Christmas in February - DIY Spun Cotton Ornaments
Welcome back to 12 Months of Christmas Ornaments for Christmas in February!
If you are just now hearing about this, let me catch you up... we are creating a retro, old-school ornament each month of 2023. These are the kinds of ornaments that you may remember from your childhood Christmas trees!
Just think... if you created only 2 of each month's ornaments, you'll have 24 new, adorable ornaments for your tree in December 😃
And to make things even more fun, each month I'll have a share thread on my Facebook page where we can all share our finished ornaments. I would love to see yours!
If you want to catch up, we started with Christmas in January.
Christmas in February - 12 Months of Christmas Ornaments
This month we are creating some adorable little retro Santa ornaments and I'm sharing TWO ways to make your own spun cotton balls for the head!
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Don't let this supply list scare you, you probably already have some of it, and a quick trip to the craft store and you'll have everything you need! I've also linked to some options in the list below.
- Scrap of felt and coordinating thread
- Coordinating scrap of scrapbook paper
- Craft paint (white, flesh color, black optional)
- Paintbrush
- Glitter (white and coordinating color)
- Something for the scarf (tinsel garland, pipe cleaner, felt scrap, etc.)
- Scrap of thin cardboard (a cereal box works great)
- Scissors & utility knife/razor blade
- White craft glue or Mod Podge
- 2 1/2" Circle punch (or something to trace around)
- 2 toothpicks
- 1 1/2" styrofoam ball
- 1 gold sequin (optional)
- Fine-point Sharpie (optional, black craft paint will also work)
- White chenille stem/pipe cleaner
- Skinny trim for the belt
- 3 cotton balls (pure cotton)
- 1" bead (if you're making the cheater spun cotton ball OR just using a bead for the head)
- Plastic spoon (if you are making either spun cotton ball)
- You can also buy premade spun cotton balls
Here is the video tutorial (NOTE: skip to minute 13:41 in the video for the cheater spun cotton head; skip to minute 19:23 for the body instructions {if you are using a bead or clay for the head}).
I did not include the traditional spun cotton head instructions here, those instructions are included at the beginning of the video.
Step One - Unroll the cotton balls
Step Two - Create the head
- For the traditional method of creating a spun cotton head, watch the video tutorial (it is at the beginning)
- For the cheater version of the spun cotton head, either watch the video tutorial starting at minute 13:41 or follow the steps below.
- Use a wood bead that you'll paint.
- Use clay or a felted wool ball.
Cheater Spun Cotton Heah Instructions:
Step Three - Paint the head
Once the spun cotton head is completely dry, paint it with flesh-colored paint (you can use tan or light brown paint for a super cute Hispanic or African-American Santa!)
Step Four - Create the base and the body
Cut out a 2.5" circle from thin cardboard. A cereal box or similar works great.
Use the utility knife to slice off one side of the 1 1/2" styrofoam ball so that it will sit flat on the cardboard circle.
Step Five - Create the hat
Step Six - Add the hat trim
Step Seven - Add the base and create the arms
Step Eight - Create the belt and scarf
Step Nine - Add the beard, mustache, and nose
Step Ten - Add the eyes and eyebrows
Step Eleven - Glitter the base
Step Twelve - Add a Hanger and give him something to hold if desired
Step Thirteen - Sign and date the bottom!!
Step Fourteen: Share in the Facebook thread!!
Other Ideas and Options:
- Use a small vintage ball ornament for the body and eliminate the glitter.
- Use a wood bead, felted ball, clay ball, or small styrofoam ball for the head.
- Use this idea to create a gnome (give him a longer, fuller beard and pull his hat all the way down to his mustache and have his nose partially covered with the hat, no need for eyes!)
- Use this idea to create a snowman (leave off the hat or give him a top hat)
So cute and so creative. I love the beard and mustache!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vikki! It was sure fun to make but man-oh-man... it was a bear to record and write the tutorial... I'll have to have simpler ornaments for the months to come! lol
DeleteOh, my favorite part was the mustache! reminded me SOO much of Colonel Sanders of Kentucky fried chicken fame! I immediately started squirreling--you could make them with features to look like grandchildren! I love the gnome idea! I loved the different colors you used. With pointed ears added, they could be elves!!! Now for some ambition!! And people think I am crazy for saving the cotton that comes in the vitamin bottles! I am ready to roll!
ReplyDeleteOh Kathy, I don't think you're crazy... You and me lady... same page!! haha! I hope you'll make some! Be sure to share if you do!
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