Thursday, December 6, 2012

Our Tree 2012

I have been so behind this Christmas season. I have just decided to enjoy and not stress too much over the details. I am happy though that I finally have the tree up and I am really enjoying it :)


This year I got a Grand Fir. I have never decorated anything except a Noble and I actually really enjoyed this kind of tree. The reason I changed was because Chantel said she wanted a really fat tree--and this one was really fat!


Our dog Duke has been admiring the tree.


I used feather boas to give a look of snow. I tore long pieces of eyelet fabric and tied them into bows. I added frames, white ornaments and pearls.


I love angel wings and can never get enough. I want to get more handmade paper ones--I see some many gorgeous ones out in blogland.


I love hanging the frames on the tree. It is a new tradition for us for sure! This year I am going to look for some larger lightweight frames. They add such a personal touch!


This picture makes me smile--when Chantel was little we always had to buy her dolls in pairs. She thought since she had twin brothers that babies came in pairs.


I love my star--especially because I transformed it from an ugly gold to a sparkling white beauty! I also love the paper roses on the tree.




I am really happy with this years tree! I am already thinking forward to next years tree--I am thinking more frames, more boas, more angel wings and crowns!


I want to find more crown ornaments -- angel wings and crowns...two of my favorite things!

 I am planning to wrap presents in brown paper and tie lace around them. I love this look. My Mom got me tons of lace this summer at garage sales for very little money. So this pretty wrap job cost almost nothing! Those that know me will not be surprised that this first wrapped gift is for Janae's kitties!


Chantel and Duke checking for presents under the tree :)


I hope this finds everyone enjoying the season!

Thanks for visiting! 

Edited to say:  Many of you have asked how I keep the cats out of the tree. First thing is, after many years of experience I have learned, you can't let them watch you decorate it. Creates too much interest! I lock them in a bedroom. Then the first day they batted at a few things, tried to climb it, but after I squirted them with a water bottle a dozen or so times now they are ignoring it. Fez did open a present this morning..but who could blame him. It was a box of kitty treats. :)

59 comments:

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

What a lovely tree Sandy! I especially like your personalized family frames. Great idea!

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

Your tree is looking beautiful this year! I am really into the feathers, crowns and wings this year, too.

~Shanon

Kim Gillian said...

I love your tree, it is so pretty!

Shabby Brocante, Karen said...

Your tree is beautiful with it's, feathers, pearls and eyelet! The little white frames with black and white photos makes it so personal and special.
I love the picture of Duke admiring it :)
Karen

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Gorgeous white tree Sandy. Perfect with pearls, feathers, etc., just the right white ornies for it. I love the frames, I too have them in my eclectic tree. Happy holiday season.
FABBY

Donna said...

What a gorgeous tree! I love the framed photos of your family, and the sweet little birdies, too. Your wrapping idea is so pretty, I just may have to borrow it:)

Lucille said...

Sandy, your tree is amazing. Truly, I have never seen such an unusual tree. I can see the love that has gone into making it. By the way, that photo of Chantel with her two dolls is just so sweet. Your tree is an absolute work of art. How do you keep the cats away from it though? My daughter is just getting into cats and she acquired two of them. One of them is a climber and she kept climbing in her tree right up to the top and she would just stay there and observe the goings on. Finally, my daughter took down her tree. I think Christmas without a tree is sad. But she was afraid the cat would hurt herself.

Sherry Hicks said...

love your Decor and the pictures on the tree. Your dog duke is so darn cute!!!! House looks great good picture of your daughter! Have a Very Merry Christmas season!
Sherry

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Your tree is gorgeous, I like the fat tree too LOL! You have got to tell us how you keep the kitties out of the tree??

Carol

Kat's Purrfect Boutique said...

I love what you've done with your tree. I'm envious of you and your daughter's hair. It's thick and pretty. Mine is very thin on top and it used to be thick. I've been taking prenatal vitamins (at age 51) to make it thicker. lol

Merry Christmas Katharine

aimee said...

