Feeling crafty? Christmas in a Nutshell

A few years ago the women in my family did an ornament exchange.  Each person brought enough of one ornament for each person to take one home.  My sister made one that is so perfect.  It’s simple, it’s cute, it’s good for kids, and it’s true!  It’s my 4-year-old’s favorite ornament on the whole tree.

 

The tag reads: Christmas in a nutshell ~ because that’s it.  Christmas is about the baby Jesus laying in a manger.

I’m here to show you how easy it is to make these.  First gather your supplies.  You will need: 1/2 of a walnut shell, 1/2 a cotton ball, small piece of felt, a wooden bead, hot glue gun, sharpie, and ribbon.

First, using the hot glue, attach the cord or ribbon on to the edges of the shell.  This will be what you hang the ornament from.

Second, glue in the half cotton ball.

Third, roll up the felt.  Glue one edge down.

Fourth, glue the felt to the cotton ball, seam side down.  If it hangs to far off the edge, trim the end off.

Fifth, tuck the wooden bead into the opening of the felt roll, and glue into place.

Sixth, add a dot of glue into the other end of the felt roll and press down.

Seventh, add eyes.  Two dots alone look cute.  Or a sleeping baby face with eyes, a nose and a mouth.

Eighth, add the label.  I printed my labels on address labels.  There were two on each label and I just cut them in half.  I printed “Christmas in a Nutshell” two times so it would show from both angles.

Now, you are done.  It’s so cute and makes the perfect top for a present or neighbor gift.  You can whip these out pretty quickly too and I promise, they will be a hit.  I got my wooden beads from Craft Warehouse.  I don’t remember what size they are, but there were eight in a package.  I can look up the size if someone really wants to know. :)

Now, go.  Create!