Wednesday, December 6, 2017

3-D Christmas Nativity Scene Ornaments Tutorial


Today I'm sharing how to make something special for the holidays: 3-D Christmas Scene Ornaments.


They're a cute way to add the real spirit of Christmas to the tree and share the message of the season that young and old alike can enjoy:



These can be used in many more ways than as ornaments too....DIY snow globes, on wreathes, table top decorations and anywhere else that needs a little seasonal sprucing.  The built-in backgrounds and 3-dimensional effect make them really charming:



They also make a fun handmade gift too:


I saw the idea of a vignette like this using some of these Christmas Nativity themed buttons in a promo photo from the button company that makes them.  There was no how-to, so I decided to make up my own.


I built on the general concept with a larger base and the addition of these new Christmas message ribbons I had created specially for my shop, Heavenly Fabric Shop, this holiday season:



How To Make 3-D Christmas Nativity Ornaments

Materials:
- Christmas button sets
- Christmas satin ribbon
- Cardstock, sandpaper and/or craft foam sheets
- Craft wood circles
- Foam floor mat (or 1/2inch thick foam/wood/cardboard)
- Hot glue gun
- Fishing line/filament thread


I started with tracing the wooden circles onto the paper or foam that would make up the bases.  I did 3 since I was doing 3 ornaments.  I used some flocked paper that was sand colored:


I cut 3 of the wood circles to make a straight end (about 1/3 off a circle).  I traced that shape onto the paper or foam that will be the background.  Then hot glued the colored pieces onto the wood:


I ran a line of hot glue under the flat end of the cut wood and attach it to the base circle like this:



Now for the decorating!  To do the Three Kings theme, I had a few foam craft stickers from a dinosaur set of my kids that worked perfectly (you could also hand-cut or use a cutting machine to make some).  I used the palm trees as-is and trimmed down a dinosaur to make a sand dune: 



I then attached those onto the background:



I ran a line of hot glue under each button figure and staggered them for a 3-d effect:


For the Good Shepherds, I cut a few pieces of flocked card stock, one for the backdrop and another smaller one that I folded under to add dimension.


Hot glued those into place and added the Christmas star and angel to the background:


For the Nativity theme, I cut some burlap into a stable shape, cut up a yellow grass piece of foam and grabbed to star shaped beads I could layer into a star with glue:


I added the button figures with more hot glue:


To build up the bottoms for trimming with my 5/8in ribbon, I cut up an old foam floor mat to make a circular base for each ornament.  This works ideally, but thick cardboard or layers of thinner foam would work too since it all gets covered.


I added a bunch of hot glue to attach them to the wood bottoms:


Once cool, it was time to trim them with ribbon!


I cut 7 inch long pieces of ribbon and heat sealed the ends with a lighter:


Centering the text on the front of each ornament, then attached the ribbon with line of glue around the foam base.



Last, I cut a piece of filament thread, made a loop and put a dab of glue over the ends on the back of the ornaments.



Then they were ready to hang on the tree!



I really love how these turned out and having a full set of them as an "in-the-tree Nativity" is so nice too.  The kids have fun looking at them and it's been a fun DIY project for Christmas this year:)




6 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness these are so darling! I love them.

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  2. I haven't seen nativity buttons before! This is such a clever idea! Thanks for participating in our Party in Your PJs link party!

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  3. I bought these buttons years ago and they have been in the cupboard waiting for an idea I love. And this is the idea, thankyou!

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    Replies
    1. That's awesome to hear Kirsty! I'd love to see how they turn out:)

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  4. I bought some nativity-themed buttons with an ornament project in mind but with little clue as to how to proceed. I am so grateful to have your example and instructions and just thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful to hear that Dodie and I'd love to see them when you make them. You can email photos to cheryl@sewcando.com. Have a very blessed Christmas!!

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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