A Memorial Ornament

My late husband's nephew called and wanted to know what my plans are for the 24th. Since moving I am now on his way when he visits family. He is going over to spend Christmas with family and will have with him his mom and dad.  The plan is for them to stop by and visit. I thought it would be nice to give Bill's sister an ornament with a picture of him on it. Sorry about the glare from overhead lights. No matter where I tried to take a picture there was glare and outside has been dark and dreary.

I sponge painted on a plastic ornament Peridot and Hologram Extreme Glitter Paint. While the paint was drying I went ahead and designed my image in Studio.  

I drew a circle and filled it with a graphic I created while Bill was still alive. The tutorial called it aged parchment. I then took the sketch music file which was a  weekly free one from Silhouette and turned it into to a print and cut. I added the text I'll Be Home For Christmas. (I had wanted the lettering to be green but no matter what color of green I picked out my printer printed it a really light color.. My woes with the printer is another story though. Let's just say I have plenty of scratch paper.)

 I took a heart shape from  the Studio library and modified it so that I only had the outline.  I filled the heart with the last photo ever taken of Bill and layered it on top. I placed the heart down under the music line with the text and aligned horizontally. I had already aligned the sheet music and circle and grouped them. 

After I carefully adhered the image with glue I coated it with two coats of Mod Podge. Then I painted a thick layer of Mod Podge around the edge of the circle to add the leftover beaded chain from a previous jewelry project. I first made my circle out of the chain before embedding  into the Mod Podge. I used a chisel edge sponge brush to carefully wipe off any errant Mod Podge on the ball and on the image itself.

All that was left was to tie a piece of ribbon on top to hang the ornament with.  I could have used an earring wire but I felt like the shimmery ribbon would be the perfect touch. Normally I would add a bow but in this case I felt like it would be too much.

You could use any shape but I used the circle because to me it represents unending love. It also represents my belief that our lives are a continuation with no real beginning or ending. I decided to add the music because Bill loved to sing and listen to music. The text is because that was not only his favorite Christmas song but that was his wish that he would be in his heavenly home for Christmas.The heart represents how loving Bill was. He accepted people with an unconditional love. The beads reminded me of prayer beads he used to carry.

Making this ornament for my sister-in-law was a way for me to give a little bit of her brother back to her. As I worked on it sweet memories flooded over me. Memories of moments which you had to be there to understand. Memories which reaffirm the deep love that we shared which not even death could steal.

What are your thoughts on making a memorial ornament? Is it too much of a Victorian type obsession where they actually made jewelry from the deceased hair and had photos taken of the deceased in their coffin which were displayed in photo albums?

I can't believe that Christmas is almost here and I have tons of things to do. Thank you for stopping by during this busy time of the year. Wishing you Happy Frugal Crafting till we meet again!