Ornaments? Yes, it's still only August, but the kids are getting antsy and, at least at my house, easily bored, and this is a quick, easy and frugal craft for them to do.
All you need are pieces of felt, embroidery floss, paper, pencil, straight pins, a needle and a pair of scissors. (If you don't have felt and floss, you can find these at your local fabric/craft store quite inexpensively. Watch for sales, and you can pick them up for 20-cents to 25-cents each!) On the paper, trace different shapes: the bottom of a glass or pop can, small bowl, small rectangular book, etc., and cut out. Pin the paper shape to the felt (2 pieces per shape) and cut out. On one piece of felt, use the embroidery floss to embroider circles, wirly-gigs, flowers, confetti, the year, whatever strikes your fancy. If you want to use more detailed stitches, go to http://www.inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html for a huge list of stitches and instructions. Once that piece is decorated the way you want, pin both pieces wrong sides together and work a blanket stitch, whip stitch or running stitch around the edges to join. Attach a loop of floss for a hanger, and you're all set!
Other ideas: Leave off the hanger, and you have a coaster; make a set of 4 or 6, and you have a nice Christmas gift. Instead of embroidering your top piece, add a third, smaller piece of felt. Use bigger pieces of felt and make pillows or wall hangings. Use 2 circles, emobroider a small face, add catnip, and treat your favorite feline furbaby. Use fabric paint/pens instead of embroidery floss. Add buttons, sequins, etc., for embelishment. Leave the top open and insert candy canes or gift cards.
But this is perhaps my favorite idea, and I wish I had done this 14 years ago. Trace around your child's hand in a mitten fashion and proceed as above, embroidering the year and the child's name, adding a new one every Christmas. I can just envision these ornaments on the tree showing the child's growth every year. Wouldn't that be neat?
Don't forget to stop by www.lifeasmom.com for more Frugal Friday ideas!
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2 comments:
that is a great idea and love it one day you may be able to decorate a tree just with these simple ornaments
I love making ornaments!! Thanks!!
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