Spicy Pomander

Items needed:

• small Styrofoam ball
• whole clove buds
• cinnamon stick
• thin ribbon, raffia or twine(about 2 feet)
• a few bay leaf
• 2 whole nutmeg
• lace trim and ribbon (about 1 foot, each)
• white glue (clear drying)
• hot glue gun
• 1/4 inch drill
• 1/16 inch drill

Drill a hole through the center of the Styrofoam ball with 1/4 inch drill. Carefully drill a hole through both whole nutmegs with the 1/16 inch drill. Use thin ribbon, raffia or twine and string through one of the nutmegs, center it and fold string over so that the ends of twine are even. Now place the both pieces of twine along the open side of the cinnamon stick and insert it lengthwise, so that you have a tail hanging out of the cinnamon stick. Now take the Styrofoam ball and shove the cinnamon stick through it 3/4 of the way down the stick. This makes the handle. The upper end should have the nutmeg in place, and pull the both twine to make it snug. You can dab a bit of hot glue where the nutmeg and Styrofoam meet and where the cinnamon stick and Styrofoam meet.

Now hold the pomander by the cinnamon stick as you work. Place white glue on part of the Styrofoam ball and insert clove buds. Take your time and be careful not to break the Styrofoam ball, by pushing too hard. Cover the ball completely and let set to dry.

Now take a bay leaf and hot glue it to the bottom of the ball, at the stem end of the leaf. The leaf should be pointing up, now. Take another leaf and glue it next to the other one, overlappin a bit. Do this all the way around the bottom of the ball.

Wrap a tiny piece of lace trim under this and hot glue in place. Now string the other nutmeg and pull backwards through the cinnamon until it reaches the lace trim area. Wrap string around the cinnamon stick, over the top edge of trim and tie, securely. You can add a dab of glue if desired.

Now you have a nicely scented pomander to place on top of your potpourri basket.