Josh '85

This might possibly go down as the greatest ornament of all time.  It's for our friends' son, Luke . . . owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers player and the squirrel with aviator glasses.  He's in the 8th grade this year and is a drummer in his middle school band.

This ornament has a million pieces, but there was really nothing too tedious about putting it together -- it just took awhile.  I used pipe cleaners to stuff the drum and cymbal stands.  I used toothpicks for the drumsticks.  I cut off the sharp ends and added a tiny drop of hot glue to one end and then painted them.

Ouida remembers that Carolyn DeAngelis had a grandson named Josh and she designed an ornament each year for him.  I wonder how old Josh is now . . . and if he has a collection of his grandmother's ornaments.  I hope so!

I have no legitimate reason to have a drummer on my own tree, but I love this little guy so much that I might have to consider making one for myself!

We noticed a similarity to this ornament I made for my husband a few years ago.  We're wondering if they're in the same band . . . . or if they just shop in the same clothing store -- LOL!

I'm sure this will be my last post for 2013.  I have enjoyed hearing from all of you this year.  Everyone seems to have ornaments and stories and fond memories of these little works of art (that's what I think they are).  I hope your Carolyn DeAngelis heirlooms are hanging proudly on your trees and bring you joy this Christmas season.  Best wishes for a blessed holiday and a happy new year from my family to yours!

Zaxophone Player

Nope . . . that's not a typo!  My youngest nephew, Zach, has been playing the saxophone in school and LOVES it.  My sister suggested a saxophone ornament . . . . but the instrument itself would make a pretty boring ornament.  I took an existing Carolyn DeAngelis pattern -- the Birthday Party boy -- and used him as a springboard.  He had the body shape and position that I wanted.  I put some pants on him and added a saxophone with sequins for the keys and there you have it!

Zach . . . Zaxophone Player . . . get it?

(I do crack myself up!)

I did make a critical error and punished no one but myself with the correction.  I always stitch the year on the backs of my ornaments.  On my nephews' ornaments, I stitch their names, too.  I don't want any family feuds over these priceless heirlooms when they grow up -- HA HA!!  I had already decided to stitch the year on the back of the sleeve for this one.  For some reason, I completely forgot about the name until after I had the whole body stitched and stuffed.  What's a girl to do?  I put on my old lady glasses, sat in the afternoon sunlight, and managed to get his name AND the date on that sleeve!

And then I promised myself NEVER to make that mistake again!  (I got that arm up a little high on the saxophone . . . but just TRY to unglue hot glue on felt.)

Marching Band Bear #3

I said it was my turn to get an ornament, but we were ready to start a movie and I didn't have one cut out. I cut out all four of these when I started them two years ago so I could make sure all the colors matched. For convenience, I decided to go ahead and do this one.

Here's Bear #1

Here's Bear #2

So here is Kelly's third member of her personal marching band. His hat is missing its pom pom because those are at home in Ohio. I accidentally got my drum mallet a little long -- OOPS!




I've known Kelly since she was in kindergarten and I can't believe I've just completed the ornament for her junior year. Only one more to go!

Marching Band Bear #2

Kelly is now a sophomore, so this is bear #2 to add to her marching band. She's still honking away on her clarinet and is still loving band! Nothing exotic here. Stuck straight to the pattern.

Guitar Hero

This is a pattern I created myself for my husband. I used the Jeffrey Jump-Up pattern and made some modifications to the body. I used a clip art graphic for the guitar. Unlike Ouida, I am not good at stuffing the long, narrow pieces. Instead of stuffing, I used a couple of pipe cleaners in the neck of the guitar.

If you would like this pattern, email me at thelovedays@sprintmail.com for mailing instructions.