We're about to begin the 2021 Ornament Girls Challenge!
In order to make all 12 ornaments, you will need...
1. About 2 to 2-1/2 yards EACH of three different fabrics (this is an approximation - you may use slightly different amounts depending on how you arrange your fabrics on your own ornaments. You can get a little extra if you want to be on the safe side!)
****I recommend 3 fabrics that contrast highly with each other. (I've got some examples at the end of this post)****
2. A LOT of straight pins. I would go ahead and buy yourself a nice big one-pound box from HERE.
3. Foam. Okay, so I usually haven't given this info out ahead of time, but here's the thing. I can give you an almost-definite foam list for the first 11 weeks.
But, as we've done every year, the 12th week will coincide with our big bundle of NEW PATTERNS - and just like last year, there will be SEVERAL new patterns to choose from!
And of course, I have no idea which patterns you'll pick, or if you'll even want to purchase the bundle at all (but it's awesome, so I think you will!)
So, let me break this down for you the best I can...
(Note: All of the lined-ball recommendations below can be drawn on by you! We are currently experiencing a foam shortage, and may not have our pre-lined foam available each week. We have all the resources to show you how to do this yourself.)
Weeks 1-11, you'll need:
- 7 - 3" Balls (where 8 lines would be very helpful, but there are a couple here where you could get away with unlined.)
- 2 - 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- 1 - 3" Balls (where 5 lines would be very helpful)
- 1- Disc (this could change if we do not get our next foam shipment in time, as I know these are hard to find)
Week 12: ANY of the following (or, all of them!)
- 3" Ball with 6 lines or a Disc, OR...
- 3" Ball with 6 lines (for another of the patterns), OR...
- Heart Shape, OR...
- Two more that are secret for now: We have two new shapes coming soon to our OG Shop, and I don't want to say what they are yet, until I know they are here.)
(But wait til you see this year's Bundle!)
4. Whatever embellishments you'd like to use for all 12 ornaments (I'm going to try and use the same embellishments for all 12 ornaments).
5. Each week's pattern (hint: the first week will be the FREE Basic Star pattern)
What if you don't yet own each week's pattern?
I don't want to leave anyone out, so in order to make this as accessible as possible for everyone to make along with me, each week's pattern will be available at a very special deal! (and some of them are free!)
The special price will be for 3 days only each week, on that week's pattern. I'll send you a link to each week's special deal when I send you your weekly challenge email.
Also, please note, that the first week's pattern is FREE (and again, there are a couple of other freebies in coming weeks, too).
Be sure you're on my email list so you can get each week's Challenge Email! Each week's email will say 'Ornament Challenge Week #' in the subject line so you can spot it easily!
(If you've never tried one of my patterns before.... they are FOOLPROOF. And many of them come with full-length videos, too. So, no worries.. you WILL be able to make these ornaments along with me. :) )
Happy Ornamenting!
I can’t wait!!! Sooo excited about this challenge!!!)
So excited for you to be joining us!
Where should I buy the fabric? I googled Moda Rue 1800 44221 and 3 Sisters shop had it listed BUT it was brown floral!
Help?
Ooohhh! I so want to do this! I worry that I won’t be able to keep up, what with watching my 6 year old twins who live up to the curse I put on myself when I told my son I hoped he got a kid twice as bad as he was! They are a handful, that curse came back to bite me. So, is there a punishment for me if I can’t keep up?
Oh how funny! You are a busy bee, sounds like. And nope, no punishment for not keeping up. ha! We’re excited if you can join us!
Lol, I know the exact feeling LaRae!
Hi Joanne, Staci used these last year as well so they’re an older fabric and may possibly be discontinued. You may want to check on sites like Etsy or maybe even eBay? I hope that helps. Thanks!
I’m in! So excited! Will be mulling over the colors I want to use for my tree this year, but I’ll be ready!
YAY! So glad you’re joining us.
Looking forward to add these to my challenge collection. I have done the challenge every year. Thanks Staci and crew.
So fun! Welcome back to another challenge!
Looking forward to the challenge. Can’t wait to see what I come up with.
So excited for you to join us!
This will be my first year participating in the challenge. I am so looking forward to it and am ready with my material choices!
YAY! Welcome to the challenge and looking forward to having you join us.
What is the cost for this challenge? Will there be a video to watch? I can’t get 12 Mondays off.
The Challenge itself is free. If you need the patterns, for example if you don’t already have them, there will be a charge for those. And of course, you’ll need to purchase your materials but the Challenge itself is free. The Challenge itself doesn’t have any live videos but the patterns themselves will come with recorded videos of how to make them. (edited)
I am very slow so a video that I can replay as much as needed would be very helpful and much appreciated.
I apologize, Karen, I gave wrong information originally and have edited my above comment as not to confuse anyone else. We are not doing live video sessions with the Christmas Challenge. But each pattern we’re working will have already recorded tutorials with them to help watch you through making the ornaments. So, you can watch those anytime. I hope that helps! Have a nice night.
