Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow
or reap
or store away in barns,
and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable then they?
~ Matthew 6:26

]]> http://www.kathykwylie.com/blog/2011/12/merry-christmas-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.kathykwylie.com/blog/2010/12/merry-christmas-2010/ http://www.kathykwylie.com/blog/2010/12/merry-christmas-2010/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:16:01 +0000 kkwylie http://www.kathykwylie.com/blog/?p=1979 Worthy is the Lamb.]]> Here is my annual handmade Christmas ornament for 2010.  Click here to see the ornaments from 1998 – 2008 and here for 2009.

2010

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  ~ Luke 2:8-11

John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” ~ John 1:28-30

Worthy is the Lamb,
who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!
~ Revelation 5:12

1998

1999

Every year, I make a Christmas ornament.  Or, I suppose I should say, I make a bunch of them.  A different handmade ornament, every year.  Since 1998, the ornaments have been made of fabric, fused to a black felt background, and embellished with buttons, beads or embroidery.  They’re easy to make and they come in very handy.

Initially, I made them for my neices and nephews.  I fuse a piece of muslin on the back where I write their name and date with a Pigma pen.  I then attach the ornament to their Christmas gift, like a gift tag.  My thought was that they could collect them, year by year, and maybe one day I would make a quilt for them to hang on. 

2000

2001

2002

2003

Eventually, I realized these little ornaments had other uses.  They could be a little gift for teachers, newspaper boys, or house cleaners.  I could attach them to hostess gifts and gift cards.  Children of my friends started their own collections.  They were a simple way to add a personal touch to Christmas wishes.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

This series of ornaments come from a pattern called Here Comes Santa by Art to Heart.  Each ornament was designed to attach to a wallhanging from buttons on the quilt.  I’m not sure whether I’ll ever make the accompanying quilt, but I sure have enjoyed making a new ornament every year.  This pattern is still available if you would like to start your own collection of annual handmade Christmas ornaments.

What ornament will I make this year?  I haven’t decided yet – and besides, I can’t spoil the surprise!