HANDMADE HOLIDAY CHEER

Get out the glue and find the ribbon.

Search for the scissors that always stay hidden.

Gather the glitter and cut the holly.

It's time to make home look a little jolly.

If the holiday forecast at your home calls for a flurry of decorating, put together some quick crafts you can enjoy all winter long.

Crafts can be an economical and a fun way to involve children in making gifts for teachers, family and friends. Handmade decorations also add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Instead of hanging a readymade wreath on the front door, let your children pick out the embellishments for one you all put together during an evening by the fireplace, complete with hot chocolate and cookies. A walk through nearby woods or a trip to the closest craft store offers you all the trimmings for wreaths, packages, handmade cards and tabletop centerpieces.

Here are some easy-to-do crafts from Dow Chemical, the makers of Styrofoam brand foam, the Hobby Industry Association and Krylonspray paints. For more craft ideas, visit these organizations at www.styrofoamcrafts.com, www.i-craft.com and www.kyrlon.com.

SNOW SHOVEL DECORATION

MATERIALS:

Foam balls: two 4-inch; five 3-inch; three 21/2-inch and four 2-inch

Child's snow shovel

Green acrylic craft paint

Fine white glitter

1 yard 11/2-inch plaid ribbon

24-inch length of wire

Gel glue

Low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks

DIRECTIONS:

Paint handle of snow shovel green. Spread a thin layer of gel glue on one side of each foam ball; lightly sprinkle with glitter. Let the shovel and glittered balls dry. Randomly glue balls, glitter side up, on snow shovel. Tie ribbon in a bow with six loops; trim tails. Wire bow to handle. Hang and enjoy on your front door, porch, inside by the fireplace or wherever you’d like to add a seasonal note of cheer.

DRINKING STRAW CHRISTMAS TREE

MATERIALS:

1 4-inch foam cone

25 plastic drinking straws, with green stripes

Thick, white craft glue

Long scissors

1 small sprig holly, red bow or other embellishment for top of tree

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the straws into 11/2-inch pieces. Pour a small amount of glue onto wax paper, cardboard or other disposable surface. Dip the end of each straw into the glue and insert straight into the foam cone. Arrange the straws in vertical rows around the cone. Fill in empty areas around the bottom of the cone as necessary. Insert three pieces with bent ends into top of cone; bend ends out slightly. Allow to dry.

Trim the straws so the straws at the base of the cone are much longer than the straws at the top. Cut vertically from the bottom of the cone. If desired, add a small embellishment to the top of the cone, such as a sprig of holly.

* Note: Before doing this project with kids, especially a group, make a sample for the children to use as a visual guide.

BABY’S FIRST ORNAMENT

MATERIALS:

1 3-inch foam ball

1 1/3 yard of sheer fabric, pink or blue.

Thread, pink or blue

Curling ribbon, pink or blue

Ribbon roses, pink or blue

Assorted baby charms, such as teddy bears, diaper pins, rattles, ID bracelets

Craft pins

Scissors

Thick white glue or low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks

DIRECTIONS:

Cut a 11-inch diameter fabric circle; sew a running stitch 1-inch from edge of circle. Place foam ball in center of fabric circle and pull thread, gathering fabric around ball. Wrap thread around gathered fabric to secure, leaving a 3/4-inch circle of foam exposed; knot threads.

Arrange charms on ball (see photo). Glue flat charms to ball. For dimensional charms, glue or thread ribbons to charms and pin ends of ribbons under the ruffled fabric at top of ball. Glue ribbon roses to center front of ball.

Curl several lengths of curling ribbons; glue to top of ball. To hang, knot a 6-inch length of curling ribbon; push knot into exposed foam and glue. Glue teddy bear to top of ball, covering exposed foam.

