Last year I ordered Christmas cards from a fabulous company and got almost all of them sent out in early December. This year I wasn't sure if I was going to get a photo of the kids done in time to get them ordered so I went ahead and came up with an idea for making something a little special to go along with printed photos from our home printer.
I shared how to make a little more complicated straw himmeli mobile earlier this year but wanted to make a simple ornament to include in most of our Christmas cards. We had a lot of support from family and friends this year as we welcomed the excitement and challenge of baby number three on it's way during Brett's four month deployment so I wanted to send out a little thank you in our Christmas cards that they could add to their Christmas trees.
1. For one ornament you'll need: Three paper or plastic straws, bakers twine or embroidery thread, and scissors. I found my paper straws in the Target dollar spot but most hobby and craft stores carry them. You can find extra special ones on Etsy. 2. Cut three lengths measuring about 2.25" long out of the first two straws and two out of the last straw. Use the leftovers to create four even lengths that measure just under 1". You'll also need four strands of twine or thread measuring about 2' each. 3. Fold the four strands in half and tie a knot in the center. Then spread them out in four directions two threads at a time. String one of the 2" pieces of straw over each of the pairs of thread as shown. Separate the strands at the top of the straws. 4. String one of the shorter pieces of straw over the right strand of thread in each pair. 5.Take the left strand of thread and thread it through the shorter straws to the left of them so that each short straw has a strand entering and exiting on each end. 6. Pull tight to form a 3-D shape. 7. You now have four new pairs of twine/thread. Slip your last four straws over your four pairs of twine/thread. 8. Pull together at the top and adjust your straws. Tie a knot to secure things. 9. Trim the twine/thread about 1-2" from the knot for a little flair. This will be the bottom of your ornament. Attach more twine/thread at the other end to hang.
These ornaments will fold almost flat so they can easily be slipped into an envelope along with a note or photo and given as a little gift or added to a present to dress things up.
Need more himmelis in your life? Here's another way to crank out some last minute ornaments from sparkly pipe cleaners.
-Rachel
I'm Rachel Denbow, an author, e-course writer, maker, craft stylist, and general DIY enthusiast. 
