TPS: Monoprint Christmas Ornament - 2015

Last year's swap was so much fun, I thought we'd do it again!

I'm always looking for new ways to use my seemingly bottomless stack of printed papers, and so I thought what better way to celebrate the holidays (and help the hoarder in me) than to have a Christmas ornament swap!

For this swap you will send 1 partner 1 handmade Christmas ornament using a monoprint in some way. You may create your print in any way you wish, whether with a Gelli Arts plate, a homemade gelatin plate, a sheet of plexiglass, or any other monoprinting tool.

Your ornament may be flat if you choose to save on shipping costs, or even shipped flat with instructions for your partner to assemble upon receipt. You may also create something dimensional if you choose, that's totally up to you. Feel free to start with a storebought base if that helps - I found some paper mache star shapes at Michael's for a $1 that would work wonderfully for this swap. It's up to you which direction you go as long as your ornament/ornament base is created from something sturdy, such as chipboard, Grungeboard, heavy cardboard, paper mache, etc. Don't feel you have to limit yourself to these materials, though; if you prefer to use another type of sturdy material, go for it! You may create the print itself on thin paper and adhere it to the base if you'd like. Just make sure your completed ornament isn't flimsy, please.

I'm making a small change this year by requiring the addition of some sparkle and shine. It can be in the form of a sparkly/shimmery/glittery embellishment, or metallic/shimmery/glittery paints (in either your print or added afterwards), or straight up glitter (make sure it stays stuck and doesn't get all over your partner when they open their package, please!), glitter glue, or mica powders. Other shiny add-ons include: rhinestones; metallic rubbing wax; metallic inks/ink sprays; shiny beads, micro beads, or charms. Feel free to use your imagination, as long as your ornament has some shine and sparkle. It is Christmas, after all! :)

Sender's choice in theme and colors. You can go with traditional Christmas elements/colors/themes if you wish, or think outside the box and create something really artsy fartsy! The sky's the limit! As for size, I know some people have smaller trees or prefer smaller or larger ornaments, so please comment with what size you prefer. If you don't comment, size can be sender's choice. Please no religious ornaments for this swap.

The nitty-gritty:

• 1 handmade Christmas ornament for 1 partner.
• Ornament base must be made from sturdy material; can be flat, shipped flat with instructions for assembly, or dimensional, sender's choice.
• Sender's choice in theme, style, and color.
• Must include some form of shimmer, shine, sparkle, or glitter (see above). If you use glitter, please be sure it's adhered very well!
• Comment with your preferred size; if you don't comment, size is sender's choice.

Here are a few ideas just to get your creative juices flowing:

Gelli Ornaments
I love these pretty packaging tape technique ornaments!
Ornaments I made for last year's swap