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School DIY Photo Ornament

Some of my favorite ornaments on my mom’s tree are the ones that have our old school pictures on them.  I remember making them in school and being so excited for my mom and dad to open up a special gift just from me!  So for the fourth day in my 12 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments series, I have a cute idea for a snow globe DIY photo ornament.  Perfect for an older kid to make for mom and dad or a teacher to make for parents.  Also make sure to take a look at all of my other homemade Christmas ornament tutorials and free felt Christmas ornament patterns.

School DIY Photo Ornament

It’s a little felt snow globe with beads inside.  Shake it up, and it starts to snow!  So stinkin’ cute, right?!

 
 
School DIY Photo Ornament

To make this DIY photo ornament you will need:

  • a school picture (seriously, can they please try and get a real smile out of the kids?!)
  • clear vinyl fabric (sold by the yard in the home decor section of the fabric store)
  • small white beads
  • felt
  • glue or embroidery floss
  • ribbon
  • free snow globe ornament pattern found here

This DIY photo ornament will take some prep work if you plan on making them in the classroom (more or less depending on the age of the children).  Use the pattern to cut a circle out of the clear vinyl and your picture.  (My picture was a little smaller than I wanted, so instead of a circle, it got cut out like this.)  Put the vinyl on top of your picture and sew around the edges, leaving an opening at the top.  Pour in some beads and then sew the top shut.  The beads don’t move around perfectly since there isn’t much room in there, but it’s still cute.  If you aren’t handy with the sewing machine, maybe staples or hot glue would work?  I don’t really know since I haven’t tried.  Leave a comment and let me know if you do!

 

Cut out the rest of the pattern pieces in felt.

Now, if you know how much I love hand embroidery, you know how hard it was for me to glue this.  For the sake of making this a more kid-friendly craft, I whipped out my Elmer’s and glued all of the pieces together.  Just fold the ribbon in half to make a loop, glue it on the top of the ornament back, and glue the picture on top of that.

Next, glue the ring piece on top of the picture.

DIY Snow Globe Ornament

Again, I was tempted to embroider the date on the ornament, but instead I had Evan write “2013” on the bottom with a Sharpie.  He did a pretty good job!

Finish the ornament off by gluing on the bottom piece.

School DIY Photo Felt Ornament

I think we might need to make a few for grandma and grandpa’s trees?  Maybe just one with a group picture in it.  What do you think?

My bloggy friends have also been hard at work this month posting Christmas projects!  Go check out their awesomeness and give them some comment love.

1) DIY Flocked Ball Ornaments by Sugar Tart Crafts
2) African Flower Crochet Stocking by Persia Lou
3) Washi Tape Christmas Tree by Keeping it Simple
4) Ombre Holiday Wreath by Homemade Ginger
5) Christmas White Chocolate Crispies by Cupcake Diaries
6) DIY Chunky Candy Canes by Whistle and Ivy
7) Felt School Picture Ornament by Cutesy Crafts
8) Pine Cone & Berry Tree by Cook and Craft Me Crazy
9) DIY Christmas Stockings by Tiny Sidekick

 <<click here to go day five of this series>>

Hope you are enjoying my 12 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments series.  Make sure to go back here to the first post and enter the awesome giveaway!

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Becca1202

Tuesday 24th of December 2013

Thanks for a great idea! I'm making them today for all the grandparents. (Yes, I'm a procrastinator! lol)

Jessica Anderson

Friday 27th of December 2013

So glad you are making them! I am the BIGGEST procrastinator! :)

Toni Barsi

Thursday 5th of December 2013

Brilliant idea with the little snow beads Jessica! This is absolutely adorable, and I already know a couple of grandparents who would love to get them for Christmas!

Jessica Anderson

Thursday 5th of December 2013

Thanks Toni! Hope they like them!

janel

Thursday 5th of December 2013

My daughter LOOOVES snow globes, but we broke two this year already. This ornament is going to make her so excited! Thanks for a great idea.

Jessica Anderson

Thursday 5th of December 2013

Oh no! I've seen a couple of smashed snow globes... no fun! Glad you like this.

Brooklyn at Cook and Craft Me Crazy

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

I LOVE THIS! I love that you can shake it up and the snow moves! SOO CUTE! xo-Brook

Jessica Anderson

Friday 6th of December 2013

Thanks Brook!

Alexis Middleton

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

SO cute, Jessica! I totally spaced picture day, so we didn't end up with the best photo, but maybe I could use different photo. Haha... Or maybe that's even more reason to use the school photo!

Jessica Anderson

Thursday 5th of December 2013

Thanks Alexis. I don't usually buy school pictures. I wanted the class one and could only buy it in a package. I hate the backgrounds that they use. I'm pretty sure they haven't changed since I was in elementary school. :)

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