Make an entrance for the holidays with DIY decor

Humble corn husks take a decorative turn when dyed a rich burgundy shade and looped around a wreath frame. The resulting display makes a radiant Thanksgiving welcome.

Husk wreath how-to

You can find husks in the international section of the grocery store, where tamale ingredients are sold. To avoid staining your hands, wear rubber gloves.

Tools and Materials:

Liquid Rit dye, in Wine

Corn husks (50 for 18-inch wreath)

Paper towels or kraft paper

18-inch straw wreath form

Floral U pins

Satin ribbon (optional)

1. In a large bowl, prepare a dye bath with a ratio of 2 teaspoons of dye to each cup of warm water.

2. Working in small batches, soak the husks until they reach desired color. (You may need to swish the liquid around to dye the husks evenly.)

3. Remove husks, and lay them flat on paper towels or kraft paper; let dry slightly.

4. While husks are still damp and pliable, begin making the wreath. Tear husks in half lengthwise along their natural striation. Working in rows and overlapping as you go, loop each husk and anchor its ends to the wreath with a U pin. Continue until the form is covered.

5. Hang from a loop of ribbon.

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Trick of the trade: dough redo: Roll out some new flavors in your pies this season. A simple ingredient swap will give your pate brisee an irresistible nuttiness. Just replace 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans; pulse with flour until finely ground) before making your favorite piecrust. See our pate brisee recipe at marthastewart.com.

Double duty: caddies stack: A smart solution for storage-starved bathrooms, tiered baskets meant for produce provide space for sundries. The vertical caddies are ideal for grouping necessities and keeping them in easy reach.

Easy arrangement: squash blossoms: Show off the beauty of fall in the bounty of fall: Vases made from squashes and pumpkins make naturally beautiful vessels.

To make one from a large squash such as the Hubbard, cut a hole near the top with a miniature saw, and insert a glass jar in the neck to hold water for bittersweet or other branches. You may also need to trim off some of the squash's bottom to stand it upright; a bit of waxed paper underneath will protect your tabletop.

For petite varieties such as the white Baby Boo pumpkin, insert a small glass votive candleholder to hold water for cuttings of mum heads or other bulbs.

Special delivery: easily impressed

Get the look of a classic wax seal without playing with fire. Special wax sticks are made to melt in a glue gun - no open flame necessary - making it easy and safe to turn out lots of the charming little disks in your favorite colors. The stamps come in letters and many other motifs. Make a bunch of the seals and you'll be ready to personalize all kinds of envelopes, presents, and parcels for the holidays.

Wax Seal How-To

A wax seal is a great way to adorn a hand-delivered envelope (mailing it is not recommended).

Tools and Materials:

Nonstick baking mat, such as Silpat

Glue-gun sealing-wax sticks, in assorted colors

Hot-glue gun

Metal seal

Craft glue

1. Place a nonstick baking mat on a flat surface.

2. Place a wax stick in the glue gun, and melt several drops of wax about 1/2 inch in diameter onto the baking mat.

3. Using a metal seal, make an imprint in the wax. Repeat.

4. Let the wax seals cool and harden, and then peel off.

5. To attach to envelopes, place cards, or packages, apply a dot of glue to the back of the seal, and affix.

Kitchen smarts: sugar and spice: Don't waste any pumpkin puree left over from baking pies - turn it into a tasty spread for toast or pancakes. Beat together 2 sticks softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons pure pumpkin puree, 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy. The mixture will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Party trick: calm the kids' table: The clock is always ticking when kids have to sit down to a holiday meal: How long before those rambunctious cousins stage a kids'-table revolt?

Eke out a little peace with these clip-art place mats (and it'll be at least 20 minutes before they ask to "puhleeeze" be excused).

To make, trim kraft paper to 11 by 17 inches, and run the sheets through your printer like regular paper. Set the place mats out on the table with some cups of crayons, and let the kids have at it.

Download the clip art at marthastewart.com/thanksgiving-placemat.

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Stewart's magazine and television shows focus on lifestyles. Questions may be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 601 W. 26th St., Ninth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001. Questions may also be sent by e-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com. Letters should include a name, address and daytime telephone number.