All Through the House 5
The paint adheres well, will not flake off, and the flowers will last a few weeks in water. To make a realistic flower center, cut the pointed rhododendron bud in half and paint with a dead flat yellow lacquer. The flowers in Drawing 22 were made this way.
In the library, or for the table at the top of the steps, there are many interesting possibilities. Attractive Christmas balls with broken hook ends need not be discarded. They may be inverted on hyacinth stakes or twigs and arranged in a flower holder. Evergreens tucked among them will create a pleasing effect.
An old tray or an inexpensive new one may support the plaster of Paris base of another amusing arrangement. (Drawing 21, bottom) To create a rough base surface, cinders or crumpled wet newspapers may be used. Either "will reduce the amount of plaster needed.
Whitened twigs may be set in the background, a reindeer or two placed in it and one or more candles inserted in the front at safe distance from the twigs. A thin mixture of plaster of Paris is poured over the cinder base to hold everything in place. While it is wet, it may be sprinkled with artificial snow. This makes an attractive hall decoration or centerpiece.
Small trays or red plates may be made up in the same way. Fasten a red glass in the center or at the side, fill it with water to keep the nicely arranged greens fresh, and then place small birds, ducks, reindeer or any other small animals. Santa Claus candles can also be inserted in the plaster of Paris.
A steady decoration made this way can easily be transported to a neighbor or sick friend. With a long board as base a complete snow or skating scene may be set up depending on the figures available. Bits of evergreens make fine trees. Mirrors look like ponds. Rock candy resembles chunks of ice. Such decorations may occupy a whole window sill, the top of an upright piano or a mantel with red candle trees at the ends.
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