Decs for Dummies # 2

Look what I've whipped up for you today - and I say whipped up because there was 'cooking' (if you consider mixing flour and water, cooking) involved in their making...

I saw these lacy diy Christmas baubles in Covet Garden (my favourite online magazine) they are described as having "the right mix of old school glamour and modern-day glitz" I'm not too sure about that, but they are pretty and really easy to make (if I can make them your toddler can!)

Remember making a papier-mache pig money box when you were a kid? These are made in the same way, all you do is substitute lace (the cheap and nasty nylon stuff works best) for paper.

 So, because this is Decs for Dummies, what do you need?

*Balloons

*Lace strips (cut to measure the length of your balloon from top knot to base)

*Flour and water 'glue' (made by mixing plain flour with very hot water until you have a smooth "pudding-like" consistency. Mine was anything but pudding-like! It was lump city and it still worked!)

note: the people at Covet Garden suggest adding fine glitter to your glue, I didn't. I guess this is where the glitz comes in...

and


what do you do?

*Dip lace strips in glue, run your fingers through lace to remove excess (this feels so good!) and apply lengthwise slightly overlapping each strip.

*Leave to dry for 12 hours (mine took longer)

here they are drying

Look at the purple balloon back middle. I used thick, expensive lace, and it didn't work. It looks like it's wrapped in caul! (the stuff they use to wrap haggis with)

Moral to this story? Use the cheap stuff.

*Poke a hole with a pin to deflate (it is tricky getting the balloon out. Persevere).

*Hang with embroidery thread or ribbon etc

or pop them in a bowl.

Voila! All the glitz and glamour you need this Christmas!

(the Covet Garden(ers) say you could put these over led fairy lights, and I suppose you could...)

real nest, fake bird.

x

p.s. still no Christmas tree at ours. Yours?