Memory Tree

The tree has been up for a little over a week now. I have to say, it's my most favorite one EVER. Mom gave me all my old ornaments that were collected over the years when I was little. So the tree is filled with things I made and adorable ornaments Mom had bought that she felt described who I was at the time. A Girl Scout, a paintbrush, a piano. She even gave me ones that commemorated big events like buying my first house. It's cute, it looks like my front door... bright red and quaint. And then there's ones like this little guy — he clips right onto the branches...



I love this tree, too, because Mom gave me all the ornaments she bought with Dad the first year they were married. There aren't many, but they are all glass and glittery – some big like this one, some small, some dangly. She kept them in the original boxes and they even have the price tags still on them (they were 50 cents for 12!). I think Christmas trees are so wonderful... there's nothing like opening up the ornament bin each year and hanging them on the tree one by one. There's such a personal memory (thoughtful or silly) tied to every single ornament and it can't help but put you in such a great spirit.



And finally... the coaster sets were made! Lots of pretty Christmastime fabric. I like the ones that have the light stitching on the lighter fabric best. I ended up making quite a bit.





And look! The bird ornaments got finished this weekend as well. I couldn't resist perching them up on the ledge overlooking my sewing machine.




He looks a little forlorn, doesn't he?



And then I just couldn't resist hanging them outside. I wish they were waterproof. It would be fun to have a tree outside filled with these little guys. Although that would most likely drive Ellie nuts. And still... I ended up making some yummy peppermint hot chocolate to gift out. Oooh, I hope I have enough left over to keep for myself.



Tonight the gifities get bundled up and hopefully sent off this week. I'll be looking forward to things winding down a bit. As usual, I started too late and made too much. Sigh. Still some more bags to sew... I will post pics when done of those too. I'm finally getting to use all that great fabric I got from Purl last month!