Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw holiday arrangements at department store I was in.

I was dazzled by sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.

Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in woods to gather necessary branches and other materials were easily found at my local craft store.

I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on left side of door and a larger one to right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for holidays.

Materials Needed for One Tree:

Large tree branch that “looks” like a small tree

Gold spray paint

Gold fabric

Gold cording

Soil

String of white lights

Plastic garbage bag

How to Create Your Own "Line" of Greeting Cards By: Eileen Bergen http://www.theartfulcrafter.com

[Illustrations located at http://www.theartfulcrafter.com /cards.html]

Do you like to design and print your own greeting cards using any of popular graphics programs available? Do you want some recognition for your work? Maybe even a backdoor way to supplement your income?

Why give company that made program all credit? Make your greeting cards uniquely yours by creating your own logo. Then every card you send or sell will have your personal advertisement attached.

You can easily do so using your greeting cards program’s "Back Page Art" or create your own logo from scratch.

First, create and save your logo. In your graphics program, open a blank page. Go to "Art Gallery" and look through "Back Page Art" or any other category, such as "Backgrounds" or "Flowers", that you would like to use in your logo.

Select your design(s)and paste them onto blank page. Add a text box and type in your data. Be sure you include your name, phone number and your e-mail so customers can get in touch with you to place an order. Vary

the fonts and text colors until you are satisfied.

Click on artwork you selected from "Art Gallery". Move your mouse over artwork until "Move" symbol (looks like a fancy plus sign) appears. Click and hold down to move artwork where you want it in