Secret Santa in Teal

I am always up for a little Christmas cheer, and what's cheerier than a Secret Santa swap? When the ladies at Arkansas Women Bloggers presented the idea of swapping handmade ornaments, well... it was a no-brainer.

I waited until the last minute (no surprise there) before I finally got my ornaments made and in the mail, and while I was at the post office to send mine off, I also picked these up from my S.S., Jennifer Wilson. You can follow her on her tumbr here.  To see all the other links to Secret Santas and their surprise packages, check out the Arkansas Women Bloggers' post here.

 

I love the teal and purple together, it reminds me of peacocks. My tree is always very eclectic - a result of years and years of collecting ornaments here and there and everywhere - so the sparkles and feathers and multi-colors fit right in. My mother used to buy ornaments for each of her kids every year, and when we moved out she gave us our boxes of ornaments. I have three kids, and I'm not sure who will get these just yet... or maybe I'll just keep them for myself. :)

(Sorry for the fuzzy shot...)

So do you decorate your tree in one style each year, or is it a mish-mash like mine? Color preferences? Every year I think I'll be more intentional with my choices... use a specific theme of some kind, but I think I'm pretty happy with my current tradition.

Holiday Goodies

Not only is it Santa time, but it's also SECRET Santa time! I sent out a package to my good friend and fellow Aretsy member, Denise (way later than I should have) and she let me know it arrived today. Edith the Snowfolk is quite an independent woman - wearing vintage whenever she can, haunting the thrift stores for treasures that have been discarded by others. I think she and Denise will get along famously.

I already reported on my adorable journal from my Aretsy Secret Santa, The Beehive, but I also got a Secret Santa gift from a co-worker. She paints adorable canvases and Christmas ornaments and picture frames for custom orders and also sells at some shows locally. My gift was two of her painted canvases that I LOVE!! They have glittery paint on the snowflakes in the background, which you can't see here. And there are little rhinestones on the berries and a sweet ribbon on the ornament. I have a perfect spot for them in my living room!

I have almost everything I'm making for Christmas made. Only a couple of little things to go; some coasters for hubby's grandma (who will send your gift to her back home with you if she deems it not useful enough!!!), finishing work on my Philly brother's gift, finishing the item for hubby's niece and making things for my dad and stepmom. Okay, maybe I have quite a bit to go... what am I doing on my laptop???!!!