Posted Friday, October 14, 2005

Tropical Holiday Ornament Project
Get ready for the holidays with our Tropical Holiday Ornament Project. These festive ornaments are easy to make and great to give. Julie explains the needlepoint technique. Click article title for picture and how-to.

I love to decorate for the holidays -- and I particularly prize home-made and hand-made articles. Here's an easy ornament idea that's very flexible and turns out great!

Supplies Needed
Mini canvas of your choice
Elmer's glue
Cardboard (e.g., back of a legal pad)
Felt/velvet/suede for backing
Trim
Ribbon
Thread, needle, scissors
Telephone books or other heavy books

Instructions
Any shape can work for this project (circle, square, heart. etc.). I'm showing a circle, since that's the easiest shape to work with. To begin, draw a circle around your needlepoint design. Work the needlepoint up to that line. Block needlepoint and you're ready for finishing.

Draw a circle on your cardboard 1/8' smaller than your finished needlepoint. Cut out the circle and glue it to the back of the needlepoint. Next apply glue to the exposed side of the cardboard and affix your backing (felt, velvet, etc.). Press the glued ornament betwen a couple of telephone books (the more weight, the better) for 10-15 minutes -- backing should still feel damp.

Using sharp scissors, cut the felt right to the edge of the needlepoint. Pinch edges and return ornament to telephone books until dry. Handstitch trim around the outside of the ornament using thread and needle. Attach ribbon for hanging. Place completed ornament between phone books overnight so that it becomes stiff and flat. Voila!

Here are a couple of suggested canvases for this project: 68JA Spike (pictured above), 69JF Palm Tree, 68JC Conch Shell, 68JE Flip Flops, 110J series Hearts.