Christmas Crafting with a Conscience

Earlier this week, I volunteered at a holiday party co-sponsored by Homeless Children's Playtime Project and my sorority, the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This gathering had the works: food, crafts, picture time with Santa, and a gift table for parents. I was tasked with creating an ornament making project with a recycling theme.  It turned out to be such a hit, I've decided to share it with you. Here's a list of supplies we used:

1.    old/discarded data or music CDs

Viola...here are a few of the finished ornaments.

2.    last year's Christmas and holiday cards                  
3.    decorative/scrapbook paper scraps
4.    chipboard shapes
5.    small mirror tiles (square & round)
6.    self-adhesive gems (assorted shapes)
7.    felt cut-outs (assorted holiday motifs)
8.    ribbon
9.    Crayola Glitter Glue
10.  Fiskars Decorative Edge Scissors
11.  scissors
12.  Disposable foam or paint brushes AND
13.  Aileen's Original Tacky Glue OR
14.  Scotch Double-Sided Tape

Begin by deconstructing the holiday cards, cutting out specific motifs on the front of the card or words and phrases from the front and inside. Using the CD as a template, cut 'background' field as a complete circle or as complete as possible given the size of the card. Use complementary scrapbook paper scraps to complete the circular shape of the CD. Using the decorative edge scissors where papers and/or card piece will overlap provides a very finished look. The more you collage, scrapbook and collage the easier this process will be but the point is to be creative and have fun. 

After you've dry-fitted your design, cut approximately 3.5-4 inch length of ribbon in a coordinating color. Fold the ribbon in half and attach it to the non-shiny side of the CD with open-ends pointing towards the hole in the center of the disc and the closed loop extending beyond the disc. Secure with tape. From here on you can use tacky glue and brushes to adhere your materials or double-stick tape, it's your preference. Recreate the design you laid out earlier securing it with the adhesive of your choice. Finally, go to town tricking out your ornament with chipboard shapes or felt-cut outs then finishing of with bling: self-adhesive gems, mirror tiles and/or glitter glue. We decorated only one side leaving the shiny iridescent side uncovered but you may elect to cover both sides.

You can go as strict as you'd like with the recycling theme. Items such as buttons, envelope sticker seals (and promotional return address labels), collected leaves, thin branches and even holly berries can be collected from items you have on hand in (and around) home.

Adorn your tree and enjoy!