On my online workbook this week: ‘Twas and is making an effort to show our unique connection in our little design Details that really Crafts a special Christmas

Dear

This week’s inspiration is… somewhere right at the top of my Things I Absolutely Love About Christmas list (yes, before you ask, I did check it twice) is how we all decorate for Christmas ever so slightly different. We basically use the same ingredients but no two homes ever look the same.

Talking about ingredients, I am super impressed with how well the Lambs’ Ear foliage dried for this week's designs. It is perfect to use as a veneer. The Stachys byzantina foliage kept its fuzziness and gorgeous silvery blue green colour for weeks after I crafted it for this design. It is so perfect for Christmas decor. Only thing though: you need expert level glue skills to make sure it remains pristine. A tiny blob of glue will show and removing the glue will damage the foliage, so have a look at how to do that (linked Tutorials) before starting the project so that you are ready in case of a glue emergency.

Cut the largest, flattest leaves to wrap the giftboxes with. Plan and measure how you will place the foliage before using the glue. Gently smooth a thin and even layer of flower glue on the shape you want to cover. Painting the leaves with glue can rip the delicate leaves if the glue gets even slightly tacky.

My tip is to use a toothpick as an applicator. It fits perfectly into the glue tube opening as a stopper while you smooth down the leaves and comes out with just enough glue on to spread glue onto the next cube. Keep your hands clean so that you do not spoil the look of the leafy-gift boxes with messy glue spills. I also found it easier to spread all the sides with glue and then to allow it to dry slightly to become tacky, before smoothing down the leaves. Obviously you can not put the cube down (all sides are sticky) while you wait. Hold the cube by the corners (see the picture above) for a few seconds. Use your thumb and index finger for holding the cube and then your ring finger for smoothing down the leaves. This way your fingers will not be covered in glue and the leaves will not get messy glue blobs all over it.

To preserve leftover leaves: If the leaves are already curled you can preserve them for designs by hanging it out of direct sun in small bundles. Any leftover flat leaves can be dried on a screen in a well ventilated area.

Merry Christmas, flower buddies. Have the most wonderful Christmas time.

Every good wish,

Christine