Nina Aube Archives - Page 12 of 37

Cookie Cutter Christmas

Ever since she was old enough to hold a crayon, Nina Aubé has loved to paint and draw. She once thought she would grow up to illustrate children’s books, but she always had a knack for sculpting, too, so she was a natural fit for the Keepsakes Studio. An animal lover who creates adorable 3D characters, Nina likes the forgiving nature of sculpting. “Even accidents can open up new possibilities,” she says.

Description

8th in the series.

Features a lightbulb-shaped cookie cutter with a scene of a sweet mouse on a candy cane ladder, decorating his home with candy necklace lights.

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $15.99 USA/$19.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 2.4" w x 3.01" h. x 1.45" d.
SKU: QXR9089
Produced in: Sri Lanka
Production Date(s):

Related Ornaments

Each ornament in this series feature a sweet snowmouse enjoying fun holiday activities inside a festive cookie cutter.

Description

8th in the series.
Features a lightbulb-shaped cookie cutter with a scene of a sweet mouse on a candy cane ladder, decorating his home with candy necklace lights.

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $15.99 USA/$19.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 2.4" w x 3.01" h. x 1.45" d.
SKU: QXR9089
Produced in: Sri Lanka
Production Date(s):

Related Ornaments

Alternate Versions

Related Ornaments

Downloads

Related Ornaments

Each ornament in this series feature a sweet snowmouse enjoying fun holiday activities inside a festive cookie cutter.

digital DREAMBOOK Team2020-01-11T23:46:12-06:00July 13th, 2019|

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Ever since she was old enough to hold a crayon, Nina Aubé has loved to paint and draw. She once thought she would grow up to illustrate children’s books, but she always had a knack for sculpting, too, so she was a natural fit for the Keepsakes Studio. An animal lover who creates adorable 3D characters, Nina likes the forgiving nature of sculpting. “Even accidents can open up new possibilities,” she says

Description

Disney Fantasia

Magic (light)

Features Sorcerer Mickey's famous hat.

Press the button on the ornament to see Mickey's hat illuminate. Battery Operated. (Batteries included.)

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $17.99 USA/$22.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 3.44" w. x 3" h. x 2.13" d.
SKU: QXD6499
Produced in: China
Production Date(s):

Alternate Versions

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Magic

Related Ornaments

Description

Disney Fantasia

Magic (light)
Features Sorcerer Mickey's famous hat.

Press the button on the ornament to see Mickey's hat illuminate. Battery Operated. (Batteries included.)

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $17.99 USA/$22.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 3.44" w. x 3" h. x 2.13" d.
SKU: QXD6499
Produced in: China
Production Date(s):

Alternate Versions

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Magic

Downloads

Related Ornaments

digital DREAMBOOK Team2021-01-17T16:35:46-06:00July 13th, 2019|

Cozy Critters

Ever since she was old enough to hold a crayon, Nina Aubé has loved to paint and draw. She once thought she would grow up to illustrate children’s books, but she always had a knack for sculpting, too, so she was a natural fit for the Keepsakes Studio. An animal lover who creates adorable 3D characters, Nina likes the forgiving nature of sculpting. “Even accidents can open up new possibilities,” she says.

Description

3rd in the series.

Features a little robin, sporting a classic gatsby hat and matching scarf, perched on a holly branch.

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $12.99 USA/$15.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 2.21" w. x 1.82" h. x 2.3" d.
SKU: QXR9039
Produced in: Sri Lanka
Production Date(s):

Alternate Versions

Cozy Lil' Critters
3rd in the series.

Miniature

Related Ornaments

Each ornament features a festive bird all bundled up for warm winter fun.

Description

3rd in the series.
Features a little robin, sporting a classic gatsby hat and matching scarf, perched on a holly branch.

Artist: Nina Aubé
Released: 2019 (Ornament Premiere)
Retail Price: $12.99 USA/$15.99 CAN
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 2.21" w. x 1.82" h. x 2.3" d.
SKU: QXR9039
Produced in: Sri Lanka
Production Date(s):

Alternate Versions

Cozy Lil' Critters
3rd in the series.

Miniature

Downloads

Related Ornaments

Each ornament features a festive bird all bundled up for warm winter fun.

digital DREAMBOOK Team2021-01-03T14:12:26-06:00July 13th, 2019|

2019 Companion Ornaments: Better Together

When the Keepsake Studio brainstorms new ideas for ornaments, the same thought is always shared: “How great would it be to tell the story between two characters?” From this thinking, the studio creates limited-quantity companion ornaments.

Pinwheel Sweetness
Christmas Cupcakes
1oth in the series.

