Ok, we have a fun little craft for you guys, complete with an easy how-to, and some festive photos.
But first of all, we finally got our tree decorated this weekend…
We’ve shared a bunch of different trees with you guys over the years, and each year it has been fun to switch a few things up with a new “theme” like classic silver and white, citrus inspired lemons and real dried oranges, pastel pink and soft green with silver bows, crafty paint strip ornaments and ribbons, and a fun white to pink to to red gradient tree from last year.
But this year there was a new theme in town: family. We just wanted to fill our tree with meaningful ornaments. Things that were one of a kind, homemade, personalized, given to us by someone special, and otherwise memorable to us. It was actually the first year that we had enough to fill a big tree (we usually relegate them to a smaller tabletop tree), which was good timing since we have a big girl around who’s really into helping these days.
And since handmade ornaments were a big part of the mix, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try my hand at making three dozen new ones, all with a woodsy yet colorful spin.
The first step was trudging around outside looking for a fallen branch that was about 3″ in diameter. After finding it and yelling “eureka” (true story) I brought it into the garage and fired up the miter saw (picture me grinning like a fool while whispering “don’t cut your fingers off”). It was actually pretty simple to keep the blade straight and make a bunch of vertical cuts, so I was able to slice the whole branch up to make nearly three dozen little round slices.
One half of the branch was a little more gnarled on the inside than the other, so it was funny that around half of them had cool weathered holes in the middle while the others were smoother and less holey. The next step was letting them sit/dry out for a while (I actually made these slices about two weeks ago) because I didn’t want to paint or seal damp wood for fear that it would become a crumbly rotten mess. So if you don’t have time to do that, maybe try hunting down pre-cut wood slices, or see if there’s some method for speed-drying them (maybe sitting them in a box of rice or something?).
Late last week I couldn’t stand waiting anymore, so I sanded them all just to make them extra smooth, and finally broke out three paint pens. I tried my hand at three different designs. We’ll call the one on the left “arrow” (I started by drawing the one in the middle and then just added two others flanking it). The one in the middle can be called “fraction” (I just made a wide-ish pizza slice on each one and colored it in). And the one on the right can go by “dipped” (I experimented with thinner or thicker “dippings” on different angles, just to change things up).
I really liked the idea of letting a lot of the wood grain show through (as opposed to painting or coloring the entire front) but the little pop of color is really fun – and super simple. As for the exact paint pens I used, I had luck with a red and green Sharpie paint pen, and a turquoise Elmer’s Painters pen (they’re a few bucks each at places like Michael’s or JoAnn).
About twenty minutes later, I had this collection of lovelies.
Then I took them outside and said “remember when you guys lived out here?” and gave them a good spray coat of Aileen’s Gloss Finish Sealer (on the front and the sides, and later on the back when they were dry). Sealing wood slices can help to keep them from flaking and it also gives them a nice little polished look, which is a cool juxtaposition to their rugged edges and gnarled centers.
After they had fully dried for 24 hours out in the garage, I brought them back in and drilled tiny pilot holes into the top of each one (I strategically chose what part should be the top so all the arrows would be straight, but some of the fractions and dipped ones would be slightly off-kilter since I liked the interest that those angles would bring to the tree). Then it was as simple as sticking eye-hooks into each of those pre-drilled pilot holes at the top and screwing them by hand.
I already had some old metal ornament hooks to slip through those eye-hooks, so that was all they needed to finally find their way onto the tree.
I think the red ones are my favorite. They really pop with the green background. And the total cost for three dozen wood slice ornaments = $11, which breaks down to around 30 cents each (that total includes all three paint pens, the spray sealer, and the eye hooks). Psst- You can check out a bunch of other wood slice ornaments here.
These new guys are in good company with a bunch of other ornaments that we’ve made over the years (like the green zebra you can see in the top right of that shot above) so that gives us the warm fuzzies. In fact, it’s probably a good time to toss out some links to those other homemade ornaments:
- Here are some faux antler ornaments along with a bunch of colorful “ceramic” animals (and some swirl-painted glass bulbs) from 2011
- Here are a few “snow” covered and feather filled glass ornaments from 2008
- Here are some real dried orange slice ornamets from 2009
- Here are a few baby’s first Christmas ornaments from 2010 (with Clara’s silhouette and hand prints on them)
Oh and a bunch of people saw a peek at the tree on Instagram and Facebook before it was decorated, noticed that it was new, and asked if it was real and where we got it (we got it up about a week before we added ornaments and just gazed at it naked for a while. The tree was naked. We were fully clothed. Except for Burger).
