice to surprise your partner with a material/medium that they don't expect from you!

That room looks lovely. Ill be over for coffee talk asap.
Happy Holidays!!!

SueBeads said...

Lesley makes wonderful things and that snowman is perfect! I have a snowman collection AND a thing for cardinals as well! Merry Christmas!

Empty nester at last said...

Gorgeous pieces...I think your snow man is just so cute and he looks right at home in the tree.

I really like your twinkling light art...may have to file that away for a later date!

Karen Williams said...

Beautiful! What a wonderful package to unwrap, layer by layer. And how perfect it seems for you home.

Lesley's snowman simply makes me smile.

Islandgirl said...

What a cute snowman... Don't have quite enough snow too build one here yet, and it's suppose to warm up to 50 and rain christmas day! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

elisabeth said...

Erin - what a beautiful snowman you got! It's adorable and matches your decor perfectly. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Tanya said...

I love Lesley's work and her snowman is adorable! I love the cardinal on his shoulder as well. Lesley has such a great eye for detail. I remember your light display from last year and it still looks amazing! I love decorating for Christmas. It just makes your house smile. :)

Becky Pancake said...

Hi Miss Erin, That snowman is awesome. You are lucky to have it. I too have a snowman collection. My Mom was a cardinal fan so I always notice them too. I crossstitched a cardinal winter scene picture for her many years ago for Christmas. Since she passed away last June I got the picture back and hung it in my own display for the first time this year. Your bronze snowflake is cute too. Thanx for sharing your Christmas display with us too it is lovely.

Bits of Learning said...

Miss Erin, I don't know where to start. I stopped at Lesley's blog first and not only did the bird ornament floor me but that rosebud pendant is spectacular!!! Swoon! And the adorable snowman that Lesley sent you, my word I just love the little cardinal perched on his shoulder!

Thank you for participating again this year. I can't believe we are already at the end of another year. Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

jessememan said...

Erin, I love looking at all your gorgeous decorations! Lesley outdid herself with her snowman, and her cute snowflake! The ornaments you sent her were totally amazing as well, especially that rosebud pendant. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Erin your package is to die for! I love everything about it! That snowflake is awesome and the snowman is just too cute!
Thanks for sharing your decorations and explaining it all - you are just so talented!!!!

Alicia said...

Beautiful snowman! This year I haven't been as inspired on packaging, so I sat here and admired yours :) The dancing lights must be so incredibly special - love them!

Linda said...

The snowman Lesley created for you just just so freaking cute! And the cardinal on his shoulder is the perfect touch. I love the PMC snowflake charm as well! Lucky lady!

CraftyHope said...

What a cute little snowman for your tree! How wonderful that Lesley nailed your likes so well. Oh, and your decoration are just lovely! So glad you shared them with us. It kinda makes me long for a fireplace mantle. Ha.

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