Pomanders are these wonderfully fragrant, naturally made room and closet fresheners. They are perfect to make as gifts and a lovely way to spruce up your closets during the winter months.

What You Need:

• Firm round oranges
  (each one makes one pomander)
• Cloves
• Ribbon- your choice of colors,
  though green is perfect for Christmas
  and blue would be terrific for Hanukah

What You Do:

1. Push cloves into the orange in a line from top to bottom.   Make three more lines so that the orange is divided into quarters.
2. Keep making lines of cloves until the orange is covered.   Place the orange in the oven at the lowest setting for half an hour so that it will dry out completely.  Tie a ribbon around the orange and use it to scent your closet.

Comments:

Starter Holes
From: Sally
Our kids have enjoyed making pomanders, but it's a painful process unless they either wear a thimble or poke "starter holes" in the oranges before pushing in the cloves. I've used a push-pin tack and I've also used a fork.

Apple Votive
This features our Harvest Festival Craft which is a wonderfully beautiful symbol of autumn is sure to liven up any dinner table.  They can also be placed in a large pot of water and set out on the porch; the apples will float- lights dancing in the night.

"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Challah"
Interweaving interfaith religions & traditions
by Beth Bruno & Deirdre O'Gorman Goldsmith
Many families interweave the traditions of different religions. My friends, Scott and Deirdre, who were raised in Jewish and Roman Catholic families, respectively, combined their religions when they married and now look ahead to educating their children, families and friends through the richness each religion brings into their lives. Find out more with a wonderful essay from my friend Dierdre.

Potpourri Gel Jars
This week's Craft of the Week features a wonderful gift that children of any age can make. Gel Jars are beautifully decorated, scented gifts.  They are sure to liven up any room with their fragrance. You'll want to choose scents which your mom likes. You can substitute potpourri oil for the essential oils in this craft.

Paper Mache Basset
& the History of Papier Mache
by Jackie Hall
Jackie Hall loves Papier Mache and she caught our eye with her life sized papier mache Basset hound modeled after her Basset named Bunty. So we loved the papier mache version of her Basset so much that she mailed us a picture of the "original" Bunty, the inspiration for her artwork. She says, "I have loads of toy Bassets plus ornaments as I get given them for presents, along with Basset cards! My papier mache Basset has been to quite a few exhibitions and I often get teased when I am out walking the "real" one as to which one I am with!" Come see if you can tell the difference and learn more about the history of Papier Mache!!

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