Tree of the Dead Centerpiece

Materials and Tools:

2 pieces of 1/2" pressed fiber board
felt-tip marker
spiral saw
jigsaw
220-grit sandpaper
tack cloth or rag
paint
paintbrush
string or fishing line
apples
peeler
knife
Spanish moss

Steps:

1. Decide how big you want the tree to be (the featured project is 24 inches tall and 21 inches wide in keeping with the table used).

Figure A

2. Draw a spooky tree on one board (this will be used as a template for the second board). Make sure to draw the trunk wide enough to handle cutting a 1/2" x "8 slot in the bottom of one board and the top of the trunk of the second tree (figure A).

3. Cut the tree shape out using a spiral saw and the slot in the base of the trunk using a jigsaw. Once the first tree is cut out, trace it onto the second board. Cut the second tree out, only this time put the slot at the top of the trunk so it reaches half way down the tree.

4. Test the fit of the two trees by holding the one with the slot at the bottom perpendicular to the other. Pull the top tree down, lining up the slots. When the top tree touches the table surface, the project should stand on its own and be quite sturdy. If the fit is off, make any adjustments before lightly sanding the edges to remove any rough spots. Remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag.

5. Separate the pieces and paint them as desired and let dry.

Figure B

6. Peel several apples and carve simple faces into them (figure B). Allow them to dry and shrivel up. Tie string or fishing line to the stems and hang them from the tree branches to create a frightening focal point.

7. Hang bunches of moss from several branches to enhance the creepy look.