Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Upcycled Plastic Bottle Christmas Ornaments

I'm back at it again grabbing plastic bottles out of the recycled bin! This time I'm using Minute Maid Fruit drink bottles! The plastic bottle is smooth and firm at 52 fl. oz - that's thirteen inches around - perfect to create some gorgeous Upcycled Christmas Ornaments!

It's time for another Sustainable Craft Challenge hosted by Julie @Sum of Their Stories! Welcome! This challenge is all about sustainable crafting with a different theme each month! The projects must have some sort of a sustainable element to them. This could be an upcycling or recycling element, or something that reduces waste, uses leftovers, etc. This month's theme is Christmas - as if you hadn't guess that already, lol!

Materials Used:

Minute Maid Fruit drink empty bottles (52 oz.)
Dawn Platinum Plus Power Wash
Silver Rhinestone Self Adhesive Strips
Craft Knife, Scissors
Parchment Paper
Quick Hold Glue
Clamps
Silver Bow Wire
Masking tape

Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

How to:

Start with a clean Minute Maid 52 ounce bottle like the one pictured below.

Remove the clear labels - front and back. Usually I use Vaseline to remove any sticky residue that's left but since the label was thin clear plastic with a sticky backing, I used Dawn Platinum Plus Power Wash to remove the stickiness and that worked out perfectly with no residue. Plus it even removed the 'sell by' date printed on the bottle!

The self adhesive rhinestones I'm using are from Temu. I know lots of you object to the site. But I've never had a problem with them - they carry some of the exact same things found on Amazon at a cheaper price. Would you believe that I've ordered items from Temu that were delivered by Amazon! Plus, most of my clothes, shoes, trinkets, etc. all have labels that say, "Made in China."

The rhinestones tapes I received were four rolls of four yards each for $4.44. When I ordered them, I thought I was getting larger mesh stones - similar to the ones I got from the Dollar Tree. I was at first, quite disappointed when I saw how small the stones were. Unfortunately, the Dollar Tree doesn't have the silver ones in stock at the store. But available online to buy 36 for $45! No way did I need that many and at that price! The self adhesive rhinestones I received were quite pretty and I loved how they gave off a glittery effect - especially around lights! I'm so glad I came up with a way to create something using them!

I simply removed the paper from the backing of the rhinestone strip and wrapped it around the bottle, starting near the top. It was so much easier to wrap first and then cut out, then to cut out the plastic rings first and then add the rhinestone strip.

Once the strip met where it started, I cut off the excess and . . .

started another row . . .

leaving just enough space for a craft knife or small sharp scissors blade to cut the rhinestones rings off.

I was able to attach ten rhinestone strips onto one plastic bottle and two strips onto another one (not shown). I wanted to make three ornaments using four rhinestone rings per ornament.

Next, begin cutting the rhinestone rings out using a craft knife.

Removing the top first.

Then using small sharp scissors to remove the first rhinestone ring.

Doesn't this look like a diamond bracelet - all sparkling and glittery!

These photos doesn't do justice to the dazzling effect of the rhinestones!

To assemble the ornament, cross the rhinestone ring at the center, as if a clock, 12-6, 9-3 positions gluing in place using Quick Hold glue (from the makers of E6000). Secure glued center with a clamp covered with parchment paper (so the clamp won't stick) until dry.

Glue on the next ring between the 1-2 and 7-8 positions.

and finally, glue on the fourth rhinestone ring between the 10-11 and 4-5 positions. Clamping in place until dry.

To make a hanging cap - fold an 8" length of silver bow wire in half, tying the ends in a knot. Lay the bow wire knot across the end of a rhinestone mesh strip and . . .

begin rolling together until . . .

reaching the size of the ornament center top.

Add a dab of glue in the center and . . .

place hanging cap on top of glue. Use masking tape to hold in place until dry.

I'm loving how the ornaments look! Especially the sparkling rhinestones!

Adding brilliance and glamour to the plastic bottle strips!

And the possibilities of decorating the inside area is unlimited, too!

Welcome again to our Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop!

Be sure to check out all the creative "Christmas" Sustainable Craft projects from my fellow crafters listed below:

Julie @ Sum of Their Stories -

Christmas Ornaments From An Old Sari

Terri @ Our Good Life - Recycled Crystal Tabletop Christmas Tree

Gail @ Purple Hues and Me - Upcycled Plastic Bottle Christmas Ornaments

Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers - DIY Rock Painting Art Ideas for Christmas

Christine @ Christine's Crafts - Creative Paper Baubles: Sustainable Crafting with Wallpaper

Marci @ Old Rock Farmhouse - DIY Seed Packets

T'onna @ Sew Crafty Crochet - Winter Star Ornament

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Pet Keepsake Christmas Ornament DIY

7:00 AM Gail @Purple Hues and Me Christmas in July, DIY Christmas ornaments 16 comments

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.

Then 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!