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Ornament Thursday


My friend Katie Hacker asked me to participate in an e-ornament swap, where a group of crafty souls create ornaments, post them to their blogs and exchange links. What a cool idea! So when Katie asked me to make an ornament, I had to say yes—adding that it would a fast and easy one. Here it is: I learned how to make these pretty paper balls at a craft show here in The Netherlands. They're really quick and would be great to do with kids. (I'm planning to make some with my niece Molly when I get home!)

You'll need some 12"x12" scrapbook paper, a 1/16" hole punch, brads, ribbon and a paper trimmer.

Here's how:


  1. Cut 5 strips of 12" long paper, each about 1/2" wide.

  2. Cut each strip in half so you have 10 strips of paper measuring 6"x1/2".

  3. Use a 1/16" hole punch to punch a hole at each short end of each strip, about 1/4" from the end of the strip. I usually punch one strip, then use it as a placement template for the rest of the strips. (Don't worry if your holes aren't perfectly precise, it'll still work!)

  4. Gather all your paper pieces together and insert a brad through the holes at each end.

  5. Gently pull the strips away from each other to form a ball. Tie ribbon around one brad to hang.

You can also use double-sided papers, like glimmer or vellum, or make them from single-sided patterned paper—in that case, you'll cut twice the number of paper strips, then place them back-to-back before punching and inserting the brad. Don't glue them, just keep the back-to-back ones together when you pull the strips apart. That's how I made these…the gray and black one is using Classic sarapapers™ and the red and black ball is using Bohemian sarapapers™.

You could also ink or stamp or chalk on the strips before assembly, or vary the width of the strips or alternate patterns.

Posted by Sara Naumann on December 13, 2007 9:40 AM |

Comments (8)

Hali Chambers:

These look like a lot of FUN! :-) Hali

Posted by Hali Chambers | December 13, 2007 12:58 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 12:58

Linda Augsburg:

Great ornaments! They seem easy to make but fabulous to view! I must be living under a rock (or totally immersed in this magazine launch) because I had no idea you were living in The Netherlands! Glad you could join the posting festivities. See you in CA in Feb?

Posted by Linda Augsburg | December 13, 2007 2:07 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 14:07

margot:

Sara

I didn't know you were in the Netherlands?! How fun!

I'm so glad you joined us and I love this idea. It's simply elegant!

Cheers,
Margot

Posted by margot | December 13, 2007 2:13 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 14:13

Rebecca:

Hey Sara!

Welcome to Ornament Thursday! I love this idea, it has so many possibilities. Thanks for joining us!

Rebecca

Posted by Rebecca | December 13, 2007 4:53 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 16:53

Michelle:

Very cute, Sara!

Posted by Michelle | December 13, 2007 5:41 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 17:41

Melissa:

I'm thinking I may need to make a few of these with my son's artwork. Great idea - thank you!

Posted by Melissa | December 13, 2007 10:10 PM

Posted on December 13, 2007 22:10

Marylyn:

Oh WOW! Aren't I going to have fun with the "Ladies" in this coming year - thank you for a simple idea and those that thought of it..
Have a "Gr8 - 08"!

Posted by Marylyn | January 4, 2008 2:01 PM

Posted on January 4, 2008 14:01

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