How to transform old Christmas ball ornaments using strips of free printable hand-script paper or any decorative paper, decoupage medium and glitter.
Over the years I have had a lot of Christmas ornaments of all shapes, colors and styles. Many were handed-down to me, some I bought and quite a few I got a deal on when the department store where I worked as a display designer would clean out the old Christmas displays and sell previous year’s of store decorations to the employees for a few dollars.
As my style of decorating and life changed, I have edited my stash by giving my daughter’s the ones they love, donating many of them, and keeping only the ornaments that have special meaning to me or that I knew I could easily change to fit a holiday color scheme for a future Christmas.
This year I am keeping my Christmas decorating simple using items with traditional colors and that I already own or that I can bring in from my yard.
Last week I posted about a large faux cast stone bowl planter I made for my foyer.
I filled the bowl with shredded paper, moss and a collection of fuchsia ornaments that I bought years ago for a few dollars at a display sale I mentioned above.
I created a sheet of hand-script paper using a favorite font and the lyrics from one of my favorite Christmas songs, Somewhere in my Memory from the classic Christmas movie, Home Alone.
To transform the ornaments I cut the paper into strips and decoupaged them to the ornaments. Details below.
How I Decorating My Christmas Tree in 2012
The last time I used the fuchsia ornaments was back when I first started blogging. You can see them on the tree in my previous house. You can also see them in this Christmas home tour that was featured in BHG Christmas Magazine in 2014.
Fast forward to 2020 and the ornaments are no longer fuchsia.
They are now more to how my Christmas decorating style has evolved over the years. More neutral to go with my white & woodsy decor.
How to Transform Christmas Ball Ornaments with Strips of Paper
If you no longer like one or more ornaments you own, don’t hesitate to change them in some way.
Experiment with supplies you have on hand, paper, paint, ribbon, glitter, buttons and more to change them to something you will love.
supplies needed:
- Ball Ornaments – mine are plastic, but any glass or metal ball ornaments can be covered in the same way.
- Decoupage glue – I used matte from Martha Stewart Crafts, but Mod Podge for Paper is good also.
- White Glitter
- 1-inch wide paint brush
- Paper Cutter
- Scissors
- Newspaper, plastic container, cardboard box or tray
- Free printable Hand script with the lyrics to the song from Home Alone, Somewhere in My Memory.
I used basic printer paper to print out my sheets to cover my ornaments, but you can use any type of paper from maps, wallpaper, scrapbook paper to gift-wrapping paper.
If you have an ink jet printer, let your printed sheets dry for a day. Even better, place them in the refrigerator overnight so the ink sets and then dries. Doing this will stop or lessen any bleed through from happening when working with ink and decoupage glue.
Time needed: 30 minutes.
How To Makeover Ball Style Christmas Ornaments
- Gather Ornament(s) and Supplies
Place everything on a work surface covered with newspaper. Line box or tray with a sheet of paper. This sheet of paper will be to catch excess glitter so you can reuse it. - Print Free Printable and Cut Into Strips
Using a paper cutter, cut the sheet(s) of paper into 1/4″ wide strips following each line of script. Cut under each line so that each paper strip is filled with the script, not too much white space. Set aside.
- Add Paper Strips to Ornament
Cut the strips into a few shorter sections. This will make wrapping them randomly around the ornament easier. Cut a few very short to fit around the top of the ornament.
Hold ornament by the hook or use a clip to hold it while you work on it.
Starting at the top, brush decoupage medium on ornament. Lay a few of the smallest pieces of paper around the hook overlapping each in a random way. Brush over the paper with a thin layer of decoupage medium to smooth out any wrinkles.
Repeat the process working down the ornament until it is covered. Use the longest strips around the mid-section, and shorter strips at the top and bottom.
If you see any wrinkles forming on any applied strips, smooth them with the brush or your fingers. - Sprinkle on Glitter
As soon as the last strip of paper is added, hold the ornament over the tray or box and sprinkle it with glitter, making sure to get all around the ornament. Shake it to remove any excess glitter. Hang using wire ornament hook to dry.
What If I Don’t Like What I Created?
My ornaments are plastic. If I ever decide I don’t want the glittered script paper look, I can soak them in water and the paper and glue will easily dissolve and come off, no damage done since they are plastic, not glass.
Glittering TIP: When glittering an object, the best way to do it to not only save glitter, but to keep it from getting on everything, is to use a low sized box or tray. Line is with a piece of paper.
When you are finished adding glitter, all the excess that fell to the paper can be funneled back into the glitter jar. To do this, fold the paper liner in half so all the excess glitter falls into the fold. Then pour the glitter back into the container.
I really like the way the ornaments came out, it was just the look I was after, but I would also like to make a few with world maps someday. I think they would be very colorful.
Do you have any decorative paper laying around your house that you can use to cover something to transform it?
Marilyn Holeman says
Hey Diane, Merry Christmas!
You stopped me in my scroll for a moment when you mentioned Home Alone as a classic. I guess it really is. I had to look it up. The original was made in 1990. That still seems “new” to me! LOL. Anyway, I wanted to say “thank you” for the tip about the ink jet printed paper. People just usually say not to use that kind, so I appreciate your typical genius, along with the fact that you can just wash them off and start over if you choose! I’ve been thinking I’d like to make some ornaments with maps of our local area, and maybe their new area, for some of my kids who’ve relocated to other parts of the country. Oh, and maybe their honeymoon spot for another child. Sounds fun. I love maps, and it was fun to see your laundry room wallpaper again–though sorry about your washer. We are so blessed in our country. It’s good to stop and be thankful for our many blessings–including our appliances!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Marilyn –
Time goes by fast – way too fast sometimes. Since the movie still is popular even after 30 years, it has become a classic right up there with It’s a Wonderful Life and others.
Happy to always share what I know – little tips that can really make or break a project.
I will be so happy once the washer is fixed. We really are blessed in our country with so many modern conveniences that make life easier for us.
Linda S says
Interesting to see the transformation of your fuchsia ornaments! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Black Diamond font before, it is a great choice for a holiday project. I just had a look at the fleece top at Kohl’s and I love the plum color. I always enjoy your blog!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda – I saw the Black Diamond font on another site, but didn’t know the name of it. I had to do a deep dive search to find it. Thanks for reading.
Tracey says
Happy Thanksgiving, Diane! Great idea with the ornaments. I love it! As your reader below stated, I also bought one of the fleece tops from Kohls. I haven’t gotten it yet, but I am excited to have a cozy new shirt to wear this winter. Thanks for all of your posts and great ideas. You are an inspiration to your readers!
Theresa Stewart says
Wishing you and yours a safe and filling Thanksgiving! From a long time fan, Tree.
Jeane says
Diane, thank you for the recommendation of the Kohl’s tops the other day. I ordered two and one arrived today. It is sooo soft. I love it. Can’t wait for the other one to come.
from Summerville, SC
IRENE DEMICCOSMITH says
So pretty. Love your creativity. And your lovely stories. Be well. Happy thanksgiving to you and yours.