Ornament Week: Tuesday

We're kicking off "Handmade Ornament Week" (Oh, haven't you heard about that? Probably because we just barely made it up. Oh it is Tuesday? Tuesday is the new Monday!) with a little stamped, stuffed ornament that would look cute on your tree, or hanging from a doorknob or cabinet.

Or, if you're like me, on a little potted plant from Ikea because it's the only green thing in your house because you haven't set up your tree yet because it's in your storage unit and that's an hour away and when on earth are you going to find time to get down there and good grief when you put it up it's just going to be a constant battle to keep two toddlers from knocking it over seventeen times a day so is it really worth it?? Where is my holiday spirit? But I digress.

ANYWAY, you'll need the following items:

• A rubber stamp with a holiday image
  
• Craft/fabric ink, made for stamping on fabric (in a pinch, StazOn -- or any ink, really -- will probably work, especially since this won't be getting washed)
• Fabric
• Poly-fill
• Ribbon or cord
• Floss

Stamp is Stampin' Up! (Winter Post set). Ribbon is unknown.


1. Stamp it. Ink the stamp really well (wipe off the edges if you need to) and press it down firmly on your fabric for about 20 seconds. A tight weave will give you the clearest image. I used plain muslin, but a really subtle pattern would look cool.


2. Heat set it. You can use an iron or an embossing gun. Or a straightener! (I found this to be handy because you need to use dry heat and this way I didn't have to mess w/ the steam from my iron.) I placed another piece of muslin (the back of the ornament) over the stamped side to protect it.


3. Sew the ribbon. Fold it in half and sandwich it between the two pieces of fabric with the ends at the top. Sew back and forth a couple times to get it very secure. You can skip this step and catch the ribbon as you sew around, but this way is a little more accident proof... right up my alley, in other words.


What it looks like from the other side.


4. Sew around your image. Easy breezy. Bunch up the ribbon inside and make sure not to catch it as you sew. Leave a spot to turn the ornament right side out, and reinforce your stitching at the starting and ending points, or it will open up as you turn.


5. Trim the edges.


6. Turn right side out. Stuff. Whip stitch the opening closed. I felt like it needed something more, so I blanket-stitched around the edge with some cranberry-colored floss. Maybe it was too much? I can't decide.



Think about all the stamps you have. Isn't this a fun way to use them? I love it! Here are some other ideas for stamped ornaments:

• Stamp a name or a monogram
  
• Add some color by embroidering details (like a scarf) with floss or narrow ribbon
  
• Do a bunch of snowflakes in non-traditional holiday colors: hot pink, light blue, and bright green

Show us your handmade ornaments! Upload them to our Flickr group. We'd love to see the lovely things everyone is making for their trees this year.

COMING TOMORROW: Felt snowmen!