That’s Snow Sweet!
Special Edition

That’s Snow Sweet – A companion to Pinwheel Sweetness, these two frosted treats prove there’s always room for a little more dessert.

.”

Majestic Cardinal

Majestic Lady Cardinal – Cardinals are a classic Christmas icon. And this year, we’ve brought both the male and female cardinal to life in a metal form with splendidly intricate detail.

Majestic Lady Cardinal
Special Edition

Summer Tanager
The Beauty of Birds
15th in the series.

Lady Summer Tanager
Special Edition

Lady Summer Tanager – Keepsake Artist Edythe Kegrize always tries to keep in mind the coloring of the female bird that corresponds to the male in her Beauty of Birds series. And this year, the mate to the male Summer Tanager is a beautiful shade of yellow.

Father Christmas
16th in the series.

Father Christmas’s Reindeer – Father Christmas #16’s trusty companion, this reindeer was inspired by Keepsake Artist Joanne Eschrich wondering what animals would be present with someone like Father Christmas.

Father Christmas’s Reindeer
Special Edition

Golfer Snoopy
Spotlight on Snoopy
22nd in the series.

Golfing with Woodstock
Special Edition

Golfing with Woodstock – Golf club covers never looked so cute. Snoopy tees off while a familiar face gives pointers and adorns his clubs.

Mickey’s Circus (1936)
Mickey’s Movie Mouseterpieces
8th in the series.

Wild Lion – What’s a ringleader without his trusty lion? This companion was inspired by the classic Disney short “Mickey’s Circus,” created in 1936.

Wild Lion
Special Edition

Mario

Piranha Plant
Special Edition

Piranha Plant – This pesky plant has been a thorn in Mario’s side for years. And now, you can relive beloved gaming memories with these two classic characters on your tree.

digital DREAMBOOK Team2019-07-04T15:14:56-06:00July 1st, 2019|

2020 Sneak Peek: 2nd in series

Why start a new series?

There are so many reasons to start a tradition with a first-in-series ornament—new storytelling, never-before-seen concepts and unique design styles to look forward to year after year! Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on some of our newest series, straight from the Keepsake artists, and take a look at sketches of next year’s ornament.

Cozy Lil’ Critters – “The first in this series is the first from the Cozy Critters series that started in 2017. I changed the details in the clothing and the pose and other subtle changes to make it different from the original. What I love is that they get even cuter when they’re smaller; I like to think of it as the little brother to the original.”

.”

Cozy Lil’ Critters (2019)
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Premiere)

Cozy Lil’ Critters (2020)*
2nd in the series.

Holiday Parade (2019)
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Premiere)

Holiday Parade – “My dad was an auto body guy, and he liked to restore old cars. He even got me out there helping him. So it was really fun to get out there with my dad and restore old trucks back then, and so a truck series just seemed like a really fun thing to do.”

Holiday Parade (2020)*
2nd in the series.

Noble Nutcrackers – “Each nutcracker’s staff, crown and attachments are unique to their domain; this first-in-the-series has a bottlebrush tree crown, rope garland and real twine. I tried a lot of different kinds of roping for the trees, and I really liked the red and white because it was so Christmas-y and iconic. My hope is that this nutcracker can bring the wonder of nature to your tree.”

Prince of the Forest (2019)
Noble Nutcrackers
1st in the series.
(Available at Ornament Debut)

(2020)*
Noble Nutcrackers
2nd in the series.

Sugar Plum Fairy (2019)
Nutcracker Sweet
1st in the five-part series.
KOC Exclusive
(Available at Ornament Debut)

Nutcracker Sweet – “As I first started working on the ornament, I had this wonderful opportunity to visit the Kansas City Ballet as they prepared to do The Nutcracker performance. I think what amazed me the most was the up-close look I got at the tutu of the Sugar Plum Fairy and how wonderfully reflective and glittery it was. And to bring some of that magic to my ornament, I added fabric attachments and beads to make the ornament as sweet as a sugar plum fairy should be.”

Snow Queen (2020)*
Nutcracker Sweet
2nd in the five-part series.
KOC Exclusive

digital DREAMBOOK Team2020-09-15T16:55:38-06:00July 1st, 2019|

Ask the Artist!

A few Keepsake Artists were asked: What ornament are you most excited about for 2019 and why?

Cuteness Beyond Measure

Nina Aubé: My #1 fav for 2019 is the measuring spoon Snowman, “Cuteness Beyond Measure”. My inspiration was my grandma’s old aluminum measuring spoons. She passed them on to my mom, so I grew up using them. My mom then gave to me when left for college. I’m still using them! And they still bring back fond memories of baking together with my family.

