Christmas Ornaments- Recycled Pop Tops

Items Needed:
-2 plastic gallon milk caps
-2 plastic 2-liter pop bottle caps
-Thread or thin string
-Tacky glue or E6000 glue
-Versa-tool, heating point
-Thin, long beading needle
-Recycled beads in various colors, shapes (with holes) from broken jewelry
-Silver/Gold Acrylic paints
-Paint Brush
-Scrap ribbon, rick rack, or material
STEP 1: With the heated point on a versa-tool, melt a center hole in all 4 plastic caps

STEP 2: With a layer of glue on the inside top edges of the milk caps, glue them together and let dry.

STEP 3: Paint milk caps gold, and paint pop bottle caps silver (or however you'd like). You will need 2-3 coats of paint. Let dry.

STEP 4: Glue bottom edges of pop bottle caps to each top side of (glued together) milk caps and let dry.

STEP 5: With your long, thin needle, run your thread through a bead or two, then all the way through the glued together milk caps, leaving strip at the top. You can also thread craft wire through the holes, bend a tiny circle at each end to hold all of it together.


STEP 6: At the bottom of the millk caps, thread on a few more beads, going in one hole on the last bead, out the other hole, then back up through every bead and cap you just threaded through, arriving back at the top.


STEP 7: Tie your thread into a knot for a hanger, or sew on a piece of scrap ribbon, material or string for a hanger.

OPTIONAL: Glue a scrap piece of ribbon, rick rack, or material around center of glued milk rings for an added look. You could also cut a strip of silver bag liner from a snack cracker box or other boxed item (you may need to use rubber cement for it to adhere better than with Tacky Glue). Use leftover ribbon from holiday packages from the year prior, sew on old buttons, or other small craft items. You can also use any water bottle lids, individual pop bottle lids.

Christmas Ornaments- Tin Punch Lids

To make:
1. Collect the tops and bottoms of cylindrical packaging from chips, crescent rolls, biscuits, dinner rolls, etc…
2. Get a pattern or draw your own on paper (or use no pattern at all). When I make some patterns, I’ll post them here.
3. Hold or tape in place the pattern you are using. The pattern should be centered on your “tin” top.
4. Use a hammer and nail to make holes. Make sure you have a board (or an old cutting board) underneath so as not to ruin your table. Use a workbench if you have one.
5. Add an extra hole in the top for stringing a ribbon or cord through to hang on tree.

Christmas Ornaments- Tuna Can Photos

• Tuna cans or any small can such as those for olives, sardines, or cooked chicken
• Christmas cards or family photos
• Thick ribbon
• Hammer and nail
• Scraps of yarn or string
• Glitter (optional)
• Lace (optional)
• Miniature ornaments for tiny Christmas trees such as nativity scenes, snowmen, or Santa Clause (optional)

Instructions for Making a Recycled Tuna Can Christmas Ornament for the Tree

1. Thoroughly wash out the can with soapy water.
2. Parents can use the hammer and nail to punch two holes right beside each other in the side of the tuna can.
3. Parents can tie a scrap of yarn or string through the two holes for a hanger.
4. Trace the can around a Christmas card or family photo.
5. Cut around the traced circle.
6. Spread a thin coat of glue on the back of the card or photo and stick it to the inside of the can.
7. Parents can help with a hot glue gun to attach ribbon to the outside and inside rim of the can.
8. Tiny ornaments can be glued to the inside rim to add depth to the ornament. Parents can let kids pick out an inexpensive pack for a miniature tree including holiday figures such as the characters in a nativity scene, teddy bears, rocking horses, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, snowmen, or Santa and his elves.
9. Embellish the ribbon on the outside of the can with glitter or lace.
10. Hang the ornaments onto the tree and enjoy.

Similar ornaments can be made from many other recyclable items such as jar lids. Packages of inexpensive ornaments and Christmas cards are easy to find at any dollar store.

Christmas Ornaments- Citrus Slice

Made by Martha Stewart

Citrus Slice Ornaments

Make beautiful, seasonal ornaments that add color to your tree. Cut four unpeeled oranges into rounds about 1/4-inch thick and bake on a greased cookie sheet at 175 degrees for 4 hours. To hang, poke a hole near one edge with a needle and thread doubled twine through to make a loop.

