Shimmery, Glittery, and Glistening

This has been a very special Christmas for me. I spent much of my free time from August through December designing and creating a series of winter ornaments and decorations. I found great pleasure throughout the season in sharing my treasures with friends both near and far.

I was also the very proud recipient of some INCREDIBLE ornaments that were made by a number of extremely talented artists. I thought I might share some of these shimmery, glittery, and glistening gifts with you.

The ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE houses in the image above were sent to me by the talented Ms. Jenny Everyday. Words CAN NOT BEGIN to express HOW Sweet, SWEET, S-W-E-E-T these ornaments are!

My husband asked if someone had sent me pastries when he saw the bubble gum pink cake box. As I began to carefully unwrap the ornaments inside this pretty package, a HUGE grin crept across my face, and I shouted with delight... "There are NO Pastries in here!!!! It is SOMETHING MUCH MUCH BETTER!!!!"

If you have not had a chance to peruse Jenny's site with all of her delectable treats, you are definitely missing a feast for the eyes. I FEEL COMPLETELY HONORED and BLESSED that I met Jenny and Aaron (the other half of this creative duo)!!!!

I have had visions of sugarplums and these holiday cottages in my dreams every night since their box arrived.

The Very....VERY BEAUTIFUL dove in the photo on the left was a most thoughtful and heartfelt gift from Delsie Chambon. Delsie was my Secret Santa in the Silver Bella Ornament Exchange. I was SO THRILLED and EXCITED when I opened my exchange package to find the most DELICATE and EXQUISITE bird!!!!

My darling dove came nestled in a elegant oval box that Delsie had decorated with vintage papers and soft felt material. And, you should SEE the gorgeous ephemera that adorns this oh.. so.. lovely ornament!

I feel like the luckiest girl to have had Delsie as my Secret Santa... in fact, a little bird told me that she was the OUTSTANDING designer of A Song in My Heart Desk Calendar. Maybe her work on the calendar inspired her Silver Bella ornament?

And lastly, a few jeweled surprises I received from Melissa McCobb Hubble's Winter Solstice Exchange. This swap was so much fun, and the ornaments I received in return were OUT of this WORLD!

I want to thank everyone for these cherished gifts. I look forward to decorating my tree year after year remembering fondly the friendships I have made and the treasures that were exchanged during Christmas 2006.