Making Birds for the Ornament Exchange

Every year at Christmas time I host an Ornament Exchange Party.  Seven of my crafty friends each make 8 handmade ornaments and then we exchange them at our party!  This year I decide to make some Christmas birds for my exchange.

Although I have made little birds before, I lost the pattern and had to find a new one.  So these little birds are made using the Sizzix bird pattern.  They are a bit smaller but are just as cute!

I painted some beaks and eyes onto them using a charcoal paint.  For some of the birds, I crocheted a little red and white scarf and for others I glued on some flower embellishments and poinsettias.  Then I sewed a thin gold cord so that they can hang on the tree.

The birds are made using Fig Tree Christmas fabric.  Each bird is a little bit different and that makes them so special.  

I made extra birds so that I can give them out as Christmas gifts.  My crafty friends just loved them.  Of course, I want to make MORE.  (They're like eating potato chips; you can't just make one!)

I put them in a two-tiered tray that I picked up at Target.  I think they look so cute!  

 

There's a Whole Flock of Them!

I am going to be hosting an Ornament Exchange this weekend and decided to use the birds as my item to exchange.  Here are a few of them nestled in their basket ready for exchanging! 

These little guys are made from designer papers that are glued onto cardboard and then cut out with the Sizzix bird die cut.  Then I cut out the wings from the pieces that were remaining so that the wings are 3D also. 

Next I added stamping with some vintage images, glued a ribbon around the neck and punched some Petite Flowers for decoration.  Their eyes are pearls colored with a brown Sharpie.  Then a button with a twine bow and a ribbon for hanging completes the look. 

I made them in a lot of different colors so that they can be used all year round. 

Here they are all hanging on their little tree.  Do you like them?  Which color do you like the best?  Would you keep them up all year?