×
×
homepage logo

Aunt Norie’s Sewing Room

By Eleanor Mckee - | Dec 4, 2012

My Christmas tree is full of old and very precious, hand-made decorations, most of them very dear ones made by my children as they grew up. Most of them are, of course, dated, then some have been made by my grandchildren.

Many of you will remember the plaque, a rectangle covered with velvet. Most of them were black or green, then the outline of a Christmas tree was made on it using necklaces, gold glittery and colored glass. Much of that was costume jewelry.

I was always going to make one. I never did, but I still want to — one of those “gonna do” projects. Some had strings of lights, but I thought that spoiled it.

All one needs is a firm piece of cardboard, the size to suit yourself. Stretch the velvet over, anchoring it well on the back with craft glue down the edges. I like “tacky” hobby and craft glue for such projects. Then comes the fun part after you anchor the chains, etc., to form the tree outline, sewing through the velvet and cardboard back. Select a cardboard you can you can penetrate with large enough needle. A large embroidery needle with its sharp point and long, narrow eye would be good.

Just scatter and fill the tree with even broken earrings, strings of pearls, strings of broken beads, etc. Lots of jewelry is full of sparkle.

Some were framed under glass. Some were so very elaborate, real heirlooms. Some people even made them to sell. They had no problem selling them, as I remember. No, I still don’t have one made. At this point, I probably never will. Just thought I’d share that one with you in case you are looking for a to-do project.

Have a happy, merry and blessed Christmas.

— Aunt Norie, PO Box 265, Tonganoxie, KS 66086; auntnorie@att.net