As I continue to downsize my life and belongings, this year I'm smalling up my Christmas tree. And doing away with the typical green-ness. I have what my family calls a wrapped tree. Let me explain. First you have to go hunting for a part of a tree, maybe still alive or maybe dead (the greener the wood of the tree, the less brittle). I chose a tree top from the wild growth on my parent's property, the brush that grows along the fence line that a mower doesn't get to. Since I live in a small apartment, I wanted to keep the height under 4 feet. And I made sure that there were no leaves still attached. Then it was bundled with twine and shipped via my compact car back home.
Once home, the fun began. I cut strips of cotton batting about 2 inches wide. Starting at the top of each branch, I wound the strips around, overlapping the edges until I reached the bottom of each one. It was a little tedious but not too bad. If parts of the branch started to poke through the batt, I squirted the batt down and squeezed the edges back together (imagine wet toilet paper and how mushy it can get--just not that extreme). The almost finished tree looks like it should be in a mummy's house. The tree was then popped into a weighted terra cotta plant pot, secured and more batting was filled in over the top of it.
The last step was to wind strings of lights around the strongest branches and limbs. I used a combination of white and red ones. The weaker branches at the top remain unlit. I truly love this tree. I don't think these photos will communicate how lovely it looks in the dark but you may get the idea.
Once home, the fun began. I cut strips of cotton batting about 2 inches wide. Starting at the top of each branch, I wound the strips around, overlapping the edges until I reached the bottom of each one. It was a little tedious but not too bad. If parts of the branch started to poke through the batt, I squirted the batt down and squeezed the edges back together (imagine wet toilet paper and how mushy it can get--just not that extreme). The almost finished tree looks like it should be in a mummy's house. The tree was then popped into a weighted terra cotta plant pot, secured and more batting was filled in over the top of it.
The last step was to wind strings of lights around the strongest branches and limbs. I used a combination of white and red ones. The weaker branches at the top remain unlit. I truly love this tree. I don't think these photos will communicate how lovely it looks in the dark but you may get the idea.
The unlit tree during the day, shades open (no camera flash). Ignore the tacky patio chairs outside.
The lit tree at night (camera flash on)
The lit tree at night (no camera flash)
A branch close up
The base of the tree where the strings of lights get all mixed up (in a good way)
The lit tree at night (camera flash on)The lit tree at night (no camera flash)A branch close upThe base of the tree where the strings of lights get all mixed up (in a good way)I don't know that I'll do this every year but for now it's a great temporary solution and just something out of the ordinary.
That is so cool! You are one talented lady!
I meant to get your email the other night so I could request the sheet for the modular knitting how to, but forgot.
Would you be so kind to email to me: starrchild42@yahoo.com? thanks!!
Oh that is flipping awesome. Honestly that is way cooler than any traditional Christmas tree!