noelle o designs

creativity + sewing + upcycling inspiration

make a personalized pet ornment
craft, design, fabric, family, felt, projects, sewing

Make a Personalized Pet Ornament

Make a personalized pet ornament as the best of the best in handmade giving. Few would wouldn’t agree that handmade gifts are the best! And so, here is a simple, inexpensive gift idea. Put on your thinking cap this year and dream up some glorious, personalized pet handmade gift that will mean so much.

make a personalized pet ornament

Here are a few tricks and tips:

1. Get started early, what better time than Thanksgiving to start brainstorming ideas than in the company of the gift recipients and in between a bite of turkey and a nap?
2. Incorporate others in the design and planning sessions (ie. kids, husbands, siblings) and together you can dream up some clever ideas and have a good laugh in the process.
3. Choose easy subjects, keep it on a small scale…
4. Ask kids to draw for you. Don’t trust your own hand,  kids come up with wonderful, simple pictures that are easy to make into embroidery, fabric (etc.) patterns.

Let’s explore the handmade ornament concept. As a society, we are obsessed with our pets. Don’t try and deny it- you know you adore your fluffy or furry friend as much as any human in your life.  So, think of the loved ones on your Christmas list- is there a pet significant other in their life?  (Pets are a good place to start, easy to render– but expand to whatever topic you must to make it personal and funny. ) Working on a small scale (ornament size) can simplify the gift while still working the magic of handmade.

5. Work with familiar products– fabric, felt, clay, paint, paper, whatever medium you feel the most comfortable working with.

Choose a familiar craft medium

I used felt and sequins because I’m most comfortable with a needle in my hand. This Siberian Husky is made from wool felt with a little flat quilt batting in the middle. It is sewn together with embroidery floss. The white parts and the nose are tacked down with a quick basting stitch. I sewed on the sequins one at a time with clear thread, the entire front is covered.
The sequins are my favorite part because it’s all about the sparkle, especially when it comes to pets. It took quite a while to sew on all the sequins- I would recommend a book on tape or keeping a good playlist rolling. It’s a good thing if you find this kind of hand sewing relaxing.

husky felt ornament

And there you have it, a gift that will be cherished forever-  even after a pet is gone. But, your friend or loved one will never forget you- the awesome person who took the time to hand make them a gift!

2 Comments

  1. thornegarnet

    November 20, 2012 at 6:50 am

    dang, not another cool idea! I many never get the house clean!

  2. kalamitykelli

    November 21, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    What a great idea! I love it – now, can you do a miniature schauzer for me? 🙂

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