Poinsettia Milkweed Pod Ornaments
Poinsettias and milkweed plants primarily
don't seem to have much features in common. But, if you live in an area, where
milkweed grows wild, however, you can use the dried milkweed pods to make poinsettia
ornaments for your Christmas tree! You could also give these as gifts —
four or six or eight to set, or as many as you want to give.
Here's how:
1.
Collect some dried milkweed pods. In the fall, the milkweeds have already gone
to seed but the dried pods will still be attached to the plant. You will need
six "halves" of a milkweed pod for each poinsettia flower that you
are going to make.
2. After you have collected the
milkweed pods and have brought them into the house, put them in a warm spot
for a few days or a week to dry out more. This is especially important if it
has been rainy and damp outside.
3. Glue the milkweed pod halves
together side-by-side in a circle so that they look like a flower.
4.
A hot glue gun works well for gluing the pods together.
5. Decorate your poinsettia flowers
with spray paint and glitter, or, if you don't want to spray paint your poinsettias,
just use glue and glitter. Mix and match and experiment with colors.
6. Glue a loop of string, yarn,
twine or ribbon to the back of the poinsettia flower. Once the glue is dry,
your ornament is ready to hang on the Christmas tree.
Napkin Rings of Poinsettia
This home-made handicraft would be
big fun for both kids and grown-ups, and would make nice gifts for all, specially
during Christmas and the New Year! Put unruly Christmas napkins firmly in their
place with these Poinsettia napkin rings.
What you'll need:
1.
Red felt
2. Green felt
3. Gold glitter paint
4. Scissors
5. Ruler |
|
How to make:
Adjust the length of rectangle according
to the type of napkins you use:
1.
Cut a rectangle of red felt 1 3/4 x 7" long.
2. Cut the ends of the rectangle
as shown in the picture.
3. Apply gold glitter paint along
the side of each of the circular ends. Let dry.
4. Cut two rectangles out of red
felt 2 3/4 x 3" to make the blooms of the flower.
5. Cut the two rectangles curving
the edges of the flower as shown in the picture.
6.
Apply gold glitter paint along the sides as shown in the picture. Let dry.
7. Cut one rectangle out of green
felt 3 1/2 x 3 1/4" to make the leaves of the flower.
8. Cut the rectangle curving the
edges of the leaves as shown in the picture.
9. Apply gold glitter paint along
the sides as shown in the picture. Let dry.
10. Turn the long rectangular
felt over and apply gold glitter paint along the side of each of the circular
ends. (Optional) Let dry.
11. Place one red bloom on top
of the leaves, so that you can see a leaf in-between each part of the bloom.
12. Place another red bloom on
top of the first red bloom. Rotate so that you see the first red bloom parts
between the one on the top.
13. Measure the width of the long
rectangular felt (napkin ring) at the "neck" (immediately after the
round area) of the napkin ring.
14. Pick up all 3 pieces and fold
in half.
15. With your scissors, cut a
slit through all the layers that would measure 1/2 the width of the "neck"
of the napkin ring.
16. Open up the 3 pieces.
17. Insert one end of the napkin
ring through all 3 pieces (beginning with the leaves).
18. Insert the other end of the
napkin ring through all 3 pieces.
19. Insert your napkin into the
napkin ring.
20. Place on your table and enjoy
using your napkin rings!
Tips:
This would make a nice gift to give someone on your Christmas
list!
Poinsettia Pony Bead Pattern
You need:
1. 42 Red
Pony Beads
2. 6 Burgundy
or Brown Pony Beads
3. 2 Yards
of Satin Cord
4. 1 Lanyard
Hook
5. White
Glue
Instructions:
String beads 1-6. Loop around and lace again through bead
1 to form a circle. Beads should be about 2" from one end. Using other
lace, string beads 7-11. Loop around and lace back through bead 10. String beads
12 & 13 and lace back through bead 7 and again through bead 1, then through
bead 2. Repeat steps beginning with bead 7 for each petal. To finish tie laces
together and trim close to knot. secure with a drop of white glue.
Now
there's
SOMETHING TO EAT !
! !
Poinsettia Balls
Ingredients
* 1 1/2
cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/3 cup honey
* 1 egg
* 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
* 4 teaspoons orange juice
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1/2 cup red candied cherries
Directions
1.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until softened. Beat in honey. Add egg yolk,
orange peel and orange juice and mix well.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together
the flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture
and beat until well mixed. Cover and chill at least 3 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degree
F.
4. Separate egg and slightly beat
egg white. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in egg white and then in the
nuts. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Cut each cherry into 6-8 wedges.
Place 4 or 5 wedges atop each ball so that it looks like a flower; press lightly.
Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove and cool on rack.