Christmas Ornaments- Beaded Snowflakes

Made by Martha Stewart

Beads can be used to create beautiful, everlasting Christmas ornaments. These snowflakes use a combination of small and large beads: small rocailles (silver-lined transparent beads); long, thin bugle beads; and larger druk beads (smooth, round beads).

Tools and Materials
-20-, 24-, and 30-gauge tinned copper wire
-Round-nosed pliers
-Wire cutters
-Beads (see above)

Beaded Snowflakes How-To1. Create a snowflake form by crisscrossing three 10-inch lengths of 20-gauge wire so their midpoints meet and the wires extend from the center like equally spaced spokes.

2. Secure the center by wrapping 30-gauge wire around it several times. Alternatively, you can solder the wires together.

3. Transfer four size-5/o rocailles to one arm; wrap one end of a 12-inch length of 24-gauge wire on the arm, as close to the last bead as possible.

4. Thread a large, a small, and another large druk bead onto the 24-guage wire; repeat bead transfer (see step 3) on next arm, and wrap the wire close to last bead.

5. Repeat until an inner perimeter is formed (below, right), then add two 5/o rocailles, a bugle bead, and a large druk bead to each arm.

6. Loop the end of each arm closed with round-nosed pliers.

 

Christmas Ornaments- Snowy Balloon Balls

Made by Martha Stewart

With little more than some balloons and glitter, you can fill your home with decorative snowballs.

Tools and MaterialsBalloon
Ball of cotton string
Craft glue
Clothespin
Dowel
Glitter
Pin
Tweezers
Metallic thread
Spray mount
Evergreen branch

Snowy Balloon Ornaments How-To1. Blow up the balloon until it's slightly smaller than your fist. Tie the end of the cotton string to the end of the balloon.

2. Thin the glue slightly with water and brush some on the bottom of the balloon to tack down the string. Begin wrapping the string vertically around the balloon. When 3/4 of the balloon is covered vertically, begin wrapping the string horizontally. To change direction, wrap the string around the tied-off end of the balloon. Continue until 3/4 of the balloon is wrapped horizontally.

3. Cut the string and secure it with a dab of glue. Brush the watered-down craft glue all over the string-covered balloon. Pinch the top of the balloon with a clothespin and thread the clothespin onto a dowel that you've suspended between two points. Allow to dry for several hours.

4. Once dry, pop the balloon with a pin and remove it, using tweezers, if necessary. Add a loop of metallic thread and brush the balloon with glue again. Working over a bowl, spoon on glitter and set aside to dry.

5. Spray the branch with spray mount and spoon on glitter. Allow to dry. Affix the ornament to the branch.

Christmas Ornament- 3D Doily

Made by Martha Stewart

Wood-Veneer Ornament How-To1. Using a 56-millimeter scallop-edged circle punch, cut 2 circles from birch-wood veneer. 

2. Brush back of 1 circle with craft glue; affix to second circle, aligning edges. Set under a weight. Let dry. 

3. Leaving a 3-inch tail at the starting point, begin winding embroidery thread (on spool) around circle: Fit thread into 1 notch at top of circle. 

4. Count 9 notches beyond first notch; draw thread across front of ornament, and slip it into 10th notch. Draw thread up back of ornament, and slip it into 2nd notch. 

5. Draw thread across front of ornament, and slip it into 11th notch. Draw thread up back of ornament to 3rd notch. 

6. Repeat pattern, winding thread until all notches are wrapped. 

7. Tie end of thread to original tail at ornament's edge. Knot thread ends at tip of 3-inch tail to form a hanging loop. Trim excess thread.

Christmas Ornaments- Ribbon Bow

Made by Martha Stewart

Petal Bow-OrnamentThe petal bow is similar to the medallion bow. For the petal bow, make 2 1/4-inch accordion folds in ribbon (ours is 5/8 inch wide and 45 inches long); end with the raw edges facing down. Pass needle and thread through bottom, about 1/4 inch from edge. Hold together, and pull taut; knot. Spread petals; tie silver twine around thread to hang.

Figure-Eight OrnamentThis is made with 15-inch-long, 3/8-inch-wide satin ribbon. Follow instructions on page 102 to make three figure-eight bows, but start with the cut edge at back of bow instead of at front, and make two layers instead of three. Cross and glue two of the bows. Glue a loop of silver twine at the front center. Glue a third bow across the middle, as shown, concealing twine.

