I owe you all an apology.
You see, I’m not just a contributor to the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas frenzy. I’m an instigator.
That’s right, I’m flame fanner.
Oh, who am I kidding. I’m not just fanning that flame, I’m throwing big heaping buckets of fuel on it!
It all started when I was driving out to the suburbs to attend the launch party of Jenn Rizzo’s amazing book, Creatively Christmas. Along the way, I started to think about Christmas. And how I wanted to decorate this year, specifically the fake Christmas tree I acquired last year. And as handmade ornament ideas were dancing around my head I thought,”hey, maybe I should organize an ornament DIY party with some bloggers …”
Which, on its own, was a manageable idea. But this was a long ride. With some stop-and-go traffic. And that’s when that initial ornament party idea exploded into a 12 Days of Christmas ornament crafting idea …
… with 12 bloggers making 12 ornaments each and blogging about them for 12 consecutive days. Starting today.
Phew.
But I didn’t let my idea end there. Nope. Then I contacted Michaels to see if they wanted to participate. And they generously offered each participating blogger a gift card to help pay for some of those ornament supplies.
Thank you Michaels!
Oh, and on the 12th day we culminate our crazy Christmas crafting with a multi-blog link party where you can link up your very own holiday ornaments!
So you need to get your Christmas craft on too!
For my inaugural 12 Days of Christmas ornament crafts project, I started with 5” Styrofoam balls from Michaels and some thrift store sweaters. I chose the larger diameter balls to add some contrast to my traditional Christmas balls.
How To Make A Sweater Wrapped Christmas Ball
Push Styrofoam ball into sweater sleeve.
Cut off at both ends, leaving a little excess
Thread some baker’s twine through a wide eye needle.
Turn sweater inside out and thread the baker’s twine thread around the outside of the sleeve.
(Oh, and a quick tip: don’t take the Styrofoam ball out of the plastic ball otherwise you will end up with all those white Styrofoam pieces on your sweater.)
Then pull the thread tight and tie a knot.
Trim away the excess sweater material.
Turn right side out and put Styrofoam ball inside. Pull tight.
Take baker’s twine thread and needle and sew other end in the same fashion (stitching around outside of sleeve).
Pull thread and trim excess. But not too tight. First tuck the unfinished edges inside.
Then pull tight and knot. Create a loop with excess string to hang on the tree …
Now it’s time to explore the amazing handmade ornaments created by my 12 Days of Christmas crafting cohorts …
Modern Reindeer Succulent Ornament by Bigger Than The Three of Us | Gold and White Felt Christmas Tree Ornament by May Richer Fuller Be | Wire Star Ornaments by Cherished Bliss | Yarn Wrapped Christmas Trees by Thrifty & Chic | Sweater Ornaments by It All Started With Paint | Gold Silhouette Ornament by Lovely Etc. | DIY Jingle Bell Ornament by The Happier Homemaker | Santa Belt Ornament by Whats Ur Home Story | Dear Santa Letter Ornament by Remodelando la Casa | Cinnamon Star Ornament by Mom 4 Real | Mini Gift Bow Ornament by All Things G&D | Gold Reindeer Head Mount Ornament by Serendipity Refined
Enjoy! And be sure to come back tomorrow for even more …
Linda
For even more holiday inspiration, you can find more handmade ornaments by clicking here …
All 12 days – and all 144 ornaments – can be found by clicking here …
You might also like …
Car in Mason Jar Snow Globe (click here)
Want to keep up with my projects? It’s easy. Get it all started with paint delivered to your email inbox:
* Some of the products used in this post were purchased with a gift card provided by Michaels *
Oh you crazy girls! But I love the idea — after all, if you start your Christmas crafting AFTER Thanksgiving, you’ll be hot gluing stuff on Christmas Eve. 😉 Cute ornament, Linda!
xo Heidi
I’m just trying to get a jump on it this year! Last year I was posting my Christmas crafts in January!!! 🙂
That looks really neat! Christmas only comes once a year – enjoy the season while it lasts! Post-Thanksgiving (or perhaps before), I intend to sing Christnas carols every stinking day because it’s Christmas and it’s only socially acceptable to sing them once a year. Let them try and stop me.
Sing loud and clear, my friend. Loud and clear! (And I’m thinking that singing might just run in your family, right? You dad has been heralded as quite the guitar strumming crooner …)
Happy Holidays Denton!!!
🙂 Linda
That looks neat! Christmas only comes once a year – enjoy it with passion. I, for one, intend to sing Christmas carols every day post-Thanksgiving because it’s only socially acceptable to sing them once a year and it’s Christmas. Let them try and stop me.
I’m so blessed on this day to receive not one but two comments from one of my favorite blog readers (and so happy that you still stop by and read my blog!) You truly made my day!!!
🙂 Linda
Love this easy ornament idea, Linda! You could make a dozen of these for a tree without breaking a sweat. Thanks (again!) for inviting me to be a part of this craziness!
Hey I’m gonna love this! Great idea. Love the way these look – I need to go check out some sweaters.
So glad to be crafting with you, my dear instigator friend! 🙂 These sweater ornaments look so good and easy to make, I’m already eyeing one of my husband’s sweaters. Shhh don’t tell!
Love it Linda! Thank you 🙂 Me, Bing, Frank, and Dean agree that it is okay to usher in Christmas early. 🙂
Well, if the big guns are behind me then all is good!!! 🙂
Love it Linda! Simple and functional. A great use for those old sweaters. Thanks for organizing this.
I’m SO thankful that you’re a flame fanner…and that you’ve invited me to help by passing gasoline and matches! I love those ornaments…I need to go and thrift some sweaters now! xo
oh my sweaters….this is so cute…you trouble maker!
I LOVE these! I have an old sweather down in my basement right now I have been saving for some kind of Christmas decor! I think I found it ; )
You know, I have a major obsession with covering things in cable knit right now (have you seen my cable knit wine bottle holder? haha) and wanted to do some cable knit ornaments this holiday but couldn’t think of a good way to do it. Thank you so much for figuring it out and sharing your tutorial, Linda – love these!
I, for one, intend to sing Christmas carols every day post-Thanksgiving because it’s only socially acceptable to sing them once a year and it’s Christmas.
I will be listening for you carol singing! I just wish I could get “Last Christmas” out of my head …. 😉