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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Christmas Creatures

It all began with an ornament, my nemesis. Someone, I think an old girlfriend, had given my husband this little ornament,


A skier made from clothespins. He loved it. So began my 26 year quest to trump that ornament. I bought ski ornament after ski ornament. Each year when the ornaments came out I would ask which was his favorite. To no avail, it was always the clothespin guy.  Urgh!!!


Two years ago, still determined, I made this little guy, skier dude. You can see the post and more pictures here.


He loved it! Finally, I was successful. So began a new tradition. Rather than buying an ornament, I've been making them from all the bits and pieces I collect on my travels.


 Last year I made a wacky Rudolph out of pine cones, sticks, seed pods and acorn caps.


He's a skier who is completely out of control, a little like my husband at times.


I even found some seeds that had a furry sprout to them and made a furry tail.


The first year I thought that I would not be able to top what I made, but when I finished Rudolph, I loved him more than the skier dude. Now the challenge was on for this year.


And here's my little creature, a troll of sorts. His face is made from a walnut shell that I found. The body is made from a black walnut and the hat is of course an acorn cap. The scarf is a piece of wool I had left over.


His shoes are tiny little seed pods that look like pine cones. His sticks are the stem from some very large leaves I collected for an arrangement. When I cut the stems off the leaves, I realized that they had a wonderful cup to the end. Hey, ski poles!!


 We ski every chance we get, but we manage to get in a little snowshoeing as well. So rather than skis, he has snowshoes made from pine cones.


 I just love his quirky little attitude. He is my favorite...for now!


My little family of Christmas Creatures.
I told my husband that I had finished his ornament and I'm so excited that it's killing me to wait to give it to him. But Christmas will arrive quickly and probably, a little too quickly!



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13 comments:

  1. lolol. These are so fantastic!!! I love the whimsy and what touching love tokens.

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    1. They make me laugh too shams ;) it's amazing how they take on such a personality.

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  2. What a wonderful collection of creatures! And what a talent to see the possibilities in such bits and pieces of nature.

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    1. Thanks Irene. I just love the beauty of nature. I collect all types of seeds and make what I call seed balls. So I usually have a good bit of nature on hand and it makes it easy to create.

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  3. SO adorable!!!!! (yes, multiple exclamation points adorable!!!!)

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    1. Jilly, I am like a little child. I put the little troll together this morning and I have been itching to share it with somebody. Thanks Jilly;)

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  4. Rhonda, your handmade ornaments are precious! The newest one reminds me of an armadillo on skis (not a common occurrence, mind you, as we don't get much snow down here...) and I love his scarf!!

    I hope you and your husband have a wonderful Christmas.

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  5. I just love the little troll. And the little story. Merry Christmas!

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  6. Oh, darling! you are so creative! I am also an advocate of recycling, and this idea is totally cool, because it combines also the plus of them be memories of your travels, Wow! You are amazing! Merry Christmas!!

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  7. Had to stop by to comment - I love these "nature" ornies! Good job, you have so much creativity in everything you do!

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  8. I love them all! Especially your wee troll from the walnut shell and what a wonderful idea to do this every Christmas ...Merry Christmas!

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  9. Each one has its own personality! Do they have names?

    Happy Holidays to you and your husband.

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    1. No names. Maybe I should name them. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

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