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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

If you like sewing, it's easy to cut out simple shapes from leftover fabric, the brighter the better, and stitch together with a little padding between the two sides.

Felt is great for this too - you don't have to worry finishing seams and neatening cut edges. Decorate by embroidering with a pretty flower or geometric design, or sew on beads, buttons, sequins, lace - whatever takes your fancy. Sew a ribbon tie to the top for hanging on the tree.

Re-purpose used cotton spools. Wrap them in tartan ribbon or recycled colourful paper. Thread together as indicated in the photo to make stunning, yet simple Christmas tree hanging decorations.

Christmas Tree Baubles

Use an old tennis ball. Wrap it in colourful cord. Add some holly and you have a beautiful bauble that is completely unique to you.

You can also fashion your own baubles out of small foam balls or pingpong balls. These can quite readily be covered with bright colored strips of ribbon and lace, attached with either glue or pins depending on the type of ball used. Finish with a ribbon bow and loop. Hung singly or in groups, these look lovely against dark foliage.

Seashells are an unusual way of dressing up your tree. Small ones can be strung on long threads so that they add sound as well as color when draped around branches, while larger ones polished and threaded with wool or ribbon give an elegant touch. You can insert a few sprigs of fresh or dried herbs or some aromatic spices into shells for extra effect. Spices such as cloves, allspice and cinnamon sticks can also be threaded onto fine wire in the shape of bells, stars or other festive objects.

Other simple tree decorations can be made by cutting old stiff paper into snowflake shapes and decorating, or by dipping pine cones and gumnuts in old melted beeswax crayons or candles. Add some bows - make bows out of old material, ribbon, anything. Do you have an old formal dress or shiny shirt that would make lovely bows? (Even a petticoat, or old curtains) Otherwise check the remnant tables at fabric shops, including those that make formal outfits or wedding dresses - sometimes there are some intricate or spectacular pieces of fabric left over when a roll of material is sold also check charity and thrift shops.

The best tip, is to make quick and easy decorations from whatever you happen to have on hand. Generally the inspiration comes from the material itself - recycled paper or cardboard, bright fabric scraps, a seashell collection or interesting shaped natural objects like seed heads, dried flowers, nuts or pine cones. With each new find - look at it and think - "What can I make from that?" Once the idea is there, it only takes a little fiddling, glueing or stitching to produce some beaut tree ornaments.

Happing crafting!