Merry Christmas 2011!

our first real tree

my skinny tree with all of my handmade ornaments and garland

Upcycled MIni Christmas Trees

Ok, drumroll please...here is number two of my "mini series" of Christmas tree to display in your home!   I am going to have a mini forest!

If you missed my first whimsical paper tree made from a Land of Nod catalog, click here to view. I'm proud to say these trees were made using mostly upcycled and natural materials-Izze bottle caps, wine corks and reindeer moss.

My inspiration for these all started with my collection of Izze bottle caps. If you've never had an Izze, you are missing out on the most perfectly refreshing bubbly fruit juice with the cutest little bottles and caps I can't throw away (and no, they are not paying me to write this! )

I love collecting the caps because of the pretty flower shape on them. I have used them on frames and chalkboards I thought they would be fun as ornaments on my tree.

I also have this wine cork collection I've been using in different projects. I thought they would be perfect for the bases of the trees. I used three together to help keep the trees steady. Do you want to get started on your Christmas forest like mine? Here's what you'll need:

1. floral foam cone
2. glue gun
3. reindeer moss (I used two different colors)
4. bottle caps (I used Izze)
5. wine corks (three for each tree)
6. ribbon
7. tulle
8. small jingle bells (I used three)
9. scissors

Pull out small pieces of the moss at a time and glue, covering the cone completely. 

Apply glue around edge of one bottle cap at a time, press firmly into the cone.

Cut several pieces of ribbon and tulle a few inches long. 

Knot together and glue to top of tree. Glue three jingle bells to top.

Glue three corks together. Glue them to base of tree. 

I love how these turned out-- they go along with my childlike, whimsical theme this year and I can't wait to decorate for Christmas! Are you excited to see tree number three? Stay tuned later this week! Thanks for reading and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking up with these parties and this party.

Whimsical Paper Christmas Trees

I'm excited to start this first post of three about the mini Christmas trees I've been making!

 As much as I don't like to rush through fall and Thanksgiving into Christmas, I realize as a crafty girl I needed to work on these decorations early before live gets too busy, and, of course, to show all of you who might want to make them!

I realize a theme is starting for my Christmas decorating-everything I've been making is colorful, whimsical, childlike with a bit of Dr. Suess style thrown in--these trees remind me of something out his "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" movie/book.

And they were practically free to make! I got inspired by the Land of Nod catalog that mysteriously arrived in my mail-with all their adorable, overpriced toys. The catalog was so colorful I wanted to use it for something besides the recycling bin.

I am proud to say I came up with idea all by myself! The result was a set of playful, colorful whimsical mini paper Christmas trees for a mantle, centerpiece or table. I made a set of 3 in different heights. I love them!

Are you ready to try some yourself?

Here's what you'll need:

1. colorful catalog/magazine 

2. scissors

3.  glue stick or glue gun

4. t.p. roll for base or cork + dowel pushed into center
5. jingle bell
6. optional-foam floral cone to help support the glued paper cone

I used a foam cone to help shape the paper and press down the applied glue. Then, I cut little slits all around the base of the cone about an inch long. This will be the top of the tree.

Repeat these four steps again for the second and third layer, except instead of 

forming it into a cone, you will form the strips of paper into a cylinder shape. 

For the trunk base, I used a toilet paper roll to hold up the tree. Another option I used was a cork with a dowel pressed into the center-also holds up the tree well.

 I love how I can see the little catalog toys on these cheerful little trees and that the base makes them sit at a slight angle, Dr. Suess style. Stay tuned this week for more adorable mini Christmas trees!


Linking up with these parties! and this one 

Free Printable Here