DIY Felt Ornaments

Since McKinley is going to work on these after school today, I felt it was the perfect time to post this fun holiday DIY! I am a big fan of giving homemade gifts to family and friends and I make sure that McKinley gives one every year. This year, it's felt ornaments. But they don't have to be just an ornament. They make super cute gift tags on wrapped presents, a tag on your hostess gift bottle of wine, or a darling name tag at your holiday table. And they are so easy to make!

Here's what you'll need:

Felt, fabric glue, cookie cutters, a black Sharpie, fabric scissors, string, and any small craft adornments. I decided against the glue gun, but if you use on, make sure your little ones fingers are out of the way! It's hot!!

First, pick the perfect cookie cutter for your stencil. I chose a tree, snowman, sweater, bell, mitten, and stocking. 

Fold your felt in half so you only make one cut. You will want to double up your ornament to keep it from being see-through and to make it a little more sturdy. 

Next up, glue. You will want fabric glue for this project. You could use school glue, but the fabric glue is a little stronger. And it dries clear. Put a thin outline of glue around the edge of the ornament and make sure to glue the Sharpie side to the inside of your ornament. Once together, you can trim an excess you have.

 Originally, I punched a hole at the top of the ornament to string the hanger, but after the first one, I ditched this method and went with simply gluing the string inside the ornament before sealing it closed. It worked much better. The hole punch is still an option.

 

Now you are ready to start decorating! Use anything and everything small and cute that you can get your hands on! I shopped my mom's craft room and found tons of little mini things to use. Check out the craft stores miniature sections. That's where we got a lot of these things last year.

Here is the loot! I am in love with the sweater, but they are all so darling! 

And here's how they look on the tree, gift, and wine bottle!

The options for creating are endless AND, you don't have to use this idea for just Christmas! Think about Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween! So cute, right? 

Happy Crafting!

XO,

Andrea

Holiday Bucket List - Kids Holiday Craft

Who has been working on a holiday bucket list? Anyone working on mine? Me! I'm working on mine! HA!

Every year, McKinley makes a homemade holiday gift for family members which include his Meme, his great aunt, great great aunt, and great grandmother. This is his gift, but I think it goes beyond that. I love giving a little sweet something to family that his little hands have created and I know they cherish it year after year. Two years ago, he made these Christmas trees out of paper plates. You cut a paper plate in half and wrap it to create a tree. Staple or glue it closed. Paint it green and decorate with mini pom poms! So cute!!

Last year, he decided he wanted to make these cute snowmen. For some reason, I didn't capture photos of him making them, but I assure you he did. You paint a clothes pin white and decorate the face with markers. He added a little extra detail along the body of the snowman. Create the scarf out of pipe cleaners!

This year we tackled reindeer and they have to be the cutest things I've ever seen! I saw a quick glimpse of these when scrolling through Pinterest and knew immediately we had to make them. They also had a snowman version which was painted white and had earmuffs! Here is what you'll need for the reindeer!

We have small terracotta pots, brown pipe cleaners, red mini pom poms, wiggly eyes, scissors, and a glue gun/glue sticks.

You also need a super cute crafter!

Fold each pipe cleaner in half and then cut in the middle to create two pieces.

Take each individual pipe cleaner and make a loop at the top of the cleaner. You are making the antlers!

Thread two pipe cleaners through the hole in the pot. 

Place a dot of glue on each side of the inside of the pot and press the ends of the antlers into the glue.

Now it's time to make the face! Add a dot of glue for each eye and give it a second to cool slightly. You don't want to burn little fingers. Add two eyes to the front of the pot.

Do the same thing for the nose and add a mini red pom pom. 

And there's Rudolph!!

You can leave it alone or add a smile. McKinley said they all needed a smile!

And he signed each one. I went back in later and added the year.

Aren't they darling!!!

Now it's time to make the hanger. When we got started, I didn't have the ribbon hence the background change! 

Cut a small piece of ribbon, enough to create a loop, and use that one piece to be your guide for the number of ornaments you made.

Loop your ribbon.

Add a small dab of glue to the back of the ornament and adhere the looped ribbon to the glue.

And now they are ready for a hook and the tree! 

 And here is the finished product hanging on my parents tree! It's so cute! And so easy for little hands to create. And I know your family and friends will love this super sweet gift!

What do you for holiday gifts from your kids? Do you have them make something? I would love to hear about your crafty gift giving ideas! And if you make this craft, please share with us some pics of the final product!

XO,

Andrea