Memory Christmas Ornaments using Photographs

There are some ornaments that memories. Memories that are too precious to put anywhere near rowdy children. Especially when they document the passage of time.

My favorite ornaments are the ones I have created using photographs of my family. There’s a “Mama Tree” full of my Memory Ornaments in the dining room.

Hanging on the branches are memories of three cubby babies, bright eyed toddlers, and snaggled toothed second graders. I adore each and every one.

You can have your own tree full of picture memories by following this tutorial.

Memory Christmas Ornaments

Supplies Needed

• copies of photographs
• round glass ornaments with flat sides
• watered down white school glue
• cheap paint brushes
• q-tips
• glitter
• ribbons
• hot glue

Step One: Choose the right Ornament

When you are choosing the glass ornaments, make sure to get ones that have large openings at the top. This will give you enough room to place your image inside. And allow a paintbrush or q-tip inside to help smooth out the paper.

Do not use the sphere shaped ones. The image must have a flat surface to lay on so the ball ornaments are out!

*Flat sided ornaments can be hard to find at the end of the Christmas season. Make sure to pick some up early. Like when Hobby Lobby puts out their Christmas in July!*

Step 2: Get your image ready!

Choose your favorite photograph and copy it. I used my home printer/copier. This copied image will be what you will use to place inside the ornament. You may need to play around with the light/dark quality of the copied image to get the picture just right.

Since the ornaments are round I traced a circle around the photograph then cut it out.

Because the image will be glued inside the ornament, there may be air bubbles you need to work out. To give those pesky air bubbles a little help working themselves out – take a stick pin and make several teeny holes in on the darkest areas of paper. Ceases in clothes and shadows are the best places to poke holes. Not faces!

Step 3: Getting the photograph inside the ornament!

Water down a little white school glue. With a cheap paintbrush coat the inside of the ornament (the flat surface) with the watered down glue. Don’t use a lot! A thin coat will work fine. 

Use the handle of a paint brush, wrap the paper into a tight roll.

Push the paper roll into the neck of the ornament. The paint brush will help you unroll the paper and place it in the center.

The glue helps to slide the paper around until you find the center.

Now here’s the tricky part. You will need to carefully smooth out the paper and push out any excess glue. The paint brush will reach most of the areas. A bent q-tip will reach those hard to reach spots.

Be very careful you don’t rip the paper as you push out the glue.

Step 4: Pretty it Up!

After the image is centered and the excess glue is removed pour the remaining glue inside the ornament. Swirl it around until the inside is covered then add lots of white sparkly glitter. Place your thumb over the opening and give it a big shake!

The inside will turn into a glittery wonderland!

Turn it upside down and let it dry over night.

Now that there’s some sparkle on the inside let’s put some on the outside! Kim from Sand & Sisal created beautiful Frosted Pear Ornaments. She dripped hot glue on top of the pear then glittered it up. I loved the look and knew it would add great detail to my Memory Ornaments.

Here’s how you do it: Replace the cap/hanger then make hot glue “drips” on the top of the ornament then glitter the heck out of them before they dry.

Finally top it with a pretty bow!

I hope I have explained the process of creating this ornament adequately. There’s been quite a bit of trail and error as I worked through the steps during the years. Please let me know if you have any questions.

The goal is to create a Memory Ornament for each of the children every Christmas. One day they will be divided between them for their own trees.

Hopefully you will start this ornament tradition in your own family!

Merry Christmas!

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    I love to share my projects with these fabulous blogs: Merriest Blog Hop @ A Sweet Fragrance, Get Your DIY On {A 16 Week Fall Party Challenge} @ Just a Girl and Her Blog, Make Monday @ Kitchen Table Art, Inspiration Monday Party @ I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Too Cute Tuesdays @ Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Pin Me Linky Party @ Diana Rambles, What I Whipped Up Wednesdays @ Sugar and Dots, BeBetsy, It’s a Party @ A Creative Princess, Southern State of Mind, What we love Wednesday @ Soda Pop Avenue Work, It Wednesday @ The Blissful Bee, Give Me the Goods Monday @ Rain On a Tin Roof & So Much Better with Age, Shine on Fridays @ Young and Crafty,  Inspire Me Tuesdays @ A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Crystal and Co. with The Mommy Club: Share Your Resources and Solutions , The Chic and Crafty Linky Party with The Frugal Girls & Share Your Creativity Saturdays with Aimee at It’s Overflowing, My Love for Words Lovely Ladies Linky Party.nbsp;