My family portraits

I thought it might be fun to look at the ornaments that I’ve made for my family through the years. These are from Christmas 2000 through Christmas 2015, with some breaks in there.

I got kind of sick of making these ornaments for a while there, so 2006-2011, I made us different styles. And in 2013 and 2014, I apparently dropped the ball completely. At least, I think I did. I can’t find anything in the ornament box.

I first made people ornaments in 1999 when I was expecting Aidan. I made a lady with a Santa hat and a pregnant belly for myself, and a whole bunch more for an internet community of moms-to-be that I was a part of. (I still am a part of that group, only now we’re moms of almost-16-year-olds!)

The year after that, I made my first family portrait. Me, Neil, and baby Aidan.

This is all of our family ornaments from 1999 through 2012. For all of the family portrait ornaments (the ones with little sculpted versions of the four of us) I dressed us up in clothes we actually owned. I love adding fun little touches like that.

And here is a closer look at this year’s ornament. I’m really happy with it. You’ll notice I am now the shortest one in the family. Where does the time go??

As long as I’m showing and telling the contents of our family ornament box, let me share these, too:

These are Aidan’s ornaments, one for each year since he was a baby, except for 2015 because I haven’t done that one yet. I make ornaments for both boys every year, usually from polymer clay, but sometimes not, and almost always at the very last minute. 2009 is a transfer onto fabric, 2012 is made of card stock, and 2013 is crocheted. The rest are polymer, either sculpted or image transfer.

These are Eamonn’s ornaments.

My plan is to make them one every year, and then let them take the ornaments with them when they move out someday, so they have a special set of decorations for their own Christmas trees.

I still have to figure out what to make them this year!