I would love to have a tree loaded with heirloom Christmas balls. But it is already loaded with ornaments made by my children and grandchildren and other special keepsake decorations. Still, I enjoyed making this one by hand while taking a break from holiday machine sewing.
The styrofoam ball was simply divided into four parts, then three quarters were filled with puffing.  The fourth features a shadow embroidery design done by hand.Â
The sections are marked off with beading and satin ribbon. After trying to hide the pins necessary to hold the fabric in place, I finally decided to use colored pins and make them look like a part of the design.
Usually, I line up all my supplies in advance but this time I did not think that far ahead. It is so much easier to match floss to pin heads or ribbon or whatever, than to do it in reverse. I was lucky to have pins just the right color to coordinate with the green leaves, though I had to use some white ones along the puffing sections.
I really do enjoy handwork, but there is always such a shortage of time. So this indulgence was like a stolen pleasure.  But then, at this busy time of year, I guess we all deserve a little indulgence. Yes, I’m sure we do. I’m going to get a Dove dark chocolate right now–or is that too much indulgence?
