Friday Feature: Christmas Ornaments!

One of the things I LOVE about Christmas is all the beautiful ornaments! I am one of four children, and my Mom kept every ornament we ever brought home from school. And we had a habit of buying new ornaments for her every year also, so we soon had way more ornaments then tree! That's when Mom began pulling some of the beloved handmade ornaments, as well as some of the purchased ones. Rather than throwing them out or putting them in a garage sale, she created boxes of ornaments for each of us, giving us back the ornaments we had given to her. This way, by the time each of us left home and had our own Christmas trees, we had a box of ornaments to put on those trees...ornaments that represented family and love. I still buy ornaments every year, and a few years ago, I began collecting antique Christmas ornaments as well. I probably have enough ornaments to decorate a dozen trees....but who's counting???

Anyway, there are some amazing ornaments available from our ETC folks, so this week's Friday Feature celebrates Christmas Ornaments....


Members featured, from top to bottom and left to right, are:
KelseysKorner, HossLass, CorkyCrafts, VixensNaturalJewelry, KatsCozyKrafts, FlutterBugCreations, LavenderLizard, SumpnSassyTassels, WhiteThistleDesigns, Inpatria, GoGoGirlz, LindaGJ, McCordWorks, SpiritMama, DuctTapeAndDenim, and ShadowsWolf.

Want to see more Christmas ornament listings by Texans & Texans-at-Heart? Just click HERE!

Have a favorite Christmas ornament, either one listed above or one that wasn't able to be included? Feel free to post a comment with a link to it!

Tuesday Tutorial - Fused Plastic...with a Twist!

If you've been around Etsy very long, you've seen many items made from fused plastic bags, and possibly even seen this tutorial or this one on how to fuse plastic bags. We even featured a Fusion Bag tutorial on this blog not that long ago.

As you may have guessed, I am quite fascinated with fused plastic bags, but have never quite had the nerve to try it myself. WELL, I finally found a project that may help me overcome my fear!

How cool is this ornament?!?!?

Julie Finn of Crafting a Green World posted this tutorial for making ornaments using zip-top sandwich bags and some pretties, such as tissue paper left over from previous presents, glitter, very small bits of broken crayons, and very small scraps of fabric or felted wool. A little bit of melting magic, some cookie cutters for patterns, and you have some very easy, very inexpensive ornaments that look like they'd simply be a blast to make!

Christmas Project for Kids in Hospital

Passing along a request from Brandy of BrandyInTheSky....

Many years ago I was in the hospital 2 Christmases in a row. When I was 10 & 11. I recall the wonderful presents and decorations people brought to my room to give me some Christmas cheer. It meant a lot, and still does. There was the mini tree, the handmade stocking, the teddy bears, handmade cards, etc.

With Christmas almost upon us and a loved one in the hospital now, I have remembered those times and wish to brighten up the rooms of children here who will be in the hospital on Christmas. We have several hospitals here, including Driscoll Children's Hospital. My hope is to make and receive donated handmade Christmas decorations, ornaments, etc. to take to the hospital (or hospitals, if I can) so that the children will have a pretty room and some of that Christmas cheer we all enjoy so much at home.

If you can help in any way, please contact me at brandyinthesky@me.com. I am looking for fairytale, storybook style decorations, but any donation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless!

Tuesday Tutorial - Recycled Dimples Ornament

Why did I choose this tutorial to share with you, you may be asking? Several reasons, actually. First and foremost, I LOVE the name! Second, I also LOVE Christmas ornaments! And finally, well, Angie Hall Haviland is one of our many talented members and expert tutorial-writers!!!

Now, take a good look at the photo of this project.....can you tell what the base of this ornament is? Do you know what a "dimple" is? I'll give you one hint...NO, it's not a lid! Give up???? Click HERE to find out and to read Angie's tutorial for these wonderfully creative ornaments. Be sure to add this one to your favorites, 'cuz you're gonna want to make a boat-load of these.....I know I do!!!

Thanks for tutorial, Angie!