A month or so ago I read a post about the Country Living Fair in Atlanta this past fall on a blog called Confessions of a Plate Addict.
She had a picture of a Christmas Tree made out of recycled bead board.
I knew the crating company we use at work had tons of recycled wood just laying around waiting for a project.
So I gave them a picture of the Christmas Tree from the Country Living Fair and asked them if they thought they could make something similar......
And this is what they made me!
At first I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it....I really didn't want to put it outside...I thought maybe it could be a Christmas card holder, but I don't have anywhere downstairs to put it......
Our family room is upstairs so I thought it might work if I put it at the top of the stairs.
I still wasn't sure what I would do with it though....
You know how it works.....all of a sudden a light bulb goes off and BAM!! You've got an idea!
I decided to use it to display all my Christmas tags and shadow boxes from previous Christmas swaps!
I wrapped a red and white quilt around the bottom, added a few vintage Christmas books, a rocker and teddy bear to finish it off.
If you look upstairs from the entry way you can see it at the top of the stairs. I still need to add this year's White Christmas Swap Tags to the tree.
I'm really happy with how it turned out!
This year I was determined not to spend any money on new.....well I guess I should say new for me...Like most of you my favorites are vintage.....Christmas decorations.
The tree didn't cost me anything but a batch of cookies, and it was using up the extra wood....a pretty good deal if I do say so myself!
I had to keep it by my desk until I could have my daughter pick it up for me, it would not fit in my car......I had more comments about the wood tree as it sat by my desk waiting to be picked up....so far the packers have made 6 for co-workers!!
Have you added any new Christmas decorations to your supply this year or are you changing up the decorations you already have?
chris
This looks great Chris & I especially like that it is made from recycled spare wood. I've picked up a few extra decorations this year but like you they are second hand from the charity shop. The tree is down from the loft but not up yet - just trying to give the house a good clean first. Not my favorite job!
ReplyDeleteOh what a cute idea! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteMy decorating came to a halt as I fought off a cold but I'm ready to get back to it!
My Santa mugs and pitcher are my only new item this year. It was a real splurge for us!
I also found a vintage tree topper at the thrifts the other day but I don't really care for it so it will be for my future booth. ♥
Love that you paid them with a batch of cookies and provided the inspiration for packers to make more. Super cute project and great use of something that would not have been used again.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love how it turned out!! So neat! And, the vintage quilt as the skirt is the perfect touch! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Totally brilliant! I love how you used this to display your tags.
ReplyDeleteSo cute, it turned out so well!! Love this idea! And love the pretty quilt as the skirt!! :) xo Holly
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute finish! I have seen pictures of that wood tree, too, and thought it would be perfect for one of my locations. But - nothing new added this year.:-)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I see you have a little red chair. I collect them. It looks fabulous with the red and white quilt.
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea! Love the tree and the tags look wonderful on it. this year I added the wreath I made, didn't buy anything new, other than crafting supplies.
ReplyDeleteI love it Chris! Way to "Go Green"! This is a very good way to re-use scrap wood. You've turned it into something wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us!
Erica :)
Your tree looks amazing, Chris! Love using things on hand & I'll bet those guys love you for giving them a way to use up the wood scraps! Did you hang your tags onto the light strings? It looks gorgeous with the quilt, books, little rocker & bear. Love it! No new things for me this year as I'm busily working on downsizing. I took several boxes & bags of Christmas items to our Humane Society Thrift Store last year as I packed things up. So far, I haven't missed a thing!
ReplyDeleteWOW, that is gorgeous! I love adding at least one thing new every year:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!
ReplyDeleteChris, this is such an exciting tree! I know you definitely had a light bulb experience and expect to see a trend you just started in blog land! It is beautiful! This is the grist Christmas since my dad passed early this year. I have been helping with my mom and her two trees, etc. So many family memories there! Now I will start my tree today! A little late, but it will be fine! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Susie
Love this reminds me of a Scandinavian tree that a friend has. Love the way it looks with all the tags!! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNo new decorations for us this year - but I do love what we have so I'm not complaining!
Can't wait to get my tags!!
Merry Merry
Leann
I love your idea! If I made one I would paint it bright shiny red...there is never enough red in my world...and would love it with a quilt just like yours! The tags from the swap were wonderful! I have a small tree decorated with the tags and shadow boxes from last year's swap...I will try to squeeze in the beautiful new tags as well!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous! I have a few tags....I may try to hand some of mine. Of course the lights add so much, too! What a great idea...you've got my head spinning with ideas! Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteI love it! And you did an beautiful job decorating it - what a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! I will enjoy looking at yours, I can see that I will get some good ideas. Have a great weekend!
Cindy
Just adorable and great idea to use your tags...And they have made 6 more...I bet those guys are loving alllllll of the cookies!!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Just stopping by again to let you know I just did a post on the Christmas Tag Swap! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness -- II need one of those!! Thank you for telling us how you did it! I'm working on my White Christmas Tag Swap post and it should be up by tomorrow night! Thank you again for hostessing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use it. It looks so pretty all lit up. :)
ReplyDeleteDon’t ask me how I found you, but I did and I am in love with your blog. Am adding you to my sidebar to follow. I have 25 little Christmas matchboxes I got a year ago in a Swap for All Seasons. I have never been able to display them to my satisfaction, but this tree idea would be wonderful. Each little matchbox has a present in it. So precious. Thanks for the wonderful idea. Now, I just have to get my carpenter son to make it for me. genie
ReplyDeleteLove this Chris! What a great tree. I was just telling my daughter the other day that I would love to have a tag tree. Lucky you!
ReplyDelete