November 30, 2009

Trim the Tree Challenge

Back by popular demand, Nichole has issued the Papertrey Senior Design Team the challenge of creating homemade ornaments. Oh what fun it is!

Homemade ornaments are a great gift to make and give. You can package them up in pretty little boxes, tie them to gifts, or do what I've done and tie one to a pretty, decorated envelope. The envelope can hold a Christmas card or can be used for gift cards. And my favorite way to present a homemade ornament? I like to tuck the envelopes into the Christmas tree and let the recipient search for envelope with their name on it.

What I've created for my ornament is a button wreath with a pretty tied bow. Pretty enough by itself but even better tied to a beautifully stamped Kraft envelope. And oh so simple to make. Easy peasy.
For my button wreath, I used the ever so popular Vintage Buttons in Dark Chocolate. I chose medium sized buttons and arranged them to create the size of circle I wanted. My button wreath measures about 2" in diameter and I used 12 buttons. Using black craft wire, I then threaded my buttons onto the wire. Leave about a 2" tail at the beginning and ending of the wire ends. When all the buttons are threaded onto the wire, twist the wire ends like a bread wrapper about 5-6 times to secure the button wreath. Tie on a length of Rustic Twine to make the ornament hanger. Then for the finishing touch, tie on a length of ribbon. I used Luxe Satin ribbon in Fresh Snow. To tie the wreath to an envelope, wrap more Rustic Twine around the envelope, tying the strands around a part of the wreath.
For my decorated envelope, I used a square Kraft envelope stamped with images from Snowflake Serenade. Beautiful sentiments and intricate snowflakes were stamped in Dark Chocolate and Fresh Snow. As a finishing touch, I added some brown sequins and White Gold Martha Stewart glitter(available at Michael's or Walmart) to the envelope edges.
Simple but super duper cute! The kids would love this too.

Other ideas for button wreath ornaments: Tie around the neck of a bottle of wine....wrap twine around a fresh loaf of bread and tie on an ornament.......use tiny buttons to create a smaller button wreath to tie onto individual wine glasses........tie to a handle of a coffee mug....tie to a box full of stamping goodies (like a mishie mini kit)......pin to a lapel of a jacket.....hang from a holiday kitchen/bath towel.....use as the main accent of a card......place a magnet on the back for fridge magnets.....hang from your rear view mirror in the car.....tie to the handle of your favorite Longaberger basket lined with a coordinating napkin liner......use red and white buttons to create a peppermint button wreath and tied around a bundle of candy canes......

........what other ideas can you think of????

And be sure to get even more holiday inspiration from the other Papertrey Senior girls:

Nichole Heady
Becky Oehlers
Heather Nichols
Lisa Johnson
Betsy Veldman

Annabelle O'Malley (guest designer)

15 comments:

Moonegirl said...

Run the wire in a bar down the center and thread with some wide ribbon-a holiday belt! Beautiful job as always.

Anabelle O'Malley said...

Such a great idea!! Super cu te!

farmhouse-story said...

too cute!

Rebecca {bellacarta} said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE these! I want to race right home right now (currently at work!) and make these!

Michelle said...

Yet more adorable ideas from a fabulous DT!

Michelle

Tracey McNeely said...

Very creative idea Michelle. The buttons are just the right Christmas colour.

Chriss Blagrave said...

Cute,cute,cute! Love it! I will make some of these too ;)

Tamara said...

What a great way to use buttons in another way! I love getting more bang for my crafting buck.

Jean Franks Beck said...

Wow, Mish, this is fabulous!! This ornament/card/envelope is perfect in every way. What a wonderful little giftie to find tucked in the tree.

Geny said...

So so cute, I love this idea and really want to make some this season, we'll see if time allows:)!! {{Hugs{{

Heidi said...

Sooo cute! I love the beautiful card too!

Daniela F. said...

Wow, this is so adorable Michelle!! Thanks for sharing this cute idea :-)

Sharron said...

Love your choice of dark chocolate with silver--very striking. And the button ornament is adorable!

Connie said...

Cute and easy and not cheesy! I think I will make some of these for an ornament exchange I'm going to next week, as well as for a Girl Scout project we do for the local nursing home. Thanks for sharing!

Melissa said...

Sooooo sweet....those button wreaths are irresistible Mishie....love your creativity.
Melis

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