Hello friends! It is wonderful to have you join me again on my crafting journey. Today, I want to talk about something very close to my heart: the importance of preserving the spirit of the festive season. I am always looking for ways to keep Christmas alive through handmade touches, and I have recently finished a project that combines history, travel, and wonderful family memories.

Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places

The idea for this project actually started when I was flicking through a very old magazine from 1985 called Woman’s Circle. I spotted a pattern for a God’s eye Christmas tree ornament that immediately caught my eye.

What made it feel even more special was that I had visited Mexico earlier this year in February. While I was there, I saw how God’s eyes are deeply rooted in their cultural history. I thought it would be a lovely idea to develop a little ornament in memory of that holiday and bring a piece of that experience to my Christmas table.

Scaling Down the Design

The original pattern I found was for a tree roughly 12 to 14 inches tall, which is far too large for a standard tree ornament or a table setting. To make it work, I had to totally reduce the size.

The original design used dowels and yarn, but for my smaller version, I decided to use simple lolly sticks. By crossing them to create a “T” shape, I was able to create a much more delicate frame that would sit perfectly at a dinner setting.

The Crafting Process

To get started, I took two sticks and used an awl to create a small hole where they intersect. I then used a bit of wire to tie them together securely. Once the frame was ready, it was time to start wrapping.

I used various shades of green wool to give the trees a bit of depth. I really enjoyed the slight differences in the colours as it provides a nice diversion from a single, stark dark green. It is quite fun to play with different combinations to see how they turn out.

To finish them off, I added:

• A Tree Trunk: I created a small felt pocket at the bottom to insert the base of the stick.
• Festive Decorations: I made little fabric “yo-yos” using leftover scraps from my Christmas tablecloth.
• Finishing Touches: I glued on some tiny beads and a bit of ribbon to give them that extra shimmering holiday feel.

A Touch of Nostalgia

Working on these ornaments brought back so many memories of my younger years. It has always been important to me to do something special for my family during the holidays. I remember the days when my family would travel up from Victoria for a massive buffet.

Our table was usually 8 to 12 feet long to accommodate everyone. I used to spend weeks and weeks making unique ornaments for every single person who came to visit, which was often as many as 20 people! These God’s eye trees remind me so much of those times.

Setting the Scene

I have made four of these little trees to sit on my dinner table this December. They serve as a bridge between my past family traditions and my more recent travels. By using the leftover fabric from the tablecloth for the decorations, everything ties together beautifully.

I hope this inspires you to look through your own old magazines or memories to find a project that speaks to you. Keeping Christmas alive is all about those personal touches and the stories we tell through our crafts.