Patchwork Ornaments

Even younger children can make this easy ornament, and it takes under an hour to complete. When finished, it looks like it's quilted or patchwork.

Materials:

Scraps of at least 2 different fabrics

1 Styrofoam ball

Jute twine

1 upholstery tack

Popsicle stick

Bamboo barbecue skewer

Directions:

Begin by cutting your fabric into small pieces. Shapes don't matter so much. Take one piece to start and place it on the Styrofoam ball. Using the sharp end of the skewer, poke the edge of the fabric into the Styrofoam. Repeat with more fabric scraps until the ball is covered. When done, press the twine into the "seams" with the popsicle stick. You don't have to cover every seam--you don't even have to use the twine at all, but it does hide the seams and add a little charm. For finishing, make a hanging loop with the twine and use the upholstery tack to fasten it to the ornament. That's all there is to it!

There is a lot of room for variation in this. You can use whatever scraps of fabric you have to create different effects. It takes a very small amount of fabric. You could use decorative cording or pearl strands in place of the twine. You could even use shapes cut from packing foam (you know, those awkward pieces of Styrofoam that encase breakable items in their boxes).