This kissing ball ornament, made with a grapevine sphere, seeded eucalyptus and berries, is a great way to bring the beauty of nature into your home during the holidays.
I'm so happy to be part of The 31 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments Blog Hop. Thanks to Diane from An Extraordinary Day for inviting me to join. Today is Day 21 of the hop. If you are stopping by from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Welcome! Wasn't Kristin's beautiful ornament clever? I love that you can use it for so many things.
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By now you all know how much I love to decorate with nature. I was inspired by a wedding photo that had a grapevine kissing ball adorned with flowers as part of the decor. I thought this would make a pretty ornament and it's super simple to make.
Kissing Ball Ornament
Supplies
4-inch Grapevine Balls
Fresh or faux Seeded Eucalyptus, Evergreens
Fresh or faux Berries
Mini Pine Cones
Ribbon
Hot Glue Gun & Glue
Here I'm using fresh Seeded Eucalyptus that I bought at Trader Joes. Any kind of greenery, fresh or faux would work. I picked up the grapevine balls on Amazon but they should be available at any craft store. You could also make them yourself if you have any wild grapevines in your yard. I did this with a grapevine wreath in the spring, and it was really easy.
If you are using a satin ribbon like this one, make sure to tie it on early so you can easily loop it under the grapevine without damaging the other adornments. Just slip the ribbon under the top of your grapevine ball and tie a pretty bow.
Then you can easily flip it around so that the bow is at the base. Now you have a pretty hanger too.
I really like the ivory ribbon, which adds a little extra light to the ornament, but I also tried making some with this gold cording without a bow. Very similar to the dried flower ornaments I made a couple of years ago.
I would encourage you to use seeded eucalyptus if you have access to it for this kissing ball ornament. It smells wonderful on this kissing ball ornament and dries nicely too. I have used it in many projects, and they still look good today. Fresh juniper with blue berries and other live red berries, such as pepper berries would be gorgeous on this ornament.
Use what you have, or buy artificial pieces. My berries are obviously fake, but doesn't seem like artificial florals get better looking every year? I still believe that nothing beats the beauty of "the real thing." And if you have easy access to materials growing in your yard, free is a pretty good thing too.
Now for more ornament inspiration.
Here are all 31 Bloggers in order of their appearance:
Day 1 - Pet Scribbles | Day 2 - Yesterday on Tuesday Day 3 - Cupcakes and Crinoline | Day 4 - An Extraordinary Day Day 5 - Celebrating Everyday Life | Day 6 - Hunt and Host Day 7 - Love of Home | Day 8 - Celebrate Creativity Day 9 - Petticoat Junktion | Day 10 - What Meegan Makes Day 11 - Atta Girl Says | Day 12 - Sweet Pea Day 13 - Exquisitely Unremarkable | Day 14 - Imparting Grace Day 15 - In My Own Style | Day 16 - 504 Main by Holly Lefevre Day 17 - Inspiration for Moms | Day 18 - The Chelsea Project Day 19 - I Should Be Mopping the Floor Day 20 - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | Day 21 - Hearth and Vine Day 22 - Shabby Art Boutique | Day 23 - Remodelando la Casa Day 24 - Domestically Speaking | Day 25 - Swoodson Says Day 26 - Stone Gable | Day 27 - My Creative Days Day 28 - The Crafting Nook | Day 29 - Knick of Time Day 30 - Lovely Etc. | Day 31 - Live Laugh Rowe
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Cristina
So pretty and classic! The seeded eucalyptus not only gives it more flair, but ahh that awesome smell!
Patti Estep
Thanks Cristina!
Malia
What a sweet and wonderful ornament!
Patti Estep
Thanks Malia!
Richella Parham
These are just beautiful! What a great idea to use small grapevine spheres in this way. The seeded eucalyptus looks so pretty, and the spicy smell would be wonderful in Christmas decorations. You're a master, Patti!
Patti Estep
Thanks Richella. That's so sweet of you to say.
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms
Nature at it's finest! These are so sweet!
Patti Estep
Thanks Laura!
