Make natural DIY rosehip wreath ornaments for your Christmas tree decoration. They’re easy, cheap and fast to make – and perfect for a dog- or kid-friendly Christmas tree!
Tag Archives: christmas ornaments
DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments
Make vintage inspired DIY popsicle stick sled ornaments with popsicle sticks, wood glue and acrylic paint for your Christmas tree this year!
These DIY popsicle stick sled ornaments are a great last minute Christmas craft! They look cute as Christmas tree ornaments or make a great Christmas gift for a loved one. My inspiration for the DIY popsicle sled ornaments was this antique Victorian wooden sled. Continue reading DIY Popsicle Stick Sled Ornaments
Victorian Rag Ball – Tutorial
Learn to make an authentic Victorian rag ball for your kid, pup or as decoration.
In the Victorian era, a rag ball was a toy of poor children. Old rags and fabric scraps were wound into a ball and covered with ball stitches to hold the rags together:
‘Ball Stitch – A stitch used in making ornamental balls for children.’ (Embroidery Stitches, 1872, p. 9)
Rag balls were popular Victorian Christmas presents. Victorian mothers would make rag balls for their toddlers, while kids could make their own rag balls – rag balls are so easy and fast to make! And cheap too – using just what you’d usually throw away! I’ve wanted to make a Victorian fabric ball for a long time and now I’ve finally found the time.
‘To make this coveted Christmas toy take a small rubber ball or a piece of cork, wind it with coarse worsted of any color, until the ball is of the desired size, then knit the cover.’ (Demorest’s Family Magazine, 1891)
Today, rag balls are still popular: They are a favorite decoration at Christmas time. Or you could make a rag ball as soft toy ball for your baby or toddler. And if you don’t have a toddler, your pup would love a new toy too!
‘There are innumerable games to be played with a soft ball which the very tiny children even can enjoy and profit by.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2)
How To Make A Victorian Rag Ball
You’ll need:
- rags, old clothes or fabric scraps
- yarn
- needle and scissors
DIY Victorian Rag Ball
Cut an old T-shirt into a long, continuous 1-inch (2.5cm) strip. Then roll the strip into a ball like you’d roll a ball of yarn. Tuck the end of the strip under one of the previous loops to secure it.
The Victorian Ball Stitch
‘Bind some loose rags tightly together into a ball. Wind string across as in the illustration forming sections. Thread a needle with bright-colored wool, and work round and round, passing the needle each time under a strand of string. If different colours be used the effect is very pleasing.’ (Embroidery Stitches, 1872, p. 9)
DIY Wood Bead ‘Cranberry’ Wreath Ornament
This DIY wood bead ‘cranberry’ ornament is easy and fun to make with kids. And because it can be made so quick, it’s a great last-minute DIY Christmas ornament: It takes just some minutes to string and paint the beads. Besides, this faux cranberry ornament with wood beads is not only pretty but also non-wilting, unlike a wreath ornament with real cranberries with wood beads. Continue reading DIY Wood Bead ‘Cranberry’ Wreath Ornament
The Victorian Christmas Tree
The ‘door was thrown open leading into the great exhibition-room. Here was a magnificent Christmas-tree hung all over with colored wax tapers; here were tables covered with white cloths, and glittering from head to foot with the most bewitching doll-babies, work-boxes, card-cases, silk dresses, rattles, penny whistles, shawls, sashes, drawing-implements, and I don’t know what all, for big and little, with a name written upon each, and ever so many funny inscriptions to make it all the more merry.’ (An American Family In Germany, 1866, p. 183) Continue reading The Victorian Christmas Tree
Victorian Christmas Decorations
‘Many housewives object to Christmas decorations, fearing that the furniture and paper may become scratched and spoiled. The decorators should bear this fear in mind, for beauty at Christmas will not pay for ugliness all the year round. Holly, the very prettiest and most Christmas-like of all adornments, does undoubtedly scratch and tear; it is therefore
best used chiefly in bouquets for jars and vases. In this way it can be scattered about the room very effectively, and can also be kept in water. People are apt to imagine that holly, as an evergreen, needs no nourishment; but, like all other plants, it lasts twice as long if kept moist. Continue reading Victorian Christmas Decorations
How To Make Straw Christmas Ornaments
‘Straw is an ageless material closely associated with Christmas. […] Love and joy go into the craftsmanship, and each member of the family has a part in it. The father cuts the grain, the children husk and sort it, the mother makes it into wonderfully imaginative objects. And Christmas Eve seems mystical when the candles are lit and the shiny straw reflects their shimmering light.’ (The joyful Christmas craft book, 1963, p. 76) Continue reading How To Make Straw Christmas Ornaments
DIY Eco-Friendly Snow Pine Cones
Make cute snow covered pine cones with things you already have in your kitchen!
Tutorial: Fabric Ornaments – Heart, Star & Tree
Fabric ornaments are easy to make and a great way to use up fabric scraps or to recycle old clothes. I reused old oven mitts, red knit stockings and a felted wool knit hat. Continue reading Tutorial: Fabric Ornaments – Heart, Star & Tree
DIY Snowball Garland – Tutorial
Do you want a white Christmas? Then make wintry snowball garlands to decorate your home! They’re very easy and fast to make, you’ll just need cotton wool and thread. Continue reading DIY Snowball Garland – Tutorial