Back in the summer of 2018, I challenged myself to make a bunch of different ornaments out of the same 3 fabrics.
We'd spent the last couple of years coming up with a new pattern almost every month for the Ornament Girls Club, and I wanted to go back and make some of the older patterns again, plus spend more time playing around with some of the newer ones.
It ended up being way more awesome than I expected! It was so much fun to make a big bunch of ornaments purely for the joy of it. I felt like I went back in time for a little bit.
The best part was that some of you decided to do it right along with me, and made your own set of 12 ornaments.
The idea grew bigger, and that fall, we did our first official Ornament Girls Challenge together!
Isn't it crazy that this will be the 7th year?
So many of you have been asking when this year's Challenge would begin. Guess what? It's almost time!
I hope you'll join me.. if you do, then by the end of it (and just in time for Christmas), you'll have a set of 12 beautiful, matching ornaments, each made with a different pattern!
When I did this by myself the first time, I made a new ornament every single day, which was a little bit tough to make happen (life gets a little busy for that sometimes).
So don't worry.... for the official Challenge, we'll be making one ornament per WEEK.
How will this work?
Each week, starting on Monday, September 30th, I'll send you an email telling you what that week's challenge pattern is, and I'll show you photos of mine and my team's versions, to hopefully inspire you and give you some ideas.
(Not on my email list yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Join me RIGHT HERE. <-- psst. Joining my email list gets you a free video workshop!)
When you make each week's ornament, you can share it with me (& all the other participants) on Instagram using the hashtag #OrnamentGirlsChallenge (and if you're an OG club member, please also share in our private group!)
What will you need?
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 a generous approximation - you may use slightly different amounts depending on how you arrange your fabrics on your own ornaments. We've been told each year that many of you have some left over when you start with this amount, but we're just trying to err 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 during the first few challenges, I didn't give this info out ahead of time (because I didn't always have the whole thing planned out that far in advance lol).... but right now, 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 as usual, it's an awesome bundle, 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! Due to ever-changing supply availability, we may not always have our pre-lined foam available each week. But, we DO have all the resources to show you how to do this yourself.)
Weeks 1-11, you'll need:
- 5 - 3" Balls (where 8 lines would be very helpful)
- 3 - 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- 1 - 3" Ball (where 5 lines would be very helpful)
- 1 - 3" Ball (where 4 lines would be very helpful)
- 1 - Cone
Week 12: ANY (or all) of the following:
- 2 - 3" Balls (where 8 lines would be very helpful)
- 1 - Disc
- 1 - Wedge
- 1 - *New secret shape coming soon!
(Wait til you see this year's Bundle! We DO plan to have another special Foam Bundle available in December for this.)
4. Whatever embellishments you'd like to use 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!
The special price will be for one week only, 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.
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 our 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. :) )
So.. will you join me for this? It's gonna be fun!
Here are the fabrics the OG Team & I will be using this year:
Looking forward to it!
I wouldn’t miss it
I wouldn’t miss it
Sounds like fun!
Can’t wait!
OK, this year, I’m reall gonna do it!!!
I have been making ornaments all year. They kept my hands and mind busy while waiting for my heart surgery and while I was recovering. I have quite a collection so far but I look forward to doing the challenge with you
Done this every year, can’t wait for this year.
I love all your fabric choices and can’t wait to begin!
I’m excited to begin! Thank you so much!
Yippie! Going to try Halloween/Fall fabrics this year.
I have not ever made any ornaments. I am going to try it! Fingers crossed .
I am so excited and looking forward to it!!!
So excited to get started.
I am anxious to be a part of this challenge. I love your fabric choices and will think on those choices, but I just might look at more fabrics to see what is available. I have been making a few ornaments as I recover from knee surgery.
Will you offer a foam ball/disc/wedge kit that we could purchase for the challenge ornaments? Or is it best to purchase on our own? Will the secret shape be included to buy?
Hi Adair, we don’t have a package of foam that you can purchase for the challenge ornaments, but we do usually have a bundle you can purchase at the end for the new pattern releases. We’ll have more information about that as we get closer to the end of the challenge. I hope you love making your ornaments!
Thank you! Was just wondering about that surprise new shape, which made me think you would offer a bundle. Appreciate your answering my question. Yes, I love making ornaments!
Can’t wait!!!!!!
Looking forward to the challenge. Excited! Can’t wait! Now to look for fabrics.
I am so excited!!!! I love the Christmas Ornament Challenge!!!
I’m so excited! I bought my fabrics last Christmas and had to hide them so I would leave them alone! It’s almost time that I can finally play with them! LOL
I love doing these ornaments. Can’t wait to see the bundle
Excited to give this Challenge a try…will be my first!
Absolutely!! I love the Xmas challenge.
Will definitely give this a try, loved the last challenge so i am ready to jump
On board
I am anxiously waiting for September 30th.
So ready!! Can’t wait!!
Yes please sign me up, I already have my fabric :)
I want to try it I just hope I can keep up with y’all.
I need to go find me some fabric.
Looking forward to getting started I just hope I can keep up with the challenge. I will go as far as possible.
Looking forward to the Christmas challenge of 2024!
This is the first challenge attempt for me. Looking forward to participating.
Is the foam shape that we need the short cone or the 4 1/4 inch?
Hi Karen, either will work, but the 4-1/4″ cone is what we are referring to in this post. I hope that helps!