Anyway, back to where we got the tree. It was a hand-me-down from my mom (the box is long gone and we didn’t see any brand markings on it though – so if anyone has something similar and knows the brand we’d love that info to pass along) and we’re completely enamored with it. In fact, we’ve already donated our old tree, which we faithfully enjoyed since 2008. It’s hard to tell in photos, but this one is pretty real looking and sort of droopy-in-a-good-way (it’s feathery on the ends, which makes for a nice effect). Especially all lit up in that bay window of ours. Just ignore the blue trim – I’m waiting for Santa to come paint that for me.
But back to the decorating process. It was the first year that Clara had a real active interest in helping us the entire time, and she was even able to hang the breakable ornaments since she’s a careful steady-handed gal (zero ornaments were harmed in the making of this tree, although I did have about five mini-heart attacks, but I was so glad I let the bean do her thing in the end).
It pretty much worked out to be broken down into three rough zones. Clara took the bottom, I took the middle, and John got the top thanks to his long legs and added wingspan.
As for what went where, it was really just a free-for-all. I placed all of the ornaments out on a little white pedestal table off to the side of the tree, and we all just took turns grabbing whichever one caught our eye. We taught Clara just to do one per branch, but that was really the only direction we gave her – along with “don’t forget the sides and the back.” As we hung them, Clara would ask us where each one came from, so we had fun telling her about one that came from our honeymoon, one that we got in Hawaii with her, a few that were made by readers and given to us last year during our book tour, some that we had made in past years, some that were given to us by family members, etc.
I worried I’d forget a bunch of their origins, but when the entire table had been cleared and the whole tree was full, I don’t think there was a single ornament origin that we couldn’t recall. It’s funny how that stuff sticks with you.
And someone was VERY PROUD of herself.
Here she is posing in front of “her tree.”
And here’s the tree at night in all of its reflecting-in-the-bay-windows glory. The funny thing is that the old owners of the house must have put their tree right in this spot when they lived here. I never would have known that except when we moved in and I redid the floors, I remember finding a bunch of faux pine needles in that corner when I swept things up.
Oh and here’s the 411 on those festive reindeer – they were such an easy project back in 2011. And the tree skirt is just two faux sheepskin rugs from Ikea that we steal from other places in the house and shove under there each December.
So there you have it. A tree without a theme, except for a sweet memorable/handmade hodge-podge. Complete with a tiny tin hamburger.
What are your trees looking like this year? Any fun themes or color schemes? Do you go real or faux with them? Did anyone else make any ornaments? I’d love to get Clara in on the fun next year, so I’m already thinking about some baked ones (either clay or even gingerbread ones) that we could seal/paint/hang together. Could be fun…
Psst – You can peruse a ton of other holiday projects right here.
Update – Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Update Number 2: Plus you can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
stephanie @ Housewife Mama says
How did I not know about those Oil Paint Sharpies?!? Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
The other day I whined about my 2 and 4 year olds and how they were going to destroy half of my Christmas deco…well guess who broke the first one….this lady. Crow sandwich for lunch.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man! John broke one of our fridge ornaments when we were putting them up in the kitchen, but so far that has been the carnage. Still waiting for the big crash…
xo
s
Lindsey says
I LOVE Christmas. After the lights my favorite thing is our tree. We go every year and pick out the exact perfect (real) tree, and spend a night decorating it, just my husband and I. This year is extra special because in April we will welcome our first little one (a BOY too!) so I’m super emotional and attached to everything we are doing as just the two of us since it will not be that way for much longer. We put ours up and decorated it the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it was just beautiful, all with meaningful ornaments too. That was until our puppy, an 80lb, one and a half year old Labradoodle named Linus, was left alone with it for one day. We came home from work to the Great Ornament Massacre of 2013. He destroyed 13 ornaments that day, I cried the entire time I was cleaning them up, and I’m sure he’s still pooping glitter a week and a half later. I know they’re just things, but they were special and meaningful to me, so my heart was sad. He has since apologized and been forgiven, but I still look at the bottom third of my tree (the Clara area in your house) and feel a tinge of pain missing those that were once there.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no!!!! I’m so sorry! I’m glad Linus has apologized though. He just was feeling the holiday spirit…
xo
s
Bethany says
I’m sorry about the ornament masacre! :( I’d be so sad if something happened to my favorite ornaments too! But I just have to say that I love that your dog is named Linus. Too cute. ;)
erin says
I never see you guys with shoes on in the house! Is that a rule? Maybe our floors and area rugs would stay clean if we went shoe-free.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we’re a shoe free family (even in our first house we got into that habit). Definitely keeps the floors cleaner I think!
