Most of the spinning I've done has been table legs, some bowls, knobs, and some tool handles. I have a new baby boy and it's his first Christmas. I told LOML today I wanted a live tree this year but couldn't say why. We usually put a tree up around Thankgiving and I plan to buy a 9 footer. I can only use about 7 feet so as to have room for the topper on the tree. That should give me about 2 feet of trunk off-cut to play with. I plan to turn an ornament and give it to SWMBO on Christmas Eve with a letter explaining we can't keep Grayson's first tree but we can have this ornament made from it forever.I'm no master turner by any stretch but I don't think that will matter to her. I need to get it right before Christmas Eve. If I screw it up I can't get any more stock until after we take down the tree and it would ruin the surprise. My goal is to have it hanging on his first tree and made from his first tree. Last year I made a walnut gun cabinet for our oldest son and he helped me several days all the while thinking we were making it for his grandfather. I love the surprise part of gift giving especially when it's a gift that will mean something with each passing year.Now on to my questions. In researching I've found a little info on using a microwave to dry the wood. Will that work? How dry do I need it to turn it without it cracking as it drys? I've played with green wood before and love the long shavings but never tried to finish anything made green. If I have to turn it green will it warp or crack? Will the finish stick or will it flake off as the piece drys and shrinks? Should I just use BLO or some other oil and Polly it later when it drys?I have an idea of what I want it to look like. A round ball with a long icesicle on bottom and a short one on top but I'm almost sure they will warp if it's too wet. I want to use a clear finish on this piece. I'm thinking shellac or rattle can enamel?With two feet of stock I can try a few different methods before I do the final project.Sorry for the long winded post but I need all the help I can get from you experienced turners. Any advice or am I biting off more than I can chew?