I had another wedding shower to send a gift to. (My attendance would have required a trip to Texas, something I would have loved to do, but it’s inconvenient and expensive.) In addition to sending a regular gift, I made a Christmas ornament for the couple’s first Christmas tree. Like last time, I went for a bluebird of happiness, but I changed things up a bit. First, this shower was for the sister of the young man I previously made an ornament for. I didn’t want to do something identical. Second, this one fits the recipient better than the first one would have. Third, it turns out that I like this one better.
I used the same technique of gluing my design to a piece of acetate, which is then rolled up and placed inside a glass ornament. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I purchased iridescent glass rather than clear glass until it was too late. So the photos are not as clear as I would like. I used the initial of the couple’s soon-to-be joint last name, added a punched-out bluebird, and voila!
While I was at it, I made an ornament for my own tree. I either buy or make an ornament each year for my husband and me. Since having Alex, I now do the same for him so that he’ll have a collection of ornaments to take with him when he’s all grown up and leaves home. Because coloring has become one of his favorite pastimes, I wanted to preserve some of his early artwork in some way. But let’s be honest; a toddler’s scribbles aren’t exactly frame-worthy. However, they are definitely ornament worthy.
I punched several heart shapes out of one of his drawings. I folded each heart in half, then glued the hearts to each other, essentially making a bit of a fan. I then glued the hearts to a piece of acetate and rolled it all up and put it into an ornament. Add ribbon, and it’s done. Beautifully preserved artwork from my favorite little person.
This one is mine, but I’m going to make a second one for Alex’s collection, as I think it well sums up the thing he has been most into in 2013: crayons!
The Oklahoma Texan 
Very nice, Anne Marie. Love the idea of cutting hearts out of kids’ artwork to make into an ornament!