Your own Christmas cards

Press, 7 December 1976, Page 16

Your own Christmas cards

Most people buy their Christmas cards, but if you make your own they will be more unusual and show more thought. You will save money, too. Here is a way of making cards with dried flowers. However, there are many other ways of decorating cards and you can make pretty or exciting ones with crayons, paints, or cut-out pictures. If you already have a collection of pressed flowers and leaves use these for the cards; otherwise, try this quick-press-

ing method which will enable you to use the flowers after 24 hours. Arrange some flowers and leaves on a sheet of clean blotting paper and do not let them touch one another. Make sure that they are all dry and throw away any damaged specimens. Cover with a second sheet of blotting paper. Now, with an adult’s help, iron the whole sheet for about 5 to 10 minutes, with the temperature dial on the iron set at wool.

Next, place the sheets, with the flowers between them, on a board. Cover with a second board, and add on top two bricks wrapped in brown paper. Leave in a warm place for 24 hours. Now you are ready to make your Christmas cards. You need:— sheets of heavy paper in any colour (red and green look gay); envelopes; clear glue; matchstick. Cut the heavy paper into sizes which are ?. little smaller than the

envelopes for they must fit inside them easily. Remember that the card will be folded. Try out an arrangement of flowers, or a single one. on the card When you are satisfied; fasten down with the tiniest smear of clear glue. Apply with the matchstick. Common flowers, such as daisies and buttercups, look charming, but arrange them simply. You can combine leaves too) Write your own Christmas message inside the card.