Snowflake extravaganza - Christmas decorations

Sunset, Dec, 2000 by Ann Bertelsen

Since 1976, members of the Judd family of Saratoga, California, have enjoyed the spectacle of hundreds of shimmering white snowflakes in their living room--regardless of the weather. Their towering tree is decked out in delicate snowflakes crocheted by Gayle Judd. "The tree has become a family tradition that we all enjoy year after year," says Judd. She got the designs from the 1930s book Snow Crystals, which includes almost 2,500 photographs of actual flakes.

If you don't crochet, you can cut out the shapes from white cloth doilies. Remember that snowflakes usually have six sides; each is symmetrical and unique because when the water freezes, oxygen molecules form a lattice-like structure with six sides. The variations in form result from temperature and atmospheric conditions.

Tips for making doily snowflakes

1. Vary the shapes and sizes to make them more natural-looking.

2. Stiffen them with starch so they don't sag on the tree. First, trace snowflake outlines on cardboard, then cover cardboard with waxed paper. To make starch, mix equal parts sugar and water in a bowl. Crumple doilies in the solution, wring them out, then spread them out to dry on the waxed paper, matching them to their outlines. Use pins to secure the points of the flakes so they keep their shape.

3. Once the snowflakes dry and stiffen, you can store them for years in a carton or tin.

Recycling cards into ornaments

Reader Kathy Yates of Klamath Falls, Oregon, adds a novel twist to the traditional exchange of Christmas cards: She makes ornaments out of the ones she received the previous year. We show three of her creations--a folded box, a spiral, and a miniature Japanese lantern. She draws inspiration for the design of each ornament from the size, shape, and pattern of the original card, then gives the reinvention to the sender.

D.G.

Clothespin critters

Wings of translucent vellum--which now comes in a wide variety of soft pastel hues--help metamorphose common spring-type clothespins into fanciful butterflies and other critters for the boughs of your holiday tree. Designer Franciose Kirkman used vellum to give the classic clothespin ornament delicacy and allure (see the December 1990 issue for more shapes). The ornaments can also serve as gift tags or place-card holders.

TIME: 15 minutes per ornament

COST: About 50 cents

MATERIALS

* Acrylic paint

* Paintbrush

* Spring-type wood clothespins

* Scissors

* Vellum (from a stationery or arts supply store)

* Tacky glue

DIRECTIONS

Paint the clothespin body and let dry. To make butterfly, moth, or dragonfly wings, cut vellum into symmetrical curves. Slip the wings into the clothespin's jaws to be sure that the body masks the center of the wings, then remove the wings and decorate them with paint and cut-out vellum. Glue the decorated wings inside the clothespin jaws.

Daniel Gregory

festive wax

Your search for the perfect holiday candle should start with these festive green and red examples. Each is 10 inches long with a design hand-painted in South Africa; prices vary from store to store but are around $15 to $20 per pair. For a list of stores in your area that carry the candles, fax or e-mail your zip code and fax number or e-mail address to the manufacturer Tokoloshe, at (416) 663-8668 or tokoloshe@mail.com.

D.G.

Three in one

A new tool from Black & Decker has many talents. Called the FireStorm Multi-Tool, the cordless 12-volt tool comes with three different heads, which, when attached to the D-handle body, convert it into a drill/driver, a sander, and a jigsaw. A push-button release mechanism detaches the interchangeable components.

When configured as a drill, the tool includes a 24-position clutch and a keyless chuck. The orbital-style sander has a teardrop-shaped head that reaches into tight corners and uses hook-and-loop-backed sandpaper for quick changes. As a jigsaw, the tool runs at up to 300 strokes per minute; its quick-clamp blade change system eliminates the need for a screwdriver or an Allen wrench.

The tool comes with a carrying case, battery, and three-hour charger. (800) 544-6986 or www.blackanddecker.com.

Peter O. Whiteley

QUERY

Garage remodels

Have you remodeled your garage into a family room, home office, master suite, or other space? We're looking for examples to consider for an upcoming story. Send snapshots and a stamped, self-addressed envelope (include "before" photos, if possible) to Garage Remodels, Sunset Magazine, 80 Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025.

Frosty the window

* Windows etched with frost evoke a wintry mood. But you don't need a cold spell--or sandblasting equipment--to give your windows that frosted look. Use an adhesive-free vinyl film to "etch" windows with holiday imagery. The film, which is intended to create privacy and the look of genuine etched glass, is removable and reusable.

Instead of installing whole sheets of the product, called Wallpaper for Windows, we cut it into various shapes with a seasonal theme: stars, wreaths, trees, snowmen, icicles, and greetings. Either cut out shapes with scissors or place the vinyl on the window and cut out designs with a utility knife.