Memorial Ornaments

In October, I lost my beloved grandfather, and my boys lost their great grandfather. He was very special to my whole family, and with Christmas coming, I wanted to find a way to incorporate his memory into our celebrations. So, I thought I would make the members of my family "memorial ornaments".

I took a blanket that belonged to my grandfather, and I used it to make the wings on bird ornaments. I sewed felt pieces together, added the heart-shaped wing, and used fabric paint to make an eye.

I love how this little ornament turned out, don't you? I can't wait to hang it on my tree each year.

I'm mailing the rest of them out (to my family members) with my Christmas cards.

With each card, I sent a little note that said, "The wing of this bird is made from Grampie's blanket. I hope you hang it proudly on your Christmas tree, and that it reminds you of his kindness and loving heart.

It was a lot of work to sew all these ornaments, but I hope that they will bring a little comfort to those I love during this difficult holiday season. And, perhaps one of my readers will be inspired to make memorial ornaments in memory of someone they loved as much as I loved my Grampie.

UPDATE: In 2018, my Grampie's lovely war bride passed away... so in 2019, I made ornaments in her memory for my family members. She was a English lady who loved a cup of tea, so I made this felt ornament (using her favourite quilt to make a heart in the centre of the tea cup). She was the centre of our loving family, so I thought it was fitting. RIP Nanny. ♥

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You can make them for animals too. I made this one for my sister when she lost her beloved cat. It's obviously not made from clothing, but I think the heart button symbolizes her love for her kitty.)

PPS (If you aren't crafty, you can order them from my shop here.)

Felt Lightbulb Ornaments

Looking for a small holiday gift "add on", a delightful handmade ornament, or an easy Christmas craft? These simple felt lightbulb ornaments are perfect "quick and easy" holiday crafts, and I love how colourful and fun they are. Today I am sharing the step-by-step tutorial for these adorable felt ornaments.

To make these ornaments:
1) Cut two lightbulb shapes and two lightbulb tops from coloured felt.
2) Using matching embroidery floss, attach a hanger made from a piece of twine.
3) Use white embroidery floss to stitch the two lightbulb shapes together (with a small amount of cotton stuffing inside).
4) Stitch the lightbulb tops to the top of the ornament.

The best thing about these ornaments is that they can be made in many colours. You can totally make them to match any Christmas decor or colour scheme. 

I made my lightbulb ornaments in blue, red and green.

I made a bunch, and I plan to stick them in Christmas cards, add them to gifts, and hang them on my tree. Cute, right?

These ornaments would be a wonderful project for someone that is just learning to sew. The felt is easy to work with, and the stitching is easy. If you decide to make these felt lightbulb ornaments, let me know what colours you chose.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Scrap Ribbon Ornament

Simple homemade ornaments add a lot to the coziness of Christmas. I love the idea of having the kids make their own ornaments to display at home or give as gifts. Today I am sharing a simple handmade scrap ribbon ornament that is perfect for older children to make and share.

To make this adorable scrap ribbon ornament:

1) Start with a twig. We found this one on the ground in our back yard.
2) Use hot glue to attach a piece of yarn or twine to the top of the twig. 
3) Cut and tie strips of scrap ribbon to the twig.

Tips: Cut the strips the same length, tie them to the twig, and THEN cut the ribbons. Also... stiff ribbons work better.

I love this simple and rustic scrap ribbon ornament, don't you? It's the perfect use for all the scrap ribbon you have lying around the house.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Skittles Ornament... with free printable tags

I adore cute DIY Christmas ornaments, and these adorable DIY Skittles ornaments are easy and inexpensive to make. I made one for each of my boys, and they love them! They make a cute Christmas ornament, stocking stuffer, Christmas movie night treat, or DIY gift. Below, I am sharing the "how to" details and the FREE printable tags.

To make these sweet DIY Skittles ornaments:

1) Purchase inexpensive plastic ornaments (and make sure the top opening is big enough to allow you to pour Skittles into it).
2) Pour Skittles into the ornament.
3) Use ribbon to attach the "Merry and Bright" tag to the ornament.

