Well, we're back in the tea room and now we're going to have some fun with a few Victorian crafts projects.  Although commercial ornaments are available, they can be expensive and still, some of us enjoy making our own. So let's take a seat around the table and let's begin. (Photo courtesy of Garth Woodside Mansion)

Pine Cone Trees

Take pine cone with the wide part on the bottom.   Glue to cardboard base.  Then glue tiny beads and buttons on to its petals.   Take a cardboard star which has been painted in gold and glue to the top.

Dresdens

As briefly described while we were decorating, Dresdens are ornaments which appear "metal-like", but are made of cardboard painted in metallic colors of silver, gold and copper.  Click where noted for some patterns which can be traced on to cardboard.  Cookie cutters are also good for this purpose.  Once traced cut out the cardboard pieces, punch a small hole in the top for hanging and paint as desired. Go to patterns.

And now that we've created enough ornaments to decorate the tree on Christmas eve, how about making a sweet treat?

Sticky Popcorn

8 cups of popcorn (popped over the fire)
1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup

Mix sugar, butter and corn syrup in a bowl.   Heat to boiling.  Boil for two minutes and remove from heat and stir.   Pour over the popcorn and mix well.  Wait until syrup has a chance to cool.

Christmas Present      A Dickens Christmas