It's back!

4th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap on Swap-bot!

The 4th Annual Holiday Ornament Swap sign ups are now open over on Swap-bot. You must be a Swap-bot user to sign up. If you have not used Swap-bot before, it's a very simple registration process, and the service is free. Once you are registered, search for user name freshly blended and you will be able to find the swap.

I've participated in this swap for the past three holiday seasons, and it is one of my favorite traditions. As a swapper, you are paired with 8-10 other swappers from all over the world. You make 8-10 ornaments to send out, then you receive 8-10 new ones in return. It is *SO* fun to get so many packages, and add so many different ornaments to the tree.

Sign-ups close on November 7th, so hurry over to Swap-bot and check it out!

Advent :: Day Four / Finished Holiday Swap Ornaments!

Something to read: Did you know that December 1-7th is Shop Local Week? Check out this great post titled Your Guide to Local Holiday Shopping via Making This Home for ideas on how you can check off your Christmas list while supporting your local economy.

Something to listen to: 25 Days of Free Music at Amazon. Amazon is doing an Advent calendar of their own buy posting a free song to download everyday! In order to download music via Amazon, you'll have to install their download program, which is a little annoying, but overall pretty painless. The songs are free for a limited time only, (how limited is not specified). All four songs are still currently available, so if you want to catch up on the free music fun, go over there today!

Something to make: Want to make the Peace Dove ornament pictured above? Follow BellaDia's Peace Dove Ornament Tutorial.

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I finally finished all of my ornaments for the Third Annual Holiday Ornament Swap. I'm so pleased with how these came out, I think they're among some of the prettiest ornaments that I've made yet!

a peace army!



When I was making these, I became curious about the origin of the peace dove. I love to know the story behind things, and I came across an interesting website that outlines the olive branch and the dove's symbolic appearances in historic books, documents and seals. One of my favorite quotes from the page talks about the Great Seal of the United States:

"The Great Seal of the United States illustrates a founding principle: "The power of peace" is superior to the power of war. The American Eagle looks toward the olive branch held in its stronger right talon."

I think that's a lovely sentiment to be sending out to the world at this time of year!

Wishing you all a peaceful day!