Memory Ornaments

Old family photos tend to get hidden away in trunks and albums. I have a number of such photos of my Grandma Hazel and Grandpa Cecil that have been stored away for years. This Christmas I wanted to remember my grandparents and give these treasured photos an honored place among the festivities. What better place then on the Christmas tree!

This was a simple project. First, I scanned the photos into the computer and printed them on printable water slide transfer paper. You can use the original photos but then you can not make more then one ornament with each photo. (These make great gifts so I wanted the ability to make multiples!) I bought ceramic white ornaments in different shapes at the craft store. After transferring the photo image onto the ornament I painted it with red craft paint. I added stripe and polka dot details with white paint pen and finished with a coat of shellac. On the back of the ornament I wrote any information I knew about the photo such as date taken and names. I look forward to sharing these photos and the memories they inspire with my family for many holidays to come.

The Oliver Doll & Grandma Hazel's Tree

The Oliver doll is done! I used the Weewonderfuls pattern again. You can find this pattern at http://www.weewonderfuls.com/! I think he bears a striking resemblance to his name sake! What do you think? I have very few completed projects to show this week but I continue to craft away preparing Christmas gifts. I also decorated my home for Christmas this past weekend. Yes, I know we have not even had Thanksgiving but it is my favorite season and I could not wait to deck the halls!

My grandmother Hazel's tree holds a place of importance in our home. It is a vintage, silver tree that I love! It makes me smile and reminds me of grandma. On the tree are some of my favorite ornaments that make an appearance every year. I have also hung the silhouette ornaments of the children that I featured in an earlier post. I just need to make my first batch of gingerbread cookies and it will really feel like Christmas around here!

Clara's dollhouse is ready for its' Christmas reveal!

The dollhouse is finally complete! I was able to find vintage dollhouse furniture from the 1950's on ebay! It is furnished and ready for its' new family. I created the dollhouse from a kit. It was supposed to be a "Victorian cottage" but I eliminated the gingerbread and made it more of a Georgian style. I also upgraded the windows and added some molding. Aside from that all the supplies and hardware were purchased with the kit. I used scrapbook paper as wallpaper and drew pictures and plates on the wall. The paint colors consist of leftover paint from my own house. I created the window treatments out of a vintage handkerchief that I already owned. The overall project (furniture excluded) cost under $80.00! Very economical for a custom wood dollhouse! I think Clara will love it. I know I am ready to move in myself!