xo
s
Christine S says
Just curious…………..Where do your shoes end up if you take them off when you come in the house? Mine never make it to the closet and we end up having 15 pairs of shoes in our sunroom by the back door!! Maybe you could do a post on this???
YoungHouseLove says
We have a big basket that slips under the desk part of the kitchen cabinetry (across from the table) so we keep commonly worn shoes in there.
xo
s
Emily Fridenmaker says
This is my favorite of your trees by far! I’ve never lived in a home that did themed trees, they were always loaded up with crazy looking pre-school crafts and cartoon themed ornaments and cross-stitched ornaments with our names. I love the mismatch and the memories!
Lisa E says
I’m sensing a pattern here with a lot of bloggers; making things more personal. Love all the decor, but these types of trees, as others have said, always mean more. As always, Clara is adorable, love the pose, and she really did a wonderful job. You can’t tell where the child decorated from the adult, she’s a definitely DIYer in the making! Great job Clara!
Lisa E says
Oh and I forgot to add, I can’t believe that’s an artificial tree. It’s so real looking, love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Lisa!
xo
s
Paddy says
the tree is gorgeous, especially like the photo at night.
I made these rather simple sewn ornaments
http://instagram.com/p/hWUCA6RSIf/
I made this santa on a large canvas from printing it from the the net and enlarging it (this way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LJF8OTG3N4)
http://instagram.com/p/hmMb_qRSLl/
YoungHouseLove says
Love those!
xo
s
Christine says
Love it!!!! Themed trees have their place but I’ll take sentimental over themed any day!
Kelly says
We have two trees right now. One in our living room and one in our family room. The living room tree has all the hand- made ornaments that have been given to us. The tree skirt and the angel on top of the tree are crocheted white (also hand made). The family room tree has been decorated with store-bought ornaments that have been given to us and plain red felt tree skirt that I found on clearance one year. Thanks for sharing your tree!
YoungHouseLove says
So pretty Kelly!
xo
s
Shannon says
Lovely. Clara looks like such a big girl! So grown up suddenly. She’s going to be an amazing big sister. I am the oldest in my family and my brother was born when I was three. I loved helping take care of him and entertaining him. I’m sure they’ll be best buds! Congrats, so happy and excited for your family!! And Merry Christmas! xo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Shannon!
xo
s
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Love this tree! Our tree growing up was all sentimental, and I am always adding new sentimental pieces to our tree each year too. It’s more special than any theme. :)
Lauren (in PA) says
my tree is a lifetime of ornaments…hand made, from places visited, gifts…plus other filler. I wish i could add a link to it!
YoungHouseLove says
Feel free to post it on our Facebook page or share a link to it on flickr or Pinterest. Would love to see it!
xo
s
Laurie says
The tree is absolutely beautiful! Clara did a fabulous job. I have loved your past trees but I think I love this one the best. All the ornaments that each have their story are so fun to revisit every year.
Megan says
Beautiful! We get a real tree each year, so we don’t put it up until a little closer to Christmas. It’ll be up and decorated by this weekend :) We do just a “family” tree filled with our special ornaments, but since we’ve only been married a year and a half we still have to fill it in a little with a set of bulbs. My mother-in-law gave my husband his baby/kid ornaments, which will be a nice addition this year. My mom on the other hand refuses to give up mine. So I go over to her house every year to hang up my baby ornament and a few other favorites (Clara and the Rat King from her wooden Nutcracker ballet set). :) Luckily I don’t have far to go, she lives just next door. :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet!
xo
s
Emily says
We always go to a tree farm and cut our tree down ourselves. We just went two days ago and for the first year ever there was about a foot on snow on the ground! It made the experience feel so much more “Christmas-y” and the kids and dog loved it!
