Years of Handmade Christmases

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I love handmade items. Especially when I use those items for a specific purpose. One thing I find myself doing every year is to add to my collection of handmade Christmas ornaments. This collection started with items from my sister and an aunt (who turns 90 this year).
At the very top of this photo are three cotton-boll angels from a friend, right below is a pair of skates my sister crocheted about 46 years ago. The “JOY” ornament is one I made to trade ornaments with her. The angel on the right is from my aunt. She and my uncle visited my parents one Christmas. The hat is a cheat–the hat is from a junk store and decorated with little roses and a red ribbon.

Here’s a better look at the two crocheted ornaments from my sister. (Who has never crocheted since.) The lace wreaths are mine. Lots of fabric stiffener in those wreaths to make them hold their shapes. Couch the beads in place and add a ribbon. Done in no time at all.
From here on, all ornaments are some I’ve made over the years. Mostly in the last ten years or so. I didn’t write the year on each piece, but wish I had. I probably thought it would ruin the ornaments.
The rosettes and flower buds make drapes that dangle from the tree limbs, but they can sit on a branch with the drapes wrapping around the same branch.
I have four of the round felt balls, two in each size. I put the large ones on the lowest branches. The third ball is small, just a foam ball wrapped with glittery yarn.

One year, I played with shiny white satin. Satin is difficult and fiddly but, knowing this, I cut everything with pinking shears. Two birds, a flower bud and three hearts.

This set of Santa’s clothes is precious but old. Eventually, I will make another set. It’s just felt, glue and wire for the hangers. Yes, the hangers are handmade. You can print this pattern at the size you want. (My little jacket is only about 3 inches from top to bottom.)
Find this pattern here. Pinterest has tons of patterns for Santa, Mrs. Clause, elves, etc. Including crochet patterns.

Yes! I this little bird is handmade. Using lots of school glue, thread and Spanish moss, and who knows what else. Wanting it to look like a bird nest, I added these little air-dry clay eggs. Then, because the satin birds above are too big, a few smaller birds joined the crew. They are from old lace stitched onto cotton fabric and a couple of beads.

Last year, I bought a kit from Amazon and embroidered these large nativity scenes. This year, I added a few little details so they would show more. The angel, for example, blended into the background. This tiny bit of blue makes such a difference. I also added stars using metallic thread.

This year I added four snowflake embroideries to my collection. I will make a couple of more in red. I barely completed these in time. That fourth one? Nope, it didn’t go on the tree, but it is a finish now in the attic with the other ornaments.
And there we have it. [You can find a photo of our tree here.] Documenting my little ornaments is important to me. Hopefully, they will encourage you to try your hand at making your own handmade ornaments. My sisters all say they love the ornaments…please make me some. However, I have six sisters so making enough for everyone would be difficult. Add in my adult children and grandies, and who could keep up? So, my answer to them all is I have to make a quilt first. I usually start making ornaments around October and work on them only while watching a boring show. For example, Richard’s MMA fights, or an adventure movie with lots of car chases, shooting, and noise. I prefer historical fiction, because I love looking at the costumes and settings. Rich will put us with them but doesn’t appreciate them quite like I do.
And so, I have plenty of time to do handwork. Unless, of course, I am interested in whatever noisy event is happening on TV. Yes, it happens! Tell us in the comments whether you make Christmas ornaments

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