Runner up fav: My new series, Mini cozy critter. 2 reasons: I’m a huge bird lover; I’ve loved teeny tiny things since I was a kid. (I collect miniatures as a hobby, i.e. “Little Kiddle” dolls).

North Pole Public Radio

Tracy Larsen: For the ornaments I created, I’m most excited for the North Pole Public Radio. One of my favorite ornaments from the past is a cathedral style radio from 2006, created by Nello Williams and some terrific writers, that you can tune in to different stations and hear music and humorous ads. It also comes with that old radio static in between stations as you turn the tuning knob.

The ads are so well done that they still make me smile every time I hear them. I was fortunate to be able to create my own version, fashioned after some of the old bakelite radios from the 40’s and 50’s, using Santa’s belly, with belt and buckle, as a design motif. Our editors and sound people have again done a wonderful job of putting together music with funny ads that I trust will put a smile on the faces of those that “tune in”.

Prince of the Forest
1st in the Noble Nutcracker series.

Sharon Visker: Mine or someone elses? Here’s both: Terri Steiger’s new nutcracker series— Prince of the Forest- I love the old world style combined with the decorative fine details that Terri designed.

Mine – Tiki Tidings- Fun, festive tiki makes me just want to go vacationing somewhere warm and tropical!

Hyacinth
32nd in the Mary’s Angels series.

Robert Chad: Mary’s Angel #32 “Hyacinth” I made it especially for the collectors. Blonde hair, pink dress with butterflies. As feminine (girly) as I could.

Baby Girl’s First Christmas

Debra Nielsen: I have a twofer. The Baby (Boy’s/Girl’s) First Christmas (bear booties). I am excited about the boy and girl baby bear booties because they are full of personality, and I will enjoy gifting them to some special babies in my life this year.

Hogwarts™ Castle Tree Topper
Harry Potter™ Collection

Kristina Gaughran: I’m really excited for all the Harry Potter storytellers with the tree topper!!! I LOVE how they all interact with the castle and the music and light show for Hogwarts is fantastic!!

O Tannenbaum
Club Exclusive

Anita Marra Rogers: I am most excited about the KOC Exclusive, “O Tannenbaum” because it features my little granddoggie, Oreo Scruffles. He is representing my Puppy Love series.

Kringle’s Toy Shop

Ken Crow: Kringle’s Toy Shop is the ornament that I am most excited about. I identify with Santa creating mechanical things for the purpose of making people happy.

Share what ornament(s) you are most excited about for Premiere!

digital DREAMBOOK Team2020-06-30T23:13:33-06:00June 10th, 2019|

O Tannenbaum

O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely is this Keepsake! The Collaborative efforts of four* Hallmark Keepsake Artists created this tree that’s inspired by Keepsake Ornaments from years past. Robert Chad sculpted the angel on top, an homage to Mary’s Angels. Nina Aubé’s cute kitty from Mischievous Kittens plays with the puppy from Anita Rogers’ Puppy Love. Gifts, like a bright red guitar, designed by Nello Williams, sit nestled under the tree. All of these things come together for a beautiful, one-of-a-kind club-exclusive ornament.

Keepsake Artist Contributions

Design Concept–Tom Best
Angel Tree Topper (Mary’s Angels)–Robert Chad
Cute Kitty (Mischievous Kittens)–Nina Aubé
Puppy (Puppy Love), Tree and Packages–Anita Marra Rogers
Fire Truck–Don Palmiter
Guitar–Nello Williams
Technical Details–Rodney Gentry

NOTE: Although the box back identifies four contributing artists, in the O Tannenbaum article, Keepsake Artist Anita Marra Rogers credited seven Keepsake Artists for their contributions to this piece.

Description

Member Exclusive

Features a festive Christmas tree with an angel on top (a homage to Mary's Angels). A cute kitty nested inside the tree plays with a puppy. Gifts, a bright red guitar and a fire truck sit under the tree.

This collaborative piece that includes the work of seven Keepsake Studio Artists was inspired by Keepsake Ornaments from years past.

Artist: See Keepsake Artist Contributions
Released: 2019 (April 1)
Retail Price: $15.99 USA (regularly $17.99 USA)
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 3.42" w. x 4.83" h. x 3.16" d.
SKU: QXC5380
Produced in: China
Production Date(s):

Coordinating Ornaments

Mischievous and Loving
KOC Exclusive

O TANNENBAUM
With Anita Marra Rogers

When charged with coming up with the next great ornament idea for the Keepsake Ornament Club, Keepsake Artist Anita Rogers knew she wanted the ornament to reflect the work of many different artists in the studio. “We tried to come up with an ornament that would incorporate several well-loved series ornaments, plus a couple of others,” she said. “I think Tom Best came up with the original concept for the tree and we decided together what ornaments or characters would best fit the situation.”

