More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Photos
- Find&Save
- Obituaries
- Archives
- Topics
- Blogs
- WP Wine Club

In the News

Holiday Crafts Contest: Meet the winners

Elizabeth Tung won the grand prize for her paper star woven with gold metallic thread. It was chosen from hundreds of photos of handmade, winter-themed decorations submitted. Snowflake garland made by Judi Kauffman came in second place and won the Readers’ Choice award. Carole Bellacera’s jeweled trees won third place.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Gold metallic thread is woven through a star made of cold-pressed paper to form an ornament. The star, made by North Potomac resident Elizabeth Tung, won the grand prize for the Holiday Crafts Contest.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

'I love making things because it's very relaxing and also very challenging,' Tung says. She has dabbled in numerous crafts over the years, from candlemaking to quilting. But her sewing skills, picked up from her mother, won her the top prize.

"I love making things because it's very relaxing and also very challenging," Tung says. She has dabbled in numerous crafts over the years, from candlemaking to quilting. But her sewing skills, picked up from her mother, won her the top prize.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Tung got the idea for the paper star from projects she'd done years ago with fourth- and fifth-graders at her church's Kids Club. A few months ago, she was inspired to create a star pattern and used a paper piercer to create a design that she stitched with shimmery thread.

Tung got the idea for the paper star from projects she'd done years ago with fourth- and fifth-graders at her church's Kids Club. A few months ago, she was inspired to create a star pattern and used a paper piercer to create a design that she stitched with shimmery thread.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Judi Kauffman took about an hour to put together her four-foot beaded garland.

Judi Kauffman took about an hour to put together her four-foot beaded garland.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

In these days of text messages, 'if you make a craft, it doesn't disappear,' says Kauffman. The Chevy Chase resident is a graphic designer, illustrator and teacher who works as a freelance craft designer, developing projects for magazines and manufacturers.

In these days of text messages, "if you make a craft, it doesn't disappear," says Kauffman. The Chevy Chase resident is a graphic designer, illustrator and teacher who works as a freelance craft designer, developing projects for magazines and manufacturers.

Charles Johnston

Carole Bellacera's Styrofoam trees are covered with repurposed pearls and jewelry, year-round. The crafts came in third place.

Carole Bellacera's Styrofoam trees are covered with repurposed pearls and jewelry, year-round. The crafts came in third place.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

'They are just too pretty to put in a closet,' Bellacera says of her trees. Bellacera, a Manassas resident, is a romance novelist and sells jewelry on Etsy.

"They are just too pretty to put in a closet," Bellacera says of her trees. Bellacera, a Manassas resident, is a romance novelist and sells jewelry on Etsy.

/ Courtesy of Carole Bellacera

The Season in Photos

Santa Claus, portrayed by Steve Stickley of Stephens City, Va. gets a kiss from a stray puppy during an open house at the Esther L. Boyd Animal Shelter in Winchester, Va. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo, The Winchester Star, Jeff Taylor)

Holiday celebrations around the world

People around the world celebrate in a variety of colorful, playful and profound ways.

12/05/1999 - PH/MENORAH - CREDIT: Michael Lutzky/TWP - LOCATION: The Ellipse - CAPTION: The official lighting ceremony for the National Menorah on the Ellipse was not held until the third night of Chanukah. Here, the flames smoke after the lighting with the Washington Monument in the background.

Hanukkah starts with National Menorah lighting in Washington

This year’s annual lighting of the National Menorah took place on the White House Ellipse on the first night of Hanukkah.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Aini-Alem Dennis, 10, left, Mikalah Davis, 14, center, and Leilani Gill, 11, right, perform with the Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble during A Kwanzaa Celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursday December 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. The event featured information on the background of Kwanzaa along with drumming and dancing. (Photo by Matt McClain For The Washington Post)

Kwanzaa celebrations across the country

The holiday honors African American culture and is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 every year.

1 of 12 chosen. Age 7.

Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest: A wrap up

Find out who created your favorite entry and read what our judges thought about the 12 finalists’ artwork. Plus, you can view the 15 &ldquo...

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 14: Local Living second annual holiday crafts contest winner by Elizabeth Tung as seen on Wednesday December 14, 2011 at The Washington Post studio in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain for The Washington Post)

Holiday Crafts Contest: Meet the winners

Elizabeth Tung won the grand prize for her paper star woven with gold metallic thread. It was chosen from hundreds of photos of handmade, winter-themed...

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 19: White Chocolate and Peppermint Chocolate Mountains photographed in Washington, DC. (Photo by Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)

Cookie Guide: 25 recipes for the best holiday treats

From thumbprints to exotic shortbread, our collection of holiday cookie recipes has something for everyone. This year, we’ve highlighted...

U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (L) and Malia pose with children, dressed as elves, at the 'Christmas in Washington' celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Obamas shine at ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert

The president and first lady host this year’s celebration at the National Building Museum.

US President Barack Obama smiles with daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) while watching First Lady Michelle Obama read to children during the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on December 1, 2011 at The Ellipse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

National Christmas Tree lights up Washington

The Obamas are joined by Kermit the Frog, Carson Daly, OneRepublic, Big Time Rush and others for the annual lighting of the National Christmas...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

Search for contractor ratings & reviews