May Arts Christmas Ornament / Last Day to Enter for Giveaway!

Although the blog event 12 Days of Home for the Holidays is completed, there is still time to enter the contest for an awesome giveaway sponsored by ...

Graphic 45

 Nutcracker Sweet 12x12 paper pad; both sets of coordinating stickers; Ornate Metal Keys; Ornate Metal Key Holes; Flower Staples, Envelope Tag Staples

X-ACTO

X-ACTO Designer Series 9’’ Fixed Blade; X-ACTO Designer Series Precision Scissors; X-ACTO Designer Series Corner Punch; X-ACTO Designer Series Gripster; X-ACTO Designer Series Shapes Templates; CraftBond Glue Spots; CraftBond Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen; CraftBond All Purpose Glue Stick

May Arts

Red and Green Center Strip 25 yards; Jute 400 yards; Mini-Pom Poms 30 yards; Velvet 50 yards; Cotton Strip 30 yards

Sizzix

The New Tim Holtz Texture Fades;  They include: 658269 Holly Pattern  Wreath Set;  658273 Brush Poinsettias Winter Berries Set;  658270 Textured Poinsettia Pattern Set; and 658272 Holly Branch Pine Branch Set

I've listed all the links on the upper, right side of the blog to all the guests.  Click, Read, and Leave a comment for each one.  Also you can "click" on each of the sponsors' links above and leave a nice thank you or season's greeting to them letting them know you are from the 12 Days of Home for the Holidays event.  For each item you do leave a comment on one of the guests blog post ... NOT THIS ONE.   The contest closes at midnight tonight, Eastern Time.  The winner will be posted on Friday morning.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond.  After that I have to draw another winner.  Everyone Good Luck!

May Arts, "All That Glitters" Christmas Craft Challenge
I was fortunate to be chosen for this month's May Arts Ribbon challenge.  I was sent some ribbon and challenged to make something that "Glittered" for Christmas.  Here is my project:

My passion this year for Christmas is all about the Nutcracker Suite story.  My granddaughter and I went to see the Nutcracker Suite for the first time...for both of us.  I made my ornament with the dream theme fit for the dream quality of the Nutcracker Suite. 

The base of the ornament is a canning ring I spray painted red.  I built the inside of the ring with Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet, a photo, and May Arts Ribbon.

The photo is of me at age 4…49 years ago.  What 4 year old doesn't dream of a beautiful Christmas where her toys come to life in her dreams and dance for her. 

After painting the ring I "glitzed" it  by wrapping the outer part with the red and green May Arts glitter ribbon.

I topped the ribbon at the seam with a white flower I made with white May Arts ribbon. 

 The canning ring is backed with Technique Tuesday tiles FUNdamentals of Snow snowflake covered with Ranger’s Diamond Stickles.  I used Stickles on the other two snowflakes.  

On the large snowflake I created a sliver flower using May Arts ribbon by stitching a basting thread from one end to the other and drawing the ribbon up by pulling on one thread until it was gathered to the degree I wanted it to curl.  I created a circle flower adhering it with hot glue onto a small circle made from transparency film.  I added a few seed beads  and white May Arts ribbon for flare.  I built all this on top of the ballerina having added Diamond Dust to it's wings.

The smallest snowflake has a tiny white ribbon flower I made with the white May Arts ribbon.

To give it that dream like quality I added a few strands of the white May Arts ribbon across the top of the ring.  You can still see the images but you really have to look to get all the details. The ornament hanger is made from the white May Arts ribbon.

My tree is full of homemade ornaments that my children have made through the years.  I've add to the collection with my homemade ornaments with their photos on them.  This ornament will hold a special place in my heart.  Christmas, for me, was a magical time when I was growing up.  Not just the presents, but the whole atmosphere surrounding the holiday.  From decorations...oh, yes I remember every strand of sliver tinsel I hung, mom painting windows, stockings full of oranges, apples, and nuts, pretending to be asleep but listening for Santa, and the magic of leaving cookies and milk for Santa.  This ornament reminds me of that time with my Mom and Dad.

Thank you May Arts for allowing me to participate in this month's challenge!  You can win some May Arts Ribbon ... read about it on their blog "'All That Glitters' Christmas Craft Challenge Entries {and a giveaway}."

I'll see everyone tomorrow for the announcement of the winner to the 12 Days of Home for the Holidays.

Have a Crafty Day!

Gratitude List
1.  my sweet bean sprout
2.  my smiley Ali
3.  my heart, Little
4.  my laughter, H
5.  my first, A