Meegan Fast
I love a natural look for Christmas decorating. Your Christmas kissing ball adds just the right touch. Lovely for present embellishing, too.
Patti Estep
Thanks Meegan. That's a great idea. I hadn't thought of present embellishing but that is something I do like to do. I did think it would be cute in a hallway or small powder room as a fun decoration in addition to hanging on the tree.
Mary Beth
Oh, my goodness, these are so pretty, Patti! I can imagine an entire tree filled with them. Thanks so much for joining this year's hop!
Patti Estep
Thanks Mary Beth. It's been so fun seeing all the creative goodness everyone has to offer on this hop!
Holly Lefevre
I so love natural elements at Christmas. These are lovely!
Patti Estep
Thanks Holly!
kristin salazar
This ornament is so adorable! Love the grapevine, just gorgeous!
Patti Estep
Thanks Kristin!
Lisa at celebrate creativity
Oh Patti, these are just the cutest little kissing balls. I've made larger ones before for spring but these are just too adorable.
I love the twisted grapevine, it's so rustic.... and I love rustic.
I've never seen a big of grapevine balls before. Where did you find these?
Lovely ornament.
Patti Estep
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your kind comment. I found the grapevine balls on amazon. They are the ones that people use to fill glass containers or pretty bowls in their home decor. However, that being said I could have easily made some with all the wild grapevines growing in the garden. Just didn't have time for that task this year. Maybe next year.
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking
Beautiful - love the vibrant red berries!
Patti Estep
Hi Maryann,
Thanks! Every tree needs a little Christmas red.
Lindsay Eidahl
Love the natural vibe of this ornament! So much great texture for the tree too! Thanks for sharing!
Patti Estep
Natural vibes are my favorite. Thanks for the kind comment!
Susie
You have such an elegant touch when using natural elements. I am so inspired! Love the tutorial, too. Looks like there will be kissing balls at my house this Christmas! XO ~~ Susie from The Chelsea Project
Patti Estep
Hi Susie,
Thanks for a sweet comment. You can never have too many kissing balls. 🙂
Kim
Patti, these are just beautiful. I love all of the tiny accents and the way they look on the tree. I am putting these on my holiday craft and gift lists for sure! Thanks so much.
susan
I love these so much! Going to make them as gifts!
Patti Estep
Hi Susan,
I'm so glad you like these and I hope your recipients enjoy them too.
Paula
I love your grapevine kissing ball! I love the look of seeded Eucalyptus but have yet to purchase any. This ornament is going to look great on your tree this year!
Patti Estep
Thanks Paula. I usually only see it around the fall through the end of the year, and every year I have to buy some. It's so delicate and smells great too.
Stephanie
These are so beautiful, I love them!
Patti Estep
Thanks Stephanie!
Kerryanne
Oh, these are so sweet Patti. Pinning and sharing these gorgeous ornaments.
Patti Estep
Thanks Kerryanne.
Angie @Knick of Time
This so natural and pretty. I love it! Pinned & shared on FB.
Patti Estep
Thanks Angie. Lots of sharing going on with this talented group.
kim jones
Nature is the best...these are so sweet, I definitely need to add some to my mix!
Patti Estep
Thanks Kim. They would look good anywhere in the house.
Carole
Super cute, I use to make things like this all the time, especially back in those floral shop days. Hunt down some pepper berries, you would love working with them. Working with natural elements is the best and you always create beautiful one of a kind pieces all the time. So talented... LOVE!!
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole! Pepper berries would be beautiful. My dogwood has gorgeous red berries right now but I've notice the color fades pretty quickly so I opted for faux this time. I definitely need to find a place to get pepper berries.
Diane | An Extraordinary Day
Patti, I absolutely LOVE your grapevine kissing ball ornaments. And the addition of the seeded eucalyptus is a great idea. You know how I'm a huge fan of decorating with elements from Mother Nature, too. You've inspired me! I can't wait to make these for my tree this year.
Thanks so much for joining us this year, Patti with your fabulous creativity.
Patti Estep
Hi Diane,
I knew you would enjoy these ornaments as they are right up your alley. Thanks for inviting me to join such a fun and talented group of people this year.