Luckily we live about 500 feet lower in elevation and there was no snow at our house. We had to let the tree hang out in the backyard all afternoon and dry out a bit before getting it up in the house.
We always do family ornaments and I love it! It’s a mix of ones from my childhood and things we’ve added since getting married 5 years ago and adding two kiddos to the mix.
So refreshing to see a family tree this year from you guys too!
Alicia says
This is my favorite type of tree…the ones full of mismatched yet meaningful ornaments. The pretty coordinated trees look nice in pictures but they don’t cause the warm fuzzy feeling. My girls and 12 and 13 and every year we make new ornaments to add to our collection and they have such fun pulling them out and reliving them every year :)
Tara says
Lovely – ours isn’t up yet… soon I hope!
Question: what happened to the Pinterest Challenges? I follow along and read every day, so I don’t think I missed it, but I can’t even remember when the last one was. Usually I “follow along at home”, but I had told myself that I would actually post my project the next time you run a challenge.
Thanks. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tara! We’re super overdue on one! Hope to host it soon!
xo
s
Tara says
Excellent – I’ll start narrowing down my choices. ;-)
Hanna says
I love your tree skirt very much!
Our tree is a mix of handmade ornaments from when I was a kid, ones I’ve made, some artisan made, and a whole lot of those little feathered craft birds. I love it. Real tree. I have a couple sets of nice glass balls, but they are waiting until my youngest is a bit older.
Whitney says
We always do a big tree like this with special ornaments, but then a few years ago I started an additional tree with all the ornaments I had been collecting that are shoes or purses. It’s the MOST fun tree and it has become special over the years as friends or family have started to notice it and then give us shoe ornaments to add. I love it when people outside of our home get in on the fun!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute! I love hearing about everyone’s trees and traditions!
xo
s
ilikebeerandbabies.com says
OH! OH! Picture from the outside at night please!
YoungHouseLove says
Will try to grab one soon!
xo
s
Sammy says
Beautiful! Simple, beautiful! And it’s great that Clara participated this year, I bet that was all smiles =)
Melanie says
I REALLY love those wooden ornaments! They are right up my alley. We just decorate our tree with starts & places we’ve been ornaments – super simple – but we do a warp speed video of it every year (this years: http://mailboxjourney.com/2013/12/09/christmas-tree-2013-video/) I think last year, you guys posted one too! So great that you do it too – I love videos like that. :)
Gorgeous tree!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, I wish we had done one this year too! They’re so much fun!
xo
s
heather says
When I saw the first photo my immediate response was that this tree felt so peaceful and calm and pleasant. It really felt less stylized and much more like a real family tree. I was so pleasantly surprised when I read that “family” was the exact theme of this tree! Also, how wonderful that Clara is old enough to genuinely understand and help decorate.
I don’t know what it is about this house, but I feel like you both seem much more settled and comfortable than in the last house – and it shows. (I never would have said “uncomfortable” about the last house, it’s a hindsite observation). <3
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Heather! We still drive home and say “dude, we actually live here.” We feel so thankful and blessed – and it’s so much fun to settle in and make it our own.
xo
s
Richelle says
I may be slightly biased since this is how I’ve always done my tree, but I think it’s the best one yet. :)
My parents had my brother and I each choose an ornament each year, and my mom wrote the year on each one. When we moved out, she gave us all of our chosen ornaments and some of the handmade ones as a sort of “tree starter” kit.
One of my favorite things about the Christmas tree decorating is unwrapping each ornament and remembering how they were made or who gave it to me, or the year I chose it.
Brenda says
I got my tree up an decorated over the weekend. I have a skinny 6′ tree that fits perfectly in my tiny studio apartment. I have a mix of shiny and glittery ornaments in a rainbow of colors. I felt better about the overall aesthetic when I added purple in the mix, and this year I added some glittery snowflakes that I’ve just had sitting around. I always leave my tree up until my birthday in January, so I’m excited to enjoy the warmth of the glowing lights and shiny ornaments until then.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds so pretty!
xo
s
Brooke says
I love your red reindeer…when I looked back to an older post, saw your gorgeous Moravian stars and now I have to have them! Just wondering what size are your stars? I’m looking at some on Amazon that are 21″ in diameter…thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
I think ours are 18″?
xo
s
Susan says
Theme trees are pretty, but I am a sucker for the sentimental. For years I considered a theme tree, but then I couldn’t bear to omit my collected ornaments because they didn’t “fit” a theme or color palette. Like you said, each one has a memory. I love revisiting those memories every year when I unwrap each one. It makes tree decorating more meaningful and less of a chore.
Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says
This is the way my family has decorated the tree for years and years. We might add some annual highlight (like tons of snowflakes or teddy bears) but the family ornaments rule.
The only thing we do differently is buy a real tree. I love the smell, although I have to drug myself due to allergies. The things we do for love…
Sam Frank says
This is our first year in our own house (not an apartment) so I was all ready for a big real tree…but it’s also our first year with a kitten, so we bought a live tabletop tree and it’s sitting in our bay window with all plastic non-breakable ornaments with citrus peels in place of a tree skirt, haha! I still love it though!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Happy kitty Christmas!
xo
s
Bethany says
Hahaha, the cirus peel tree skirt is hilarious! My cat would definitely steer clear of that!
Melissa says
This is my favorite tree you’ve ever done! Because I’m very sentimental when it comes to Christmas. Do you think you might hand-make a garland or maybe go store-bought? The tree looks pretty as-is too, of course.
I can’t believe your tree is fake! Never would have guessed. It looks very natural.
Merry Christmas to you guys :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Melissa! I was thinking that a little felted chunky garland would be pretty! Maybe next year we’ll later something in!
xo
s
Sarah says
Love Love Love the handmade ornaments! I might have to do some of the wooden ones myself. Last year my family made felt woodland animals for our tree – so much fun! You’ll have to hop on over to my blog in a few days to check them out. :) Merry Christmas!
YoungHouseLove says
They sound so cute!
xo
s
Sarina says
We were army brats.. so we never had a real tree.. We always had an artificial one.. after the first few years.. my mom would just stick the whole thing (decorations and all) in a black plastic leaf garbage bag. Not really all that festive.. but then again, holidays were never big, fun, family events in our home.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a funny method! She definitely was inventive!
xo
s
Marianne in Mo. says
Love your tree, I thought it was a perfection of real until I really stared! And thanks for the links, I wanted to do the Orange slices this year, but haven’t gotten to it yet. Thought of doing apple slices too, tied with twine and cinnamon sticks. Word of advice-we did cinnamon ornaments with my 4 year old grandson last week, and he quickly got impatient. I would maybe cut out the ornaments a day or two ahead by yourself, then let Clara decorate. (If doing the clay ones) The cinnamon ones would be good for her to cut out, since they don’t usually get much decoration. We also painted Styrofoam balls close to the color of our glitter, then simply rolled them in the match in glitter. He really liked those even more than the cutouts. Could just be a boy thing though!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Vanessa says
This is like the perfect Christmas tree. I wish I could find one like this. I love the mix of ornaments, that is sort of what we do and I think its so great to have a tree full of memories. We usually try to get a few news ones a year to add to the collection. Its so fun now that Clara can join in. This is the perfect spot for your tree too. By the way congrats on Baby Boy Petersik!!!!
Melinda says
I love those reindeer and your new DIY ornaments! I’ve saw your tree pre-decorated on instagram and I’ve been waiting to see how it turned out. So pretty!
http://poshpurpose.blogspot.com
Laurie Sturtevant says
Every year we go as a family (my parents are now 67 and 70) and cut down our trees. This year I was quick to pick (I have Sciatica and less walking and a tree that didn’t need a ladder was on my agenda). My Mom took forever and then exclaimed to my Dad, “Well, I like this one. What do you think?” Dad said dryly (reminding me of his dearly departed father), “Well, we could look at a couple of thousand more…” Ah, the holidays.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw I love that! Memories, baby.
xo
s
Desiree C. says
Your tree is absolutely gorgeous! We went and cut ours down last weekend, which proudly sports the same “theme”–anything that represents us/our childhood ornaments. I declared (as I always do) that this year’s tree is officially my favorite tree ever. :) Also, about your John taking the top of the tree because of his blessed wingspan, my John has the same duty. All I have to say is “EAGLE ARMS!” and he comes a-runnin’. Otherwise, we’d have an anything-up-high disaster.
