Crafty Red & White Christmas Ornaments
The Scandinavian country look, with it's cheery red and bright white, is a great choice this season, giving a homespun yet light and cottagey look to the Christmas Tree. Using supplied I had on hand and inexpensive glass balls from the local thrift store, I was able to make several dozen new ornaments for my tree that hopefully give it that charming look I'm going for. I'll start by showing all the ornaments I made out of regular glass ball ornaments.
Folk cross ornament
Folk cross ornament:
Since a Scandinavian country theme was on my mind when I started this project, the first thing I tried was a folk-style cross.
Instructions:
Use a medium-tip white paint pen on a red glass ornament. Start with either a cross or an "x" shape and then embellish with drops, dots and arrows. It takes two coats, which gives the end result a charming hand-made quality. Finish with a wired-on bow of 1/4" gingham ribbon.
Large vintage button ornament
Large vintage button ornament:
I have a collection of vintage buttons and some of them are quite large. I thought it would be nice to feature the most interesting of these on an ornament with a minimum of additions to put the button front-and-center.
Instructions:
Hot-glue medium red ric-rac onto a frosted white glass ornament, making an X on both sides. Cover the intersection with a large vintage button on each side, also using hot glue, and tie a simple red ribbon around the neck.
Rag ball ornament
Rag ball ornament:
This ornament was inspired by Dawn's fantastic tutorial on rag ball ornaments. Unfortunately, for some reason in my area styrofoam balls are gold-plated, because they cost a fortune, However, I had on hand these extra-cheap thrift store glass balls. So I made my rag ball ornament out of them, choosing red for the body and white for the bow.
Instructions:
Tear 3/4" of fabric, then cut sections just big enough to fit around the ball. Hot-glue one end at up near the neck, then wrapped the fabric around and glued the other end on the opposite side of the neck. Add strips in this fashion until the whole ball is covered. Add a white bow in medium ric-rac.
Pom-pom trim ornament
Pom-pom trim ornament:
This fun ornament reminds me of some kind of vintage winter faux-fur coat and was one of the easiest to make using simple pom-pom trim.
Instructions:
Use hot glue to attach a spiral of white pom-pom trim to a red glass ball ornament, starting at the bottom and contining toward the top until the entire ball is covered. Then, wired on a 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in red. Easy peasy.
Lace skirt ornament
Lace skirt ornament:
This cute little thing is one of my favorites of the bunch. Hanging on the tree they almost look like little red berries hanging with a small cap of white eyelet lace leaves, or a dancing girl with red britches peeking out of a white eyelet skirt.
Instructions:
Wrap a short length of pre-gathered white eyelet lace trim around the top of a smaller-sized red glass ball ornament, attaching it at the shoulder with hot glue. Hot glue on medium white ric-rac to cover the edge, then wire on a bow of 1/4" gingham ribbon.
Cotton lace ornament
Cotton lace ornament:
This ornament was sheer serendipity, as I just happened to have a yard of pretty cotton lace trim in my stash whose width covered the ornament exactly from top to bottom.
Instructions:
Cut a length of white wide cotton lace trim just long enough to encircle the red glass ornament, then gather the sides with pearl cotton, weaving it in and out of the holes in the sides of the lace. Pull it tight at the top and button of the ornament, then slip stitch the two ends together to form a seam in back. For a finishing touch, wire on a 1/4" red grosgrain ribbon bow.
Button dotted ornament
Button dotted ornament:
I love polka dots, and when I sat looking at a red glass ornament in one hand and a pile of vintage buttons in the other, this was the natural conclusion.
Instructions:
Hot glued a random assortment of white or cream buttons onto a red glass ornament, leaving space to create polka dots. To complete, wire on a bow made from hemp twine.
Encrusted vintage button ornament
Encrusted vintage button ornament:
Of course, you can't have a jar of vintage buttons without wanting to encrust something with them. Again, this is an ornament you would usually use a styrofoam ball for, but those are expensive and used glass balls are cheap, so that's what I used; a white frosted glass ball ornament. An added benefit of using the glass is that any gaps are less noticeable because the frosted glass blends right into the buttons.
Instructions:
Simply pave the surface of the ornament with vintage buttons using hot glue, and finish with a tied-on sheer red ribbon.
The entire collection of round ornaments
I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of these crafty ornament ideas to add to a red-and-white theme! If you make any of them, please, let me know and include a link to pictures!
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Comments (25)
Liz:
Rhonda from Minnesota:
Hillcrest Acres:
janet:
Jen:
bramble:
Barbara Jacksier:
Dawn:
Kaylyn:
rhondi:
Lisa:
Denise Fontaine:
Vickie E:
Angelina:
Susan94:
Jodie:
The Feathered Nest (Manuela's):
Lissa:
Cathymac:
julie (jane's apron):
M&Co:
Linda Albrecht:
Joanna:
Michele:
Camy Tisvis:
Holy smokes! I think this is the most inspiring blog post I've seen this season. I LOVE what you've done with the ornaments. Since I'm not a crafty person myself, I'm always so excited when other people have marvelous ideas like this. I think my favorite might be the folk cross, but they're all wonderful.
Posted by Liz | December 14, 2007 6:55 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 06:55
I second that Liz, the most inspiring blog post this season. I love this idea. Very Cheery, Cottagey, Christmasey. I love it. I love it. Did I say I loved this?
Happy Holidays
~Rhonda
Posted by Rhonda from Minnesota | December 14, 2007 7:10 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 07:10
What an adorable way to display your handmade ornaments. They are so cute. It makes me want to get out my glue gun and start creating but instead I have to head out the door and finish my Christmas shopping.
