Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Dictionary Paper Trees

by 7 Comments

Dictionary paper trees were quite the rage a few years ago, but you don’t see them much any more.

I first saw some frilly little trees from hgtv (Pinterest) and knew I had to make one (or three). They are super simple to make and have such a delicate presence. This December, I’ve been looking back and celebrating some of my favourite Christmas ornaments:

Dictionary Paper Trees, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankAfter I made these trees (in 2011), I was astounded to see the word “kindle” in one of the frills … completely not planned … just one of those things that make you go “hmmmm” … .
Dictionary Paper Trees, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankToday I’m including the mini tutorial I wrote, but if you’d like, you can check out the original post here.

Dictionary Paper Trees Mini Tutorial:

  • Take pages from dictionary, cut into lengths that are 1 1/2 inches wide.
  • You can leave the length the same as the original paper, but I found the smaller (about 4″ pieces) easier to curl.
  • Cut lots of little frills into them, careful not to go straight to the edge.

Vintage Dictionary Paper Trees, paper trees diy, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

  • Use a thick skewer to curl the papers.

paper trees diy, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

  • Purchase styrofoam cones from any craft store.
  • Starting at the bottom of the cone, and using white glue, attach the curled pieces around it until you get to the top. I put the glue on the styrofoam base first and stuck the paper to it – it just seemed easier to handle.

paper trees diy, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

This year I added the tiny stars to the tops of the trees using hot glue.

These little gems are light as a feather and so, so delicate. Find a special spot for them, sit back, and enjoy! Happy decorating!

I’ll be tagging this to #sunday_sundries on Instagram, because sentimental ornaments are surely something to celebrate. I hope you’ll join the tag! I’ll be back later with my four features.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Dictionary Paper Trees, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

Recycled Paper Twiggy Tags

by 42 Comments

Use old paper, dried twigs, and a bit of ink, to create these cute recycled paper twiggy tags! Great for hanging on the Christmas tree or using for tags. I wanted to complement my Dictionary Page Garland, and cardboard snowflakes; re-used, re-cycled, and cheap!

I took some cardboard tags and covered both sides with paper from an old dictionary (what else), then I sanded the edges and “inked” them with a brown scrapbook ink pad to add a bit of antiquing.

I made a twiggy little tree from some dry old willow branches and cut out a small brown star for the top.

Recycled Paper Twiggy Tags

Easy as one, two, three!

Recycled Paper Twiggy Tags

The old Hoosier cabinet keeps everything in order…

_DSC6060-copy

Simple, rustic, recycled…

_DSC6048-copy

Great for gift tags…

_DSC6086-copy

Add a sprig of green, and your all set!

_DSC6084-2-copy

I used a glue stick to glue the paper to the cardboard and white glue to glue the twigs on. White glue takes a bit longer to dry than a glue gun but it just seemed to work better for me.

Such a quick and easy decoration! and I’m all for quick and easy and cheap and re-cycled.

Have a wonder filled day!

DIY old dictionary page, maple leaf wreath–for early autumn

by 34 Comments

I’m loving my diy, old dictionary page wreath, and it’s maple leaves this time . . .

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

I used the same dictionary that I used for my Christmas wreath–so no more old books were hurt in the making of this project . . .

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

It feels like a breath of fresh air . . . and is light as a feather . . .

Maple Leaf Wreath

I wrapped a wire frame with burlap . . .

Maple-Leaf-Wreath

. . . and it even looked pretty before I was finished . . .

Maple Leaf Wreath

. . . love it!

Maple Leaf Dictionary Page Wreath

To make the leaves I downloaded a maple leaf shape and cut them all by hand. I know, it sounds like a lot! But because the pages were so thin I was able to cut up to 12 leaves at once.

After I had them all hot glued onto the frame, I spritzed the wreath with a bit of tea and ran my hand gently against the direction of the leaves. I then set it out in the sun for about an hour to dry. It ruffled and curled them up just enough to give it some texture.

It’s quite a bit different from what I usually put up for autumn.

Where’s the colour??!! Not to worry. I have colour on my mantel. My very unusual and unique looking mantel. It’s a new style for me. Can’t wait to show you that!

Vintage paper trees

by 76 Comments

I first saw these frilly little trees from hgtv (Pinterest) and knew I had to have one (or three). They are super simple to make and have such a delicate presence sitting there on my little china cabinet.

