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 8th 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 29th, 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:
- (4) 3" Balls (where 8 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- (2) 3" Ball (where 5 lines would be very helpful)
- (2) 4" Hemi
- (2) 3 x 3 x 2" Cubes
- *optional: (1) 3-1/4" Bell (in place of a 5-lined ball if you choose)
Week 12: ANY (or all) of the following:
- (2) 3" Balls (where 8 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 4" Hemi
- (1) 3 x 3 x 2" Cube
(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 the challenge!
I can’t wait to see how your ornaments turn out Jill!
Also looking forward to this!
I always love the challenge, especially the final week with all the new patterns! Thanks, Staciann and Team–you’re the best!
We are so glad you’re excited to get pinning!
Looking forward to doing the Christmas challenge. Already have at least 3 different sets to decide which I want to use
Thanks Staci and Team
Oooh! That is so fun that you have so many choices!
I am looking forward to the Challenge!
Can’t wait to get pinning with you Kelly!
Whoopy, I can’t wait.
Us too!
Looking forward to the challenge!
Thank you, so excited!
I’m so glad you’re excited Frankie, we are looking forward to pinning with you!
This will be great!!
I’m so glad you’re excited Donna!
I am very happy to be a part of another Christmas 12 day challenge!!
I love this challenge, especially because I get so many new ideas!! These new ideas spark my creativity so that I wish to do more than the challenge, and I keep going beyond the challenge!!!
I’m so glad the challenge has been inspiring Yolond. I can’t wait to see what you do this year!
Looking forward to it. Especially now that I have my very own craft room. Gave it to myself for my 75 birthday!
How fun! That will be so neat to have a dedicated place to make your ornaments!
I really enjoyed the patriotic challenge so looking forward to this. I think I accidentally hit the button to remove me from the mailing list for it. Can you put me back on the list? Thank you!
I’m so glad you’re excited! I went ahead and added you back to that email list Vicki!
I am in. I have never done a challenge before. This will be fun!
I hope you have a great time with this challenge Marsha!
Can’t wait to start. Just wondering if you have a list of the foam balls we will be using, or a bundle to purchase?
(Sorry if i missed that info)
Hi Barbara, we don’t have a bundle available for the challenge, but we do usually sell one at the end for the final week. You can see all the foam you need in the blog post above!
When will joining the 2015 Challenge be available? I just love some of the fabric some have chosen for the challenge!
Hi Ginny, you do not need to sign up. As long as you are receiving our emails and want to pin along, you are all set!
I hope to get them done, lol.
We hope you have so much fun making your ornaments!
Have my 3 fabrics ready to go.
That is great Carol! That can be the hardest part sometimes!
I’m so excited. Can’t wait to do the challenge with you all again this year.
We’re so excited too Brenda!
Looking forward to this year’s challenge. It was fun last year. Still have mine up on my special tree.
I want to join in on the fun.