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Oh! Christmas tree!

December 8, 2011 by Barb 44 Comments

Well, I finally have the tree decorated and *whew* we’ve never had such a tall tree in all our 37 years of marriage! I had to use a step ladder to get to the top and I may or may not have stood on the TV cabinet to reach the star . . . hmmm, after I put the star up I could see that it was being dwarfed – so what to do? I went out into the yard and snipped off a few birch branches to create a little burst at the top and add some weight. I really kind of like it.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations
I’m loooving my tree this year! To start with we haven’t had a real tree for quite a while and I completely changed all the ornaments. Don’t be shocked – I know ornaments are extremely expensive which is why I made my own garland.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Then the other day I was rummaging around in my crafty stuff trying to think what else I could use when I came across a stack of light cardboard that I had saved (being the hoarder that I am) and thought, I am going run down to my scrapbooking store and see what die-cuts they have. This lovely snowflake was sitting there calling to me and I spent the better half of the morning churning out about a hundred of them. Cost? $0.00 – I have a membership at the store and use of the die cut machine is free for members. Oh man, I couldn’t have been happier.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

The rest of the ornaments – the birds, the felt skates, felt reindeer, and felt mittens I had bought at Superstore at the beginning of the season. Take my word for it, they were very affordable.

Tree4-copy

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

And last but not least I have my Paper Ball Ornaments made from Christmas cards past. Go here for the tutorial on how to make them.

Thrifty Christmas Decorations

Birch branches…

Tree6-copy

My birch branch burst… try saying that three times over!Thrifty Christmas Decorations

I am officially exhausted. I’m on my own tonight so I may just pour myself a bowl of Nuts and Bolts and sit back and admire my creation. And since I worked so hard I may just have Baked Caramel Popcorn for dessert.

Happy Decorating Everyone!

Filed Under: DIY AND CRAFTS, HOME DECOR Tagged With: photoshop, tutorial

Comments

  1. Honey at 2805 says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Your tree is beautiful! Love the handmade items!

    Thank you for linking to the Christmas Tree Party at 2805. I do hope you will take the time to check out the gracious sponsor of the $100 Pottery Barn giveaway by becoming a member of Hometalk or liking them on Facebook. Links are provided for each.

    Reply
  2. TexWisGirl says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:17 am

    i like the homemade feel to everything! :)

    Reply
  3. Lori says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Loving your tree ~ I so wish I could change mine up but I am way too attached to some of my ornaments and alas I am a traditionalist at heart. Supper plans sound fabulous ~ right up my alley! Happy Thursday!

    Reply
  4. Joyelle @ An Artful Endeavor says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:31 am

    Gorgeous tree, and fantastic photos! Merry Christmas :)

    Reply
  5. Ruth says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:19 am

    it’s a beautiful tree! I love all your decorations, they’re so pretty…I really like the bird with the long legs :)

    Reply
  6. Kathy says

    December 9, 2011 at 2:24 am

    Soooooooo lovely! Do you change your theme each year?

    Kathy

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:34 am

    Such a lovely tree. Love your dinner and dessert idea as well! :-)

    Reply
  8. Nadege, says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:09 am

    So lovely and creative. You are amazing.

    Reply
  9. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Your tree is so fun! I love the paper chain.

    Sharon @ mrshinesclass.wordpress.com

    Reply
  10. Besoterio says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    I am loving your garland.

    Reply
  11. amatterofhowyouseeit.com says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    This tree is so beautiful, and much of it is due to the handmade feel and special touches you’ve added. I especially love that paper garland chain.

    Reply
  12. thistlewoodfarm says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    Thank you so much for your sweet comment….but you are the one who deserves the fabulous award! I love that chain and the branches on the top of the tree!!!!!

    Have a Merry Christmas!!!

    blessings,

    karianne

    Reply
  13. Marcia says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Oh me, oh my…I knew I had to stop by again before I head out. I LOVE your tree and all the gorgeous details. Okay, I’m coming back with more time to really look around…not stalking or anything. ;)
    By the way, I am about to purchase a new camera and was wondering what type you use. The pictures are beautiful. Thank you.

    Reply
  14. Jill says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    This is perfect simple, homey, goodness!

    Reply
  15. Deanna says

    December 9, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    I just how natural everything looks, your decorating skills are astonishing. I love all the dictionary decor. Looks like you truly had great fun creating this wonderful Christmas Home. Enjoy the rest of the holidays…sit back and just admire!!

    Reply
  16. Chic Homeschool Mama says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    What beautiful decorations- you did a lovely job! That tree is amazing- I bet it smells so festive there!

    Reply
  17. folkhaven says

    December 9, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    So beautiful! I love the birch branch burst (couldn’t say it even 2X fast) and all the handmade goodness! How did you get the dictionary page chain to stay so crisp. Did you glue pages together for thickness?

    Reply
  18. chel wakley says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Hi, I’m with an online vintage dress boutique called Shabby Apple (www.shabbyapple.com) and I adore your blog. Shabby Apple offers affordable, stylish attire perfect for a day at work or play, or a night on the town. We would love to partner with you and offer your readers a 10% off coupon as well as the opportunity to giveaway a piece of jewelry from our collection on your blog. Please check us out at http://www.shabbyapple.com and let me know if you are interested.

    I look forward to hearing back from you soon!