Christmas Ornaments- Gingerbread Spice

A dreamy mobile, crafted from iced cookie cutouts strung from a painted embroidery hoop, is a simple, pretty lesson in the Scandinavian custom of decorating with gingerbread throughout the holiday season. We used a combination of light- and dark-colored gingerbread cookies, but you can make them in a single shade. Decorate cookies with royal icing.

Honey-Gingerbread Cookies
Molasses-Gingerbread Cookies

Bedroom Mobile Materials and ToolsRolling Pin
Gingerbread cookies (see above)
Royal Icing
Templates or cookie cutters
Paring knife
Skewer or large plain round pastry tip (such as Ateco #10)
Pastry bag fitted with a small round tip (such as Ateco #0 or #1)
Small paintbrush
Red tempera paint
12-inch-diameter wooden embroidery hoop
Eight 12-inch lengths of red-and-white baker's twine
Screw hook in white
Four 1-yard lengths of cotton ribbon in red mini gingham or gingham

Bedroom Mobile How-To

1. Roll out cookie dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use templates and paring knife or cookie cutters to make 3 deer and 5 trees (use one of the tree templates twice). With skewer or large pastry tip, make a hole in each cookie as marked on templates.

2. Chill and bake cookies according to recipe. Let cookies cool completely.

3. Fill pastry bag with royal icing. Squeezing gently from the top of the bag, start just above deer cookies' surfaces and pipe dots for eyes; use a zigzag motion to create shadows on their undersides. Fill in ears of smaller deer, and make dots along deer backs. Pipe an outline on trees. Let icing dry at least 2 hours (preferably overnight); flip cookies, and pipe icing around their perimeters, then fill in. Let icing dry, as above.

4. Paint embroidery hoop, and let dry.

5. Fold 1 length of baker's twine in half, and pass loop through hole in cookie, from back to front; pass snipped ends through loop, and draw them upward. Repeat with remaining cookies and baker's twine.

6. To suspend cookies, start with 2 similar-size cookies at opposite sides. Tie snipped ends of twine around hoop, but do not knot. Adjust placement and twine lengths to balance cookies; this is easiest to do if a second person holds the hoop. Repeat, 2 cookies at a time. Add last pair, moving them as needed. Knot strings once balance is achieved.

7. Screw hook into the ceiling. Double-knot the 4 lengths of ribbon to hoop at equal intervals. Gather ribbon pieces, and tie them together around the hook, leaving 1 foot of ribbon to make a bow. If mobile isn't balanced, shift ribbons slightly.

Christmas Ornaments- Stocking



Made by Heidi James

 Instructions not available.

Christmas Ornaments- Reindeer Bulb



Made by Amanda Formaro



What you'll need:

• Burnt out lightbulb
• White vinegar
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic craft paint: brown, white, black and red
• 1 small jingle bell
• 6" thin gold ribbon
• 3 brown chenille stems
• 1 black chenille stem
• Black thin tip marker
• Red or silver glitter glue
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Sealer spray

How to make it:

1. Rinse the lightbulb with white vinegar and let dry.
2. Paint lightbulb brown and let dry overnight.
3. Paint lightbulb with a second coat and let dry for 2-3 hours.
4. Put a dot of hot glue on the screw cap where it meets the glass of the lightbulb. Place the end of a brown chenille stem on the glue (see image). Wrap the chenille stem around the screw cap, gluing as you go.
5. Before continuing with the second chenille stem (it will take two full chenille stems to cover the screw cap of a standard light bulb), bend the black chenille stem in half. Glue the open ends of the black chenille stem onto the brown twists you just added (to create the ornament hanger). Now continue with the second brown chenille, wrapping around the ends of the black chenille, covering them up (see image).
6. Bend the third brown chenille stem into the shape of antlers (see image). Squeeze the bends so that the bends are touching each other (see image). Glue the antlers to the back of the chenille covered screw cap (see image).
7. Dip thumb in red paint and gently press onto the large end of the bulb for the nose.
8. Dip your pointing finger into white paint and dot on the eyes. Let the nose and eyes dry before continuing (see image).
9. Meanwhile, thread the jingle bell onto the gold ribbon. When the bulb is dry, turn it over and glue the ribbon to the back of the bulb, you want the jingle bell to hang down just below the bottom of the bulb so that it appears your reindeer has on a collar (see image).
10. Use the handle end of a paintbrush dipped in black paint to dot on the blacks of the eyes.
11. Put a little silver glitter glue on your finger and smear it over the top of the red nose.
12. When dry, spray the entire lightbulb with sealer spray and let dry by hanging somewhere safe.

