Friday November 27, 2009
Fast and easy to make, these winter trees use clear acetate sheet, and glitter, flourish or scroll stickers, flocking or paint. You can make them elegant and simple, or fanciful and covered with sticker ornaments. They work well up against the buildings of a Christmas village, giving the scene a contemporary air.
Other trees for winter displays, Christmas villages or nativity scenes, include:
- Scale Palm Trees
- Realistic Miniature Evergreen Trees
- Spiral Trees From Wire Trims
- Delicate Cut Paper Snowflake Trees
- Curly Paper Trees
Photo copyright 2009 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.
Thursday November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates it today! Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.

Snowman Ornament
Sherri Osborn will show you how to create a cute snowman face using a clear, glass ornament. It's a great project for the whole family.
Recycled Pine Cone Gnome
Get a glimpse of this pine cone gnome at the Recycled Crafts blog. It's a cute reason to collect a few pine cones around the yard.
CopprClay Pendants
Try your hand with pendant making this year with a little help from some winter foliage. The Beading Arts blog will show you how.
How to Make Paper
Handmade paper not only makes a great gift for the avid scrapbooker in your life, but you can also create tags and cards for every present on your list. Marion Boddy-Evans shows us how.
Little Town of Bethlehem Cross Stitch
Get down to the true meaning of Christmas with this simple cross stitch pattern from Connie G. Barwick.
Mitten Earrings
Tammy Powley shows us how to make these cute mitten earrings using lampwork beads.
Christmas Stocking
This cute two-color Christmas stocking is a breeze to knit, even if you've never knit a sock before. Worked with bulky yarn on big needles, it will be done and ready for you to embellish in no time.
Advent Garland
If you are looking for something a little different when it comes to counting down to the holidays this year then take a look at this pyramid box garland. Use the free template to make the boxes and decorate them with your favorite festive stamps.
Miniature Gift Boxes
Have a little gift to give? Check out these free printable miniature gift boxes for small gifts or advent calendars from Lesley Shepherd.
Manga Holiday Card
Instead of a traditional Christmas card, you could go with something a little more contemporary this year. Helen South has tips on how to create a manga style card.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.
Wednesday November 25, 2009
Working on Your Christmas Village or Creche? These tips for backdrops may give you some easy solutions to problems. Backgrounds can do a surprising number of things for a display.
Making effective scenes is often easier if you follow these steps:
Photo copyright 2009 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Parents everywhere must love the new accessories available for a young child's dollhouse. Take the Charming Chandelier from Calico Critters. This battery operated light can be mounted fairly easily in any dollhouse, and with a removable battery and on /off switch on the light base, there is no need for a transformer.
I know a few adults who will find uses for these battery operated LED lights as well. You don't get a lot of light from a single 'warm' (read yellow) LED, but it is a fairly easy way to get a light into a roombox for people who haven't practised their soldering for a while! The lights come apart with a screwdriver so you can use just the on / off switch base with the battery and the LED for adult applications.
Photo copyright 2009 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.