"Holiday decorations subject of Homemaker project lesson" from the October 25, 1977 Door County Advocate
By GLADYS SMITH
Holiday decorations subject of Homemaker project lesson
By GLADYS SMITH
Holiday decorations difficult? The October project lesson for members of the Door County Extension Homemaker council, Holiday Decorations through the Year, provided excellent ideas for every holiday.
Mrs. Harry Coisman presented the lesson to 46 project leaders. She told the ladies to keep decorations simple and to utilize what you have in and around your home. The leaders made florist bows and obtained patterns for felt snowflakes.
To dry flowers fill a pan with an inch of silica sand, place the flowers face down and gently sprinkle sand over them to cover completely. To work with corn husks, dip them in a solution of 2 tablespoons glycerin to 1 pint of water for 10-15 minutes and work with them wet. Four tablespoons of Elmer's glue-all in 1 cup water is excellent to dip material for making angels and witches. Remove excess moisture by spreading on paper a few minutes.
Newspaper cannot be used as the ink stains the material. Let the material dry in the folds you desire. Creative clay is made with one cup cornstarch, two cups baking soda and 1¼ cups cold water. Heat in sauce pan, stirring constantly until consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Put on plate to cool, knead like dough and make forms. Let stand to dry. Can be painted with water colors, poster paint or felt pens. Coat with shellac for a permanent finish.
If you are making an arrangement, use three or five items. To hold seeds, etc. in dried weeds spray with hair spray.
Her display included decoupage eggs and wreaths for Easter, a large wicker bell trimmed with red, white and blue ribbon for July 4th, a burlap scare crow for Halloween, pumpkins and burlap wall hangings trimmed with seeds and nuts for Thanksgiving, table centerpieces of greens, cones and candles, a burlap hanging with felt letters, an assortment of felt tree ornaments, dolls of yarn and felt for Christmas.
She read a Christmas legend, "Happiness and good fortune comes to those whose Christmas tree shelters a birds nest in its branches." She had one made from a wild carrot flower. As wild carrot dries in fall it forms a cup and a perfect birds nest.
Anne had many cardboard rings cleverly trimmed with ribbon and flowers for napkin rings in colon for all special occasions. A quilted place mat made from scraps of material would brighten any table setting.
Some other ideas are the Valentine box made for a children's party, felt hearts, egg tree, a red, white and blue drum (could be an oatmeal box), cut out fresh pumpkins, a horn of plenty, cone wreaths and trees, straw wreaths and a felt Santa napkin holder.
Add candles and a runner to any simple table decoration to make a holiday or any day more festive.
The Fall Council meeting will be held Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the general meeting room at the courthouse. There will be election of officers. The president and secretary of each club or alternates should be present.
Local talent should be utilized for the November project lesson. The Country Circle club will make macrame plant hangers.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive