Christmas Tree Picture Ornament

Every year Michelle puts an ornament on the tree with her children’s pictures, commemorating that year with a date and pic. This year I used our basic Christmas Tree Applique Block to make the personalized Christmas Tree Picture Ornaments. Make one for each of your children. Because there is a pocket on the back for sliding in a picture, you can easily give these as gifts and let the recipient add their own wallet sized photo! HO HO HO!

Materials:
Green felt for tree and pocket
Yellow felt for star
Embroidery floss
8″ 1/4″ ribbon
Optional: Acid free photo protectors
Pattern

1] Make copy of pattern..

2] Cut out felt pieces.

3] Mark the circle on the tree front. Pin the front to the back. Cut out the circle cutting through the front and back together.

OPTIONAL: If you wish to personalize the tree, including name and/or date do it now. Use a disappearing marker to write info, then stitch on to the front only using a stem stitch or backstitch with 3 strands of floss. You may also choose to add buttons for ornaments or embroidery stitches. (Note: in this pic you will notice the sides are already blanket stitched together… that’s because I forgot to take a pic when I should have… opps!)

4] Blanket stitch the front to back around the hole using 6 strands of floss.

5] Position the pocket on the back. Pin in place attaching only to the back piece. Do not catch the front tree.

6] Stitch the pocket in place using a running stitch on 3 strands of floss. Only stitch 3 sides. Do not stitch the top. This is where the photo slides in. Be careful not to stitch through to the front tree.

7] Using 6 strands of floss, blanket stitch the front and back together around outside edges.

8] Trim your photo until it fits in the pocket and is centered.

9] Optional: If you want to protect your photo, cut out a piece of a acid free photo protector sheet the size of your photo. (Easiest to use if you cut it on a fold.) Please the photo inside. Use a very narrow piece of tape to close the top.

10] For your hanger cut a piece of 1/4″ ribbon 8″. Position the ribbon on the front of the tree so you make a loop. Cross the ends about 1″. Tack the ribbon in place as indicated on the pattern.

11] Cut out 2 pieces of felt for the star.

12] Sew the 2 star pieces together with a running stitch and 3 strands floss.

13] Position the star over the crossing section of the ribbon. Using 6 strands of floss, sew the star to the tree with 4 French knots. Place them so they look like button holes.

14] Trim the exposed edges of ribbon on an angle.

Now, hang it on the tree and keep the memories forever!