The inspiration for this article came about because I love ornaments, but I don't celebrate Christmas and it's sad to me that the word 'ornament' seems to be hopelessly linked to 'Christmas' especially since hanging things on trees is a pagan tradition, not a Christian one. And I want to look at beautiful and fanciful ornaments all year long, not just in December.

An ornament is defined as something that adds elegance or beauty. It comes from the Anglo-French word urnement, or ornement, from the Latin ornamentum. The definition is not specific to any one holiday.

A handmade ornament is a great way to give a personalized gift to someone. You can add a specially calligraphed name for someone's birthday, anniversary or divorce for that matter. You can decorate it with something the recipient loves or collects like horses, or dolphins or perhaps their favorite sporting event.

For those of you that remember the movie Return to Oz, I fell in love with their emerald ornament room. An ornament can be hung from a stand or a mobile or a hanger or placed on a table out of the way of traffic. They can be made of glass, wood, cardboard, Styrofoam, plastic, driftwood, gourd, eggs, wire, or found objects. Decorate them with paint, glitter, glass chips, beads, seeds, marbles, seashells, drawings, fabric, sequins or tape. There really is no limit.

Here are some events that deserve a special ornament.

1. Baby's first steps

2. The first time a soldier meets his or her new baby.

3. Sabbats

4. Baptisms

5. Moving Day

6. Adoption Day

7. Customer Appreciation Day

8. Secretary Day

9. The Day Your Team Won the Pennant/ Trophy/ Prize/ Oscar/ Platinum album

10. The Day You Survived the Big One

11. Personal holiday just between the two of you.

12. Housewarming

Supplies:

A 9" x 12" felt square in a color you like

Embroidery sewing needle

Contrasting embroidery floss

Scissors

Perfume or fragrant oil

Thread or monofilament for hanging

Paper to make a pattern

Tailor's chalk or something to trace pattern with.

Stuffing or dried lavender: I use Polyfil but if you are just making one, stuff it with chopped up bits of felt, dryer lint or a disassembled cotton ball.

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Draw and cut out a shape you like on the paper. I chose a star (see photo).

Trace around the paper pattern with tailor's chalk on your felt. Cut out 2 matching pieces (front and back).

Using 2 or 3 strands of embroidery floss, embroider B.F.F. (Best Friend's Forever) onto the felt front. Knot on wrong side and clip excess thread off.

Place 2 felt pieces wrong sides together. Using buttonhole stitch or overcast stitch, attach pieces together around the edges, but stop 3/4 of the way around. Stuff with filling of choice or dried lavender. If you are not using lavender add a few drops of perfume or oil if desired.

Close up opening with the rest of your buttonhole stitching. Knot the ends and bury the knot inside the piece.

Using the thread for the hanger, sew on the hanger at the top of the star.

Done

Remember this is my original pattern, so if you wish to share it, please link them back to this page. Thanks. Only you can prevent Copyright Infringement. Copyright F.Z. Harper 2009

Be a cool cat, not a copy cat.