The Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, was green with wreaths during Christmas craft day Dec. 7.

Greens, brought by several different people, were piled outside to make the wreaths.

In addition, to the wreaths, attendees could make pinecone bird feeders and tree ornaments.

Bill Mineo and his wife, Lorraine, have been coordinating the wreath project for several years.

The bases are made by wrapping grapevines in a circle being careful to leave a point on one side, which will be the top for hanging the wreath.

Lorraine Mineo showed how one made with Virginia Creeper vines is useful, if the wreath has to fit between doors or some other tight space.

Small branches of greens are clipped, being careful to leave a bit of the branch that can be pushed into the base.

Start adding the branches at the top and go around in the same direction, Bill Mineo said.

From the back, the branches can be tied to the base with a double knot-left over right and then right over left.

Mineo was using Juniper branches, which are soft and pliable.

Using different types of branches, some with short needles and some like white pine with long needles adds interest.

The white pine is also easy to work with, he explained.

When getting back to the beginning, branches are put in sideways and wrapped to make a thick clump to cover the bases of the branches used first – one wrapped toward the back, the other toward the front.

The clump can be covered with a bow.

Pinecones and berries add a decorative touch.

Bill Mineo tucked in a few holly branches.

The berries he brought were from multiflora roses.

Soon, the room was flooded with the Christmas fragrance of greens.

Mineo warned everyone not to make the wreath symmetrical because it is too difficult.

For a wreath to hang outside where it keeps better, there should be more weight so the wind does not blow it down, he explained.

Bird Feeders

To make a bird feeder, spread peanut butter on a cone and roll it in birdseed.

A string or ribbon can be tied around the top of the cone to use as a hanger.

Christmas Card Ornaments

Cheryl Moser helped craft day attendees make ornaments from Christmas cards.

She brought pages of templates printed from a Christmas template page on the Internet.

They are used as backing for the designs cut from the cards.

Snow Globes

Donna Gasser and Jeanette Rinker helped make snow globes.

The greens are pushed inside a clear ball and then it is filled with water.

Some glitter is added to make the snow effect and the top is glued on.

The outside of the ball is decorated with paint.

A ribbon to hang it with is the finishing touch.