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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Birch branches…
My birch branch burst… try saying that three times over!
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!
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.
i like the homemade feel to everything! :)
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!
Gorgeous tree, and fantastic photos! Merry Christmas :)
it’s a beautiful tree! I love all your decorations, they’re so pretty…I really like the bird with the long legs :)
Soooooooo lovely! Do you change your theme each year?
Kathy
Such a lovely tree. Love your dinner and dessert idea as well! :-)
So lovely and creative. You are amazing.
Your tree is so fun! I love the paper chain.
Sharon @ mrshinesclass.wordpress.com
I am loving your garland.
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.
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
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.
This is perfect simple, homey, goodness!
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!!
What beautiful decorations- you did a lovely job! That tree is amazing- I bet it smells so festive there!
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?
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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?
Your tree and decor is beautiful!
Love the birch branch sprigs, that really added the icing to the cake!
Oooooh, what a lovely Christmas tree, and charming decorations.
Barb in Texas
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
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!
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.
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!
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
I love the branches and all of the beautiful ornaments! You have some patience, girl!!!
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!
Your tree is perfection! I love the dictionary chain garland and the snowflakes you made. Way to go! Enjoy it!
Beautiful tree and I LOVE the handmade decorations!! Handmade is my thing this year too:-)
Your tree is so gorg. I sure hope you come link it up to this evenings COM Christmas tree ONLY link party. winks, jen
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
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!
Your tree is beautiful. And what a great idea to use the twigs with the star. It just finished it off wonderfully.
Karan
Very cute! I’ve been using book pages for so much lately!
This is one of the most beautiful trees I’ve seen this year – I love the twigs and snowflakes and other natural looking decor!
I love that paper garland; the branches at the top of the tree–lovely effect and your whole tree is beautiful!
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
Another gorgeous post Barb.
Thanks for linking to the Simply Christmas inspiration Party at Shabby Art Boutique.
Festive hugs ~ Kerryanne
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
Just gorgeous – I love the natural look that’s in right now!
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/
Looks beautiful! I am your newest follower :-)
Your tree looks amazing Barb! I love the paper chain you made :)