My First Tutorial! QUILT BLOCK WOOD-BURNED ORNAMENT

My apologies for not getting to this sooner, but I was unable to spend much time on my computer for the last couple weeks due to an eye procedure.  I am healing well and almost back to my normal self, but with better eyesight.

I've been thinking about Christmas a lot lately, and have started making lists of what I want to make for gifts, what I have that needs finished, and what I need to buy.  Do you do that too?  I am definitely a list-y kind of person.

This week, I had some fun playing around with my new wood-burning tool and I thought you'd all enjoy trying out this cute quilty Christmas ornament.  If you do make one, please email me photos so I can post them.  :)

littlequilts@windstream.net

Soooooo, anyway, here's my first tutorial:

QUILT BLOCK WOOD-BURNED ORNAMENT 

Step 1:   Gather your supplies.

You will need wooden disks (mine are about 3"), a wood-burning tool, transfer paper, small quilt block line drawings (I used Electric Quilt software to make mine and they are about 1 1/2"), and a pencil (I love these stubby little pencils that I got from Ikea!).

Step 2:  Transfer the design.

Okay, now it's time to use your pencil and transfer paper to get the quilt block design onto the wooden disk.  Put your transfer paper down first, try to center your quilt block line drawing on top, and trace the lines with your pencil.

Step 3:  Burn the design.

After heating up your burning tool for the correct amount of time (hint:  look at your instructions), trace over the quilt block lines with your tool.  You may need to go over the lines more than once until you reach the right amount of burning.  Move slowly.

Step 4: Fill in the design.

Once you've burned the lines, very carefully burn the areas that you want to be the "darker fabric" in the block. You may need to burn the areas more than once to get them dark enough.  I even lightly burned the "light fabrics" because I like the look.  I also added a "fuzzy" edge around the block.

Step 5:  Burn the edges.

After you are satisfied with your block, burn the edges of the disk if desired.  I really like how it makes the block more rustic.  Go ahead and burn around the front along the edge if you want to so that the burn acts as a frame for the block.

Step 6:  Add a hanger.

Don't forget to use hot glue to adhere a loop to the back of the ornament for hanging.  I used hemp cording.

Step 7: Sign your work.

The last thing that you should do is to sign your work.  I wood-burned my initials into the back of the wooden disks.  Add a date or the name of the recipient if you want to.

YOU ARE FINISHED!  ENJOY YOUR RUSTIC QUILT BLOCK ORNAMENTS!