Wow it's beautiful I love it xxx

Shingle Cottage said...

Oh my Susan it's beautiful,i love,love the pictures hanging from the branches too...your daughter was so right to ask for a bushy tree its dreamy xxx

Holly @ Bella Nest said...

Your tree is lovely!!! I'm with you on the crowns and wings! I could have a house full of them! Have a wonderful weekend, Sandy!

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Your tree looks absolutely gorgeous.Love the crowns and wings.Happy Holidays.
Hugs,
Marie

Paint Me White said...

Gorgeous tree Sandy. x

farmhouse-story said...

gorgeous, sandy! i used feather boas on my big tree this year--i love it! i wrapped one around a wooden hoop for a wreath---took 3 minutes to make!

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Your tree turned out so pretty! I really love how you wrapped that present... It looks very pretty.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Grandma Carolee said...

Oh Sandy...your tree is unique & beautiful. I love the white roses and the pictures especially. You are an artist!! So glad you are getting good use out of the lace...so pretty on the package. I"m looking forward to seeing it in person today.

The White Pear Tree said...

That is truly, truly a beautiful tree!! Love everything about it. In fact I may take a page from your tree book for next year and make little family frames with Christmas moments, I absolutely love that!! It makes it so much more personal.

Love your packages too, so romantic. And Duke looking at the tree? Priceless!

Cynthia said...

I love your tree it is so very pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Cynthia

Junkchiccottage said...

Your tree is so so pretty. I love all the angel wings and crowns. My favs too. Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy that beautiful tree.
Kris

Anne said...

Wow Sandy your tree is so dreamy! Beautiful angel wings and those framed ornaments look so pretty too!LOVE the new look of your blog too!I have never had any issues with our cat getting into our trees either.
xx
Anne

Lorraine said...

Beautiful tree, love your photos! I love white for Christmas, especially since it never snows here. Have a great weekend, Lorraine :)

Darlene said...

Your tree turned out so beautiful. I love how you did the picture frames and the little angel wings hanging on there. I think the water gun is good for many things. I have to squirt my dog to stop barking at people through the window. I don't do it often but when they were working on the roof he just wouldn't stop.

Connie said...

Sandy, you did such an amazing job decorating your tree. Its so beautiful and I love everything about it. The little white frames are simply adorable. Love the one of your DD with the twin babies - so cute. Did you make those roses? Love the angel wings too.
Hugs,
Connie

PS: Janae's tree is beautiful too.

Lady of the Woods said...

How beautiful and creative is everything! I LOVE the wrapping with the lace! beautiful!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your tree looks beautiful, Sandy! I love the framed pictures idea. The angel wings and crown ornaments are lovely.

Sweet Melanie said...

I think it's absolutely amazing! I waited patiently to see this tree...and it was so worth it! I love it all Sandy.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Sandy your tree is so lovely. It's beautiful and peaceful....just like the season.

hugs
Sissie

Ivy and Elephants said...

Your tree is just fabulous! I love the angel wings and feather boas, what a cool idea! I'm now collecting frames, your tree looks so good!
Big hugs,
Patti

Anonymous said...

Wow!! This looks gorgeous! I havent started on the tree yet. Here in Norway it has been a tradition to decorate the tree at the 23.! of december, but I might start earlier to enjoy it more. I have started with rough decor from nature style this year, but loving your white :) Hugs from the snowy land <3

tree said...

So lovely! I love white.

Ana said...

Your tree is absolutely dreamy...love, love, love the boas, angel wings and crowns....oh, oh and love the frames. Totally sweet idea.

Hugs and Kisses,
❤Ana

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Such a beautiful tree! There is so much fun about Christmas I always get over ambitious and then have to calm down and be more realistic! haha! Love the roses and the frames. So cute about your daughter and two dollies! That is one gorgeous package too. Merry, merry!

