It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

In an earlier blog, I mentioned I was having some problems, this year, getting into the spirit of Christmas!

Well, the circumstances of the last two days have certainly changed that.......yesterday's party with my "young in spirit" old-friends  where I was given one of the best gifts, I think, I've ever received and today where a blogger friend shared a wonderful tutorial on Altering Books with me.  Wow!  Do I feel special and blessed!

First, about bloggers and how sharing they can be....that is what makes blogging so much fun and so renews your faith in people and their generosity to perfect strangers.  So, for all the negatives you hear about the internet, trust me, there are lots of beautiful people out there.

Elizabeth,the woman who organized the 12 Days of Christmas swap, has so generously shared information with me on Altering Books that will be soooo helpful this spring when I teach a class at the art center.  That was the icing on the cake, as they say!

As for........best gift I have ever received check out these photos!  All from the early 1900s, these wonderful union badges and commemorative ribbon badges.

 

 

Most of them represent the electrician's union and must have been worn at meetings and/or when a member passed away.  One badge was for the Modern Woodmen of America and one commemorates the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition in 1898.  Except for the one with the buffalo,which is the smallest, all of the ribbon badges are about seven or eight inch lengths of silk or velvet ribbon with metal attachments and silver or gold lettering.

Lots of girls cry when they receive diamond jewelry...not this girl....I cried over "diamonds in the rough".  I've seen pictures of cool badges and ribbons, like these before, but did not think I would ever be so lucky as to own one, let alone eight.

My friend, Murva, who knows I make jewelry and collage, mentioned she had some things I might be able to use, her son had given to her but she had no use for them. She said she would bring them to our Christmas party and I could take a look to see if it was anything I could use....Holy Batman!  Was I surprised and delighted.

Can I take them apart and use them in my art.....we'll now, that is a different matter!  I may try to figure out a way to display them in a shadow box or frame.....but I don't think I can take them apart!

What a great Christmas this is turning out to be!

Join me at Coloradolady's Vintage Thingie Thursday, Southeran In My Heart's Inspiration Friday,  The Answer is Chocolate's Open House, A la carte's Junkin' Finds Friday  and Mr Romantic Hom Show and Tell Friday.  Remember I love comments!