Vintage Santa Ornaments

The lovely Kathy of Kathy's Cottage
is hosting Handmade Holiday
on her blog today.



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pine-cones-handmadeLooking out my window, I spotted pine cones decorating my lawn. I wished that there was something new I might create using these gifts from nature. Later I was going to search through some Christmas magazines for ideas.

Original Watercolor Painting of a Christmas Tree



pine-cones-handmadeWhen we decorated the tree at Grandma's house, my favorite, favorite ornaments were the Santas. They had felt coats and paper faces decorated with glitter and tinsel. They were so fragile, and I can still remember the thrill of hanging these from each branch.

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pine-cones-handmadeThe other day I was in a beautiful shop. I spotted new ornaments that were made to look just like Grandma’s, only they had used a generously glittered pine cone for the base. I knew just what I was going to do with the pine cones decorating my front lawn.

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DSC04388First I took glitter and put it into a bowl, the second bowl was filled with glue. I used some bookbinding glue I had on hand. I suspect good old Elmer’s would have done the trick.

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DSC04388I tied a piece of wire around the pine cone to make it easy to coat with glue and glitter and so that I could hang it to dry. Cocoa loves crafting.
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DSC04388I drenched the pine cone with the glue, using a spoon to pour glue on every visible bit.

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DSC04388Then I sprinkled glitter on the pine cone the same way, using a spoon to cover every visible bit.

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DSC04388Then I hung the wet pine cones to dry, Sam stood guard.

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I hung them from the basket of pine cones outside.
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DSC04388When the pine cones were dry, I proceeded to design my Santa toppers. First I tied the tinsel cord around the first pine cone and made sure it hung okay. Then I cut my Pink Santa in half, right beneath his cloak. Draping a piece of material over his shoulders I created the cape, and secured it with double sided tape.


DSC04388I cut Pink Santa’s beard so that it could stick out of the cape.

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DSC04388When I went to add my finished topper, I grabbed the glitter rope and brought it up through his new cape, so that I could hang the ornament.

DSC04344I added a bit of glitter around his face so it looked very Vintage, and a bit of fuzz for his beard.

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DSC04388Out of the same material, I cut the shape for the back of Santa's head. I secured one side using tape to the material and the glitter rope, then the other side to the back of his head. The glitter rope was sandwiched in between. Then I tucked the end into the cape.

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DSC04388Oh, I just couldn’t resist. So, I added a bit of trim using double sided tape, and then I just had to add a sack. What Santa travels without a good sack?

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DSC04388Popping in a bit of greenery,

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DSC04388I made him look almost like Grandma’s Santas.

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DSC04388I know, I know, the possibilities are endless.

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DSC04388Especially for you ladies who sew, I can only imagine how you will take this idea and create elaborate costumes. I think one with a little Christmas tree in his sack would be so charming.

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DSC04388You can use a Vintage Santa face from a favorite image, or if you would like, you can take home a Santa kit available on my etsy shop.

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DSC04388So here I sit, covered in bits of glitter, good wishes and sipping a cup of Grandma’s favorite tea...she would approve. Wishing you lots and lots of Grandma Santa creativity.

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The song for this post is Santa Claus is Coming To Town. For this project I bought some Martha Stewart glitter in white gold. I experimented with glass glitter, but I liked the Vintage effect better. The tinsel cord is sold in most craft shops, you can also use ribbon.

Christmas Tree Watercolor painting ready to display on an easelGrandma's Christmas Tree is available on my Etsy shop.

These Santa kits come with several different size tags and prints for your crafts, framing or Santa projects. Printed on dreamy Museo II fine art paper.



Red Santa kit on etsy.


Pink Santa kit on etsy.

The song for this post is Santa is Coming to Town.

My creation


Gabriela said...

Hello Karen,

Just passing by and saying hello...it's crazy busy around here...


Love this Santa ornament.


~ Gabriela ~

Donna said...

Hi Karen,
What a wonderful vintage Santa ornament! And I love your Grandma's Christmas tree.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hugs,
Donna

Kathleen Grace said...

These turned out just gorgeous Karen! Wouldn't this be a fun projet to do with a child if youhad all the components cut out ahead of time? I love the glittery cone paired with Santa in his cape and hat:>) I just got Mr. Linky up if you want to add your post!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Beautiful!!!!

Elyse said...

what a wonderful santa you have created!

xo

SharDon Exclusives said...

Karen, your Santas are lovely! Memories is what Christmas is all about...your sweet Grandma is still giving you hugs.
By the way, is that your sweet little face behind the teacups in the header and do I see a halo above your head???? How did that happen...lol
Sharon
ps. thank you for sharing your memories with us!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful Santa ornament and that Little Cocoa sure lives up to his/her name!!!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Very, very wonderful my friend! I too had a spectacular Thanksgiving week off; I glittered, glued, wrote, sewed, created what I wanted and I even finished the revisions on my thesis and I will be defending in January. How am I possible? LOVE YOUR SANTAS and your dogs are too adorable! Greetings to you in New ENgland, Anita

Alison Gibbs said...

Hi karen what a great idea. That would be fun to do with my 5 and 7 yo grandchildren.
Alison

LiLi M. said...

Your Christmas tree is so nice! The Santa's are beautiful too, but your dog is the cutest! Good luck selling on Etsy!

Lori said...

Karen, your santa idea is so charming!!! i love it...your banner is so pretty!!!

Beverly said...

Ah, Karen! I love this Santa. He does remind me of when I was a child. You are so creative.

Nancy Jo said...

Karen,
He sure came out cute. I have a lot of pine cones. I used some for a door decoration, but maybe I better give some thought to making up something else. The only thing is I don't have two cute puppies to help me out like you do.
I remember Grandma having something like your Santa, we had to be very careful with it. Gotta wonder what happened to it.
Nice post and pretty header.
Nancy Jo

Tara said...

Everything you make, dear Karen, is so nice and sentimental!

bj said...

That is the CUTEST thing I've ever seen. You are so talented and creative...just beautiful..

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
Your Santa is adorable. It looks very vintage.
Hugs, Rhondi

Elaine said...

Your Santas are adorable. Love the sweet face.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

HI Karen. What a wonderful Santa. I love how you made him. Just amazing. You always do wonderful things and make them look simple....hmmmmm.....I love to see what you are working on!
Blessings,
Debbie

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