12 Days of Ornaments - Day #1

Welcome to the sixth annual Little Blue House “12 Days of Ornaments” blog feature! Every day for the next 12 days one of the LBH gals will be sharing a tutorial for a handmade ornament here on the blog. This is one of our favorite events of the year and we hope you will recreate some of the ornaments you see here for your own Christmas Tree! As an added bonus, one lucky commenter on each blog post will win that day’s ornament! Let the fun begin!!

I am so happy to be the first to share with you today. When my children were young, I started a family tradition of giving them a special purchased or handmade ornament each year. As they marry and start their own families, I box up their ornaments to give them for their own trees. Now that I have grandchildren, I am continuing the tradition and especially like to incorporate their photos on dated ornaments for each year. So that is how I came up with this ornament.

“Christmas Memories” Photo Cube Ornament

Designed by Susan Tidwell

This ornament is a one-piece 2.5” square box with lid created from card stock. The sides can be decorated with patterned papers of your choice and layered with photo mats and tiny photos of your loved ones. Because it opens, it can also house a special gift inside! 

I created my own Silhouette cut file, including score marks, for this ornament and I am offering it to all of you for free! You can download it by clicking the link below.  If you do not have a Silhouette, we will also have pre-cut boxes available by order at the LBH for a small fee.

Click here below for Silhouette Cut File-

DOWNLOAD BOX CUT FILE

So let’s get started!

These are the supplies you will need to create this Ornament

Silhouette cut file 

12” x 12” card stock in color of your choice
(I like red because it shows up well against the tree)

at least 2 coordinating papers
(I used Echo Park’s “The Story of Christmas” paper collection)

icon from a journal card or paper
(or other embellishment)

24” ribbon

16” baker’s twine (cut into 10” and 6” pieces)

2 jingle bells (optional)

2” scallop circle punch

paper piercer

Quick-dry liquid adhesive (Scotch) and/or 1/4” Scor Tape

Ink for edges (optional)

Stickles 

Instructions:

1. Die cut the box file from 12” x 12” card stock. Lay the precut box as shown in the first photo below and fold all score lines. Assemble by glueing the tabs marked in the photo. Glue one or two at a time and use liquid adhesive to give you a little time to line up the tabs.

2. Cut  2.5” squares from printed papers. I used two squares of two different patterns but you could also use all the same patterns or four different ones. Glue to the four sides of the box and ink edges if desired. Punch scallop circle from one of the printed papers and glue to top of box.

3. Pierce a hole in the center of the box top. To make the hanger, fold a 10” piece of baker’s twine in half and insert through the hole from the underside (TIP: use a flosser as shown in photo as an easy threader). Knot the ends and cut off the flosser.

4. Thread ends of remaining piece of baker’s twine into bells. (An easy way to do this is to put a bit of glue on one end and twist it between your fingers to make a “needle”.) Knot ends and trim. Tie around hanger at top of ornament.

5. Cut two 2” squares from card stock for photo mats and glue one to opposite sides. Do not place on the front and back of the ornament. (If you want more photos, add these to the front and back after tying on the ribbon.)

6. Trim photos to 1.75” square and attach on card stock squares.

7. Close box and tie ribbon around front and back forming a pretty bow at top around the hanger.

8. Fussy cut an icon or embellishment and decorate as desired. (I used images from some of the journal cards in the collection and added sequins, jewels and Stickles.) Center and glue to bottom of ornament over the ribbon. Be sure to date your ornament!

9. Add Stickles around the outer edge of the scallop circle.

Hang your ornament on your tree for everyone to enjoy!

For a chance to WIN this ornament, leave us a comment telling us about your favorite ornament of all time!!!!
Be sure to return each day from now until Thanksgiving for all the other fabulous ornament tutorials and even more chances to win!

Come by the  LBH to pick up your ornament supplies and see this adorable ornament in person!

Merry Christmas all,

Susan Tidwell