This was a long-term project started at the end of
November/beginning December when we were away in Ironbridge. We took away with
us oranges and cloves to start these smelly festive decorations off. It was one
of the first things Eilir had said he wanted to do for the twelve days
challenge (remembering them from two years ago). This time I did a bit of
research on the 'proper' way to do them, i.e. rolling them in a fixative spice
mix etc and leaving them to dry for a couple of weeks.
Initially I did two and Eilir one - he again modelled his
one on one of his 'happy face' characters. When we got home Eilir loved mixing
up the pungent spices (ground cloves, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and orris root
powder) and rolling them around in the concoction.
We then left them to 'fix', getting a lively waft of Christmas
spices every time we passed. Unfortunately two of them developed
some neon green mold after a fortnight and had to go in the compost - so much
for preserving them properly!
The last one is still going strong, so today
we decided to make a couple of fresh ones to add to it to make a table
decoration for a festive get together tomorrow. Team work was employed here
with Eilir making the holes with a toothpick and me filling them with cloves.
He broke up the toothpick to make eyes to finish. The little one is supposed to
be a hedgehog.
