We love old Victorian clip art and when it’s Santas and Christmas trees, even better!
Create an old-fashioned holiday centerpiece featuring images from Christmases past.
Materials
1-quart metal pail
35 photocopied images from Dover’s “Full-Color Holiday Vignettes” clip art (photocopied on Laser printer, not ink jet)
Scissors
Mod Podge decoupage medium, matte finish
1-inch flat bristle paintbrush
2 feet red satin ribbon, ¾-inch wide
Paper plate
Steps
1. Photocopy the clip art with a Laser printer, enlarging some images. Cut out the images with scissors.
2. Dilute the decoupage medium with a little water on a paper plate. Cut several images in half and glue them along the top edge and bottom edge of the pail. Paint a layer of decoupage medium under and over each image. Cut images to fit around the handle and glue them into place.
3. Continue to layer images over the rest of the pail’s surface, painting decoupage medium under and over each image. Smooth out any wrinkles with a damp finger. Let the pail dry.
4. To make a fluffy bow, pinch 2-inches from the end of the red satin ribbon between your index finger and thumb. Twist the ribbon between your finger and thumb. Make a loop up over your thumb, pull the ribbon back between your thumb and index finger, and twist beneath the piece that’s already there. Start making loops, twisting and pinching each time. Tie a 6-inch length of ribbon around the inside of the loops and knot. Use the ends to tie the bow onto the pail handle.
5. To complete your holiday centerpiece, fill the pail with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments, placing your prettiest ones on top. Ho ho ho!
A Tip From Mrs. Claus: If you’re entertaining more than a dozen elves, you’ll need a larger centerpiece! So decoupage a 5-quart pail and six 1-quart pails and fill them all with glass ball ornaments. Place the large pail in the center with the smaller pails radiating around it, then nestle evergreen branches and sprigs of holly between the pails.
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