happy day oh day...

**** SPOILER ALERT **** LORI GUERIN'S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SWAP. If you are participating and don't want to see one of the ornaments, avert your eyes now! :-)

Lots going on in the land of Hold Dear...as usual, right?! I'm trying so hard to get all caught up on my miscellaneous artsy projects so I can start making stuff for me. How long have I been saying that? Sheesh...well surprisingly enough, I'm actually kind of close to it this time. The only project I'm still working on with a deadline is the pages I have to finish up for the Marie Antoinette swap that Kecia is hosting. 

There are, of course, lots of my personal projects but other than the Marie swap, no other deadlines. Oh that's a good feeling! 

This week I finished making ornaments for a 12 Days of Christmas Swap that my supremely talented friend Lori Guerin is hosting. Lori invited 12 of us to participate. Each person was given one of the 12 days of Christmas as inspiration and then we had to make 12 ornaments. My day was "Two Turtle Doves."

I had trouble finding all of the same birds so there are a few different versions of the ornament but for the most part, here's how they turned out.

I was SO good about using some of my treasured supplies...original vintage Dennison labels and mercury beads. And the labels I used on the back are a very precious supply of old Dennison PresAply labels that I "won" on eBay this year. I am in love with them (they are peel and stick) and have never seen them anywhere since. I tend to be very stingey with this kind of stuff but I have decided to start sharing since, after all, that is WHY I join these amazing swaps!

Here's all the ornaments ready to be packaged up. If you click on the image to enlarge (click a second time to supersize), you can see the different types of birds I used. I r-e-a-l-l-y loved the little white doves but I was only able to find four pairs. After visiting three different stores in the area, the gold doves were Plan B. I dipped one pair in silver glitter but then decided that I didn't mind the gold so left the others in gold.

That's it for now. I'll be back soon to share lots more stuff. I've set a few goals for myself to get caught up this week. We're flying to Vegas this weekend for my sister's wedding (SOOO excited about that!!!) so when I get back, I can officially start doing some organizing and decorating around the house for the holidays!

Comments

[Jen@thecottagenest]

Oh they are so beautiful! I have a hard time using some of my stuff too. I'm also trying to get over that. I always think that if I have more then it will be easier to use it!

Michelle, thank you so much for your sweet comment on my journal post. I think you are amazingly talented and your encouragement means the world to me!

[cammy@freckledfarm]

Oh Michelle, your two turtle doves ornaments are truly amazing. I am in awe of your talent my friend.

[jessi nagy]

eeekkk these are darling.
you always make the cutest things!!!
have a great week
oxoxo,
jessi

[Tammy]

Those are DARLING, Michelle! xo

[Stephanie O.]

Love these ornaments...I keep looking at all the details!

[Suz Reaney]

Michelle,
Those are truly wonderful! I love the combination of materials...and the gold turtle doves are also really cool! I cannot wait to see all twelve!

[Sandy]

Michelle! How funny; I was reading your spoiler alert and thought "I'm not in this swap, but Lori Guerin sounds familiar". Then I see the 2 turtle doves and think; DUH-Yes I am!! OMG they are marvelous! How generous of you to use your treasures to make them too! I shall cherish mine always! Thanks also for the sweet congrats! Love you doll!

Sandy

[Cheryl K. Bennett]

Michelle,
You are just adorable.
Looky, looky at all the "purties!"
Hugs, Cheryl in IN
WHOSYERGURL

[natalie hansen]

Michelle! Those Orni's are really fabulous! xoxo

[Gwen]

Oooooh! soo pretty! You make the best tnings!!