::Holiday Ornament Swap 2008::

So last year I signed up for the Holiday Ornament Swap & enjoyed it sooo much that I had to get involved so I've decided to go for it again.

The idea is to design and make a handmade Christmas ornament that can created in multiples. Then I'll receive an email from these two lovely ladies containing the addresses of 8-10 other swap participants which I then send my ornaments to. Last year they arrived from all over the world...Kuala Lumpar...Australia...South Africa...to name a few. I felt like a child again waiting for the postman to arrive. The excitement mounted as my little trembling hands tried to carefully undo the beautifully packaged ornament, awaiting to see what little treat was inside. It was also really heart warming to receive and make Christmas ornaments for folk around the globe that you didn't know but you knew had a common bond in appreciating things that were hand made. It just makes you want to spread the love, especially around a time of year that has become so commercial, when everyone is running around frantically trying to buy up presents that people don't really need or want to be honest. (well some of the time) It was my saving grace last year to chill, enjoy & create a little something for others.

My enthusiasm for it has rubbed off on a couple of my friends who have both signed up this year. Corrie lives in California & Al is here in London, how funny if they ended up on my list. I think I may just send one off to both of them regardless. Spread the love and all that!