Thanks to all who voted!

Be sure not to miss your chance to enter Contest #8 - Holiday eCards! The deadline for Contest #8 is Monday, December 10, at 6pm Eastern. Click here to read about Contest #8.

Winners for Weekly Contest #7 -- The Challenge:

Create a tree ornament for the holidays!

FIRST PLACE

"Angel Baby" by Nina Newton
Fabric, yarn, button, ribbon, and lace art doll, approximately 5" high
Click the picture to see the entry in full size


 

SECOND PLACE:

"Angel of Hope" by Lori Minick
Polymer clay, acrylic paint, crystal beads, copper wire, and hope, 6" diameter
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

TIED FOR THIRD PLACE

"Christmas Tins" by Cynthia Wiist
Tins are approximately 2 1/4" in diameter. They are filled with a tiny gift then deocrated. A hanger is attached with a ribbon so that the tins may be hung on the tree.
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

TIED FOR THIRD PLACE:

"Altered heArt" by Gretchen Little
Wood, paint, paper, foil, glitter, wire, 2"x2"
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

AND HERE ARE ALL OF THE WONDERFUL ENTRIES:

"Butterfly Madonna" by Cynthia Wiist
Cardstock printed front and back, 3"x2-1/2"
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Tiny Angel Banner" by Barbara Miller
Counted cross stitch on 14-count ivory Aida cloth, on dowel with hanger, 2-1/8"x3-1/2"
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Folded Dimensional Paper Dove" by Patricia Wiley Shafer
White cardstock, 4"x3"
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Tree Wishes: Merry, Joy, Love" by Barb Starrenburg
Altered Art, 6"x8"
The metal tree I found caught my eye as an ideal object for transformation. I used vibrant, colorful imagery of a little girl with her kitty that I cut out and adhered to a painted wooden star with lengths of curled ribbon to create a more finished appearance. Next came the tree trimming with accents like text, different sizes and shapes of decorative elements, and a round mirror as a personal object I like using.
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Good Ol' Saint Nick" by Janelle Ortiz-Scolaro
Cross stitch with thread and beads, 2"x3"
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"O Tannenbaum" by Kate Weber
4-1/2"x4"
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"Altered Puzzle Pieces" by Tammy Hensley
2-1/2"x2-1/2"
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"Holiday Playtime" by Jaime Adcock
Ornament decoupaged with Chiyogami Japanese papers and authentic Victorian image, finished with brocade trim and charm, 3-1/2" diameter
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Victorian Aura" by Julie Burger
Styrofoam Ball with ribbon, potpourri, glue, 3" diameter
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"Flapper Christmas Tree" by Julie Burger
Styrofoam tree base with fringe, beads, plant material, glue, glitter, 9"x4"
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

"An Evergreen Garden" by Tara Douglas-Smith
Paper Quilling Potted Plants, ranging in height from 1/3" to 2"
"I made these quilled paper pots to hang on a new baby pine tree that's still in a flower pot."
Click the picture to see the entry in full size

THANK YOU FOR VOTING!

The where, why and how of Christmas ornaments can be found at http://corporate.hallmark.com/Newsroom/History-Christmas-Ornament.  From their article, it seems that christmas ornaments came from Germany to America in the 1840's by "German mercenaries fighting in the Revolutionary War." Before that time, they were hung with apples, white wafers, and small pastries.  By 1890, F.W.Woolworth was selling $25 million worth of ornaments at nickel and dime prices.

Can you even fathom how much the business of christmas ornaments must be in 2007?  Personally, I cannot imagine a christmas without the tree and the many wonderful homemade (and purchased) ornaments adorning our tree ever year.  Some of them date back over fifty years from my mother's collection, to my own children making them in school from twenty-five years ago, to ones that my dear mother-in-law lovingly makes just about every year.  Have fun with this challenge, everybody - I know I'm going to!

- chameleon

Hi Barb!

I'm looking forward to this one! I am finishing one up and want to do one or two more if I have the time today. I have to see the surgeon first this morning. I just hope I can get there because we have a lot of ice on the roads this morning.  I haven't put up a tree at home for quite some time but I used to have a tree trimming party every year with friends and family and they made for wonderful memories. My sister Donna is having a tree trimming party on the 16th in her new CT house and I'm looking forward to it. It's so much fun and a little nostagic with so many memories coming to mind with each ornament is hung.                               

  Hugs,      Julie                                   

Just a reminder that your Holiday Ornaments are due at 6pm EDT today (Monday, Dec 3)

We've also just posted the new contest - Contest #8 - at http://artellacafe.com/forums/p/2224/6139.aspx#6139

Happy holiday art-making! 

What fun these weekly challenges have been!  Thank you so much for this opportunity . . . . . I just want to say that this has been quite inspirational in my life.  I had been struggling with my health since July, and not having much energy to do anything, much less create anything.  It was getting pretting discouraging.  And then, when I was starting to regain some of my strength and having some interest in getting busy again, I discovered the Artella weekly challenges, and it has really given me focus and motivation, and a weekly goal to get me busy creating.  So . . . . . no matter the outcome of the "contests," which I see as simply a way for us all to support and encourage each other, I want you all to know that this has been such a blessing in my life.  So much more than a weekly activity, but a life changing encounter.  Thank you all for allowing me to participate and for helping me get back to "normal," whatever that might be!  Nina

Hey Mom! It looks like people like your projects a lot! I know I do! How are you feeling? Hope all is well... talk to you soon. I LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

~Erin~

 Vote for I - victorian ornment with children

Oh my! How in the world can I vote for just ONE?

I want one of each for my tree! They are all beautiful entries and you are making this really tough!

Signed,

Perplexed Mary 

Mary - it IS difficult because they are all really beautiful!  I think everyone is a winner for taking the time and investing the creative energy to design such wonderful works of art.  I love being a part of this friendly and supportive community. 

Nina

Remember to vote by 6pm today and get your free digital ephemera pack!

These entries are SO awesome, aren't them?

And don't forget to enter Contest #8 by Monday! 

Congratulations to the winners of Contest #7!

Don't forget to enter Contest #8 - Holiday eCards - by Monday Dec 10!

Congratulations everyone - this was a great contest!  Thank you for voting for my tiny tins.  After a long time not being able to indulge in my passion, it is so wonderful to find Artellaland.  I really enjoy participating in the contests, they give me such incentive, and all my rusty parts are moving more freely!  Happy Holidays, CWiist

Oh, how I would love to have all those ornaments hanging in my christmas tree this year.  I loved each and every one.  Congratulations to everyone for such creative ornaments - what a collection of inspiring works!

Joy!
Chameleon