Hello everyone! Here is the first installment of our Homemade Christmas section. Today I'll show you how to create these simple but stunning paper Christmas tree ornaments.
Of course these ornaments are not limited to using on Christmas trees alone, I've put them as a group in a bowl as a table decoration, made them smaller to use on wreaths or made many of them and attatched them to garlands! There are really a lot of options for you when making these little things!
What you'll need to make these:
8.5"x11" piece of cardstock
stamp of your choice, I used the trio of snowflakes from the 'tis the Season set from RBD for this particular one.
ink
paper trimmer, scissors and any embellishments desired
First start with your 8.5"x11" piece of paper. You will be cutting across it in a minute. Now take your background stamp and stamp randomly on your cardstock. I find that by turning the stamp 180 degrees each stamp it creates more of a random pattern.
(Please click on any of the images to enlarge and get a closer look)
Cut your cardstock crosswise into 0.5" strips, you'll need 6 strips measuring 0.5"x 8.5" for each ball
Use your scissors to cut small slits on each end of each strip half way in and about a quarter of an inch from the end. Do this at the end of each strip. You should make sure that all of your slits go the same direction and that each strip has one slit coming from each direction.
Take ONE of these strips and form it into a ring by tucking the ends inside and joining the slits.
Here is what your ring will look like.
Lay out the remaining 5 strips in a star shape, PATTERN DOWN, as pictured. Each strip should go over, under, over and under the others.
Be patient, this can take a bit to practice. Once you have them set, try to squeeze them in to form a tighter weave.
Take your ring that you made in the previous step and set it on top of your star in the centre (I'm sorry I forgot to take a picture of this step).
Take each UNDER strip and draw it up through the ring, there should be 5 of these.
Take each strip left outside the ring and bring it up outside the ring and cross the inside pieces with it's partner outside strip to "lock" them in place.
This can get tricky and you may have to play with it a bit to get it right. I'm telling you, once you've done a few they get easier!
Now take each strip, and find it's own end on the other side and hook them together as you did the first ring continuing the pattern.
I feel as though I should add some words of encouragement here because the first one that I made had me cursing mad and wanting to throw the lot across the room. Don't give up! This too comes with patience and practice!
THERE YOU GO!!! Add your embellishments as you like, I added a stamped and punched snowflake as well as the "Let it snow" sentiment from 'tis the Season.
I also added some glitter and silver cord for hanging!
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial, I'd love to see what you've done with these fun little things!
Happy crafting folks!
~D
Im not that good with this craft, but im very i can do this by myself.
Posted by: african mango | August 16, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Posted by: Realestate | January 11, 2011 at 12:53 PM
With the new 2011. Year! Congratulations.
Posted by: school_dubl | December 30, 2010 at 10:24 AM
Any chance you have a video of that part because even with practice I'm really not getting it...
Posted by: Julia | November 27, 2010 at 09:08 PM
Question, these are difficult to make after the step you have the ring and pull the under parts through. Any tips on how to makenthis easier? They keep falling apart on me...
Posted by: Julia | November 27, 2010 at 08:55 PM
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Posted by: RX-order | November 20, 2010 at 08:47 PM
They're really gorgeous! I tried to make them but I think I need more practice...
Posted by: Graziana | December 11, 2009 at 07:01 AM
these are so beautiful, and you are right the possibilities are endless but a complete tree decorated in paper ornaments would be so adorable. tfs!
Posted by: lorena | November 19, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Ok now that is totally awesome Devon!!!
Posted by: Keri Lee Sereika | November 18, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Told you it would look good!!!!
Posted by: Tina | November 18, 2009 at 05:29 PM