Tips:

1. Jingle bells are available at discount department stores and craft supply stores.
2. Watch for sales on ribbon after every holiday.
3. Save burnt out lightbulbs for these types of projects. If you save the packages they came in when new, mark the outside of the box "burnt out" and store them in there so they won't break.

Christmas Ornaments- Drip Balls



Made by Amanda Formaro



What you'll need:

• Glass ball ornaments
• Acrylic craft paint in holiday colors
• Empty egg carton
• Ribbon for hangers
• Water
• Paintbrush
• Clear glaze spray suitable for glass

How to make it:

1. Remove the hanger top from each ornament and set aside.
2. Place egg carton upside down and place ball ornaments in the middle of four egg cups to act as your holder (see image).
3. Place some paint in a palette and water the paint down until it begins to drip off the paintbrush (see image).
4. Keep the paint palette close to your egg carton holder. Dip paintbrush into the watered down paint, picking up a generous amount. Move the paintbrush to the top of the ornament immediately. Place a dollop of paint onto the ornament. If it doesn't begin to drip down, add some more paint until it does. Continue this technique around the ornament, alternating colors as well. When finished, allow the ornaments to dry completely (see image)
5. Once the ornaments are dry, replace the hanger tops and tie ribbon in place.
6. Hang ornaments on a dowel or strong twig, and then in a well-ventilated area, spray with clear glaze spray. Let dry completely.

 Tips:

• Using the egg carton as a holder will cause the paint to stop where the paint drips down and meets the egg carton. You can avoid this by hanging the ornaments on something sturdy while you paint, just be sure that you have newspaper below to catch the drips.
• The thicker the paint, the darker your drips will be. If you would like lighter drips, simply thin out the paint more.
• If you paint simply won't drip, you will need to add more water. Test by holding the paintbrush directly above the paint palette. The paint should begin to drip within 3 seconds.

Christmas Ornaments- Minature Presents



Made by Amanda Formaro



What you'll need:

• Wooden cubes
• Acrylic paint in festive colors
• Festive ribbon
• White craft glue

How to make it:

1. Paint each cube with desired color. Let dry.
2. If you like, make polka dots on your cube using a toothpick dipped in paint. Let dry (see image).
3. Cut a piece of ribbon about 12 inches long. Find the center of the ribbon and place a painted cube onto it. Wrap the ribbon around the cube as you would a regular present.
4. Tie the ends into a bow, and then double knot the bow.
5. Take the two open ends of the ribbon and bring the up together, tie in a knot at the top to create the hanger.
6. Use a few dots of white glue to secure the ribbon to the cube.

Tips:

• Wood cubes are available at your local craft supply store.
• Let children pick whatever colors they like for the paint, festive or holiday colors are not a requirement!
• If you prefer to make this a recycling project, use small boxes, such as a toothpick box.

Christmas Ornaments- Seed Bead Ball



Made by Kaboose



What you'll need:

• Glass ball ornament
• White craft glue
• Wide paintbrush
• Seed beads
• Bowl
• String for hanging

How to make it:

1. Place the seed beads into a bowl.
2. Pipe glue all over the ornament and spread it around with a paintbrush, creating an even coat. (See photo.)
3. Hold the ornament by the hanger and roll it around in the seed beads. The beads will stick to the ornament, but you can lift beads with your fingers and sprinkle them on to fill any missed spots. (See photo.)
4. Run some string through the ornament hanger and hang somewhere safe to dry.

Tips:

1. This is such a simple project, that even the smallest of children can do it. Because the seed beads are very small, be sure to supervise and don't allow children to put beads into their mouths.
2. Seed beads can be found in the jewelry department of your local craft supply store.
3. White school glue can be used in place of white craft glue.

