SAR01
Roamer
posts: 187
(10/29/00 8:46:22 pm)

Gifts from nature

Craft ideas from nature

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Wealth of Craft Ideas from Nature

There are all sorts of natural materials just waiting to be collected and turned into decorative accessories with little or not effort.

Bleached Out
Pine cones, nuts, pine straw and shells take on a new look when bleached. Equal parts of bleach and water makes an easy solution for most natural materials unless they are particularly dark. In this case you would use the bleach full strength.

Tree Ornament
An especially pretty tree ornament can be made from a single bleached pinecone tied with a red ribbon. This is a nice gift to bring to a party during the holidays.

Natural Wreath
Hickory nuts, pecans and acorns will look entirely different after soaking in bleach. Use these to decorate a dark vine wreath.

Basketful
Bleach a dark basket then fill it with dried flowers interspersed with baby's breath.

Miniature Wreaths
At our house we make miniature wreaths covered with tiny shells to send when a card isn't enough, but a larger gift isn't appropriate. They are perfect for hanging on the tree and a great reminder in the winter of a walk on the beach on a lazy summer day. Soak small white shells in a bleach solution to clean. A hot glue gun (sold in craft departments and hardware stores) is a great tool for this crafting project. However, regular white craft glue will also work but takes longer to dry. Add a generous white satin ribbon bow to the top.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.
www.housenet.com

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2001