More Holiday stuff.....

It has been pretty lonely around here...Aside from work I have been filling my extra time with pets, reading and making things...Can I just go on the record as saying that the holidays are a lonely time for me...It is hard not to sink into a mattress filled with sadness and tears. All my lost loved ones seem to surround me and I feel so darn sad. I think it is the hardest time to get through. I have my sister and her kids, but I don't get to see them very often. They live about 45 miles away and a lot of times I cant even afford the gas to get over there. I know so many people struggle with being alone this time of year and my wish would be, if you know someone who is, offer them company, or a phone call or some Christmas cookies and a card. One thing that has kept me feeling like I am participating in something Christmas related is I joined Shawnee's secret santa swap....I figured I could do it the handmade way with what I have...the only thing that cost me money was a peppermint bark candy bar and postage. My partner was a lady named Debbie. I just heard she got her package so it is ok to share now...

















I made this bag from a curtain panel that I had...I think it is pretty festive and it was lined with ivory satin and then instead of a card I attached a fabric, paper heart that can be used as an ornament.


She loves bright colors so I also made her a "Joy" banner...her house is in mexican style colors so I thought she would enjoy it.












The glitter bird and the turquoise, brown necklace in the last post were also for her. I passed on the quilt mystery book that I won from Michelle's blog too...


I made some more bird ornaments..This is one of my favorites. I love the turquoise with the glitter.











Then CJ H. and I are doing a private swap that is a twelve days of Christmas thing...Number twelve is a handmade stocking and then the other things just have to be made with what you have, re purposed into something else or used...no things that cost anything...We are both late and smiling about it, but we plan on mailing by tomorrow. We have had fun emailing each other back and forth. Thru emailing, we have found out that we have some things in common which makes it even more fun. I have put a lot of time into this, I just turn the tv on and sit on the floor and paint and glue and cut fabric and sew. I cant wait to hear what she thinks when she gets her package...
I am finally down to two little bins of fabric and paper...I may have to turn into one of those trash artists, but you never know, that could be fun too! I love those bags made out of candy wrappers....Yeah, that's an idea... xoxoxoxox Melinda