Fireplace Decorations

Materials:

2 tall cans
2 small cans
two 1 x 4 wooden boards, cut to width of fireplace
black fabric
scissors
fresh flowers
glass jars
water

Steps:

1. First, remove the grate and give your fireplace a good cleaning. Close the flue to keep out warm-weather bugs.

2. Place the tall cans in the back of the fireplace and small cans in front.

3. Put the boards on the cans to create the tiers.

4. Neatly cover the boards and cans with fabric.

5. Cut the flowers to various lengths and place them, with water, in the jars.

6. Arrange the filled jars on the tiers.

Options

• Use silk flowers for a maintenance-free arrangement.

• You can also set your fireplace ablaze with lush silk flowers in one large basket.

* Note: Never leave burning candles unattended. If you have a gas fireplace, have it checked by a professional to make sure there's no leakage before placing candles in the fireplace.

• Stack glass blocks in the fireplace in a variety of ways, then place votive candles on the blocks.

• Line the interior walls of the fireplace with votive candles. Place a mirror in the center and artfully arrange pillar candles on the mirror.

Materials:

cardboard cutting board from fabric store
scissors
fusible fleece
decorator fabric
paper-backed fusible webbing
glue
tape measure
matching cording with a lip

Steps:

1. Cut the cutting board to cover the opening of the fireplace.

2. Fuse the fleece to the front of the cardboard.

3. Cut decorator fabric at least two inches larger than cardboard.

4. Add paper-backed fusible webbing to the fabric, then fuse over fleece to cardboard.

5. Turn the screen over, fold down the overlapping edge and glue it in place to the back of the screen.

6. Clip curved edges when folding over for a smooth edge.

7. Cut a backing piece from decorator fabric that exactly fits cardboard (no overlapping edges) and fuse it to the back of the cardboard.

8. For a finishing touch, glue on some matching cording.

* Safety note: Do not use cardboard screen when a fire is burning in the fireplace.