Tree Story

Most of my friends "scrapbook".

I "ornament".  It's basically scrapbooking with 3D symbols, instead of papers and photos.

Herewith, some photo-stories for your amusement.

Starbursts from the "Jetsons" Tree of the '60's.

They went with our Pottery:

The crumpled St Louis Cathedral  ornament, from our cross-country move.  We had a family room on the "Sunset Limited", from New Orleans to Phoenix.  Unforgettable.

The year I got Pneumonia, I made bizarre felt stockings, using plastic breather cases.  Prescription drugs do odd things to your worldview.

Egghead. Always the tree top angel.

The original egghead was created by my sister in grade school.  But, having an egg for a head, she is continually re-inventing herself.

 An essential part of our summer vacation was mom taking over the play room, for her annual sorority fund raiser, 

"The Christmas House".

She did it again about a week before the event: every surface covered with brownies and sugar cookies.

Nowadays, people just pay money to tour the houses.

In the 60's however,  Every Single Item, from bedsheets to candelabras, was for sale. It was my first experience of

Total Willy-Wonka-Set-Type Environmental Overload,

 EVERYTHING was available. (If you were a millionaire, of course)  It simply boggled my tiny mind that  

an entire house, down to each bathroom soap, was all about Christmas!

and you could buy it, and put it in your OWN home, and make it ALL CHRISTMAS!

After shopping, you had tea in the garden, with spiced ciders and home made cookies and candies. (also for sale).  Here's a link to a modern version of a "Christmas House"

There are kits available now, to make your own beaded, felt appliquè ornaments;

or you can make them like my mom did, using cookie cutters for your patterns.
I've also enjoyed making "crismons" through the year, for Christmas giving.  This is a link to the patterns I published last fall.


 In the 80's when I was having kids, all new moms read this wonderful book:  "The Mothers Almanac"
The authors advocated creating your child's "Dowry", by collecting and making tree ornaments every year as they grew up.
Last year I dispensed all 3 dowries to their rightful owners. (sob, sniff,sniff) 
"Ornamenting" has been for me, one of the simplest but most rewarding types of Family Albums I've ever created.
I encourage you to try it this year!