Introduction and important info

If you find this because you 'googled' on "Chrismons", I feel you need to also be aware of what I wrote in the beginning. The Blog Archive might not make you aware of all you can find here.

So, here is the index. Just click on it:


Christian Symbols Christmas Ornaments - Introduction


Christian Symbols Christmas Ornaments - The History


A Church Ministry


Tools and material you need


How to wrap for the gift-giving of the flat miniature ornaments


How to wrap for the gift-giving of the 3-D miniature ornaments




19 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful patterns and the meaning of each symbol. It is wonderful work you are doing.

Christa said...

I had computer problems (sigh) and was not able to work on this for a while. I was so happy when I found your comment. Thank you so much. Sometimes you get discouraged when you think whether anybody really wants this. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing these patterns and your story. Our church has a Chrismon tree, but we needed to replace some ornaments and pick up some new designs. You have helped us tremendously. God bless you!

Andrea Hoyt said...

Hello Mrs. Christa,

I came across your blog with Chrismons and I was very excited about your ministry and your creative ornaments! Our church (Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Parker, Colorado) is starting the Chrismon ministry, we have about 20 different kinds of ornaments. We would like to ask you if it would be possible for us to use some of your patterns for our new Chrismons. On your patterns it says please don't copy. Should we use only your blog site as a reference for making the Chrismons or can we copy a particular pattern just for our church need? Please, let us know. Thank you and God bless you for your beautiful creations and sharing with the world. Andrea Hoyt

Christa said...

Hello Andrea! Nice to hear from you. I am not sure what you mean with "starting the Chrismon Ministry, we have about 20 different kinds of ornaments". Do you mean a Chrismon tree or the yearly gift to the children? The gift to the children is ONE symbol each year.
Anyway, of course you need to print the pattern when you work on making them for the church. That's o.k. Just no selling etc.
Good luck to you all. Would love to receive photos from you to put in a blog (?) And thank you for your kind words.
Christa

Andrea Hoyt said...

Hello Mrs. Christa,
Thank you for letting us use your patterns at our church. We are starting to make ornaments for our tree. We will not have gifts for the children this year but they will help to make some Chrismons this coming Sunday. :)
Yes, we will send you some pictures.
Thank you again, Andrea

Tammy said...

Thank you Mrs. Christa,
I know this took at lot of time on your part to put all of this great information into format. I am going to be hosting a Chrismon work shop this summer for our church and wanted to get the patterns for them. I am going to do my own first for my personal tree next year and that way I know how to make them. We have some in my church but a lot needs to be replace. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the ministry of Christ.
Tammy

Christa said...

Merry Christmas Eve, Tammy!
Thank you for your kind words. Your plan sounds very nice. When you do a workshop for the church tree you will use the bigger beads, I am sure. I found that most people learn much easier with the big ornaments then the small beads for personal trees. Good luck to you and please send me some pictures for the blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi Christa, I have made seven chrismons from your patterns and absolutely love how they look! Thank you for sharing your gift of design! As I have been gathering supplies for the Wheat Chrismon, I am unable to easily find the gold foil. Will you please share where you found your roll of gold foil?
Thank you,
Beth

Christa said...

Beth, I have your answer but I am not at home and don’t have my computer. I try to write a blog with a photo on my iPad but it is frustrating. Keep checking the blogs. Latest in 10 days I can do it.

Christa said...

Beth, I hope you saw the blog with the answer to your question.
Good luck!

Trina5559 said...

Thank you so much for posting your beautiful Chrismon patterns. I have been searching for easy to understand instructions to make the beaded Chrismons. Yours are wonderful! This has been a goal for several years but I never took the time to make them in time for Christmas. We lost most of our Christmas decorations during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and this is the perfect opportunity to make new ones. I am looking forward to spending quality time with my granddaughter as we learn and ponder the meaning of each symbol. God bless you and your ministry!

Katrina Brumley
Southeast Texas

JoAnnF. said...

Thank you so much.... we are needing to add more Chrismons to our Chrismon tree. Your designs are easy to understand and follow... thank you so much for sharing your directions and designs to expand this beautiful ministry. My church is Grace and Glory Lutheran Church in Palmyra, VA. I read the comments above from Andrea in 2015 from Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church. I f we do use your design patterns will be use to give credit and send pictures.

Christa said...

I can't imagine loosing things in a hurricane. Every year when I decorate for Christmas I have so many memories passing in front of my eyes. I wish you lots of luck making Chrismons and new memories. Depending on your age and likes of your granddaughter, she might want to make a Chrismon Adventcalendar. The cross-stitch Chrismon are not that difficult. You can find my sample here: https://laceandquilts.blogspot.com/2017/08/church-raffle-2017-done.html

Christa said...

Jo Ann, you are very welcome. I hope you will have lots of joy if you do use my patterns. Never hesitate to contact me if you do have a question.

Kathryn said...

Christa, I found your blog earlier this year when I googled Chrismons. Your patterns are beautiful and classic. Many I saw in other places seemed to have made up new designs.

I’ve made about a dozen to add to the tree at my church, Immanuel Lutheran in Evanston, Illinois. They had a Chrismon tree when we arrived in 1976 with the styrofoam ornaments and almost all of those have been retired as they disintegrated. I’ve made many styrofoam replacements and cut designs to be decorated by youth over the years but again, they disintegrate. I’ve also made some of Mrs Spencer’s beaded designs and they mostly seem too heavy for the wire size, so yours are wonderful.

You inspired me to design a beaded Chi Rho, since that is my favorite Chrismon. I made it with leftover beads from long ago, so the bead sizes are not necessarily the most desirable. I’d love to see one designed by you!

Christa said...

I am in the middle of designing the Chi Rho. I can't decide between two versions. Would like your opinion but don't know how to contact you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your wonderful patterns. I made my first Chrismon over 50 years ago when two great-aunts taught me. My mother still has those Chrismons. I started my own tree years ago with only a few ornaments on it. I have been able to add more in recent years, particularly in 2020 and 2021 when I discovered your site. Your manger pattern is one of my favorites! I enjoy making them and honoring Christ. I leave the tree up until mid February as it brings light to the dark winter nights.

I plan to teach my granddaughter how to make Chrismons and I hope it is the beginning of a lifelong hobby for her.

Again, thank you.

Sanger said...

Christa, You have been a blessing to me during the Covid Pandemic. I was in self-imposed isolation for almost 2 years. It was tolerable because of your free patterns and the power of shopping on the internet. Donna Kaye from Etsy also shipped beads to me. Every year, I make an ornament for my sister as a Christmas gift. I also gift my Vietnamese friends in the Elite Nails salon. I would like to share how I display my ornaments in my home all year round.