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Larita says
Who says a tree has to have a theme? This looks like our trees when I was owing up; I don’t remember a single “boxed” ornament. And the best part of decorating was re-telling the stories of each ornament every year.
Kristy @ Kristy's Health Revolution says
Wow, Clara IS tall, isn’t she? I didn’t notice it until I read your YHLife post yesterday, and now I see it!
I grew up with a “family” tree. I specifically remember loving looking at the ornaments and seeing the ones I made when I was young, or ornaments our friends gave us as Christmas presents. I’m solidly in the “Family Tree 4-eva!” camp! As our family grows, I plan to do a second “themed” tree but always keep the family tree alive!
Ian says
Love the tree and that the family help put it together. We put our tree up last night, first time in our new house. It brought some warmth and cheer into a house that is currently being DIYed and renovated.
Keep the good work going.
Ian
oursouthwesthome.com
Vanessa says
Beautiful tree! I love theme trees but family trees really are the best! And that proud look on Clara’s face – priceless!!
Chris-Ellyn says
The theme for our tree this year is “Barbie Wars.” It is festooned with pink feather boas and our collection of Barbie and Star Wars ornaments. It is a hot mess, but it makes me smile.
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious! I love it.
xo
s
Rachel says
Ours too! I have the entire Hallmark series of Barbie ornaments that my grandmother gave me each year and my husband has several Star Wars ones too. Plus tons of sports ones and lots of others mixed in.
Kelly says
We have a tree of memories every year too that is mixed in with our favorite pop culture Hallmark ornaments – Star Wars, Harry Potter, & Indiana Jones. I think this is your best tree yet and I really love the wood slice ornaments you made too!
haverwench says
We don’t have an actual tree (we always spend Christmas with my in-laws, so we enjoy their tree instead), but this year I did finally try my hand at some decorations for the indoors as well as the outdoors. We had just taken down two big evergreen bushes in the front yard, so I had lots of fresh greenery to work with, and I eked it out with other natural materials that I gathered from around the neighborhood (pine cones, berries, etc.). For containers, I used some yard-sale baskets and some 4″ flowerpots from our large and growing collection. The only things I bought were four rolls of holiday ribbon and a pack of jingle-bell ornaments from the dollar store, and I think the results (which you can see on my blog, ecofrugality.blogspot.com) are quite nice for $5 worth or materials.
haverwench says
P.S.: My in-laws always use an artificial tree, though it’s not quite as realistic as yours. They used to have a real one, but they had to switch because their dog just could not get the message that an indoor tree should not be used for the same purpose as an outdoor tree. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Awesome!
xo
s
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
Your tree looks gorgeous! I love how Clara was really into it this year! I think family trees are my favorite. We do that every year with all of our sentimental ornaments. It is such a fun trip down memory lane!
Wendy says
Family tree full of memories. Oldest at the top (One a teacher made for me in 1974 – it’s amazing the glitter is still on it!) Each year we have framed a picture of our son and it’s fun to find those little smiling faces all over the tree. We also buy ornaments on every vacation so the tree is covered with Santa on a surfboard from a beach vacation and a hand painted beauty with the Sedona red rocks in the background. I love that the tree tells our family’s story.
Kelly G. says
GAH! I’m so jealous of your wood ornaments! I tried a few different times to cut some slivers for ornaments, but the wood we have was just too hard and almost resulted in a hand-nub. We’ll have to borrow [steal] a softer tree limb and get back on it!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! Stay safe, and good luck!
xo
s
Katie80 says
Clara Area, aka “Clarea”
Actually, that sounds like a disease. Don’t call it that.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Or like a new planet, right beyond Neptune…
xo
s
Bailey says
Love it! We have a real tree every year and before we put it in the stand, we slice off the end and let it dry. Then I use glitter and glue to put the year on the little wood disk so that we have a part of every tree we’ve ever had as an ornament. One day we hope to have a tree with nothing but “parts” of our past trees on it!
YoungHouseLove says
LOVE that!!
xo
s
abby says
Beautiful! Our new home (just moved in May ’13) has a bay window just like yours and our tree is in the exact same spot! love all your family ornaments too.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Alex says
Hey youngsters, just a head’s up about a typo in that “tree zone” photo. Should read: “Clarea”
;) ;)
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Someone else said that too! Sounds like an undiscovered planet…
xo
s