The intention was to create something unique and handcrafted for the cloche I bought the other day and couldn’t wait to fill. The result was another craft project that was more difficult than expected. You would think I would learn after the burlap wreath that I should just stick to the crafty ideas I come up with in my own head like the feather wall art for my home office. But no, this weekend I thought I was Martha Stewart (delusional, I know).
However, I thought it would be fun to take on a little Martha Stewart project that seemed simple enough… a paper evergreen tree. Super cute, seems simple, and includes some basic materials.
What I started with is this (plus a dowel and wooden spool not shown):
Thankfully I realized very early on that I want to use the sheet music for another project. In its place I used pages from an old book I found tucked away in a stack of things in the basement. The yellowed pages were perfect.
The end result turned out better than I thought it would be half way through (after about 64 paper circles). Let’s just say geometry and origami are not my skills. Not to mention that the first time I actually decide to follow the instructions … they are incorrect.
The book paper evergreen tree in all its glory…
Challenges:
- The card stock ended up being too heavy to make all the folds with such dainty circles
- There are 16 folds and not 4 as the instructions stated
- It’s best to build the tree bottom up instead of top down like the instructions state
- Lining the folds of the tree up just wasn’t going to happen (oh well, trees aren’t perfectly symmetrical in nature and the end result has that hand-crafted feel that is another popular holiday trend year … a happy accident)
Successes:
- The spool, dowel, and beads all fit perfectly together
- The awesome Martha Stewart small circle cutter and large circle cutter tool worked like a charm
- Adding glitter to the boughs for a little holiday glamour and added just the right amount of sparkle (trust me, there is more sparkle than the photos show… it’s hard to photograph glitter!)
- It fits PERFECTLY in my new cloche
- The video on Martha’s site for this project was very helpful
I decided to pair it with two sweet little white ceramic cardinals I have from a holiday table setting I did last season. The little vignette is a work in progress and currently resides on the console table in the living room. Perfect for winter and hopefully channeling that snow that is supposed to fall tonight. Never mind that Thanksgiving is just days away this little project and the impending snow has gotten me in the mood for Christmas!
Happy accident or not I am fairly happy with how this little project (that cost about $3 and some mini challenges) turned out. The little tree turned into a creative little idea for the cloche I was so anxious to fill!
I would love to hear other ideas to display in my new cloche… after all, it won’t be the holidays and winter forever!
P.S. I joined a few link parties including Make it 4 Monday at Cottage Instincts, Home for the Holidays at It’s so Very Cheri and a few others. Check the linky parties out by clicking on the following…
www.stelladot.com/darcytidd
Love it! And under the cloche it looks perfect!
Jeanine
I love this tree it looks so vintage
very cute…so dainty under the cloche!
This is so pretty! It looks so delicate and elegant!
This is so pretty! Thanks for all of the do’s and don’ts
Fantastical! I am going to do this with an old dictionary that I have. Thanks!
http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com
-Amanda
This was an amazing project. Thank you for sharing with us. I love to use old pages in my work. I do think this is one project that I’m going to think about a way to incorporate it into one of my Santa Sculpts…at least one of the elves sculpts. Thank you for the inspiration!!!! You know…a paper butterfly sitting on a silk flower would look beautiful under the glass for the spring..just sayin!!!!
Hugs,
Regi
That is a great idea! I’ll have to make a note to myself for Spring.
Very cute idea. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Darcy it was so nice to see you visited my blog!! Thanks for coming by. The dishes you are referring to are called Haystack by Johnson Bros. I lucked out and found them at homegoods for very cheap. I priced them on replacement .com and they were $26 a plate,owey!!! They are kind of hard to find. I love them because they are black and they have a nice wheat design arouond the edge. Hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!! Kathysue
I love it. You’ve inspired me – I want to make one. In fact, I need to make one.
I love that tree. The cloche just perfects it ! I’d leave it up all year . I’ve been coming up with some book ideas also. Would love for you t o stop by my blog and take a look. I will be posting my first giveaway tonite!
So cute!!
[...] I’m completely in love with this Evergreen DIY! Check out the tutorial over at The iDesignBox. [...]
This is SO fabulous!!!
I love it!!
I would also love if you linked up to our party at Paper Issues!!!
http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-hook-up.html
=)
this is stunning!!
the AWESOMENESS of this tree…..LOVE IT!!
[...] next year for Christmas. I need this Book Paper Holiday Tree (someone remind me about this in November please & thank [...]
[...] Book Pages Holiday Tree (2012 update: I didn’t recreate this… just put it back out for display) Happy Holidays Everyone! Posted in Design Inspiration | No Comments » [...]