Christmas Angel

I love Christmas, I think it's because I'm the baby of the family and still haven't grown up. I'm one of those people who put their Christmas tree up in November (sometimes October). So if you haven't already guessed my posts leading up to Christmas day will be filled with festive creations.

This post is dedicated to the Angel sitting at the top of my tree (we are calling her Angela). My tree is decorated in only two colours which I change every year, this year it's silver and white. Since I couldn't find a top of tree decoration that meet my requirements I decided to make my own.

To make your own 'Angela' these are the things you may need:

• Polystyrene ball


• Cardboard


• PVA glue


• Solder Wire and/or pipe cleaner


• metallic thread (for hair)


• feathers


• paint


• hot glue and glue gun


• White Paper and tissue (for Paper-mache)

Okay, first you need to make a cone out of cardboard. There are a number of ways to this but the easiest way is to draw a large circle, the diameter should be about twice the height you want the angel to be. Then in the middle of the large circle draw a small circle about the same size as your polystyrene ball ( the ball will be used for the head of the angel). Cut out the large circle then cut a straight line from the outside of the circle to the small circle and cut out the small circle. Then fold the cardboard into a cone and staple or sellotape the sides together.

Next you can start the paper-mache. Attach the head by placing it on top of the cone and sticking pieces of paper on the head and cone. Then continue to paper-mache the rest of the body, tissue paper is good for moulding arms and shoulders. Paint when dry.

To make hair cut pieces of thread into lengths and hot glue onto the head. The halo can be made with either wire or pipe cleaner. I made mine with both, the circle part of the halo is silver pipe cleaner and the part that attaches to the head is solder wire. Attach the halo with hot glue.

The wings are made by cutting a wing shape from cardboard. Make the shape a bit smaller than you want the wings to be, this is because you will want the feathers to stick out from the cardboard. Using the hot glue, cover the front and back of the wing shape with feathers and glue onto the back of the angel.

My angel is silver and white but you can make one in any colour is want. You could also add a harp, trumpet or candle ( I think you can get things like these from the doll making aisle of spotlight).