Handmade Holiday 2010 Part Three: Funky Decor

 I didn't try and reinvent the wheel much this Christmas, and I think I owe much of my productivity to that. I made everything in about 7 weeks- from start to finish, neighbors to classmates to friends to everyone in our family. I have an ever-running list of links to things I want to make in various folders, and come time to choose my gifts I start selecting and editing. This is the inspiration for these yarn and felt wreaths, although her shop is empty now, so check back after the New Year- her designs are awesome!

 I made this 12" monochromatic one for Miss Molly, and it was the sneak peek macro shot I posted a couple of weeks ago. (I didn't have good light so I had to prop them up on my sideboard, hence the oddly-placed glass knobs in the photos.)

 This 12" one for Shell, I think is my favorite-designed to coordinate with her chartreuse front door.

 I made this 10" one for Emily. The colors spoke to me- specifically they said "We would be perfect for Emily and her college apartment.".

I was inspired to make miniature versions for the girls' doors, so I found these 6" ones online.

 Bella's. I snazzied these ones up with little pompoms as well.

(Shown for scale.)

 Fiona's.

And a different kind of wreath- a button wreath, inspired by the ones I did last year. My mom wanted a replica on the one I made for Linda last year. (They are very low-tech as you can see from the corrugated cardboard the buttons are glued onto.)

Usually I would hang the wreath with a nice velvet ribbon, and preferably a pearl buckle, but alas, my studio was out of those supplies. I felt confident my mom, the recipient, could procure her own velvet ribbon.

These felt and yarn wreaths were my very favorite thing to create this year, despite the fact that Timm hated them and thought they resembled life preservers. I wanted to make so many, but I was afraid they were a little too 'crafty' for some. (i.e. my mom and Linda.) They are a bit funky to be sure, but I adore them. This was the kind of gift that you are so thrilled to have made, so proud of your accomplishment, but also unsure if it will be appreciated! That's always a risk you run when you create something, but especially when you make something so stylized. No matter what you make, you are always putting yourself out there, not to mention the potential pressure you put on the recipient. This year I may or may not have emailed Michelle to tell her how much I loved the gift I made for her, that it was perhaps my favorite gift I made so far, and that there was no pressure for her to love it as much as I did.