A Christmas Tutorial

Over on the Scrapbook Nerd Forum we are hosting a 12 Days of Christmas where every day a new Christmas project is posted. The last two days were my turn. One of the projects I posted was a homemade ornament made from two sheets of double-sided Christmas paper.  The paper I used was from the Echo Park - 'Tis the Season collection.

Want to make this project? Here's how I did it.

Supplies:

• one full sheet of 12 x 12 double sided Christmas paper of your choice. (I used Echo Park 'Tis the Season "Snowflakes Falling")
• three strips of double sided Christmas paper to measure 3/8x12 inches (I used Echo Park 'Tis the Season "Dashing Reindeer")
• straight pins
• 3" foam ball

Directions:

• Cut the 12 inch paper into 1 1/2" strips. Then cut each strip into 1 1/2 inch square.

• fold down two corners to form a point on each square. Half should be folded so one side of the patterned paper shows and the other half folded so the other side of the patterned paper shows.

 

• Cut a slit from the bottom of the square to the bottom of the point. This will help the squares mold to the shape of the ball better.

• Place the first square onto the ball, pinning into place.

• Using a square of the same patterned paper (ie in mine, I used four black tips to start) Place the next square onto the ball, across from the first one, so that the tip touches with the first piece.

• Then place two more, filling in the gaps, making sure that the tips touch. This completes the first row.

• Using the second side of the patterned paper squares (ie, I used four of the snowflake tips) place a square between the points of your first row, with the point facing the same direction. Pin into place.

• Add the remaining 3 squares to complete this row.

• Continue on in the same manner, alternating rows of patterns, until the ball is filled. One sheet of patterned paper should be enough to cover the ball.

• When you get to the last two rows, you will want to trim the bottom corners so that they won't show.

• When you get to the top, you should have a small space still open. This will be covered by your paper bow and ribbon.

• Take your three strips of 3/8 x 12" coordinating patterned paper and cut each strip in half.
• each half strip will be looped and then pinched in the middle to make a "bow". Pin onto the top of the ball.

• Continue with 3 more of the strips, laying them in different directions, and meeting in the middle. Pin to the ball.

• loop on of the left over strips and  pin to the ball to form your "ribbon" to hang the ornament from.

Come on over to Scrapbook Nerd and see what other Christmas pojects have been posted for the 12 Days of Christmas.