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 9th 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 28th, 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. 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)
- (1) 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 3" Ball (with no lines)
- (1) 4" Egg (where 8 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 4-1/4" Cone
- (1) 3" Bauble(opens in new tab)
- (1) 3-1/4" Disc
Week 12: ANY (or all) of the following:
- (2) 3" Balls (where 6 lines would be very helpful)
- (1) 3 x 3 x 2" Cube
(Wait till 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 (or more, lol) 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:
Am looking forward to the challenge again! I’m filling out the Email part. I am a member, but feel like I haven’t gotten many emails lately.,I want to be sure I get that notification!!
Hi Kimberly, I’m so glad you’re excited to get pinning with us! I checked your account and everything looks good on our end, but if you continue to have trouble receiving e-mails, please reach out to us. We’ll be happy to help out!
Looking forward to it. I guess I’ll sign up again. Haven’t received an email yet.
Robbi, there’s an email going out at about 11:45 (eastern time) today, and then another on Monday morning, so you haven’t missed anything yet. I’m just really behind this morning! See ya on the live in a few hours :)
Can’t wait to start. I don’t have any baubles left, but I will survive.
I’m so glad you’re excited to pin along with us!
That’s great! Thank you! That was a fun live. Hope you’re feeling better.
Ok thank you. The live was fun the other day.
I love ?? the christmas challenge I usually don’t get it completeld until after christmas life gets so busy when your the grandma of 12 precious grand babies lol ? ? ?
Wow! You are busy indeed! I’m glad you’re going to try to pin along with us, and I’m sure anything you have at the end will be lovely!
My first year attempting the challenge. I haven’t decided what fabrics to use yet.
That is such a fun part of the process. I know you’re gonna love the challenge!
I am going to do blues and white Christmas fabric and also red, white and blank with candy canes for the second.
That sounds so pretty!
Just following up closely to your e-mails. Not sure if you sent the inspiration ornament for today—I know you are busy with the challenge but with my recent problelms, I am checking. Thank you for all your beautiful ornaments.
Regards,
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, there was no Inspire on Friday, but we do them most other days!
YAY! This year I’m going to do it! I’m going to get all 12 done! LOL That’s my challenge. So glad to get the notice it’s almost here!
I’m so glad you’re excited to get started! I hope you enjoy working on your ornaments!
Will you be doing any pin-alongs? Or will these be done in Peaceful Pinnings?
Can’t wait for mother year’s collection! Thank you team for this wonderful opportunity
Happy Ornament-ing!
Hi Vicki,
I think some of these might be game time decisions, but we’ll be sure to share updates about any special events!
Looking forward to receiving the challenge.
I’m very excited to see what’s new.
I hope you love pinning along with us!
With all the various fabrics that the OG staff is using it will be fun to see their ornaments every week. Lots of interesting patterns, stripes, checks, prints, etc. I have been doing the challenge since the beginning. A few years I didn’t get to complete all 12. I had to get a bigger tree last year to showcase my ornaments. I look forward to this challenge every year. This year I am doing white and gold. Let the fun begin.
Oooh! That sounds so pretty! I am glad you’re excited to get started!
This will be my first Christmas Challenge – in my first year in the Christmas Club and in my first year in the Ornament Girls Club. Very exciting and so looking forward to it!
You’re going to love it!
Is the cone foam 4 1/4 or 3 1/4? I can’t seem to find 4 1/4 on your website to purchase. Thanks,
Sue
The cone is 4 1/4″. You can find those here: https://theornamentgirl.com/market/product/4-inch-smooth-foam-cones/
Can’t wait to start another challenge….I will be joining again. Thanks for these wonderful challenges.
Happy Ornament-ing!
I’m looking forward to the Christmas Challenge. It is always fun to see the ornament pictures that people share.
I’m so glad you’re excited to get started! I know you’re going to love it!
The spirit is willing! Let’s hope I can keep up with the pace. During these stressful times, ornament making is my calming therapy! Thank you ladies for your contribution to my sanity!!
I’m in! This will be my second year. I’ve never made anything with a bauble yet, so looking forward to that. I might have to get more fabric and embellishments ?
Count me in….. I can hardly wait
Looking forward to this year’s challenge!!!
You gave a place to order pins, which pins are best? Where do I sign up?
I’ve been out of commission with my ornamenting for most of the summer but I’m looking forward to returning and participating in the12 Weeks of Christmas Challenge. I do not use social media of any type so I do hope that photos from other people can be put on the daily post. I have missed not being in the Ornament Girl Club. Maybe next time it opens up. Happy ornamenting, everyone!
Hi Laurel, I’m so very glad you’ll be pinning along with us in the challenge this year! We do not post other members photos in our blog, but we will be sharing all the inspiration from our team. I hope you enjoy watching and pinning along!
I’m looking forward to joining the challenge this year. Can’t wait to see what new designs you’ve created for us!
I’m looking forward to the challenge again this year. Love seeing everyone’s fabric choices and the OG teams creations.
Vera
Happy Ornament-ing Vera!
I forgot to respond with a Yes to the original email but I am in! I am getting started now
Happy pinning Mariana!