Countdown to Christmas Ornament: Christmas in Vienna

I’m particularly excited for the next premiere, Christmas in Vienna, because it features one of my favorite Hallmark stars, Brennan Elliott. I’ve loved all of his movies ever since watching the All of My Heart trilogy, as well as the Crossword Mysteries series. In this new Christmas movie, Sarah Drew stars with him as Jess, a concert violinist who has lost her inspiration, but goes to Vienna for a performance. While she’s there, she finds not only a renewed passion for the violin, but for a new love as well. (See more about the movie here!)

As I thought about what kind of ornament would best represent the movie, I decided to pull two major symbols together: the Austrian flag to represent the setting, and of course, the violin. Here’s how I made it, using some very basic craft materials you probably already have at home!

AUSTRIAN FLAG & VIOLIN ORNAMENT

You’ll need:

red, white, and black felt or fleece

scissors

red, white, and black thread

sewing needle

glue

ribbon or cord

pencil

scrap paper

paintbrush and Mod Podge Extreme Glitter (optional)

Step 1: Cut a red rectangle for the flag and a white rectangle to be the white stripe in the flag’s center.

You can make your ornament whatever size you like. Use a bit of glue to hold the white stripe in place until you sew it in a later step.

Step 2: Print or trace a violin shape onto a piece of copy paper.

This will be your pattern for cutting the felt. Here is the one I used. I actually pulled it up on my phone and used the phone like a light box, putting my paper on top and tracing around the shape I could see through the paper.

Step 3: Cut the violin shape from black felt.

Using your paper pattern, cut out the body and neck of the violin. The smaller details can be added later with thread. Put just a tiny bit of glue on the violin to hold it onto the center of the flag while you complete the next step.

Step 4: Use a sewing needle and thread to stitch around the outside edges of all felt pieces.

I used thread that matched the color of the felt so it blended in. I stitched around the entire white stripe, the outside edges of the flag, and the edges of the violin. I also used thread to make two lines across the top of the neck to represent the tuning pegs.

Step 5: Glue a piece of ribbon or cord to the back of the flag as a hanger.

Step 6: (optional) Apply a thin coat of glitter Mod Podge to the violin.

I thought it would be more fun if I added some sparkle, but that part is up to you! This type of glitter isn’t super messy, because it’s suspended in the Mod Podge base, so you get the shine without finding glitter everywhere for months.

Once your Mod Podge is dry, the ornament is ready to add to your tree! What do you think? Is this a good reminder of Christmas in Vienna?

I am having so much fun making ornaments to go along with each of this year’s Countdown to Christmas movie premieres, and I hope you’re enjoying them too! In fact, I’ve decided to use a little tree just to be my “Hallmark tree!” If you are making some of these ornaments, I’d love for you to share your photos (or any other project photos are welcome too!) in the Amy Latta & Friends Facebook Group.