Mixing Kwanzaa and Christmas might sound weird to some, but it fits in line with the African-themed holiday celebrations at our crib. After all we are African-American, so why not celebrate both. This holiday season I’m challenging myself to sprinkle my holiday celebration with a little African fusion. One of the ways we are celebrating our African-inspired Christmas is by making these African cloth ornaments for our tree. Hopefully we are infusing a little bit of African culture into our holiday celebration in the Kwanzaa spirit of Kuumba (creativity).
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What You’ll Need” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23bf321c” google_fonts=”font_family:Josefin%20Slab%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”square” message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-check”]Corrugated Cardboard ∗ Scissors ∗ Hole Puncher ∗ Ribbon ∗ African Cloth ∗ Hot Glue & Hot Glue Gun ∗ Pencil[/vc_message][vc_separator color=”mulled_wine” style=”dotted” border_width=”2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Directions” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23bf321c” google_fonts=”font_family:Josefin%20Slab%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The first thing you need to do is download and cut out your ornament template. I found some on Noella Designs Printables. Her printable is meant to be cut with felt, but it doesn’t make a difference. After you’ve cut your paper ornaments out, place them on your corrugated cardboard, trace them with a pencil and use your scissors to cut the shapes out of your cardboard.
Next, roll out your Kwanzaa cloth. (or whatever cloth you have) Then heat your hot glue gun as hot as you can get it. (If your glue is warm the cloth will not stick to the cardboard.) Eject the hot glue onto the cardboard and stick it to your straight piece of cloth immediately. Then cut the cloth around your cardboard until you’ve got your shape. Repeat this step on the other side of your cardboard and then use your whole puncher to punch a hole in the top of your Kwanzaa ornament.
Finally you are ready for your final steps. At this point, I would go around your ornament and cut away any crooked or loose fabric. You can even use dabs of hot glue to seal up the edges so that the cardboard is completely hidden. Once it looks exactly how you like it, Put your ribbon through the hole and tie a bow. Your ornament is ready to give as a gift for Kwanzaa or hang on your Christmas tree. Done. Thanks for reading!
