Kenna's Natural Christmas Ornaments

Intro text

​A starry night, a whispered prayer and a heartfelt wish, lead to a Christmas romance neither of them saw coming.

The challenge between the Allender siblings begins, and McKenna is determined to sell more Christmas trees than her older brother. The dare is enough incentive, but the bonus makes it all worthwhile especially when she wrecks her car trying to avoid hitting a man who steps out of nowhere into her path.

Leon Jovino is on a sure path until it divides his heart in two. A starry night, a heartfelt wish, and his head in a fog lead him into a collision with Kenna. He’s determined to help her but doesn’t count on the consequences.

Then again, his starry wish just might be behind it all.

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​Simple Pine Cone Reindeer

Find a nice batch of pine cones. Usually they're laying around beneath pine trees. Or sold in bags at the craft store. =) While you're outside foraging, pick out a few branchy twigs about two inches long. 

You'll need some google eyes. 
For a nose, you could use a red bell like in the picture, or a button, dried red berry, fuzzy ball...whatever you have handy. 

Ears can be made from paper or felt. Cut in the shape of a leaf. 

Get a hot glue gun and glue everything in place.

Easy peasy so far, right? 

Add a pretty piece of string or ribbon to hang it from the tree and there you go. 
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Golden Acorns

Is your yard cluttered with thousands of acorns? Grab a bucket and let's go!

What you need:
Gold, bronze and silver spray paint.

Paint the nut (without the tops). Let dry. Turn and spray other side. Allow to dry.

Hot glue the top back on. 

String together with silver wire - be a creative as you wish.

You could paint these other colors so they look like tree lights. I kind of like the metallic look. But the sky is the limit on these. 

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You'll need to collect 5 sticks (about the size of your hand or 5-6 inches long. 

Twine or raffia
hot glue
colored beads, berries, ect to decorate if you wish
glitter - optional.

Lay out the sticks into a star shape. This takes a little patience, but once you have them in place, hot glue the ends together with a small dot of glue.

Secure the ends (this is optional) with ribbon, twine or raffia. 

Decorate with whatever you have on hand that you think looks cool. Beads, glitter, springs of pine, berries, or twigs.

The sky is the limit on this. Once you have a few made, you can tie them along a sting of lights, hang them from your tree, or decorate a window with them.

​Have fun!

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Like the stars, you can go all out with these twig trees.

Four sticks. Create a triangle. Attach a small one for the tree trunk. 

Green raffia, ribbon, string...what have you, twisted around the triangle to fill in the tree part.

Add a few beads, sequin stars and circles, or whatever you have on hand to decorate your trees, if you wish.

No limits on these. 

​Aren't they cute?

There's so much more...

I've made ornaments from egg shells, pine cones, leaves, beads and string.

I didn't even cover the cute things people can sew, crochet or knit. What I love about ornaments like these is the heart behind making them. The time maybe spent with kids, or family while putting them together. 

It was something special I often did with my own mother while growing up. We always enjoyed making gifts. Perhaps my creativity comes from her. 

I still have some of our early crafts that get hung on the tree. They bring a big smile every year when I unbox them and take a quick stroll down memory lane. 

So, Kenna and I both encourage you to get out there and create some special memories!

And don't forget to read her story in A Thousand Wishes - A Madison Creek Township Novella #4.

Order A Thousand Wishes Here