    Thanks,

    Chelsea Wakley

    cwakely@shabbyapple.com
    (this is only open to US residents, if this is not a possibility please let me know)

    Reply
  19. Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:29 am

    Love that tree, and my favorite is the twigs bursting out the top. One of these days, I am going to have a real tree! I bet it smells divine, doesn’t it?

    Reply
  20. Marissa @Life On Our Side Of The Mountain says

    December 10, 2011 at 2:19 am

    Your tree and decor is beautiful!
    Love the birch branch sprigs, that really added the icing to the cake!

    Reply
  21. Barb says

    December 10, 2011 at 3:28 am

    Oooooh, what a lovely Christmas tree, and charming decorations.
    Barb in Texas

    Reply
  22. ~Tablescapes By Diane~ says

    December 10, 2011 at 3:35 am

    Hi lovely lady.
    Your Christmas Tree is Beautiful for the Christmas Holidays. I love the sweet little bird in your tree also. I would love to know how you put the paper ball together with old Christmas card’s seeing I have a lot of them.Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my new Christmas Tablescape. Hopping you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
    XXOO Diane

    Reply
  23. Geneva says

    December 10, 2011 at 4:03 am

    I just stumbled across your blog, and I’m so glad I did. I love your creative spirit…your tree is so pretty, and so cleverly done. It’s easy to see your home is filled with the Christmas Spirit. Good Job!

    Reply
  24. Peggy57 says

    December 10, 2011 at 5:34 am

    Barb I love your tree and think the branches at the top was just what it needed. Love the handmade garland. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving kind words.

    Reply
  25. Barbara says

    December 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Your tree is beautiful and the paper garland takes me right back to my grade school days when we would decorate the classroom tree. I love your ornament made of Christmas cards too. The whole look of the tree is soooo pretty!

    Reply
  26. Redo 101 says

    December 10, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Your tree is so beautiful – and I’m really loving the dictionary garland! Low cost-no cost, it doesn’t get any better than that. Thanks for sharing with us, I’m visiting from The Cottage Market.

    Mary

    Reply
  27. Gwen @ The Bold Abode says

    December 10, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    I love the branches and all of the beautiful ornaments! You have some patience, girl!!!

    Reply
  28. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:13 am

    Your tree looks lovely! I love the twigs! What a great idea! I also love your paper chains! The natural elements you have combined are fantastic!

    Reply
  29. Ellie says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:14 am

    Your tree is perfection! I love the dictionary chain garland and the snowflakes you made. Way to go! Enjoy it!

    Reply
  30. D says

    December 11, 2011 at 7:22 am

    Beautiful tree and I LOVE the handmade decorations!! Handmade is my thing this year too:-)

    Reply
  31. Jen-CraftOManiac says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Your tree is so gorg. I sure hope you come link it up to this evenings COM Christmas tree ONLY link party. winks, jen

    Reply
  32. BabiesandBargains says

    December 12, 2011 at 12:54 am

    So pretty I love the color scheme. I love its very natural Christmas as well. Ornaments are so expensive I try to stock up year end clearance

    Reply
  33. Kristie says

    December 12, 2011 at 1:20 am

    Beautiful tree!! I adore large trees but my living room isn’t big enough for one. Great idea to add the branches on the tree top!

    Reply
  34. Karan says

    December 12, 2011 at 1:21 am

    Your tree is beautiful. And what a great idea to use the twigs with the star. It just finished it off wonderfully.

    Karan

    Reply
  35. Julie says

    December 12, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    Very cute! I’ve been using book pages for so much lately!

    Reply
  36. Erin of Salvaged Whimsy says

    December 13, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    This is one of the most beautiful trees I’ve seen this year – I love the twigs and snowflakes and other natural looking decor!

    Reply
  37. A Few Pennies says

    December 15, 2011 at 12:00 am

    I love that paper garland; the branches at the top of the tree–lovely effect and your whole tree is beautiful!

    Reply
  38. Eclectically Vintage says

    December 15, 2011 at 2:57 am

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my trees (the traditional and the Ladder Tree)!! Darn those hubbies, what do they know! Love your garland, and the twigs tied to the doorknob and in the tree topper! Fabulous.
    Kelly

    Reply
  39. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    December 15, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    Another gorgeous post Barb.
    Thanks for linking to the Simply Christmas inspiration Party at Shabby Art Boutique.
    Festive hugs ~ Kerryanne

    Reply
  40. Lindsi B says

    December 18, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    That’s it…this seals the deal for me….NEXT year we are having a REAL tree!!! I love that you used dictionary pages! Would you please share this with my readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/12/fun-stuff-fridays-4-3-weeks-long-for.html

    Reply
  41. cameronhomemade says

    December 19, 2011 at 7:08 am

    Just gorgeous – I love the natural look that’s in right now!

    Reply
  42. The Rooster and The Hen says

    December 19, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    Love your tree, especially the garland. I had to feature it on my blog today – awesome!

    http://www.theroosterandthehen.com/not-to-be-confused-with-judy-day-eight/

    Reply
  43. Brooke @ Spruce Your Nest says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Looks beautiful! I am your newest follower :-)

    Reply
  44. Ashley says

    December 22, 2011 at 12:54 am

    Your tree looks amazing Barb! I love the paper chain you made :)

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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