Today I just want to focus on someone special in my life… my mother-in-law, Anita. She’s a gifted quilter, knitter, painter, glassmaker, gardener — the list could go on and on — and this year she took the festive spirit to a new level by crafting unique, handmade Christmas ornaments and decorations for her house.
Using found objects and recycling denim from old pairs of jeans, she created an array of delightful decorations that not only bring warmth to her home but also contribute to sustainable living. I want to share them with you today, in this blog post, in the hope that they may inspire your future crafts.
One of the standout pieces in her collection are the tree-shaped denim ornaments. These charming decorations are skillfully crafted to resemble miniature Christmas trees. By winding the sturdy fabric of denim, she created these precious little trees, adorned with tiny beads. A pipe cleaner (AKA chenille stem) forms the loop at the top, which is used for hanging it.
In addition to the tree-shaped ornaments, my mother-in-law has created a few quilted decorations too. These pieces are a testament to her meticulous craftsmanship and eye for detail.
Her quilted designs incorporate cuts of fabric from different eras, creating a patchwork effect that is both visually appealing and reminiscent of cozy Christmases of the past. I love to hear my mother-in-law, Anita, tell me about each of the fabrics she uses in projects like this (and the many full-sized quilts she has made for my family).
Sometimes Anita will say, “My sister had a dress made from this fabric,” or “My mom had an apron that used this fabric.” It’s the story that goes with each fabric that makes these treasures timeless and irreplaceable. You know what I mean?
A lot of the ornaments she made this year use denim hems from old jeans. These hems, often the most durable part of a pair of jeans, have been repurposed to form these charming, rustic ornaments.
As you can see in the image above, she used eyelet for the angel’s wings and a swirl of lace held in place with red and green ribbons and a shank button to form a little snowflake ornament. The natural wear and fade of the denim hems add an authentic, vintage feel to these decorations, making them a perfect fit for both traditional and modern Christmas charm.
The beauty of these handmade ornaments lies not just in their appearance, but also in the story they tell. Each piece is a reminder of the importance of sustainability and creativity.
By using materials that might otherwise be discarded, my mother-in-law has demonstrated how recycling can be both practical and beautiful. Her ornaments are not just decorations; they’re conversation starters, evoking curiosity and admiration from all who see them.
In the photos below, she has attached her handmade ornaments to a plate of home-baked cookies that she gave to her neighbors.
In my humble opinion, it’s not plastic toys and flashy video games that make Christmas special. It’s in these simple but sweet handicrafts that we see the true spirit of Christmas!
And of course the quilted placemats and knitted pot holders that lie beneath her treats are her own hand-made items as well. I’ve learned a lot from Anita over the nearly 28 years that I’ve been married to her son (my hubby), and so I really wanted to share her talent with you in a brief blog post so you can appreciate her creative genius too!
As we wrap up this holiday season, I hope these denim ornaments inspire you to embrace eco-friendly practices and discover the beauty in upcycling.
Question: Do you recycle found items in your crafting projects? If so, I’d love to hear about what you’ve made from recycled and “found” items, in the comments!
Here are 3 ways you can help support my website and YouTube channel:
- Visit my eBay store to see if there’s anything you need there, and if so, make a bid
- Purchase one of the fabrics I’ve designed — here’s a link to my Spoonflower store
- Pray for this website to grow and prosper!
To read more about my free sewing patterns and tutorials, please visit the “Helpful Tips” page.
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Chelly Wood and the ChellyWood.com website are not affiliated with any of the doll or toy companies mentioned in this blog post, but Chelly enjoys designing her doll clothes to fit a variety of dolls. To learn more about the doll companies mentioned in today’s post, please visit the doll or toy company’s website.
I buy clearance items to use the fabric for Barbie outfits. Lots of bright colors I wouldn’t wear, but look great on her. I made a bunch of outfits for my granddaughter’s new My First Barbie.
I can understand why clearance items, which are brand new, would provide you with a higher quality of fabric than, say, second-hand store items, which have been used and washed many times. I’ve had issues with fabrics that pill, but I still prefer buying second-hand items to new ones.
And lately, I haven’t been buying much fabric at all. I own so much, why would I buy more? You know what I mean?
I’m glad your granddaughter got such a wonderful, creative gift from you this year. Did you use the My First Barbie patterns from my website to help create her wardrobe?
Such a sweet post.
Thank you, Dodi. I really do love and admire my mother-in-law.❤️