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Decorate with cute holiday trees, or give them as a gift
Dec 19, 2009 (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
From ornaments to Advent calendars, Craft Mom Julia Sandvoss of south St. Louis County has been helping us make our holidays a little brighter with some clever crafts. Today, in the last installment of the series this year, Julia shows us how to make a trio of holiday trees.
"Every year I add trees to our house; I change them out as our decor changes. This size (about 12 inches tall) fits in any space."
They also make a great gift. "They are easy to make, too."
SUPPLIES
Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses papers (available at scrapbook.com)
Making Memories shimmer flourish chipboard
Making Memories Slice die-cut machine
Making Memories mistletoe cartridge
Bo Bunny Buttons and Pink Tutu double dot ribbon
Clear buttons
DMC floss
Plaid Folkart Paints -- winter white, Jamaican sea and white
Terra cotta flower pots
Wood dowels
White fleece felt
Colorbox chalk inks (available at Michael's)
Straight pins, decorative pearl pins
Styrofoam cone shapes and block
Snow
Hot glue gun
RIBBON TREE
Step 1 -- Secure it with a pink ribbon at the top then tightly wrap the tree working down to the base. Pin at the base. If you wrap it tightly enough, it will not move.
Step 2 -- Next select buttons that coordinate, and pin randomly on and around tree using pearl pins.
Step 3 -- For the base, paint the pot in the aqua color. Allow to dry. Then apply a light layer of both white and winter white, lightly brushing on so that the aqua can still be seen through. Paint the wooden dowels to match as well.
Step 4 -- Cut a piece from the Styrofoam block to fit into the pot. Make sure it fits well.
Step 5 -- Next cut a circle from the white felt. Cut a small slit in the center. Add to pot covering Styrofoam.
Step 6 -- Add wood dowel to tree, place tree into pot. Secure with hot glue if needed.
Step 7 -- Cut a paper strip, curling the end around a pencil, ink edges and add to top of pot. Finish off with some snow.
PAPER TREE
Step 1 -- Select papers of your choice. Then cut paper strips that measure 1 inch wide by 2 to 4 inches in length. Longer pieces are perfect for the bottom.
Step 2 -- Starting at the base of the Styrofoam tree, use straight pins to pin the paper strips around the tree, working your way up to the top. You can use all one paper, color ... your choice!
Step 3 -- Repeat steps 4-7 from above, omitting snow if you keep the tree short.
SPARKLE TREE
Step 1 -- Start by wrapping the Styrofoam tree with a piece of white felt. Next find a helper to assist in tying the DMC floss onto the clear buttons. Trim the ties so they're not too long.
Step 2 -- For the snowflakes use a die-cut machine or handcut them.
Step 3 -- Pin the snowflakes and buttons around tree, overlapping and layering as you like. Use pearl pins for added interest.
Step 4 -- Hot-glue the shimmer chipboard pieces over the top of the snowflakes and buttons. Add one to the top of the tree.
Step 5 -- Repeat steps 4-7 from above.
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