Posted by Hillcrest Acres | December 14, 2007 7:31 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 07:31
Angela,
I agree with Liz and Rhonda. I hadn't even thought of making ornaments, but now I need to run out and buy some red ones. I love the polka dot one the best. Good thing I just finished shoveling and scraping the driveway!!
Janet
Posted by janet | December 14, 2007 8:29 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 08:29
Oh, I love them! Don't make me try to pick a favorite. I couldn't do it. You've inspired me. I'm getting off this computer and I'm going to go play!
Posted by Jen | December 14, 2007 8:35 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 08:35
What a cute set of "new" ornaments ! Now I have another fun project! Love to visit here, thanks for sharing!
Posted by bramble | December 14, 2007 10:32 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 10:32
I love your ornaments. To me, they look like a centerpiece sitting in their muffin tin. Dan and I once photographed a table centerpiece with ornaments in a muffin tin.Just add a few sprigs of greenery and it's ready to go!
Posted by Barbara Jacksier | December 14, 2007 11:14 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 11:14
WOW! Angela! You have been a busy little bee ~ I love them ALL! Thank you so much for linking back to me but my little goober rag balls pale in comparison to all of your crafty goodness here. I love all of the ideas ~ I hope you and your family have the most wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year! xxoo, Dawn
Posted by Dawn | December 14, 2007 12:04 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:04
Ok- these I think are amazing!! I am so inspired! If I find anytime in the midst of all the other projects I put on my plate this year- I am going to try these out...maybe in some pinks! Yes- Hot Pink! So excited.
Posted by Kaylyn | December 14, 2007 12:42 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 12:42
Angela I love the ideas for all the red and white balls. So creative! As you know from seeing my blog I love red and white so I will have to try and make a few. Maybe I could put them up for Valentine's day. The napkins you gave Cindy are just like some ones I have! What a thoughtful friend you are.
Posted by rhondi | December 14, 2007 1:45 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 13:45
These are just fantastic. Love-love the button idea. I'll have to remember that technique for next year. These are just such beautiful and fun pictures, so much fun to browse. Great decoration ideas.
Posted by Lisa | December 14, 2007 2:40 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 14:40
Loove your blog!
Posted by Denise Fontaine | December 14, 2007 5:49 PM
Posted on December 14, 2007 17:49
They are eye candy for sure.I have some extra glass ornaments I could do this with! Thanks for pulling it all together. Quite motivational really. Thanks you
Posted by Vickie E | December 15, 2007 12:40 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 00:40
I really love what you accomplished with what you had on hand. As I already told you, I am finding inspiration from other people's ability to create really great looking projects without spending more money. My favorite is the button ball, but all of them look great.
Posted by Angelina | December 15, 2007 6:15 PM
Posted on December 15, 2007 18:15
Adorable! Is it ok if I copy your white button one? I just love the buttons and I have a bag of them with a glue gun. :)
Posted by Susan94 | December 16, 2007 5:22 AM
Posted on December 16, 2007 05:22
Angela, you are on a roll. These are all gorgeous - you must be feeling very christmassy by now.
Posted by Jodie | December 16, 2007 3:29 PM
Posted on December 16, 2007 15:29
I love those! They're so cottagey and would be perfect for my tree! I thought I was done with my Christmas crafting! :-)
Manuela
Posted by The Feathered Nest (Manuela's) | December 17, 2007 6:49 AM
Posted on December 17, 2007 06:49
I love this tutorial.. I am going to borrow some of your ideas (hope thats OK) to tart up the chrissy tree next year.. why next year you ask? hmm its already up this year and a certain person (he who has paws) has decided cats love christmas trees.. and I am ever hopeful he'll grow out of it by next year (I did say that last year though, but he was a wee kitten then, now he is a huge %$#$%^ cat)
Have a happy and merry christmas..
Lissa
Posted by Lissa | December 17, 2007 7:02 PM
Posted on December 17, 2007 19:02
Oh, Angela. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Thanks for the tour!
Posted by Cathymac | December 19, 2007 7:08 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 07:08
I really, really like the idea of displaying ornaments in a muffin tin...making a mental note on that one. thanks!
Posted by julie (jane's apron) | December 19, 2007 10:07 AM
Posted on December 19, 2007 10:07
Love your ornaments! The pom pom one is my favourite!!
Posted by M&Co | December 20, 2007 5:07 AM
Posted on December 20, 2007 05:07
Oh my!!! You are so talented and I am coming back to visit again and again. Such a beautiful place. Linda
Posted by Linda Albrecht | December 20, 2007 10:36 PM
Posted on December 20, 2007 22:36
Angela, I love the way you have placed the ornaments in the cupcake tray. I know you're probably thinking it's on old trick, but I have never seen that. I am always looking for new ways to display christmas ornaments... thanks for sharing your idea. xoxo, Joanna
Posted by Joanna | May 28, 2008 7:44 AM
Posted on May 28, 2008 07:44
You are incredible!! Your truly are so creative, and it's been a joy getting to go through all of these old posts. Your ornaments are really, really amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing them with us all and for the directions, too!
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Posted by Michele | May 31, 2008 3:19 AM
Posted on May 31, 2008 03:19
Angela, Your ornaments are so mind-boggling!!!I can't wait for the Christmas season so that I can make the pompom trim ornament. I went today and bought 540 red Christmas balls and plan on getting the pompoms next week. I have a VERY large family and plan on giving these as gifts Thanks so much for the idea. I'll send you a picture of the completed decorated balls.
XOXO
Camy
Posted by Camy Tisvis | August 21, 2008 11:47 AM
Posted on August 21, 2008 11:47