Holiday Recap of Paper Gifts, Cards, and Ornaments
I hope that the new year is off to a great start for you! But before the glow of the holidays fades completely, here's my annual look back at papery things given and received during the festive season.
I enjoy wrapping presents and especially like tying on a handmade paper ornament as a little something extra. This time around it meant utilizing the folded paper wreaths that I featured as a how-to in my previous post, as well as modern quilled snowflakes (tutorial).
This kraft wrapping paper with gold foil patterns that I ordered from Amazon turned out to be really nice... sturdy, but easy to fold, and the spruce organza ribbon, also from Amazon, was great to work with too... no fraying ends. The perfectly hand lettered Merry Christmas gift tags were from Etsy shop Franky and J Designs... everything I've ever ordered from shop owner Karla is top notch.
Our tree was a tiny one this year... believe it or not, there are more than thirty ornaments on it, but in looking at this pic I see I could have added more (even the hippo planter is giving it the side eye, ha). See if you can spot my German paper bells, quilled snowflakes, Pennsylvania German folded paper stars, a himmeli, a quilled angel (similar), origami diamonds, and quilling comb ornaments (links are tutorials).
I put a quilled ornament inside some of my Christmas cards from The Paper Frenzy as a little surprise. They were made with 1/8-inch quilling strips and protected by a bubble wrap layer, but weren't so thick that they required additional postage.
This green and silver quilled ornament shone brightly on the tree. Quilled Creations metallic edge strips are a joy to use.
Special cards received included this watercolor Christmas tree painted by one of our daughters-in-law - so pretty!
And this has nothing to do with paper, but I can't help but also show you a present given to quite a few friends and family that was a hit... a waxed amaryllis bulb. All you do is put it in a bright location and watch it grow and bloom - now that's my kind of winter gardening!
A quilling friend in Ohio, Laurie Bortolotto, sent this cute card with a quilled string of lights and a wreath made of quilled and punched elements. She's a whiz at creating framed custom quilled wedding invitations too, so get in touch with me if you are in need of a special gift and would like her contact info.
The 2023 White House holiday card is a pop up of the Grand Hall, designed by Chris Hankinson. He also created the 2013 card that featured the White House exterior.
A special gift received was this watercolor painted by a friend. It's of a restaurant where we enjoy going with him and his wife. Handmade presents are simply the best!
And now a look at light as a feather paper jewelry that I gifted to friends and family... another annual tradition around here. The top row necklace and earrings are from Etsy shop Mayumi Origami, the blue Erica dangle earrings are from Biju Jewellery, and the floral earrings are from Monday Morning Press... all of these shops have been featured on the blog this past year.
Use the Monday Morning Press (affiliate) link to receive 20% off your purchase. U.S. shipping is free too.
Natalie Itinov of Biju Jewellery not only makes colorful paper jewelry, but she creates the clever slider boxes that hold it perfectly too.
And lastly, a pair of silver edge white quilled earrings that I made for a friend in California. She's one of those lucky women whose hair has turned a stunning silvery white so I trust they look as great on her as I'm picturing in my mind's eye. Here's my earring tutorial if you would like to make some too.
Happy New Year!
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