Christmas ornaments- Candy Pails

Candy Pails

Turn small-ounce cans into decorative candy containers by tin-punching with a special design. Fill the can with water and freeze, then wrap your pattern around the can and tin-punch, adding an extra-large hole on either side at the top in addition to your design. Let the ice thaw, then add a wire handle by looping it through the two large holes at the top. Fill with candy and hang from the tree’s branches.

Christmas Ornaments- Tin Can Silhouette

This ornament is made from a tin can and predominantly recycled, vintage and used materials.

The outside and inside of of this ornament are covered in olive green velvet material and the back is covered in black felt. The front edge is covered in a miniature pearl trim and the back edge is covered in a woven gold cord trim. The image inside the ornament is from a vintage Christmas card and is a silhouette of a coach driver blowing a horn. There are rhinestones attached to the back image to simulate stars, as well as one hanging from a thread in the foreground. There is a green ribbon around the outside of the ornament that ties at the top to form a hanger, and is attached at the bottom to a decorative gold ball.

The ornament measures 3 inches wide by 2 inches deep.

I use predominantly recycled, repurposed, vintage and used materials in all of my ornaments.

Christmas Ornaments- Mailbox



Made by Heidi James



click on link for instructions: http://www.gardensablaze.com/Crafts/CraftMailbox.htm

Christmas Ornaments- Salt Dough



Made by Heidi James

 This shiny Christmas dough ornament craft is the perfect finishing touch to decorating the tree. It can also be altered and made into lapel pins, magnets and gift-toppers.

What you'll need:

• ½ cup salt
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup water
• Rolling pin
• Cookie sheet
• Toothpick
• Miniature cookie cutters: star and Christmas tree
• Acrylic paints: green, yellow, and various colors of your choice for tree ornaments
• Glitter glue or glitter paint
• ribbon

How to make it:

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until dough is formed.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.
4. Roll out the dough to about ¼” thick with a rolling pin that has been dusted with flour.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out as many trees and stars as you want.
6. Use a toothpick to make a hole toward the top of the shape. Poke the toothpick into the shape, then holding toothpick straight up and down, make a circular motion as if you were stirring something. Keep circling until the hole is the size you want.
7. Place all shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and place into the preheated oven.
8. Bake for 2 hours.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
10. Paint the trees green and the stars yellow.
11. Use the handle end of the paint brush to dot on ornaments by dipping into paint then dotting onto ornament.
12. When paint is dry, use glitter glue (we used green) or glitter paint (we used gold) to put a sparkling cover coat on your ornaments.
13. When dry, thread ribbon through hole and tie in a knot in the back.
14. Tie onto package.

Tips:

• If your toppers are large enough, you can make two holes in each so that you can thread ribbon through like a button, only showing a small amount of ribbon on the front.
• These make adorable pins to wear to school. Just don’t make a hole. Glue a pin back to the back of the completed ornament instead.
• Uncooked salt dough doesn’t keep well, so only make enough dough for the ornaments you are going to make. If you are only making a few toppers, halve the ingredients above. The listed amounts will make enough ornaments for a classroom of 20.

Christmas Ornaments- Granny Square

Made by Heidi James

Materials Needed:
yarn- Christmas colors
Size H hook
glitter

Follow instructions as illustrated on website below to make a granny square.

http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/granny_square.htm

Christmas Ornaments- Mini Greeting Cards

Made by Heidi James

Simply make an ornament as seen here using the same supplies you would in making a handmade greeting card.

Can be 2 sided.

Christmas Ornaments- Felt Shapes

Made by Heidi James

Materials Needed:
Felt
stuffing
crochet thread or embroidery thread
embellishments: bells, ribbon, buttons, ruffle, etc.

Instructions:
Cut the felt in the desired shape- 2 pieces.  Sew embellishments on front of one piece.  Place two felt pieces towgther and sew around the edge with a blanket stitch, leaving a small gap for stuffing.  Continue to sew rest of shape.  Use string, ribbon or wire for hanger.

Christmas Ornament- Melted Beads

 Material Needed:

plastic beads

cookie cutters

foil

ribbon

Instructions:

Shape foil around a cookie cutter to make a mold for your ornament.  Remove the cookie cutter from foil.  Begin stacking beads in the foil mold in the colors and shape you want.  There should be about 1/2 inch or 3-4 layers of beads.
Bake beads at 400 degress in preheated oven (I use my toaster oven) for 10-12 minutes depending on how melted you want the beads.

