When it comes to decorating my Christmas tree I like to change it a little bit each year by adding something new. This year I am making Christmas Tree Ornament crafts that will add more family, especially of my daughters. My oldest won’t be home for Christmas this year – a first for her and us. She is far away in Africa with the Peace Corps. To make her presence felt I decided to add some more photos of her and the rest of us to the tree this year. I want the tree to be a reflection of who we are as a family. Ornaments that show our interests and each family member in photos taken all through the years. I call it wrapping the tree with love.
Whenever I make decorations for my home for the holidays it always has to include a bit of glitter or something sparkly. To me glitter makes anything look so much more festive and in the holiday spirit. You may remember my ornament bowl from last year which involved a bit of the stuff, too. So it should be of no surprise that glitter is involved in these photo ornaments that I am making by re-purposing. I love to find new decorative uses for things – like these slide mounts that you can find at your local camera store very inexpensively.
supplies needed:
- Slide Mount
- Photo or computer generated name, initial, monogram, or greeting
- Glitter
- Spray paint
- Tacky glue
- Awl
- Ornament hangers
- Beads
- Jewelry making end-pins and jump-rings
- Needle-nose pliers
Carefully open the slide
Coat it with spray paint
While the paint is wet – pile on the glitter -then shake it off
Add a favorite photo cut to 1 1/2″ x 1 3/8″, glue, and close the slide.
Add glue and glitter to the back
Use an awl to make 2 holes
Add a pretty dangle from the bottom hole and an ornament wire with a bead strung from the top hole
Prest0 – Change-o
You have a sparkly personalized ornament to catch the light on your tree.
Instructions for making a dangle are at the end of this post. Be imaginative and add your style to each ornament you make. Try jingle bells and pinecones. Or use the two existing holes to tie ribbon or twine to hang. I used textured spray paint on the brown one below instead of glitter for a more rustic look.
Shank style buttons work well also – on the top and bottom.
This one is my favorite. I didn’t add glitter to the back, I used two photos. On the front is my hubby as a baby – turn it around and there he is all grown up. Makes me smile.
To make a beaded dangle:
Add a bead or two to a jewelry making end-pin that you can buy at the craft store. Using needle nose pliers bend the wire as shown. I like to use the wrapped loop. Once you have that done, put it on a jump ring and attach to the bottom of the slide.
On some of my slides the glitter didn’t completely cover the two existing holes on the top of the slide. I had to go back with a dab of glue and more glitter to make sure they were covered.
Do you like to see your families photos on your tree smiling back at you? What kind of Christmas ornaments do you use or make? To see more posts about my family, click here.
mel mccarthy says
These are so lovely & clever. I know I have a box of those somewhere. Now where oh where in the hoard could they be? Thanks for the gorgeous inspiration!
Heather - Dollar Store Crafts says
You always have the best projects!!
breanna says
such a great project, with lots of room for unique personalization!
ColleenwithMurals&More says
absolutely gorgeous, Diane! You give the greatest tutorials. I especially like the bead tutorial. I can use that for some many other things. Thank you!
Rachel says
Those are really pretty! I love the glitter! Thanks so much, I’ll be spreading the word!
Amy says
These ornaments are just great. I love having pictures of my children on my tree.
Sorry that your girl won’t be home for Christmas. May God bless your family.
Diane says
Hi Amy-
It will be hard not having my oldest daughter home. We are looking forward to Skyping with her on Christmas Day. I love seeing their photos on the tree and all the cute little ornaments they made when they were little, also. They make me smile.
Elizabeth says
These are so cute! I love all the options.
Suz says
What a great idea…clever you…love it x
jeanne says
love this !! going to have to copy it !!
(sorry your daughter is away…first xmas without one of my kids was very hard ! hang in there)
Michelle says
ooooh…these are so pretty! I’m easily distracted by glitter! Great idea!
Happy Holidays!
Michelle
Sparta Savings says
What a great idea! I’m not sure where you got the slide mounts from though. I have not very much patience for the glitter, though! Please link up to my link party at: http://spartasavings.blogspot.com/2010/12/saving-christmas-link-party-week-7.html#comments
Diane says
Hi Doris-
Thanks for the invite. you can buy the slide mounts at any camera or photography store. They are sold in packs.
Rene'@Bargainhoot says
This is so creative, I love how cute and personal they are!!!
[email protected] Decorating says
What a great idea! I have to save this to make for next year!!
Diane says
Hi Bonnie-
I have already started my idea file for next year, too. Thanks for leaving me the comment.
Rust-Oleum Scott says
Love the project, Diane! Thanks for using Rust-Oleum to make your beautiful ornaments.
Diana K says
What a darling idea. I love those picture frames. A perfect way to remember your loved ones. I am saying a prayer for your dear daughter in Africa. …and for you to have peace in your heart when she is so far from home. Hugs-Diana
Diane says
Hi Diana-
Thanks so much for you kind words and prayers. I just exchanged texts with her today. She wants me to send her some pictures of the house all decorated for the holidays – so she can feel a little bit of home in her village.
[email protected] says
Diane, your picture frame ornaments are so pretty and glitzy! I love the little dangles too. Thanks for sharing this great tutorial :)
Christine says
this story kind of reminds me of that new coffee commercial (folgers?) where the oldest son comes home from Africa in time for Christmas and the little sister pops a bow on him and says he is her present. The only commercial to leave me misty. Now, it will even more so, having a real life example to think of. Congrats on raising such a courageous and motivated daughter!
BTW, love the ornaments! Hand made and glitter are the best!
Diane says
Hi Christine-
I have seen that commercial and it left me misty too.
Kim says
I love these ornaments. Great tutorial, too. Thanks so much for linking this up this week!
Lilianna Grace says
These are much cuter than any photo ornaments I have seen for sale in stores. Why am I not surprised? Thanks for posting it!
Diane says
Hi Lil-
I have had the idea to make these for a long time. I am home sick with a cold today and deceided to finally make them. Now I just have to buy a tree and put it up.
beachhouseliving says
This is so clever!
Hope your daughter’s time in Africa is a safe one. What an incredible thing to do.
Diane says
Hi Rita-
My daughter has been in Africa since March 1. She is havng an incredible experience so far, but has told us she is getting a bit teary thinking about not being home for the hoildays. I just am so thankful for Skype, as we can talk and see her in real time whenever she can get an internet connection. As a mom it is so good to see her even if it is just on the compiuter screen.