Trimming the three - Holiday decorating tips

Sunset, Dec, 1999 by Dennis W. Leong, Aimee Oscamou, Peter O. Whiteley, Ann Bertelsen

3. Fold the paper in half lengthwise and cut slits, 1/4 inch apart, toward the fold from the opposite long edge, stopping 1/8 inch from the fold, to make "pickets" (see illustration).

4. With paper still folded, snip corners from each strip to make a pointed tip (this will help the paper overlap evenly when you wrap it around the egg).

5. Unfold the paper and place wrong side up on work surface. Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge down the center. Center "waist" of egg on one end of the paper. Carefully roll egg along the glue strip so egg is encircled by the paper; the ends of the paper should overlap at least 1/8 inch.

6. Holding the egg around its center, bend the fringed, unglued edges of the paper out and away from egg so that they resemble the petals of a flower.

7. Beginning with the top of the egg, apply Mod Podge to the underside of one of the paper strips and smooth it onto the egg's surface. Repeat with the adjacent strip, slightly overlapping the first; continue until all strips have been secured to the top of the egg. Repeat with the paper strips on the bottom portion of the egg, and allow to dry for several hours.

8. When egg is completely dry, apply two or more coats of acrylic varnish over the paper. (TIP: Varnish half of egg and allow to dry; then apply varnish to remaining half.)

9. For the ornament hanger, cut a 6-inch length of gold string. Thread ends through the center of a bead cap, and knot together on underside of cap. Attach cap to the top of the egg with hot glue.

TIP: For a particularly festive look, embellish your egg with decorative trims, tassels, beads, or glitter. - A.B. and A.O.

Ribbon leaf garland

This cascading garland of glowing leaf shapes adds sparkle to a tree or mantel. Leaves are made of metallic ribbon. You'll find different sizes of woven ribbons in brass, silver, or copper colors at craft or floral supply stores. Use ribbon stiff enough to hold a crease (this becomes the spine of the leaf).

TIME: About 2 hours for 15-foot garland

COST: About $20

Materials

* Ruler or tape measure

* Scissors

* 10 yards 2 1/2- to 3-inch-wide metallic woven ribbon

* Gold or silver fabric paint

* Hot glue gun

* 5 yards 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide metallic woven ribbon

Directions

1. Measure and cut the wider ribbon into 4-inch-long pieces and fold each piece in half lengthwise.

2. To make leaves, cut arcing shapes with short stems from folded ribbons. Outline the leaves with gold or silver paint.

3. With a glue gun, adhere the leaves to the narrower ribbon, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Angle them upward and alternate their outward directions. - P.O.W.

TREE TRIMMING 101

Choosing a fresh tree

* Do a freshness test. Gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and slide your hand back toward yourself. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Now bounce the tree on its stump. Not many green needles should fall.

* When you get the tree home, keep it in a sheltered, unheated area such as a porch or garage. This will protect it from the wind and sun until you are ready to decorate. Set the tree in a bucket of clean water. If left out of water for more than six hours, a sap seal will form, which prevents water absorption. If this happens, recut.