“O Tannenbaum” ended up having seven different artists help shape it in some way—from the idea, all the way to the finished piece. “Nina Aubé sculpted the Mischievous Kitten peeking out of the tree and the angel tree-topper is one of Robert Chad’s Mary’s Angels,” said Anita. “The guitar is Nello Williams’s miniature guitar, the fire truck was an old Don Palmiter miniature from 1993, and I sculpted my Granddog, Oreo who represents the Puppy Love series. I finished by sculpting the tree and packages, and put it all together!”

Anita makes it sound simple, but every artist works differently, so “O Tannenbaum” had to be traditionally and digitally sculpted to help bring it all together. “Rodney Gentry helped scale down the angel and the guitar digitally from existing ornaments, and the fire truck was an actual mini ornament already,” said Anita. “Nina was the only artist other than myself who did an original sculpt for the piece. I basically put it almost all together and left a space for her to sculpt the kitten in.”

Anita also made sure to add little touches special to her that she knew KOC members would love. “I chose to put gold tinsel garland on the tree because my own tree every year gets gold tinsel garland, and it has for as long as I can remember,” she said.

It’s little touches like the tinsel that made Anita fall in love with the finished ornament, and she thinks KOC members will, too. “I think the collectors are going to love that so many artists and series are represented,” said Anita. “They might also love that it is such an iconic Christmas morning scene with cute interaction between the pup and kitty.”

So what’s Anita’s favorite element of the ornament? “That’s an easy one,” she said. “My Puppy Love, Oreo, of course!”

Related Ornaments

Description

Member Exclusive
Features a festive Christmas tree with an angel on top (a homage to Mary's Angels). A cute kitty nested inside the tree plays with a puppy. Gifts, a bright red guitar and a fire truck sit under the tree.

This collaborative piece that includes the work of seven Keepsake Studio Artists was inspired by Keepsake Ornaments from years past.

Artist: See Keepsake Artist Contributions
Released: 2019 (April 1)
Retail Price: $15.99 USA (regularly $17.99 USA)
Material(s): plastic
Dimensions: 3.42" w. x 4.83" h. x 3.16" d.
SKU: QXC5380
Produced in: China
Production Date(s):

O TANNENBAUM
With Anita Marra Rogers

When charged with coming up with the next great ornament idea for the Keepsake Ornament Club, Keepsake Artist Anita Rogers knew she wanted the ornament to reflect the work of many different artists in the studio. “We tried to come up with an ornament that would incorporate several well-loved series ornaments, plus a couple of others,” she said. “I think Tom Best came up with the original concept for the tree and we decided together what ornaments or characters would best fit the situation.”

“O Tannenbaum” ended up having seven different artists help shape it in some way—from the idea, all the way to the finished piece. “Nina Aubé sculpted the Mischievous Kitten peeking out of the tree and the angel tree-topper is one of Robert Chad’s Mary’s Angels,” said Anita. “The guitar is Nello Williams’s miniature guitar, the fire truck was an old Don Palmiter miniature from 1993, and I sculpted my Granddog, Oreo who represents the Puppy Love series. I finished by sculpting the tree and packages, and put it all together!”

Anita makes it sound simple, but every artist works differently, so “O Tannenbaum” had to be traditionally and digitally sculpted to help bring it all together. “Rodney Gentry helped scale down the angel and the guitar digitally from existing ornaments, and the fire truck was an actual mini ornament already,” said Anita. “Nina was the only artist other than myself who did an original sculpt for the piece. I basically put it almost all together and left a space for her to sculpt the kitten in.”

Anita also made sure to add little touches special to her that she knew KOC members would love. “I chose to put gold tinsel garland on the tree because my own tree every year gets gold tinsel garland, and it has for as long as I can remember,” she said.

It’s little touches like the tinsel that made Anita fall in love with the finished ornament, and she thinks KOC members will, too. “I think the collectors are going to love that so many artists and series are represented,” said Anita. “They might also love that it is such an iconic Christmas morning scene with cute interaction between the pup and kitty.”

So what’s Anita’s favorite element of the ornament? “That’s an easy one,” she said. “My Puppy Love, Oreo, of course!”

Coordinating Ornaments

Mischievous and Loving
KOC Exclusive

Downloads

Related Ornaments

digital DREAMBOOK Team2023-10-06T17:51:25-06:00April 1st, 2019|

2019 Sneak Peeks: A Closer Look at the Magic

Along with their new 2019 KOC Membership cards, club members are receiving a brochure of 2019 Sneak peeks with commentary from the artists.

Prince of the Forest
Noble Nutcrackers
1st in the series.

“Each nutcracker in this new series will illustrate a theme, with each one featuring various attachments in different materials to help showcase the nutcracker’s special kingdom.”

Mischievous Kittens Surprise

Which kitten will you find inside? That’s the fun of a mystery ornament! A special repaint of the third ornament in Nina Aubé’s Mischievous Kittens series, there are two colors of kittens to add some feline fun to your tree this year!

Mom
Family Cake Pops

Daughter
Family Cake Pops

“I was in heaven being surrounded by all my favorite candies, which I literally made each ornament out of to test! The finished ornaments will reflect the original ones down to every last detail. Hopefully no one will try eating them!”

Dad
Family Cake Pops

Son
Family Cake Pops

Limoges Snowman

“I have always been fascinated with the little Limoges boxes that came in all sorts of shapes and sizes when I was growing up. This ornament will be made of porcelain with a metal clasp. I’m making it a fairly good size, too, so that’s not only a standout on your tree but also serves as a place to store a note or charm for yourself or someone special.”

Fabulous Flute

“My inspiration for this whole unofficial series is my son, who played in the marching band in high school and college. I’m trying to get as many instrument sections represented as I can, with this year’s ornament focused on woodwinds. The snowflakes represent the sounds of the flute, with several smaller snowflakes used since the flute makes a smaller sound.”

“One of my favorite things about this tree trimmer is that we are using an actual tied-ribbon bow. The concept drawing for this bow-tying elf was done several years back as I was planning ahead on what the series might look like. The inspiration came from the bow-making machine in the Hallmark Visitors Center. I think the addition of a real bow (red for the store release version and gold for the special 2019 KOC Convention version) adds a nice touch to the ornament.”

North Pole Tree Trimmers
Event Exclusive

“A Closer Look at the Magic.” 2019 Brochure.

. Download a PDF of the brochure

digital DREAMBOOK Team2021-07-25T20:15:52-06:00February 7th, 2019|

Ornament Spotlight: O Tannenbaum

O Tannenbaum
Member Exclusive

With Anita Marra Rogers

When charged with coming up with the next great ornament idea for the Keepsake Ornament Club, Keepsake Artist Anita Rogers knew she wanted the ornament to reflect the work of many different artists in the studio. “We tried to come up with an ornament that would incorporate several well-loved series ornaments, plus a couple of others,” she said. “I think Tom Best came up with the original concept for the tree and we decided together what ornaments or characters would best fit the situation.”

“O Tannenbaum” ended up having seven different artists help shape it in some way—from the idea, all the way to the finished piece. “Nina Aubé sculpted the Mischievous Kitten peeking out of the tree and the angel tree-topper is one of Robert Chad’s Mary’s Angels,” said Anita. “The guitar is Nello Williams’s miniature guitar, the fire truck was an old Don Palmiter miniature from 1993, and I sculpted my Granddog, Oreo who represents the Puppy Love series. I finished by sculpting the tree and packages, and put it all together!”

Anita makes it sound simple, but every artist works differently, so “O Tannenbaum” had to be traditionally and digitally sculpted to help bring it all together. “Rodney Gentry helped scale down the angel and the guitar digitally from existing ornaments, and the fire truck was an actual mini ornament already,” said Anita. “Nina was the only artist other than myself who did an original sculpt for the piece. I basically put it almost all together and left a space for her to sculpt the kitten in.”

Anita also made sure to add little touches special to her that she knew KOC members would love. “I chose to put gold tinsel garland on the tree because my own tree every year gets gold tinsel garland, and it has for as long as I can remember,” she said.

It’s little touches like the tinsel that made Anita fall in love with the finished ornament, and she thinks KOC members will, too. “I think the collectors are going to love that so many artists and series are represented,” said Anita. “They might also love that it is such an iconic Christmas morning scene with cute interaction between the pup and kitty.”

So what’s Anita’s favorite element of the ornament? “That’s an easy one,” she said. “My Puppy Love, Oreo, of course!”

digital DREAMBOOK Team2019-01-29T16:35:53-06:00January 29th, 2019|

2019 Sneak Peek: Keepsake Celebrations (UPDATED)

Life is filled with milestones and extraordinary occasions. Remember them with Keepsake Celebrations ornaments. Here’s is a sneak peek of three 2019 Keepsake Celebrations ornaments.

I Love Us

I Do

Limitless Love

UPDATE (01.03.19 @ 8:30 AM) – Added I Do and Limitless Love.

digital DREAMBOOK Team2021-07-26T21:16:31-06:00December 10th, 2018|