I know it’s a bit late in the Christmas season for this post but hopefully some of you will have some time to give this idea a try!  This project is super simple and takes less than an hour. It’s perfect for children with just a little help.

The other wonderful thing about this project is that it will create memories and bring back old memories as you make the ornaments and as you put them on the tree each year.

I also think that most of us have the supplies needed for this project sitting around our homes, just waiting to be used and if you don’t they are not expensive or hard to find.

In this post I will go over two different ornament ideas and give you step-by-step instructions for both.

Supplies:

  • Mason Jar Rings and Lids (Wide Mouth or Regular Mouth)
  • Glossy/Matte Photo Prints, subject matter is up to you. (These can be printed at home, Wal-Mart, Costco, Walgreens or Rite Aid.)
  • Mod Podge (Purchase Here)
  • Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors/Circle cutter if you have one
  • Pencil

Optional Supplies:

  • White Chalk Pen
  • White gel pen
  • Chalkboard Paint or other paint
  • Christmas Stickers
  • Glitter
  • Christmas Charms

PHOTO ORNAMENT

Step One: Trace a circle the size of the flat area of the Mason jar insert. You don’t want your photo to all the way to the edge of the insert as the will make it harder to glue in place.

Step Two: Make sure your photo fits in the Mason jar ring and that everything shows that you want to see.

Step Three: Embellish with Christmas Stickers or a white gel pen or chalk pen if you wish.

Step Four: Glue your photo to the Mason jar lid insert using Mod Podge as your glue. Spread it evenly over the insert and them place your photo image side up on the insert. You can then coat over your photo with Mod Podge if you wish.

Step Five: Tie a ribbon around your Mason jar ring. (This will be your ornament hanger) Add any Christmas charms to the ornament hanger at this time.

Step Six: Gluing the insert inside of the ring. (Now is also a good time to write with a sharpie on the back of your ornament if you wish.) Run hot glue along the inside rim of the mason jar ring and quickly place your lid insert with the photo facing down into the ring and press down to glue in place. Then, to make sure it stays place hot glue in several places along the “crack” between the ring and the insert to form a hot glue “tab” to hold the insert in place.

Chalkboard Ornament:

Step one: Paint your Mason jar insert with chalkboard paint or another solid color (ex: red or green) let it dry. (Coat the lid with your chosen color several times.)

Step two: With the white chalk marker decorate your painted Mason jar insert with Christmas images or seasonal sayings. (When making my own chalkboard ornament I found that a gel pen scratches off the chalkboard paint, so its better to use a chalk marker.)

Then complete steps five and six above to finish your ornament.

Optional decorating ideas

After you have completed the steps above you can wrap the outside edge of your Mason jar ring with ribbon or paint the edges if you wish!

Optional Ornament Ideas:

This is also a fun way to preserve images from Christmas cards, gift tags or wrapping paper if you don’t want to use family photos. You could also cover the backside of the ornament with holiday paper to give the back a more finished look.

Now that was simple! I hope you enjoy your keepsake ornaments and place them on your tree each year. These ornaments would also make wonderful gifts for grandma and grandpa.

If you don't have these supplies and would like custom made ornaments, please feel free to contact me.

Please feel free to leave any comments, or photos of your completed projects below.

Source: www.bethericksondesigns.com

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I know, it has been a very long time since you have heard from me. Life has been crazy busy with school starting, driving my step-son to his bus every day, getting my husband ready to go hunting, fall activities and working on fall and Christmas projects. I had a very successful Ladies Only Fall Craft Day, where we made wood pumpkins and cinnamon stick ornaments and since then I have been working on my birch wood ornaments and gift tags! These two projects are very simple to recreate in your own home or you can purchase from me on Etsy by visiting this link, www.bethannerickson.etsy.com!

The Christmas ornaments and gift tags in the following tutorial are perfect for the rustic Christmas tree or rustic themed gift wrapping and will add an unique touch to your wrapping or decorating. They are also very affordable simple and to make.

Supplies:

  • Black Craft Paint or Chalkboard paint
  • Paint brush
  • Wood rounds or wooden gift tags
  • Twine, String or Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Chalk pen or white gel pen
  • Black Sharpie
  • Paper Bag
  • Drill & Drill Bit

Step One: Layout your wood rounds on a covered work surface. I use paper grocery sacks.

Step Two: Decide if you want to paint all of your wood rounds black or leave some of them natural. Paint a black circle that does not reach all the way to the edge on the ones you want to be black. Let dry completely.

Step Three: While you are letting these dry, you can draw or write on the unpainted wood rounds with your black sharpie. As you can see from the pictures, I drew an owl, snowflakes or holiday greetings. The possibilities are endless.

Step Four: When your black paint is dry, use your chalk pen or white gel pen to draw your snowflakes, holiday greetings or other art on top of the chalk paint. Let dry completely.

Step Five: If your wood rounds or wooden gift tags did not come with pre-drilled holes you need to choose which side is the top of your ornament and drill your hole there.

Step Six: Add your chosen twine, ribbon or string through the hole as the hanger and your project is complete!

See, wasn’t that so very easy! Just 6 very simple steps and your project’s ready to go. If you don’t feel comfortable drawing on your ornaments or gift tags you can always buy stickers or rub on transfers that will show up on the black paint or bare wood. You might need to go over the stickers with a coat of Mod Podge to make sure they stay affixed and last from year to year.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions or send me pictures of your completed projects! I would love to see them!

Again, if you don’t have the time to make your own, you can visit my Etsy store to purchase.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the fall weather! This time of year is the perfect time of year for craft projects!

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