Pet Keepsake Christmas Ornament DIY

Welcome to this months' Creative Craft Hop! For the next three months, Creative Craft Hop will be hosted by Donna @Modern on Monticello who's filling in for Sara @Birdz of a Feather while Sara is dealing with  health issues.  Please keep Sara in your thoughts and prayers. And thank you Donna for keeping this awesome hop going! If you're coming over from Terrie's @Decorate and More with Tip, isn't her fluffy snowman wreath adorable!

Since it's Christmas in July,  I'm making a pet keepsake ornament for my niece, Patricia to hang on her Christmas Tree. The pet keepsake ornament is in honor of Patricia's furbaby, Xena who passed away in late June. She had cancer. Patricia and all of her family was devastated to say the least. Xena was a rescue pup and had been with Patricia and her husband for over ten years. Xena was devoted and loyal to Patricia, as well as Patricia being devoted to Xena! I was fortunate to have Xena and her family visit us in early June. I could tell by the way Xena looked at Patricia that showed me how much she loved Patricia and vice versa. There was no greater love between the two. 

A pet keepsake ornament is a great way to honor Xena during the Christmas holidays - especially one that's handmade by her aunt, Gail!

So let's get started!

Materials: 

• Flat disc clear glass ornament (4")
• Rice paper
• Photos
• Laser printer
• Refillable watercolor brush pen 
• Acrylic paint (white)
• Sponge brush/paint brush
• Parchment paper
• Mod Podge (matte)
• Plastic (cut open ziplock bag)
• Modeling paste/painting knife
• Gold rope trim
• RapidFuse all purpose adhesive (quick dry glue)
• Wired ribbon
• Bowdabra bow wire

Begin with a clean clear glass disc ornament around four inches in diameter. Lay down parchment paper over work surface. Remove the attached metal hanger and dab white acrylic paint over the entire glass ornament.

Let dry completely. I made a drying concoction using a small rod stuck in a styrofoam cube to hold the ornament while drying. You can create whatever drying mechanism is best for you.

Once the paint is dry apply a layer of matte mod podge to seal the paint. Let dry.

While the mod podge is drying, print out the photos and wording to be used on rice paper using a laser printer.

Then use a refillable watercolor brush to soften the paper around the pictures to feather the edges.  

Once the edges are feathered (torn) .  .  .

check the sizing of the photo on the ornament and .  .  .

apply mod podge to the ornament .  .  .

placing Xena's photo on top. Use an open ziplock bag to smooth out any wrinkles and let dry.

Apply a layer of mod podge on top of the photo to help smooth out any missed wrinkles and to seal. 

Let dry.

Once the front of the ornament is dry, feather the edges of the other pieces that will go on the back.

Then apply those pieces just like the ones on the front. First, the wording and then the small photo on top. Let dry.

Add modeling paste using a painting knife along the outer edges of the photos and wording for texture and enhancement. 

Let dry overnight.

For a decorative effect, measure rope trim around the ornament and cutoff excess.

Then glue on trim using RapidFuse all purpose adhesive.

Attach the metal hanger to the top of the ornament.

The make two small simple bows for either side of the ornament top and

make an ornament loop to tie on using Bowdabra bow wire.

I sent these ornament pictures to Patricia and she said, " Oh I love it! I can't wait to honor my little girl on the tree!!!! So sweet my little girl thank you very much!! "

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on making a pet keepsake Christmas ornament as much as I enjoyed making it! Up next is Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers sharing her easy and fun way of making Dollar Tree potholders! Be sure to stop by each and everyone in our creative group listed below to check out their exciting and inspiring projects! And don't forget to pin, too!

How To Make Pretty Bookmarks With Pressed Flowers | Carol | Bluesky at Home

DIY Dollar Tree Knotted Rope Vase | Niki | Life As a Leo Wife

DIY Plant Trellis For Indoor Plants | Donna | Modern on Monticello

DIY Fluffy Snowman Wreath |Terri | Decorate and More with Tip

Pet Keepsake Christmas Ornament DIY | Gail | Purple Hues and Me

Easy Dollar Tree Pot Holder Craft | Allyson | Southern Sunflower

Lace Tree On Burlap Christmas In July | Ann | The Apple Street Cottage

DIY Pollinator Puddler and Self-Watering Olla | Cecilia | My Thrift Store Addiction

Up-cycled Ornament Door Hanger | Tammy | Patina and Paint

Side Table Makeover | Jenna | The Painted Apron