DIY Cardinal Ornaments: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating festive decorations for your home can be a delightful way to engage with the holiday spirit. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making charming cardinal ornaments that will brighten up your holiday decor. These ornaments are not only easy to make but also allow for personalization and creativity.
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Gathering Your Supplies
Before diving into the crafting process, it’s essential to gather all the necessary supplies. Here’s what you will need:
- Cardinal ornament wood cutouts
- Paint colors: Brick Red, Bright Red, Yellow, Black, Greenish Brown
- Glitter art glue
- Twine or ribbon for hanging
- Small sponge for painting
- Brushes of various sizes
- Paper clips for creating loops

Preparing the Cardinal Pieces
Start by separating the pieces based on the colors you will use. This organization will help streamline the painting process. The cardinal set typically includes two birds facing different directions, adding variety to your decorations.

For the red parts of the bird, we will primarily use brush painting techniques. It is advisable to paint away from the center and off the edges to minimize paint bleed.
Painting the Cardinals
Begin with the bright red paint for the body of the cardinals. Apply a vibrant coat, ensuring to cover all areas effectively. For the wings, use a barn red to provide contrast. The sponge technique is ideal for these intricate details.

Remember, red often requires a second coat for full vibrancy, so don’t hesitate to touch up any areas that need it.
Adding Details
Once the red is dry, paint the wings brick red, the berries bright red, and the beak yellow using the sponge technique.

Now it’s time to paint the beak and eyes. For the beak, use a wet wipe technique to create a weathered look. This technique involves lightly rubbing the paint onto the beak with a damp wipe, giving it a softer appearance than the vibrant eyes.
The eyes should be painted with a glossy black to stand out against the head. This contrast is essential for bringing your cardinal to life.
Paint the pine cones brown using the wet wipes technique. Finally, paint the branch with the greenish brown color.
Assembling the Ornaments
After painting is complete and everything is dry, we can start assembling the ornaments. Using glitter art glue, carefully attach the wings, beaks, and eyes to the main body of each bird. Be generous with your glue to ensure everything stays securely in place.
For any small pieces, consider using a fine-tipped bottle for precision application.
Creating the Hanging Loops
Next, it’s time to create the loops for hanging your ornaments. Take a paper clip, bend it into a loop, and thread it through the top of the bird. Then, secure it in place with a knot. This will ensure your ornament is ready to hang on your tree.
For added decoration, you can string beads onto the twine before tying it to the ornament.

Finishing Touches
Once everything is assembled, take a moment to adjust the bows and ensure all pieces are secure. You can tweak the positioning of the wings or the placement of the eyes to add a touch of personality to your cardinals.
Display Your Beautiful Cardinal Ornaments
Your DIY cardinal ornaments are now complete! Hang them on your tree, or use them as festive decorations around your home. These charming pieces will surely bring warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations.

These ornaments also make excellent gifts. Consider making additional sets for friends and family, sharing the joy of crafting and the beauty of the season.
Conclusion
Making cardinal ornaments is a fun and fulfilling project that adds a personal touch to your holiday décor. Not only do they look fantastic, but they also bring a sense of accomplishment and creativity to your festive preparations. Happy crafting!
