WE don't always have time to sit down and create our own Christmas cards and invitations but if you have a spare Saturday or Sunday morning you may want to try this simple one.
Homemade cards are always appreciated and treasured by the recipient. There is something rewarding about creating your own holiday card and the result in the end is worth it.
For this card, simply purchase pretty craft paper from your local stationery store. You can find large books of this type of craft paper at Michaels and other department stores. I find they are great to keep on hand for other projects during the remainder of the year.
This card is simply a premade cutout card with an adhesive decoration placed inside. There are so many different decorations on retail shelves at the moment for decorating the inside and outside of the card. Be sure to plan out your design ahead of time.
Materials:
1-2 packages of blank, precut white note cards
2-3 individual sheets of Christmas decorated craft paper
White craft glue
Utility knife
Scissors
Roll of adhesive snowflakes (Michaels)
Pencil
Begin by tracing out the size of the front of the note card on the wrong side of the craft paper. Cut out with scissors. Place the good side of the blank, pre-cut white note card against the wrong side of the craft paper (previously cut) and carefully trace out the small window with your pencil. Using your utility knife, carefully cut out the window on the craft paper.
Glue the wrong side of the craft paper to the good side of the note card. You should have a window straight through to the inside of the card.
Place the adhesive decoration in the centre of the window so it becomes visible through the cutout.
Decorate the inside of the card with handwritten notes and other adhesive cutouts.
HANGING baskets are normally thought of as a beautification for the summer garden.
However, the use of hanging baskets for the winter garden can provide foliage interest and some much needed colour during our grey coastal winter.
The construction of a winter hanging basket is similar to a summer basket with the exception of some plant design changes needed to address freezing temperatures and abundant rainfall.
To build your own winter basket select a basket material that can withstand freezing such as wire-frame, wood or plastic. Fragile ceramics are not recommended. Do not use plastic liners or water reservoirs since extra water is unnecessary during winter. The best winter baskets are made using wireframes to allow planting on all sides and the top. Line the wire frame with a fiber mat or sphagnum moss to retain the soil and plants. If you are using a wood or plastic basket then no moss is needed. When planting, place the plants close together, closer than you normally would in a summer basket to provide a full look right away since no plant growth will occur during winter. Do not incorporate
lunter@shaw.ca
