ribbon christmas ornaments

One of the few difficult things I experienced while compiling handmade living: a designer collective, was witnessing the stunning array of handcrafted items and projects by really clever people all over the country... and not having the time to create them myself.

I mean - the book will soon be delivered and I'll have the rest of my life to create these amazing projects! but it's been a torturous year being so book-focused and time poor, and not being able to craft anything myself.

Being a total Christmas nutbag, I invariably go a little bananas by the end of October, pondering what theme I'd like to work on for decorating the house - and this year it will be RED and WHITE, with a little touch of Nordic straw and pine.

I have an enormous collection of Christmas ornaments (call it a sickness) but this year I wanted to create something new and different, so last night set to work creating pieces from ribbon...

Don't you just love the effect of the stripe? A lot of this was trial and error - and it wasn't until I found the right glue and stitching techniques that things became easier and the shapes began to look nicer.

The concertina folds in the flower top left were really tough to configure - no matter how tight you hold them, they do slip and slide, so I ended up just making loops of ribbon which hold their shape and length beautifully and are much easier to work with.

This my collection so far and I'm off to get more ribbon today to try some new shapes - I already have some ideas in mind, having mulled them over last night in my sleep.

It might be a small thing but the joy I found in making these ornaments - the satisfaction, the creative relief... it just makes me want to peep.

Are you making any Christmas ornaments?