A Jumpstart on the Jesse Tree!

I was honored to receive Jen’s new 85-page ebook Our Family’s Jesse Tree for review!

I have over the last few years participated in a Jesse Tree Ornament swap, received these awesome Jesse Tree Treasures and made my own Handprint Jesse Tree Banner (which can also be used throughout Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time with other ornaments or Saint tokens!)

Truth be told, when I received the Jesse Tree kit, I was expecting to make them with construction paper and laminate them …or find some other shortcut to recreate my own set with her templates. She does provide a number of options for how to make them…ranging in craft skill level, time and effort.

Then I saw how cute her felt ones are!

I remembered how easy iron-on adhesive (Thermoweb 17-Inch by 5-Yard Heat’n Bond Ultra Hold Iron-On Adhesive *affiliate link) is to work with and decided to make my own matching felt set.

I printed out her 85 page ebook in black and white (with a color cover). I assembled the pages into a duotang, setting aside the patterns for the individual ornaments.

I collected what felt I had and supplemented with a trip to the dollar store to get a good selection of colors.

I cut pieces of the iron-on adhesive and ironed them onto the pieces of felt…covering only about half of each piece of felt.

I decided to tackle one ornament at a time. I cut out the pieces from the paper pattern (with paper scissors =), held them in place and used them as a template to cut out the pieces in felt (with fabric scissors)…using the parts of the felt sheets with the iron-on adhesive.

I lined up the pieces of felt, after removing the plastic backing from the adhesive. I usually ironed only two layers of felt pieces at a time to ensure a good bond.

I actually ironed right at the craft table, using a (folded) thick baby blanket for the ironing pad. I left my iron on and ironed the pieces as soon as I cut them.

I stayed pretty close to the pattern for most of the ornaments.

I think it took me about 4 hours to make the first 9 ornaments, 4 hours to make the next 10 and about 3 hours to make the final 6…sometimes getting snacks, helping with homework and doing dinner prep at the same time.

I haven’t decided yet if I will embroider or use fabric paint for the little embellishments (seeds in the apple, eyes on the animals, etc.).

Jen’s felt ornaments are hand-stitched with a backing piece of felt and some stuffing…so far, mine are just flat.

I will also need to add a little ribbon or pipe cleaner loop to hang the ornaments, but I like the way they look so far!

I know I’m not quite finished with these!

I will likely write about these ornaments again after I make all the finishing touches and assemble them on our Handprint Jesse Tree Banner, but I wanted to write my review of the ebook as soon as possible so that you can take advantage of the

special sale on right now!

I totally recommend this ebook Our Family’s Jesse Tree!

You may be a little scared of the work involved in these felt ornaments, but the kit offers lots of other methods and mediums to try including printing and laminating the color photos in the kit (easy peasy!) or getting your kids to color the black and white templates! You can also use craft foam…or glue the felt pieces.

All the Scriptural references and symbols are referenced and quoted and explained and the patterns are straightforward, simple…and super cute.

You should know that this fantastic ebook comes with fabulous instructions with lots of options to suit the time and craft skill level of each family. Each of the 25 ornaments is explained with

• Daily Activities and Devotions (Opening Activity, Reading, Symbol, Summary, Jesus Connection and Prayer)
• Instructions and Color Photo of the ornament
• Coloring Sheets & Cut-Out Template

Purchase the 85-page ebook Our Family’s Jesse Tree on

• Craftsy  ($5)
• or Etsy ($5)

Price returns to $7.50 on November 8th.