Curly Christmas Tree

How about a curly Christmas tree?? This was fairly time consuming (about an hour and half, though if you are not a parent it might take you less time).  I was inspired to do this by all the Evergreen stencils I've seen recently, like these:

From Twiddleybitz

and

From Woodware

To make a Christmas tree like this you need:

Styrofoam Cone

Green Construction Paper

Hot Glue

Scissors

Sheet Music for Star (optional)

~Take the Styrofoam cone and wrap it tightly with a piece of green paper, making sure it comes to a point. Secure it with hot glue.

 ~Cut lots of 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces of paper,  making some long and some short. 

~Curl a (long) single piece around a pencil and then slide it off the tip, dabbing the outer end with a drop of glue. Place it on the bottom of the tree:

~You're going to be using the longer pieces pf paper on the bottom and gradually decreasing the length of the paper as you work your way (in circles) up the tree. As you get closer to the top, use a curling tool that is thinner than the pencil to make smaller curls. 

~Make a small star out of sheet music, or what ever you think might work. I am loving the simplicity of sheet music right now. 

It takes a while, but it is totally worth it (in my opinion). I love the look of this curly evergreen. :-)

Ps. While surfing around on the web, I found a cool tutorial for a different kind of curly paper tree....similar to mine in that you use a curling tool and paper. It's adorable!!
Chessies Christmas Trees

I shared this post at the following sites of coolness:

Frugalicious Friday

Three Or More @ Gypsy's Corner
Works For Me Wednesday 

Needle Felted Santa

Is it strange to have a life-size Santa head on your windowsill? I'm on the fence on this one. You'll have to let me know what you think in all honesty. Most of the time I feel pretty good about this guy. He was so much fun to make and watch as he was coming into creation. I love the look of an Old World Santa (even if it is just his head). I made this guy last year, just when I was beginning blogging....but I never posted about him. What better time that now?? It's after Thanksgiving right?? Do I have your permission to go hog wild on the Christmas decor?? :-) 

I wish I could give you a full tutorial, but it was a year ago and I'm a little fuzzy on the details. I can tell you some basic things you'll need to make it:

Muslin fabric

Poly-filling

Fabric Paint

Clean Sheep Wool (uncarded)

Red fleece

White fleece

Needle Felting tool

Hot Glue

~Take the muslin and sew it into a oval pillow shape. Fill it with poly-filling and sew it closed.

~ Shape the wool into a beard with the felting tool by gathering bits together and tamping them firmly together with the tool. Make a separate mustache that is nice and full. Sheep wool that hasn't been carded or dyed makes the BEST beards, and most of the time they come in pieces that are already beard shaped. I bought and cleaned this wool all by myself. You can read about it HERE in my very first blog post about traditional felting.

~Use lots of hot glue to glue the beard and mustache in place. I used some straighter pieces of wool for Santa's hair, which I glued separately. I also made some fluffy eyebrows from wool as well.

~Use pink and red fabric paint for some dramatic rosy-red cheeks. Brown and tan colors work well for the eyes. 

~Sew two large red fleece triangle shaped pieces together and sew on a white trim for the cuff of the hat. I attached a little bell to the tip of the hat for fun. 

~Hot glue or sew ( or both, which I did) the hat onto Santa's head. 

Voila!!

That's about the best I can remember of how I made Santa's disembodied head. ;-) 

Let me know what you think!!

P.S. YAY!!!! This post was featured on Punkin Seed  Productions here:




I shared this post at these wonderful linky parties....check them out and be inspired!!
Frugalicious Friday

Three or More @ Gypsy's Corner
Works For Me Wednesday