Pallet Wood Ornament

This is one way that I am passing on a legacy of homemade Christmas to my children: I make an ornament each year to give to family. This means that my children each have at least as many ornaments as they are old! I am really enjoying doing it and they are enjoying putting them on individual trees in their room each Christmas season!

This years ornament was inspired by some I saw for sale at the Daisy Festival this year. They ended up completely different than what I saw there, but I love to improvise! :)

I cut lengths of pallet wood, sanded and stained them. Then I used ModgePodge to attach a paper to the front that has the names of Jesus all over it. I scoured the craft store and did not find a manger that was bold enough, so I used some scrap stamp rubber to make my own manger stamp and stamped it in brown ink on the front. Then I drilled two holes in the top, used clothesline wire (because that is what I had and I hate running to the store for more stuff when I can use what I already have!) through the holes and twisted them around with my jewelry pliers. The last touch was a little bow made of twine that I tied on one end of the wire. I am so excited about the result!

Cork Christmas Tree

 I made three of these and gifted two to my Mom and Sister for Christmas over the weekend! They were quick and easy, and they turned out better than I ever thought!

I had my mom and friends collect corks for me, and then cut them all to about a inch and a quarter length. Then I rubbed a few in some metallic ink pads I had (silver, copper, gold) and one in brown. I hot glued the triangle for the tree and a twine bow on top for hanging. Then I cut a trunk to a point and glued it to the bottom. I am really enjoying the natural look and it pops on the tree.