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3. Cut chicken wire as shown in diagram. Fold up 10 cm (4 in) along curved edge to "hem." Roll up chicken wire to form a cone, overlapping side edges 10 cm. Fasten by bending cut edges through holes in overlapped piece.
4. Place cone on dowel so dowel extends 2 cm through tip. Push piece of florist's wire through top hole in dowel and securely wire to cone tip. To make bottom of cone rigid, push a piece of coat-hanger wire through each remaining hole in dowel, bending ends flush with chicken wire. Secure bent ends to cone with florist's wire. Push Styrofoam ball 2.5 cm down over dowel top to make hole; remove then apply glue and replace on dowel top.
5. Tear tissue into pieces approx 1.5 cm (5/8 in) square. In plastic container, thin glue with equal amount of water. Dip each piece of tissue into thinned glue then apply to Styrofoam ball, building up a layer of papier-mâché over entire surface. Let dry. Spray gold.
6. Remove leaves from branches and wrap florist's wire around leaf ends to make bunches of approx 5 leaves each. With florist's wire and working in rows from bottom to top of cone, attach leaf bunches. If necessary, glue individual leaves under ball to cover wire completely at tip. Spray leaves lightly with gold to achieve a variegated green/gold effect. If desired, string with mini lights, tucking wires underneath leaves.
Balloon tree
Pure fun is the only way to describe this Christmas tree by Jacqueline Scott of Edmonton. Can't you just imagine the children's surprise on Christmas morning? Large green balloons form the tree, which is decorated with party hats, noisemakers and small coloured balloons for the balls. Party streamers and crepe paper become garlands, and a treetop star was made by Scott's son who is in kindergarten. We think this is a fabulous idea for an evergreen-free Christmas, for a children's holiday party or for those who spend their Christmases in places where trees are hard to come by.
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