Making Christmas Centerpieces

• Metal grater
• 2 wood mixing spoons
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Hot glue gun, glue sticks
• 1 yard red plaid ribbon, 11/4 inches wide
• 1 yard red velvet ribbon, 11/4 inches wide
• Scissors
• Assorted Christmas greens
• 3 red crab apples
• 6-inch plastic candy cane
• Red berry sprays
• Artificial red-and-white candies
  

1. Place wood spoons on a diagonal on left side of grater handle. Twist in place with floral wire. Secure with hot glue if needed.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Twist spoons in place with floral wire.

2. Form red plaid ribbon into a 2-loop bow with 3-inch loops. Secure bow with floral wire. Repeat with red velvet ribbon.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Form plaid bow.

3. Glue short lengths of Christmas greens around spoons. Glue red velvet bow topped by plaid bow centered in greens.
   
   
4. Glue crab apples in center of bows. Glue candy cane to left of crab apples. Glue in berry sprays and candies. Trim ends of ribbons into Vs.

   Holiday Hint!If you'd like to hang the grater, add a wire loop to the back.

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Garlanded Grater and Muffin Tin Centerpiece

• Serrated knife
• 21/2-inch foam ball
• 6 well muffin tin
• Hot glue gun, glue sticks
• Assorted Christmas greens
• Wire cutters
• 2 plastic candy canes,
• 6 inches each
• 2 yards red velvet ribbon,
• 5/8 inch wide
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Floral wire
• Artificial red-and-white candies
• Red berry sprays
• 3 small pinecones
• 2 clear glass votive cups with red candles
• Wrapped Christmas candies

1. Use knife to trim foam ball so it fits inside back left muffin tin well. Hot glue in place.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Glue foam ball inside muffin tin.

2. Cut Christmas greens into short lengths. Use photo as a guide to insert sprigs of greens into foam ball to form a tight cluster that extends over edges of muffin tin.
   
   
3. Insert and glue candy canes vertically in center of greens. Glue small cluster of greens to front right corner of muffin tin.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Glue candy canes into cluster of greens.

4. Cut two 12-inch lengths of red velvet ribbon. From each length, make a 2-loop bow, with loops of about 2 inches each. Secure center of each bow with floral wire. Glue 1 bow to front right cluster of greens and other bow to right side of back cluster. Form remaining ribbon into a multiloop bow, and secure it with floral wire. Insert this bow into back cluster on left side. Trim ribbon ends on diagonal.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Glue ribbon to end of muffin tin.

5. Insert and glue artificial candies, berry sprays, and pinecones around candy canes and to front of greens. (Note: If you can't find artificial candy, use wrapped candy canes and candies.)
   
   
6. Place votive cups with candles into 2 wells, and add wrapped candy to other wells.

   Christmas Caution! Never leave a burning candle unattended.

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Country Christmas Blocks

• 3 wood blocks, 4 x 4 inches each
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Oak gel stain
• Wood sealer
• White graphite
• Stylus
• Acrylic paint: burnt umber, buttermilk, country red, ebony black, pumpkin, flesh tone, evergreen
• Brushes: #2 flat, 1/2-inch flat, 10/0 liner
• Waterbase varnish
  

1. Slightly sand all edges of wood blocks and tack off excess dust. Stain the smooth sides of all blocks with oak stain. The rough-cut sides absorb stain faster, so use 1 part oak stain and 1 part wood sealer on them. Let dry.
   
   
2. Download the Country Christmas Block patterns here. Print them out. Center and apply patterns with white graphite and stylus.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Apply pattern with white graphite and stylus.

3. Base the following colors in designated areas (let each color dry before applying the next): snowman, Santa's beard and fur, and candy cane with buttermilk; Santa's face and hand with flesh tone; holly leaves with evergreen; berries with country red. Square trim around top of block is alternating colors of evergreen and country red. Square trim around sides of block is all country red. Square trim around candy cane, snowman, and Santa is evergreen.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Paint the designated areas.

4. Apply detail pattern with graphite where needed.
   
   
5. Apply remaining colors in designated areas: snowman's scarf, Santa's coat, and stripes on candy cane are based with country red. Base carrot with pumpkin. The tree is based with evergreen. Tree branch and Santa's cane are based with burnt umber.
   

   ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Apply remaining colors where needed.

6. Base snowman's hat and line all patterns with ebony black.
   
   
7. After all blocks are finished and completely dry, wash entire block with wash of waterbase varnish and diluted burnt umber. Caution: This should be transparent and merely to age painting. Test on paper for transparency -- you can always let it dry and repeat for more color.
   
   
8. Splatter fronts of blocks with ebony black.