What Decs Can You Make At Home

16011996

we make paper chains, and baubles each year (polysyrene balls we decorate) and aa wreath with cuttings from the garden, any one any ideas for any others?

Spendless

collect pine cones and then either spray silver and gold

or
i saw this idea put them into bowl and display with dried out orange slices and cinnamon sticks - but when i tried this last year the orange slices didn't dry out enough and the cinnamon i couldn't smell - so would appreciate anyone telling me where i went wrong

r.mac_2

Avery are giving free samples of special paper which, when you bake it in the oven, shrinks and turns to plastic. (can be found on the freebies board under Big BIg Avery list) I don't know how to post links - sorry :-/

If you cut out tree shapes/stars/anything
colour them
punch a hole in the top (use a hole punch or a pencil)
Bake according to instructions

tie thread through the hole and hang on the tree!

Rx

16011996

thanks.

been thinking but cant help you spendless. did you dry oranges in the oven?

Spendless

thanks.

been thinking but cant help you spendless. did you dry oranges in the oven?

yes - for hours and still didn't dry out - why i wouldn't mind someone telling me how to do it :-/

16011996

need thin slices, and bake for 8-10 hours on a very low heat. gas mark 1, or 100 degrees. i do mine over night. when dry, crack them gently to let out smell.

hth

160.

Spendless

need thin slices, and bake for 8-10 hours on a very low heat.
hth

160.

there's my answer - only did em for about 3 hours

mink35

And if your doing that you can also do 'sun' dried tomatoes at the same time, killing two birds with one stone!

Lillibet_2

I pop my orange slices in the airing cupboard for a few days after baking for extra drying. You can layer these with a few stiches through the rind & tie into tree decorations using ribbon.
If you have any pinecones (of if your autumn has been as mild as here in Surrey you might still find them in the woods) these can be wired or ribboned together in bunches fof 3 for a natural look decoration, or painted/glittered etc for a more fun child friendly version.
Instead of wreaths, try the 18th century equlivant : Gather tree trimmings & a few pine cones dangling on a ribbon, add holly or misitletoe & tie in a bunch to hang from the doors.
Table centrepeices : Try a oasis ring stuffed with holly, mistletoe, tree trimmings, pine cones, silk flowers & candles. Try stuffing a terrocotta flowerpot with oasis instead for a variation on this theme.
Make a nut-wreath using a oasis, polystyriene or wicker wreath base & hot glue nuts in their shells with a ribbon running through. Spray paint some of the nuts before glueing for a more colourful effect.
I'm not very crafty so I stick with these very simple things, all of them are fine for children to tackle but you would obviously need to supervise hot-glue-gun use.
Have fun

Galtizz

If the drying thing doesn't smell try using 160's idea and buying some orange or pine essental oil, put a couple of drops on a damp cloth and wipe over your light bulbs.

You could possibly make your own essential oils buy squeezing an orange and adding some cinamon?

16011996

also, wipe radiator over with tissue with essential oil on , works a treat.