Unknown said...

So pretty ! I love the soft blue !

Art and Sand said...

Love your tree, but I focused on your wrapping. I have used brown butcher paper many times, but I never thought about lace ribbon - love the look.

MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOI said...

so, so nice Christmas tree ! Love so much the first picture with the cute little dog amazed by so much prettiness !
xoxo from PARIS
Joëlle

Ginger said...

Your tree couldn't be any prettier, I love it so much. Thanks for stopping by.
Ginger

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

What a gorgeous tree and I love the framed photos!!

Karen said...

Your tree is beautiful, love the picture frame ornaments. I bought several a few at a time from Michael's dollar bin. I planned on using them as ornaments but I don't think I'll be getting to them this year. Everything on your tree is perfect.

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

A truly gorgeous white tree Sandy. I love how full it is.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Unknown said...

Hey Sandy got your FB request Now I can't get on there will confirm you as soon as it will let me.

Pattie

Rebecca Nelson said...

Eeek...I LOVE your BIG FAT TREE! Totally beautiful!

Hugs~Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Sandy...your white decor is all so angelic and love that little Duke!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I was one of the people that asked, I love that trick with the water bottle, I will remember that!

Carol

Anonymous said...

So funny that Fez knew which present was his!!

Your tree is just beautiful. I love those little angel wings! I found some after Christmas last year when I saw then all over blogland and used them on my dining room chairs. I just love them!

bee blessed
mary

must love junk said...

Your tree is stunning! I love how you included the pictures and I love their frames!
Susan

Monica said...

Oh my! What a gorgeous tree! It's white and shabby, just perfect :)
Thanks for always taking the time to leave such nice notes on my blogs. I really appreciate.
As for the microwave heating pads, I use regular rice (in those I shared yesterday I actually mixed up two types of rice, the cheapest variety). It doesn't cook if you put your pad into a plastic bag while heating it. Write heating instructions if you give it as present, so it will work great and last for years.
Hope this helps!

Monica said...

I meant to say, rice doesn't cook and it won't burn if you put it in a plastic bag :)

Diane said...

Love the tree and all the decorations. Looks like a winter wonderland. That pic of your daughter and your sweet dog is so cute!

Janet said...

I absolutely love your tree! Really like the idea of painting thrift store frames, too!

Anonymous said...

Your tree is stunning! And I absolutely love your picture frame ornaments. They are beautiful! Merry Christmas!

Karen

Burlap Luxe said...

It's a fine Noble, Sandy it looks like you have beef collecting for years to fill it with that much beauty.
Thank you my sweet new friend for taking time to visit, and best leaving a comment on your way home.

I am going back now to read some of your older post catching up and getting to know you much better.

A Joyeux Noël
Blessings
Xx
Doré

Heirloom treasures said...

Sandy,your tree is perfect. Love all the pics especially the one of Chantel and doggie. xxx

Simply Debbie said...

Hello Sandy,
Your blog and christmas tree are sooo very beautiful. It is sooo very peaceful, reflecting the season of our sweet saviour's birth, Jesus.
Chantel is a gorgeous girl. Our children grow up sooo very quick.
I will be back to visit.
I love lace and I love the brown paper with the elegance of the lace, you used to wrap your packages.
hugs
Simply Debbie

Suzy said...

Your tree is just lovely! The decorations are so creative. I love the fluffy boa and the torn eyelet fabric. Simply beautiful! Thank you so much for linking up to the Better Late Than Never Christmas Inspirations bloghop.

Pam Kessler said...

Your tree is beautiful. I love the feather boa idea. With my previous cat I would have to tie the tree to the wall with fishing line and eye hooks, because I could not keep him out of the tree. Nothing like the crash of a Christmas tree waking you up in the middle of the night.

Unknown said...

Very gorgeous Tree!!
Daisy~

Unknown said...
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