Janelle
Oh boy! I can’t wait to do this. I had to scale back and quit the monthly ornament club, so I really want to get back into doing these. I love the way you do this challenge, putting all the decisions in my hands. And I can choose to do one or three or ALL of them! Exciting! I want to start this Christmas season off with some spectacular ornaments. Thank you for including me.
So glad you can join us, Sandra!
I am so excited. But I didn’t get enough material. I’ll have to purchase some more.
So glad you’re joining and hope you can get more of your fabric choices then!
I have been looking forward to this. I love a Challenge, that is why I joined the OG Club.
YAY! We love these too. It’s so fun to see everyone’s ornaments.
This will be so much fun to see what everyone comes up with!
Right? We love seeing what everyone comes up with too! Happy ornamenting!
This is my first year with OG. It has been SO fun this year learning each pattern. I am nervous to do the Christmas challenge but hey, I’m going to dive in and hope I can keep up!
We’re so excited for you to join us! And I’m sure you’ll do awesome!
Can’t wait. I’m all in. I’m a crafter but since I started making these ornaments ( it is sooo addictive) this is what I do most of the time .Love them.
So fun! So glad you’re joining us.
I’m so excited for this. I bought the fabric for last year’s challenge but haven’t made them yet. Hopefully this year I can get them made each week.
How fun! So glad you’re joining us.
I can’t wait to get started. I love this club. Let the holiday season begin.
Yes! So happy to have the holiday season upon us! And so happy you’re joining us.
I’m eager to do this this year. One question: what size is the foam disc that might be used? Thanks
Hi Anne, you would need this size if we end up using discs. 3-1/4? x 1-3/4?
Thank you!
Janelle
Thanks, Janelle
You’re very welcome!
Can we start cutting fabrics or do we find out each week. This is my 1st time as well. My 92 yr old mother whom I’m caring for is very sick. Doing the ornaments while I’m sitting with her is my temporary sanity. Thanks in advance
Excited. Can’t wait
So glad you’re joining us!
Can the pink fabric and the fabrics the girls will be using be purchased from you? Also can the foam be purchased from you. Is there a charge?
Hi Evelyn,
We are hoping to have foam in soon but I’m not 100% sure how much we’ll be able to sell at this time. You can purchase elsewhere if you’d like though. Here is our shop with everything we currently have available: https://theornamentgirl.com/market/
Thanks so much and looking forward to you joining us!
Janelle
Those are beautiful colors and can’t wait to get a kit so I can make the ornament.
Thank you so much, Kelly. You’re so sweet to say so!
I’m in! Can’t wait to start! I’ve got to find my third fabric! Super excited!!
We’re so excited YOU are excited!
I’m really looking forward to this challenge! s
It’s so great you are offering this to us. I love making new patterns as well as the old!
You’re so sweet to say so. Thank YOU for joining us!
I can’t wait! I am worried about the different shaped foams. I haven’t been able to find any in my surrounding towns so far. Due to the foam shortage, will you have a different option for those of us that can’t find that shape (disc, heart etc.)? I really want to try the other shapes since I have only been able to do the 3″ ball and the egg shape from the OG Shop.
Thanks
Julie
Hi Julie, I spoke with Staci Ann and she said almost all will use the 3 inch balls and that the other shapes don’t come into play as options until much later into the Challenge (except the disc) and we do HOPE to have some foam in the shop by then (although we can’t guarantee it). I hope this is helpful and we’re so glad to have you joining us!
I am so excited about joining you this year on the Christmas Challenge!!! I’ve been SO BUSY this year with family health issues, and my mom passed away in June, my husband had surgery on his foot in July, our daughter got married in August, and I feel like I’m running into myself coming and going. I have found the past couple of weeks that making these ornaments have been therapy for me, and I’ve got quite a small collection created already. Tried the Trinity Knot pattern for the first time and I LOVE IT!!
So this year’s Christmas Challenge will be a healing therapy for me :) Thank you for doing this
Hi Joy, we’re so glad you’re joining us and so happy to hear that it is healing for you to do the ornaments. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. :( Our hearts go out to you. Have a nice evening and happy ornamenting! SO glad you’re joining us!
Janelle
Sounds like fun. Can’t wait to start.
Vicky
So glad you’re joining us, Vicky!
I’m in on the challenge looking forward to creating fun. Thank you Maxine Allison
Wonderful! So glad to hear you’re joining us.
It said I sent this already I only sent one only but I’m in not sure if you got it. I’m in
Sounds exciting and will do my best to join the Challenge. Some days may be awkward as we are waiting for the birth of our first grandson and a visit from my sister who I haven’t seen for two years, but will certainly have a go …. And maybe even get her to help out while she’s over even though it will be a short visit.
Sounds like a fun time in your family!
Do you know when your soft foam balls will be in? I’m using the firmer ones and it’s hard to push the pins in. I bought a leather thimble to help but it is awkward. Thanks so much. Enjoying the challenge so far.
Hi Carol, I’m so sorry but we don’t have a firm date when they’ll be available but we will email everyone when they’re ready for purchase. Thanks!