 Let cool and remove from foil.  Drill a small hole in ornament or glue string on back to hanger.

Done!

Christmas Ornament- Kissmas Mouse



Made by Family Fun Magazine



Sweeten up the Christmas tree with a collection of chocolate mice ornaments.

Materials

• Hershey's Kisses
• Pink felt
• Scissors
• Double-sided carpet tape
• Fishing line
• Self-adhesive googly eyes
• Curling ribbon

Instructions

1. Remove the tags from two Hershey's Kisses. Cut out mouse ears from pink felt, about 3/8-inch high. Using double-sided carpet tape, affix the bottoms of the ears to the flat side of one of the Kisses.
2. Tape an 8-inch loop of fishing line behind the ears to form a hanger.
3. With more double-sided carpet tape, join together the two flat sides of the Hershey's Kisses, with the mouse ears and fishing line loop pointing up. Add a pair of self-adhesive googly eyes.
4. Slip a tail -- a 4-inch piece of curling ribbon -- under the foil. Now, see how they run (or disappear) from your tree!

Christmas Ornament- Wire Star



Made by Family Fun Magazine



Although cookie cutters are best known for their work in the kitchen, these fun-shaped baking utensils can also play a role in decorating your family's Christmas tree.

Materials

• 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire
• Pencil
• Star-shaped cookie cutter

• Wire cutters
• 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. To make an ornament like the one here, wrap one end of a 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire around a pencil to form a hanging loop. With the loop at the top of a star cookie cutter, press the wire twice around the perimeter of the cookie cutter to form a star shape, twisting it around the hanging loop and using wire cutters (a parent's job) to snip off any excess. Remove the cutter.
2. Now your child can complete the ornament by wrapping the wire outline with lengths of 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire, securing the ends in place by wrapping them around the cookie cutter outline.
3. Finally, tie a hanging ribbon to the loop, and your ornament is ready for display.

Christmas Ornament- Wishing Spool

by Family Fun Magazine

Forget about postage to the North Pole. When kids roll their wish lists onto these cute-as-a-button spools, Santa will snap to attention.

Materials

• Acrylic paint and brush
• Wooden thread spool
• Marker
• Paper strip, cut to fit the width of the spool

• Double-sided tape
• Ribbon
• Self-sticking label

Instructions

1. Paint the spool and let it dry.
2. Have your child write her Christmas list on the strip of paper.
3. Roll the paper around the empty spool, using double-sided tape to fasten it, and leave some of the list hanging down (so Santa notices).
4. Thread the ribbon through the spool's center and tie a knot at the top for hanging. Write your child's name on the self-sticking label. Affix it to the ribbon.

Christmas Ornament- Christmas Cats

by Family Fun Magazine

Materials

• Wooden craft spoons
• Acrylic paint
• White card stock
• Glue
• Pipe cleaners

• Seed beads
• Fine-point permanent marker
• Green tissue paper
• Red beads or glitter
• String

Instructions

1. To make each one, first coat a wooden craft spoon with acrylic paint. Paint a patch of the same shade onto a piece of white card stock and let the paints dry.
2. Cut a 1⁄2-inch square from the card stock, then cut the square in half diagonally and glue the 2 triangles to the top of the spoon for ears. For a tail, curl a 6-inch piece of pipe cleaner and glue it to the back of the spoon.
3. Glue on black seed beads for eyes and draw a face with a fine-point permanent marker. Add a holly collar by twisting two or three 1-inch squares of green tissue paper around the tip of a pencil, then glue them in place, adding a few tiny red beads or glitter for berries. Glue on more beads for buttons.
4. Make a hanger by tying a piece of string into a loop and gluing the knot to the back of the spoon. Let all the glue dry completely before hanging.

Christmas Ornaments- Lightbulb Reindeer

by Penny

Materials:
1 or 2 burnt out light bulbs
1 can brown spray paint (I used suede paint found at Canadian tire store)
1 cozy bottle of dark brown acrylic paint
1 2oz bottle red paint
1 2oz bottle white paint
1 2oz bottle black paint
1 black permanent marker (Found at any business supply store or department stores)
2 plastic spoons-for ears
1 piece of your choice colour home spun material
1 piece of your choice colour fleece.
glue and glue gun
Paint brush (all paints, paint brushes and material can be found at your local craft store or department store )
Pencil
Paper towel
Arleens fake snow (Wal-Mart)
Thread for hanging ornament
Sealer... I get mine at Wal-Mart. Joanne's sealer is great but you could use Modpog too.

