Tree 2013 and Topper Tutorial

 

     Of all my posts since I started blogging, the two most popular are my tutorials on making a tree topper and tying a bow. You can find both on my sidebar. I took a little blogging break (unplanned) but I didn't take a break from decorating for Christmas! When I started getting messages asking me where the tree topper for this year was, I decided the break was over. I actually liked my tree decorations last year so much, for the first time I considered using the same theme two years in a row. I did repeat some of my decorations, but I did use ornaments this year along with lots of red, polka dots and bright green.

 

     I found these fun red, green and polka dot balls and used them as the starting point for my topper. They look a little alien to me, but happy.

 

 

Red glittered twigs make the next layer.

 

Another layer, this time with green sticks.

 

     The bunches of sparkling green leaves are added to fill in the front of the topper and are placed slightly lower than the other "ingredients". At this point, using a fine wire, tightly wrap all of the layers together leaving long tails of wire on each side. Don't worry if things seem too close together, once it is on the tree you can pull and adjust the spray of twigs and leaves. Wire the topper to the top of your tree and then add your bows. Just a reminder from past tutorials, many people only put one bow on the top of their tree at the base of the tree topper. I always use 3 or 4 bows (this year I used 3). Tie the bows about the same size and wire them evenly around the top of the tree. It makes your topper much prettier from all sides.

 

 

 

     I used ornaments in green and red/white stripes along with redbirds, ice crystal covered twigs and some wispy green roping that I cut into pieces and layered around the tree for texture.

 

 

     Of course I think a tree is prettiest in the dark, but the picture below shows it in the daylight. I was happy to find polka dot wrapping paper and ribbon too.

 

 

     I don't know about the rest of you, but it certainly feels like Christmas is coming quickly this year. My shopping is done and my packages are wrapped, so I feel like I can breathe a little bit now.

 

     Thank you to those of you who worried about me. We were very lucky when the tornadoes hit our area a couple of weeks ago. The closest was about 20 miles away and we certainly were hiding in our basement. We lost our big Bradford Pear tree in the front yard and had enough roof damage that the roof has to be replaced. I have been dealing with insurance, tree cutters and adjusters and we are still in the process of trying to get things done. So many others in Illinois lost their homes and loved ones that we feel very blessed to only need a roof.

 

     I am anxious to see all of your decorations. Thanks for visiting!

 

I am joining Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for

Wow Us Wednesdays



The Christmas Tree...2012

 

     In keeping with my "keep it simple" outdoor theme this year, my tree topper took only a few minutes to make. My tree toppers seem to be what I am most known for, at least according to Pinterest...so, I will share the simple steps that I went through to make this one.

 

 

I started with a few "frosted" branches...

 

...and two sprigs of airy evergreen.

 

On top of the twigs and evergreen, I centered

this large pick that had a hint of red and a single pinecone.

 

I wired them all together

(it is so hard to see the twigs, but they are there).

 

 

     I wired the topper to the top of the tree and then fluffed it a bit to get the look I wanted and added a single red cardinal. What really makes this topper special is the bow "crown" under it. Because my tree has no real ornaments this year, I wanted to feature the plaid ribbon. I made four large bows and simply wired them one at a time to all four sides of the tree, fluffing the loops to make it look like one continuous bow. I think a tree should always have a front and back bow on the topper, it adds fullness. In this case, four bows make a statement.

 

     I bought the bird ornaments after Christmas at Cracker Barrel a couple of years ago. I loved the rustic look and the large size.

 

I found more red cardinals at the dollar store 2 for $1

 and they are scattered throughout the tree.

 

I placed red berries and frosted twigs all over the tree.

 

I found a tree skirt that pulls it all together.

 

I've just started wrapping a few packages in rustic kraft paper

with just a hint of red and more plaid in the bows.

 

     I love the look of the packages under the tree, of course so does my 1-year-old beagle. I'm not sure they are going to get to stay there this year. I think this is worse than having a toddler. At least my kids didn't try to eat the packages!

 

     My husband took this picture this morning in the early hours. I sort of like how the lights played some tricks with the photography...a little haunted looking!

 

     I am joining Tammigirl at If You Could See What I See for Show Me Your Tree. Please take a moment to visit her!

 

Christmas Theme Preview and a Chris Mann "Roads" Review

    I was recently contacted by One2One Network to do a review on Chris Mann's new album, Roads. My answer was an easy YES! You see I had been following Chris Mann since watching him on The Voice last season. He came in 4th place, but he could have easily been the winner.

    What I loved about Chris is that while he is trained in opera, graduating from Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music in 2004, with a degree in vocal performance, he has the ability to also look and sound like a pop star. The only person that I can think of that has that same ability is Josh Groban, they both are what I guess I would call "cool opera" and are able to blend the two genres into something amazing.

     Roads is an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from Willie Nelson's Always on My Mind and Lady Antebellum's Need You Now to Ava Maria. Chris also co-wrote two of the songs on the album.

     My feelings about the album are a bit mixed, but it certainly has nothing to do with the amazing voice of Chris Mann. Every song he sings is perfection. I personally am not crazy about a couple of the cover songs (My Way, Always on My Mind) so as I listened to the CD, I found myself thinking, "I love this" and then, "oh, I never liked that song". My favorites are The Blower's Daughter which he sings with Christina Aguilera and Falling (which he co-wrote). It is truly a beautiful album by a man with a beautiful voice. You can listen to The Blower's Daughter by clicking here.

Playlist

Roads
Need You Now
Cuore
The Blower's Daughter Feat. Christina Aguilera
My Way
Unless You Mean It
Always On My Mind
On A Night Like This
Ave Maria
Falling
Viva La Vida 

Now, for a little bit of Christmas is Coming!

 

     I think most of you know by now that I like to "theme" my decorations each year. Yes, I was a good mother and always had a tree with the kid's handmade ornaments and their favorites, but now that they aren't here for Christmas (and neither are we) I go with whatever strikes me that year. Believe me, I don't have to add much to what I already have to change themes. I thought I'd share the trees from the years I've been blogging. My tutorial on making a tree topper is on my sidebar and it has the most views of all of my posts.

 

 

 

     Last year, the vintage tinsel tree with blues, turquoises, hot pink and peacocks! It was a fun one to play with and required almost no lights on the tree.

 

 

 

     2010, the tree and the house were done in silvers and golds...I always think this is the most elegant combination and the easiest to do.

 

  

 

     In 2009, I went with bronze, chocolate brown and hints of turquoise. It was really different, but I loved the look.

 

 

     So, just a sneak peek at what is happening around here this year. I'm not feeling all glitzy and glamerous...I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and wintery. I also have decided to make it easy on myself this year so that I have time to roast a few chestnuts and have a cup of cocoa in front of the fireplace. More to come, after Thanksgiving.