Materials Needed:

• paper mache or foam cones in various sizes
• 4 wool felt quarters in four different shades of one color
• scissors
• hot glue gun and glue sticks

Cut Felt

Using sharp scissors, cut darkest piece of felt in a strip that is 1 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the base of each tree form. For each topiary, cut 15-20 feather or leaf shapes out of all colors of felt — except the lightest shade — that measure 2-3 inches long and 1 inch wide. From the lightest shade, cut 6 feather or leaf shapes that measure 1-2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The shapes don't have to be exactly uniform; the first piece cut can serve as a template for the rest. Tip: A sharp pair of sewing scissors will cut through three layers of felt at a time to make this process go faster.

Attach Felt

Apply hot glue in small sections around the base of each tree form and immediately press strip of darkest felt in place. Just above felt strip, apply a bead of hot glue vertically and immediately press the darkest felt feather into glue. Hold in place for few seconds until glue cools. Repeat with other dark felt feathers, placing them side by side so they slightly overlap, concealing the cone. Once the entire bottom row is finished, start a second row of dark felt feathers just above first row. Continue to glue feathers on, graduating from dark to light in rows of two. Tip: Use a moderate amount of hot glue. You don't want glue to squeeze out when felt feathers are pressed down.

Finish Top of Tree

Once final row of lightest felt feathers is glued in place, glue one last row of smaller felt feathers to treetop. Fold points over and glue down. Tip: Store trees in a cool, dark place so felt will stay colorful through many holiday seasons.

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