FROSTY, THE SNOWMAN WREATH

MATERIALS:

Foam disc, 71/2 by11/4 inches

Foam wreath, 12 by 21/4 by 2 inches

Foam balls, one each 1, 11/2, 3 and 4 inches

Five 1/2-inch flat black buttons

Plaid flannel fabric, 24 by 4 inches

Basswood sign, 12 by 3 by 3/32 inches

22-gauge wire: uncoated black and plastic coated yellow

Acrylic paints: black, bright red, Christmas green, night sky and white

Sparkle water-base varnish

Paintbrushes: 5/8-inch blaze, Nos. 2 and 10 shader

Serrated knife

Candle stub or paraffin

Scissors

Ruler

Fine-line black permanent marker

Electric drill with 1/16-inch bit

Wire cutters

Paper towels

Disposable palette

White craft glue

Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks.

Directions:

Set aside 11/2-inch foam ball. Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Use knife to cut 1-, 3- and 4-inch balls in half.

Paint foam shapes as follows: disk (head) and wreath (arms), white; two 1-inch half balls (eyes), black; two 3-inch half balls (earmuffs), Christmas green; two 4-inch half balls (mittens), night sky; and 11/2-inch ball, bright red. Dry brush cheeks on head with bright red (see photo). Allow to dry.

Apply a coat of sparkle varnish to head and arms. Allow to dry.

Using photo as a guide, glue eyes close together to center of head and nose centered just below. Glue five black buttons in a smile, extending from cheek to cheek. Paint a white dot highlight on each eye and let dry. With black marker, draw angled eyebrows and crow's feet at outer corners of eyes.

Glue green earmuffs centered on opposite sides of head. Cut two 18- inch lengths of black wire. Loosely twist lengths together and then wrap them around marker to curl. Arrange wire slightly above top of head, gluing and inserting ends beneath foam earmuffs.

Glue head overlapping top of wreath arms and mittens near bottom on opposite sides (see photo, at right). Tie flannel scarf around arms next to head. Glue a 4-inch length of wire behind upper scarf tail and then shape as desired.

Drill holes in top corers of wood sign about 11/2 inches from ends. Paint sign Christmas green and let dry. Freehand paint "Welcome Friends" on sign with white.

Using yellow wire, attach sign hanging from mittens. Insert wires back to front through drill holes and then twist together to secure. Wrap ends around marker to curl.

CRAFTING POINTERS

Here are some crafting pointers from the Hobby Industry Association (www.i-craft.com):

* Tape or staple swatches of ribbon or fabric to index cards. This makes it easier to get extra supplies at the craft store.

* Cover cardboard rolls in acid free tissue and then wrap your ribbon around them for storage.

* A hot glue gun is an invaluable tool for all crafts.

* Heat from a blow drier causes strings of hot glue to disintegrate immediately.

* Use plastic drop cloths to cut inexpensive patterns; you can throw them away if you make a mistake.

* Use toothpicks to apply glue. You will never put too much on your project and more will stay in the bottle.

* To keep your project clean, keep your hands clean.

* When working with cardboard and glue, lightly wet the underside of the cardboard so it will dry flat.

* Use a damp cotton swab to pick up small beads. They stick to the swab and make loading a needle easier.

* Break mirrors, plates, or tiles for projects by sealing them in a heavy-duty zip-lock bag and breaking with a hammer.

* Use plastic party table covers for messy crafts. They protect better than newspaper and can be used more than once.

* Try using tiny rubber bands, such as dental bands, to hold small crafts together. You can substitute the rubber bands for wire.

* Use tweezers to hold small supplies and reach tight areas when crafting. Tweezers act as an extension of your fingertips.

* Prevent paper from ripping when affixing tape by applying the tape to clothing first to reduce its stickiness.

* When doing decoupage, use rounded lacquered chopsticks to smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles after gluing. You can usually find lacquered chopsticks (which are smoother than un-lacquered sticks) in Asian markets or gift shops

* Make small bows by tying the bows first before cutting the ribbon.

* Lubricate craft punches before using them by punching wax paper.

* Cut foam by using a serrated knife liberally waxed with a candle stub or paraffin.

* Clean rubber stamps after each use with a mild soap. Avoid getting any wood parts wet, and dry completely when done. Store with the rubber side down out of direct sunlight.

Kathy Van Mullekom can be reached 247-4781 or by e-mail at kvanmullekom @dailypress.com

Sign up for email newsletters