Handmade Christmas: The Best of Martha Stewart Living

Inspiration is the key to a memorable Christmas season, says Stewart at the start of this collection of recipes and projects for assembling the mostly easy gifts and decorations culled from the last four years worth of Martha Stewart Living magazine. Some of the ideas seem drawn from the far edge of inspiration: tiny boxes made from acorns, sanded and stained and stopped with corks; a living wreath fashioned from 20 kinds of succulent plants; starfish and other shells studded with silver dragees; gift wrapping made from brown paper lunch bags sealed with decorative machine-stitching. Some processes, like gift tags and cards printed with potato stamps, go back to techniques taught in grade school, but even these are given new life by Stewart's sophisticated eye and careful execution. Clear instructions and tempting photos accompany every holiday treat, from porch swags to pomander bowls and candles, rolled, dipped or molded. A list of sources for materials is included. (Oct.)