To download the tags I designed (for free): right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

This would be a fun and simple craft to do with kids too... though I am pretty sure some of the candies would go missing in the process. ;-)

Do you have candy-loving kids or friends that would enjoy receiving these "Merry and Bright" Skittles ornaments? I think sharing these sweet, easy and inexpensive ornaments is a fantastic way to share some Christmas cheer this holiday season.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Felt Ornament {Star}

I love to make simple felt ornaments (each year) for our Christmas tree.  They are also great to share with friends.  Here is the simple star ornament I created this year.

To make your own felt ornament:

1)  Collect your supplies.  You'll need a piece of ribbon, a little white button, two circles cut from red felt, and one star cut from green felt.

2)  Stitch the star to one of the felt circles.

3)  Sew a button onto the middle of the star.

4)  Add a ribbon, and stitch the second felt circle to the felt circle containing the star.

That's it!  Don't you just love how easy, inexpensive and cute this little felt ornament is?  I think it would be a great beginner sewing project too.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Felt Ornament - Santa Belly

Every year, I come up with a simple felt ornament that I can send out with my Christmas cards.  Because I make so many, I always design something that is easy, inexpensive, and lightweight.  Here is the felt ornament I am sending out this year.

Cute, right?  My 4 year old calls it a "Santa Belly" ornament.  

Here's how easy it is to make your own:

1)  Cut two identical circles from red felt.  {Mine were about 3 inches in diameter.}

2)  Cut a black strip of felt, and stitch it onto the middle of one of the circles.  {Mine was about 1/4" wide.}

3)  Sew a yellow button onto the middle of the circle with the black stripe.

4)  Attach a ribbon hanger, and stitch the 2nd red circle onto the back of the front circle.

This year, I made 60 of these ornaments.  I think they make sending out Christmas cards a little more fun, don't you?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Felt {Christmas Tree} Ornament

Those of you that were reading my blog last year might remember that I make ornaments for my friends and family each year.  Last year I made little felt stockings, and this year I made simple felt Christmas trees.

 
The tradition started over 20 years ago, and it has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. Because I make so many, I try to keep the design simple. I also try to make ornaments that are flat and light so that they are easy and inexpensive to mail with Christmas cards.

Want to make one... or a bunch?  They are really quick and easy -- a perfect project for beginners.

Here's what you do:

1)  Cut out the felt pieces you will need:  2 red circles, 1 green triangle, and 1 small brown rectangle.
2)  Stitch the brown rectangle and green triangle onto one of the red circles.  Sew a small yellow button onto the top of the tree.  {Per the picture above.}
3)  Tie a piece of ribbon to form a "loop" and stitch to the other red circle.
4)  Stitch the two red circles together.

That's it!  Isn't it an adorable little felt ornament?  What are some of your treasured holiday traditions?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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Felt Stocking Ornaments

When I was in high school , I started making Christmas ornaments for my girlfriends. Over time, I started making them for over 40 family and friends. I like to make a simple ornament that can be slipped in with a Christmas card. Here is the "quick and easy" Christmas ornament I am making this year.

I just love these little felt stockings because they are so simple and inexpensive to make.

Here is what you'll need: scrap white felt, scrap red felt, two red buttons, a piece of ribbon, some red and white embroidery floss, a needle, and a template that you can find here.

Here's what you do:

Step 1: Cut two stocking shapes from the white felt and cut one rectangle (for the top of the stocking) from the red felt.

Step 2: Using red embroidery thread, stitch the bottom of the rectangle to one of the white stocking shapes. This will be the front of the ornament. (Just stitch the bottom of the rectangle. The rest will be attached when you stitch the front piece to the back piece.)

Step 3: Sew two red buttons onto the piece that has the red felt stitched to the top.

Step 4: Stitch a piece of ribbon to the other white stocking shape. This will be the back of the stocking. (I used white thread so that you wouldn't be able to see it on the back of the ornament.)

 

Step 5: Stitch the front and back pieces together using red embroidery thread. That's it!

Easy, right? I can't wait to see these little felt stockings hanging on the trees of my loved ones. 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)