Thursday, December 5, 2013

Handmade Hearts Christmas Decorations - Tutorial





There's something special about handmade decorations, I feel our tree isn't complete unless there's a homemade touch added.




This year the children have chosen to decorate using only silver, gold and pure white. Miss E's hand crocheted stars and paper snowflakes from earlier years meet the colour requirements but none of the decorations I had made. I lay in bed pondering what I could make. These satin stars, stitched in silver thread are the result.




Using pure white Princess Satin, the thickest, richest I could find, I ironed on some stiff fusible interfacing.




Then I traced around a small paper heart template (cookie cutters would make good templates too) using a water soluble pen. Folding and pinning the now stiffened satin back to back I stitched the two pieces together with running stitch. I already had a skein of DMC Precious Metal Effects thread in silver, just right for the job. 






Above is the back which looks just like the front except without the blue pen markings. I began the stitching with a knot hidden between the two layers, then finished with a couple of stitches on top on each other going through the back layer only, hiding the end between the front and back layers.




After joining the front and back pieces with the running stitch, I carefully cut out the heart shapes with sharp scissors. Next I gently wet each heart to make the blue pen lines disappear, blotting dry on a clean towel. Lastly I managed to add a hanging thread by looping it through one of the top running stitches (as shown above) which helps the heart hang face forward on the tree.




Six new hearts (so far) hang cheerfully on our tree. They are cheap to make, bright and shiny and will take up next to no space to store (extra bonus) - or I may even find a happy spot for them to stay hanging all year round!





You could of course try stars or any shape, maybe adding embroidery, sequins or beads. Personally I like the simplicity of the hearts after all, love, His love, is what the season is all about.




Happier tree and a happier me!



Sharing at Maxabella Loves, In the studio.

20 comments:

DeniseinVA said...

Your tree is beautiful and I love these heart shaped decorations. A lovely idea to put home made ornaments on the tree.

tinajo said...

Looks very pretty! :-)

http://tinajoathome.com/

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Karen, I think the problem has been solved. If you check out the comment section on my post, you'll see that Terri suggested going to Settings, clicking on Posts and Comments and then Backlinks where it gives a choice to hide or show backlinks. If you choose "hide" it should get rid of my links on your blog. I suggested this to Elephant Child and she tried it out, the links disappeared once she had changed her settings. I hope this works for you too. If it does could you let me know? Thanks :)

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Thanks Denise, yes, all sorted now.

geanina said...

A lovely idea! Very nice work!:)

chica said...

Lindo trabalho e ideia!Gostei! beijos,chica

eileeninmd said...

The little hearts are cute and the tree is pretty. Well done! Have a happy day!

Fun60 said...

Homemade decorations are the best especially if they are as beautiful as yours.

Giga said...

Pomysłowe serduszka i pięknie się na choince prezentują. Pozdrawiam.
Imaginative hearts and beautifully presented on the Christmas tree. Yours.

Kim said...

Christmas trees laden with handmade decorations hold special memories. Yes you must find places within your home to hang your hearts......they are too lovely to be hidden away!!

Jeanne said...

These are just lovely in their simplicity, and your tree looks great. Something so special about the homemade decorations, and so much fun for your kids!

Anonymous said...

Ohh, das sieht wunderschön aus.

Liebe Grüße von Mathilda ♥

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love your tree and theme this year. Hearts are always a favorite of mine.

Love and hugs to you and yours ~ FlowerLady

Jana said...

how easy and creative, luv the idea, thanks for sharing!

Jen Price said...

Love it! We need to make some handmade ornaments this year. Thanks for the idea!

Elise Lea said...

The tree looks beautiful and your hearts are such a wonderful addition to the mix! I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season so far!

Lola Nova said...

So lovely and sweet! Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

They are so pretty. And your tree looks beautiful..

Hugs~

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

simple and sweet. perfect! xo

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Perfect hearts…I love home crafted ornaments…and cherish the ones we have, especially those created by my mom and my hubby's mom, who have both gone on to be with the Lord.

Blessings & Aloha!
So nice to meet you through Jen's "In the Studio'. I'd love if you get a chance to stop by.

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