Speaking of my china cabinet – I gave the top a new look this year. It started when I saw this old window frame with the mirrors in the panes. I was casually shopping around at The Country Pumpkin for little ornaments when I turned around and saw it. I was smitten . . . I felt dizzy . . . I needed air . . . When I came around I made the decision to leave the store for an hour or so to think about it – how responsible is that! Anyway, you can see here that the rest is history. It’s home with me where it belongs, sigh . . .

Dictionary Paper Trees, vintage, christmas

Pure frilliness!

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

To make the trees, I started with 3 styrofoam cone bases.

I wanted to vary the heights of my trees (two styrofoam bases are the same size and one is smaller) so I bought three little vintage books for one to sit on – is it not a.ma.zing that they match the runner to perfection? Oh my . . .

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

I swear, I did not see that word Kindle when I was making these trees – honest! Is that not ironic?

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

Love the layering going on here…

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

I placed a little bowl full of antique ornaments into my vignette. They came to me after we lost our sister (many years ago).

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

Lovin’ this window!

Dictionary Paper Trees, christmas, diy, vintage

 

OK, so back to reality! Here’s a mini tutorial.

Start with styrofoam cones. Take pages from dictionary, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces then cut lots of little frills into them, careful not to go straight to the edge.

Dictionary Paper Trees, vintage, christmas, trees

I used a thick skewer to curl them.

Dictionary Paper Trees, vintage, Christmas

I found the shorter ones easier to roll.

20111130_6985-copy

Starting at the bottom of the cone, glue the curled pieces around it until you get to the top. I put the glue on the styrofoam base first and stuck the paper to it – it just seemed easier to handle.

Dictionary Paper Trees, Christmas, vintage

These little gems are light as a feather and so, so delicate. Find a special spot for them, sit back, and enjoy! Happy decorating!

 

Texture Tuesday – the Gratitude e-Dition

by 28 Comments

Yesterday I was rummaging around in my decorations and took a hard look at the garland I was planning to use for our tree, and deemed it to be hideous!

What to do? Hmmmmm. I loved the dictionary wreath that I just made . . . hmmmm . . . why don’t I make my own garland – just the simple, old-fashioned chain link garland the likes of what children make at school?

First, I made a small string of it and ran it by hubby – what do you think of this – is it too weird? No – I think it looks neat. That’s my hubby! So I was off – cutting and gluing again.Dictionary Paper Garland

When I opened the book to start (gently tearing) out some pages, I saw the leaf…

Dictionary Paper Garland

It made me stop and think about the person who owned this dictionary. It gave me a sense of timelessness. How many leaves have I slipped into books and forgotten?

Dictionary Paper Garland

The name written on the first page was Mrs. Wm. A. Campbell – no doubt the Wm meant William, most likely her husband.

As I looked through the pages I came across the rules of etiquette. What a treasure trove of fun reading!

on Introductions:

A gentleman must never put his hat on in the presence of ladies. At morning calls he must put his hat on in the hall, but should any ladies be present, he will instantly remove it; or should he be the last visitor, he will not forget to hold his hat in his hand until he has reached the pavement.

on Calling Cards:

A married lady should always use the Christian name of her husband on her card.

Married ladies should use a size of card between that of a  Mr. and Mrs. and Miss card. This is not strictly observed, though it is considered a good thing to do. HUH?

Don’t you just love it?! I could go on and on.

Anyway, I’m grateful that I picked up this thought-provoking dictionary and that it is going to grace my Christmas tree this year.

I used Kim Klassen’s ‘Poetic’ on soft light. How fitting!

My Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary Wreath

by 54 Comments

Check out my tutorial with 5 easy steps for creating a beautiful dictionary wreath!

Be still my heart! I have my very own book page wreath!

I’ve been ogling these gorgeous wreaths out in bloggyland for months so I finally went to my favourite antique/garage sale store and for $5.00 I bought ‘The Consolidated Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary – A Library of Essential Knowledge circa 1957’ and proceeded to tear it apart.

I started rolling and stapling and gluing and I didn’t stop until I couldn’t push in one more cone. Love.

Dictionary Wreath

Dictionary Wreath, diy, tutorial

Love. Love. Love.
Love, I tell ya.

Here’s my mini tutorial in a nutshell:

  1. Use glue to cover the top of a large ice cream container with some dictionary pages and put a punched circle in the middle as a guide to keep the wreath balanced.
  2. Use a pen to roll each page then slowly release the bottom until the top fans out into a cone.
  3. Staple the bottom of the cone to secure it.
  4. Glue each cone to the ice cream lid, in a circular pattern.
  5. Make the cones smaller as they get closer to the middle.