Directions:

First thing to do is to make sure light bulbs are clean. Soap and water and a quick scrub. Dry thoroughly.

Next, spray paint the light bulbs. Take these outside or do in a WELL VENTILATED room. Do one coat let dry (follow instructions on can for drying) and do one more coat again, let dry.

Next, draw on eyes and nose and mouth with a pencil. (You can refer to my picture for placement.) Paint eyes with black paint and let dry. Next paint on nose in a oval shape. Let dry. Draw on mouth with permanent marker. Now add a circle of brown paint to the middle of the eye area. Let dry.
Next add highlights with white paint to eyes and nose and a small line of white around mouth. (Refer to picture.) Now take the red paint and adding the smallest amount of paint ever to your bush and now brushing that paint off your brush onto a paper towel (you will see why soon, hehe) brush on your cheeks going in a circular motion. Do this until the desired affect is achieved. (This is called "Dry Brushing.) Your brush has paint on it but it should be dry to the touch and you keep working your brush in circular motion to get what you want the cheeks to look like. Sounds hard but really it isn't. Practice is the key. Now add white dots to the cheeks for high lights. Let dry.
When you have your deer done let dry for an hour or so and then seal with your sealer. I use 3 coats to be on the safe side. Please remember to let dry in between coats. Read label for drying instructions on your sealer can.

When all is painted and dry and sealed this is the time to get creative. Any kind of fleece can be used for the hat. Cut a piece of fleece that completely covers the top of the deer (the ribbed part of the light bulb.)  A long pointed top almost in the shape of a triangle. Glue this with glue gun to the top of light bulb. Cut off any pieces to make it fit. Careful not to burn fingers with the hot glue!
Next cut a strip of fleece approx. 1-inch wide and runs the length of the rim of hat (make sure you leave room for the ears as well). This will be glued down to form hat rim. Before you glue this down cut your plastic spoons for ears. Position them where you think they should go (refer to photo) and then add rim and glue down. Now add the band of fleece around the rim and glue firmly into place.
I have used Arleen's fake snow on top of hat but you can use any decoration that comes to mind here.  Holly, birds, snow, anything, let your imagination run wild. :o)

To hang ornament I just ran a piece of thread in the top of hat and hung on tree.

For sleeping (female deer) I tied a piece of homespun around top of bulb into a bow. Glue this down. I also gave her some hair at the top of her head. Using brown paint and highlights before adding ribbon.

Christmas Ornament- Candycane Mice

by Martha Stewart

It's the kids who will be doing the nibbling when these sweet mice are around. A combination of two Christmas icons -- mice and candy canes -- these tiny fabric creatures with their red-and-white-striped tails make fitting favors at a holiday dinner or delightful gifts for children to give to friends and relatives.

Mouse How-ToOn a photocopier, enlarge mice template by 150 percent; cut out. With a pencil, trace ears and body onto felt; cut out. Cut inner ears and a dot for a nose from felt in a contrasting color, cut dots for eyes from black. Glue the face and inner ears in place. Make slits in body for ears and candy-cane tail where marked; to make cutting easier, fold felt across center of slits, and snip. Slip ears through slits at front; then slide wrapped candy cane through body slits, tucking the end underneath the ear piece at the back.

Christmas Ornament- Starflake



Made by Lori Knowles

 Items needed:
18mm acrylic crystal starflake beads (Some call it a paddle wheel bead)
8mm acrylic crystal faceted round beads
8mm dark ruby acrylic faceted round beads

Tinsel Stems (pipe cleaners) in "Iridescent"

You will need a pair of wire cutters, because after stringing the beads, you will need to cut the excess tinsel stem off.

First, cut two tinsel stems in half. You will only be using 3 pieces, however, you can save the 4th piece for the next snowflake you make. Twist all three pieces of tinsel stem (pipe cleaners) together. Pinch in the middle with needle nose pliers. I bought my tinsel stem at Wal-Mart, in the craft section. 

I would suggest using the iridescent color, because it gives the acrylic beads a real "sparkle" when the Christmas lights hit the ornament. I've experimented with gold and silver tinsel stem and found it just doesn't do the trick.

