View source for Making Christmas Table Decorations by Polly Pinder

{{infobox1
|title=Making Christmas Table Decorations
|author=Polly Pinder
|reviewer=Sarah Cooper
|genre=Crafts
|summary=Achieve the ultimate festive atmosphere by completing the wonderfully composed projects in this book. Practical and eye-catching these projects are sure to be popular with everyone.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=48
|publisher=Search Press Ltd
|date=September 2006
|isbn=1844480771
|cover=1844480771
|aznuk=1844480771
|aznus=1844480771
}}
Inspired after recently reading [[Making Christmas Tree Decorations]] by Judy Balchin, I thought I would try another in Search Press's Christmas range. So did it provide me with bundles of inspiration? Did it provide me with hints and tips about how to get the most stunning decorations of all? Would it make all my friends and family want to have table decorations just like mine? Let's take a look

This is a 48 page book which retails for £6.99 which in my opinion is quite good value. The book is packed with content and there is tons of inspiration to be had.

The first thing I like to do before reading any book is to find out a little bit about the author. I wasn't disappointed as the front cover provides me with all the relevant information on the author. Polly Pinder is unknown to me but the cover informs me that she has written books on many different crafts. She has designed wallpaper and bed linen. And she now teaches watercolour painting, botanical illustration and drawing. Her passion and flair for crafts becomes clear throughout the book as she provides thoroughly stunning and yet practical projects.

If I was a newbie to craft I would probably be interested in reading the pages which list what materials you need, this a handy checklist for any beginners - however as a more seasoned crafter I have most of the materials needed so I can skip these pages. Paper, beads and wire, embellishments and craft blanks are the main items needed.

So now we get to the juicy bit - what are the projects like? Well, there are 6 projects and they all are decorations that I would place on my table proudly. In some craft books you will find very ugly and impractical makes but not this one. Each is delicate and eye-catching and something I would take pride in making. Let's run through the projects.

The first project is called 'Christmas Candle Shade' and if you want to create atmosphere in your home then make a few of these and your goal will be accomplished. A candle is placed inside a glass tumbler and then coloured metal sheeting and holographic papers are placed around the glass and berries placed on top. The use of holographic papers and light apertures create the ultimate glow for Christmas tables.

'Copper Trees Centrepiece' is a wonderful project and it can be seen on the photo on the front cover of the book. The colours of this project weren't suitable for my colour scheme so I used my ingenuity and the tips in the book and devised a lovely baby blue centrepiece to match my colour scheme this year. It really does look eye-catching sitting in the middle of my table. The sewing of the beads is a little time-consuming but quite relaxing if you like sewing. The whole project shouldn't take you more than an evening.

'Country Carrier Gift Bag' project will definitely provide me with brownie points as I am going to place these on the Christmas table with little surprise gifts and the bags look so delicate it almost looks like a little fairy has spun them.

'Twirling Holly Candle holder' can be described as a small galvanised bucket with holly made out of corrugated card and holographic paper which tends to bounce a lot due to the twirly wire. Beads are then threaded on to look like juicy holly berries. As with all the projects in this book there are variation ideas, which are simply splendid. Examples include 'Snowflakes and Ice' and Christmas Cocktails (a novel idea which includes placing an upside down wine glass and filling the bottom with metallic straw.)

Golden Weave Napkin Rings are woven napkin rings that go with 'Shimmering Tree Centrepiece'. This project really caught my attention because Polly Pinder said that she gathered together absolutely anything that included a hint of gold - including old greeting cards and Christmas Crackers, pipe cleaners, thread, cord, ribbon and holographic paper etc. That appealed to me, as it is always lovely to turn junk into a work of art. Again there are variations available on this project.

The final project is called 'Star Shine Surprise Boxes' and you need to obtain a star shaped box for this (the wonders of the Internet and mail order eh!). You then spray paint the boxes and cover with stars (that you have made with a punch). And then attach a big star with headpins and bead on silver and gold beads (this bit is really effective). Anybody who loves beading out there should really enjoy this project! The back of the book contains all the relevant templates that you will need!

This book has provided me with lots of unusual and unique ideas for my Christmas table that I couldn't have gone out and bought! I hope to keep this in my craft library for future years when I can make the variations on the themes. Only criticism is that I would have liked there to have been even more projects included, but I guess I will just have to wait for the next Christmas craft book Search Press brings out. A book certainly worth reading! 

{{toptentext|list=Top Ten Books With A Christmas Theme}}

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