Archive for the 'Holiday 06 Ornament Swap' Category

Holiday Ornament Swap 2007

Published on November 5, 2007 in Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, Holiday 07 Ornament Swap and inspiration. 1 Comment

swaplogo_07.jpg

It’s finally here! I’ve been checking freshly{blended} every few days to see when the swap would be announced and it’s HERE! Can you tell I’m a little excited? I LOVE ornaments, and over the past year I’ve participated in some really great swaps, but this one is IT! I had a lot of fun last year, and have brainstorming ideas all year for 2007.  I especially love this swap because the sky is the limit – you can use any media, method, idea for the ornaments, which makes for fun packages in the mail (another one of my favorite things).

To sign up – click on over to freshly{blended} for all the details and how to do it.  Sign-ups will end on Friday, November 9th at midnight U.S. Eastern Standard Time (New York time.)

Peruse the Flickr group for the 06 swap.

Ornament Received!

Published on December 4, 2006 in art, craft, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, inspiration, photos and projects. 2 Comments

Ornament Received!, originally uploaded by zannestar.

I was soooooo excited to find a package in the mail today from one of my swapmates. This is the first of I hope to be a few more.  It’s a beautiful gold and silver ornament. Sequins are attached with eyelets to gold paper. The dangle is a beautiful beaded spiral with a drop. It’s going to look great on the tree when it reflects the lights. The packaging was clever, wrapping paper with snowflake motifs that matched the sequins on the ornament.  Thanks Dawn!

Stars…

Published on November 26, 2006 in art, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, inspiration, photos, projects, sewing and thrift. 2 Comments

holiday 06 ornament 3, originally uploaded by zannestar.

So I’ve posted a few pictures of my ornaments in progress. I am so happy with them – I am going to make them for all my holiday cards. So – if you want in on the mailing list – email me with your address and I’ll put you on the list. I was always looking for a project that would help me go through my stash – and this is the one. The ones that go out with the holiday cards will be a bit smaller – they’ll need to fit into the envelopes…

So I’ve been perusing the flickr.com group pool for the Holiday Swap, and I totally wish that I was on everyone’s distro list! The ornaments are all wonderful and would look GREAT on my tree and up and around the house.  Hmmm could I make 390 more of my ornaments to trade for 390 more of their ornaments?  Maybe next year…

holiday 06 ornament

Published on November 26, 2006 in art, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, inspiration, projects and thrift. 0 Comments

holiday 06 ornament 1, originally uploaded by zannestar.

It took my a while to get to this point. I had sketched with the Iz’s crayons and paper while she was drawing. I had a bunch of ideas, but I really wanted to use materials on hand. I’m not sure when the image of this popped into my head, something triggered it, but I can’t recall. Anyway, I snuck into my studio (as many times before) and threw a bunch of scraps into a bag of recycled ribbons and other funky things I could find. I really have been wanting to use these sequins by the yard that I had used when I was working in NYC. The fabric I’m using is old, some of it from my thrifing, some of it from years and years ago. The vinyl must be 10 years old! I must admit – that after working with this and seeing the final result (not to be posted until they are received!), I want to make more! I love vinyl (ahem) and it’s fun to work with. I did have to iron it. I was a little nervous that it would melt and ruin my iron, but no, I was able to get those 10 year old wrinkles out of it!

Each piece of scrap that is being used has a story. In this picture:
The sequins as mentioned above, from my days doing textile desgin in NYC.
The beautiful pink cherry blossom print from a local thrift store. Quite old – it took me 4 washes to get the moth ball smell out!
The creme satin – from an aunt’s stash of scrap fabric – probably 5-6 years ago.
Green ribbon recycled fom many holidays ago.
The sweet mini butterfly/floral, a small and old piece of fabric found through a freecycle post.

I love it all – especially when there is a little history…

Ornament – noun

Published on November 12, 2006 in art, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, inspiration and projects. 0 Comments

I am so excited – I received my swap list the other day and there is a flickr group for the swap. I’ve been sketching and rifling through my stash, thinking about what wonderfulness I could make with what I have on hand. Although I wouldn’t mind running to a local shop…I decided this year that all Holiday items come from my stash. It’s quite fun actually. I’ve found things I haven’t seen for years. Oh the fun I’ll have…

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ornament. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 12, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ornament

or‧na‧ment  [n. awr-nuh-muhnt; v. awr-nuh-ment, -muhnt] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun

1. an accessory, article, or detail used to beautify the appearance of something to which it is added or of which it is a part: architectural ornaments.
2. a system, category, or style of such objects or features; ornamentation: a book on Gothic ornament.
3. any adornment or means of adornment.
4. a person or thing that adds to the credit or glory of a society, era, etc.
5. the act of adorning.
6. the state of being adorned.
7. mere outward display: a speech more of ornament than of ideas.
8. Chiefly Ecclesiastical. any accessory, adjunct, or equipment.
9. Music. a tone or group of tones applied as decoration to a principal melodic tone.

–verb (used with object)

10. to furnish with ornaments; embellish: to ornament a musical composition.
11. to be an ornament to: Several famous scientists were acquired to ornament the university.
[Origin: 1175–1225; < L ornāmentum equipment, ornament, equiv. to ornā(re) to equip + -mentum -ment; r. ME ornement < OF < L, as above]

—Related forms

or‧na‧ment‧er, noun
—Synonyms 1. embellishment. 3, 5. decoration. 10, 11. decorate, adorn, grace.
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I (heart) Glitter

Published on October 31, 2006 in art, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap and inspiration. 0 Comments

Wish Upon a Star

It’s true – I love glitter and I love stars. While doing more research, I came across Ashley Carter/Goldbug Studios at Roger’s Garden. Everything about her work appeals to me – the glitter, the collage, the flowers, the delicateness of it all. More inspiration for my ornament idea…

Ornament Research

Published on October 29, 2006 in art, design, Holiday 06 Ornament Swap, inspiration, networking and photos. 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking tons about what I’m ornament I’m going to make for the Holiday Ornament Swap. So – I do my usual research – like a mad woman. I’ll be sure to post my most fave images, links and info here. And if you want to participate – you have to sign up by November 8!

I like the idea of these “Love Letter” ornaments. Super special. These would look great on a tree or a beautiful branch in an appropriate vase.
I found this article on fretwork. I’ll have to explore a bunch of techniques. My subject is always the same (I don’t think I need to tell you…it’s pretty obvious – don’t you think?), but I like to learn and try something new every year. I’m actually quite interested in latex and rubber, but need to do tons more research.