Christmas Workshop

Christmas Package Trimmings

By Pat Graham

In place of ribbon and bows, you can decorate Christmas packages with doves cut from paper plates. A small gift note could be fastened in bird’s beak. If package is large, try having two doves facing each other. Doves look especially nice on plain, colored paper.

Painted Switch Plate

To make this personalized gift, you will need: switch plate, pencil, model enamel paint, and paintbrush. Using pencil, draw design of your choice on switch plate; paint and let dry.

Christmas Wreath

By Wanda Knibbs

Make a unique wreath by mixing and matching colors and patterns of fabric and braiding them together. You will need: three pieces of fabric 4″ x 50″ (10 cm x 127 cm), scissors, needle and strong thread, pins, rags or polyester stuffing, wooden spoon, and large ribbon bow.

1. Fold each piece of fabric in half lengthwise with right side of fabric inside. Pin in place.

2. Sew 1/2″ (1.25 cm) seam on each piece to form tube.

3. Turn tubes right side out and sew one end of each tube closed.

4. Fill tubes with rags or stuffing through open end, and pack quite firmly. Long handle of wooden spoon will help push stuffing to end of tube.

5. Sew ends closed.

6. Sew tubes together at one end; braid tightly; then sew tubes together at other end.

7. Form circle with braided tubes, sew ends together, and either pin or sew bow over seams.

8. On back of wreath at top, sew thread loops for hanging wreath.

Hobbyhorse Tree Ornament

You will need: pencil, paper, scissors, red and black felt, string, glue, 1/2 yard (.5 m) narrow ribbon, and candy cane.

1. Trace horse head and ear patterns twice onto red felt; cut out.

2. Cut fifty 1 1/2″ (4 cm) lengths of string. Glue strings along edge of pattern (see illustration).

3. Cut 6″ (15 cm) length of ribbon, make loop, and glue at top of head for hanger.

4. Glue head patterns together around edges, leaving bottom open. Glue on ears.

5. Cut two eyes from black felt, and glue on each side of head.

6. Glue ribbon on both sides of head for bridle.

7. When glue dries, insert candy cane.

Needle Punch Card

To make embossed card, you will need: pencil, tracing paper, plain heavy paper, towel, large darning needle, cork, and envelope (optional).

1. Decide on simple design for card, and draw on tracing paper.

2. Fold towel until it is about 1/2″ (1.25 cm) thick.

3. Fold heavy paper in half to form card. Unfold card and place on towel; position tracing paper pattern on front of card.

4. Push cork onto eye end of needle. Holding cork, poke holes at even intervals through pattern and card (see illustration).

5. Write greeting inside card, and sign your name. Place in envelope, if desired.

Photos by Jed Clark

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney