baker's dozen

As I'm sure you know, Christmas is just around the corner. While I'm planning to make all my gifts again this year,(save for a few special requests for the babes from Santa)I didn't wait until the very last minute to get started. I know, crazy. Don't fret though, while I have all the items ready to go, I'm sure I'll wait until the very last possible second to put everything together.

I've been toying with some new ornament designs for our tree and am very happy with the way they are turning out. I'll share them as soon as there's enough light to get a picture.

Claire over at Handmade Parade hosted a fantastic ornament swap. I haven't received my package yet, but thought I'd share what I made. Participants had to make twelve ornaments and we will be receiving twelve different ornaments in return. I used Betz White's instructions for these cute cupcake ornaments from Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts mag.


I only added bead "sprinkles" to one since I only had blue bugle beads and I didn't add ribbons, but I love how they turned out and will add sprinkles to any more that I make. Pastel-colored wool sweaters are hard to come by around here, so I used Easter egg dye on cream-colored sweaters to get those yummy pastels. These are fun and easy to make, but super-addictive, so plan on making a bunch. The magazine is on sale now and features lots of other cool ornaments and projects, including two that are on my 'make" list from Bella Dia