String beads in the following order on each stem:

8 mm round crystal
11 mm crystal tri bead
8 mm round colored bead
18 mm starflake
11 mm crystal tri bead
18 mm starflake crystal
8 mm round colored bead

Then, cut off excess tinsel stem at the end and add a dab of Aileen's clear gel tacky glue to the last part and cap off with the last bead.

Glue an 18mm crystal starflake in the center on both sides with a generous blob of Aileen's clear gel tacky glue. Do one side at a time and allow to dry overnight for each side.   

I used white carpet thread tied on the top for a hanger. The thread slips in between the beads, so it's not seen. You can also use beading thread in gold or silver. 

Christmas Ornament- Puzzle Wreath

by Louise



This is a fun project to use up pieces from old puzzles that may be missing pieces.

Items needed: short piece of ribbon
small bell
ornament hanger
a dozen or so multi-colored beads
20-30 puzzle pieces
green and white (or several shades of green) paint and paintbrush
hot glue gun and glue

Directions:
Draw a circle on a piece of paper about the size of the wreath that you want to make.
Mix different colors of green paint. Paint the puzzle pieces in different shades of green. You only need to paint one side.
After the paint is dry. Begin gluing the puzzle pieces together following the circle on the paper.
When the wreath is complete. Glue on color beads and a ribbon with a bell in the middle and a hook on the back.

Christmas Ornament- Gold Button

by Mary Chache

Materials:
2 inch styrofoam ball
About 50 gold tone buttons of different sizes and
patterns
18" long half inch wide ribbon
Craft wire
Straight pin
6" thin gold cord
Gold spray paint
Hot glue gun
Toothpicks
Directions:

• Stick about six toothpicks all around the Styrofoam ball so it can stand up at different angles.
• Lightly spray paint the ball gold completely
covering it. If the paint is too heavy it may dissolve
the styrofoam. As you turn the ball to paint all sides don't let it sit in paint. Make sure it is up on
toothpicks. Let it dry according to the paint
directions then remove the toothpicks.
• With a glue gun, glue buttons to painted ball
pushing the stem of the button into the ball. Cover
the ball with buttons except for the small spot on top where you attach the bow.
• Tie a small knot in the gold cord making a hoop to hang the ornament. Stick a straight pin through the knot. Put a some hot glue on the pin and insert it into the top bare spot.
• Make a bow for the top using ribbon and craft wire. Make repeated hoops securing with wire as you go. Glue the bow to the bare spot and you are done!

Christmas Ornament- Button Wreath

by Martha Stewart

Colorful stray buttons can be put to new use as Christmas ornaments. If you don't have enough loose buttons, or the right colors, don't worry -- stores sell them by the bagful. Kids will enjoy this project because each wreath they make will be unique.

Tools and MaterialsNeedle-nose pliers or wire cutters
16-gauge copper wire, or 22-gauge green floral wire, cut to 9-inch lengths
72 buttons for each wreath
Scissors
Satin ribbon, 1/8 inch wide and 6 inches long
Seam binding for decorative bow

Button Wreath Ornament How-To1. Using pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire.

2. Thread buttons onto the wire until you have enough to form the size of the wreath you want. Our wreaths are 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

3. Using pliers, bend the plain end of the wire around the looped end. This will form the wreath.

4. Use the satin ribbon to make a loop for hanging the wreath; tie the ribbon in a knot about 3 inches above the wreath.

5. Tie a bow of seam binding to decorate the wreath.

Sources16-gauge copper wire
22-gauge silver-plate wire
Available at local craft and hardware-supply stores

22-gauge green floral wire
Available at local floral-supply stores

Christmas Ornament- Stacked Buttons

by Martha Stewart

The basic technique for all the ornaments is the same. Bend a pipe cleaner in half and twist once at the top for a loop. Slide buttons over pipe cleaner ends, slipping one end into each hole (if the button has four holes, use two diagonal ones). Use larger buttons for bellies and hat brims. When finished, twist ends of pipe cleaner to secure, and trim. For reindeer legs and antlers and for Santa's arms, bend 2-inch pieces of pipe cleaner in half, slip on between buttons, and twist. Glue on felt for Santa's beard and the snowman's nose. To hang the reindeer, loop a thread around its middle and tie.