Make a Christmas Tree

Downsizing presented yet another problem for me.  My large 9ft Christmas tree wouldn't fit into my smaller house.  I sold the tree but didn't get enough money to buy another tree I liked soooo..... I made my own tree!

It wasn't hard to do. All you need is some thin wood, glue, nails, wire or twine and green garland.  The tree is flat on the back to be hung onto a wall or into a corner as mine is.


Since we were renovating our house we had lots of wood scraps so I didn't need to buy anything.  I decided on the overall size and shape of tree to fit my space.  I used an 8ft piece of flat wood, maybe 1/2 inch thick. Looked good. Decided on the width of the branches and attached them onto the board with wood glue and small nails.  Size and shape is up to you.

When I was satisfied with the arrangement I spray painted the tree green. You can use whatever color you wish.  It will show thru the branches a bit.

 

 

 

 

Wrap and glue the trunk area in burlap, jute twine or leave it as is.

 

 

I purchased some green garland from a thrift store and used some I already had.  I don't recommend using glue to attach the garland to the tree base.  Use a flexible wire, twist ties or I used nylon fishing line, the black kind.

I cut the line into short lengths and wrapped and tied the garland.

 

 

 

 

Go back and forth with the garland until you reach the top.  When done, fluff and make adjustments.  Decide how to attach the tree to your wall.  I put some nails into the wall and used the same line to wrap around the tree and the nails.  Now its almost cat proof !  You could also use a large picture hanger.  Decorate anyway you wish.  Lights can be left on the tree when it is stored away.

 

 

Malone House Creations

Not my BAG!!!!!

Like a lot of women, I love bags, purses, wallets, pouches.  I love to make them, I love to take them, I love to buy them...well, you get the picture and I have quite a collection of them.  Lately, with all the downsizing, moving, renovating and STRESS, I have had trouble keeping up with my belongings.  I have always changed bags with the occasion, according to my outfit or if Im carrying books or needlework.  I may need a small bag or maybe a large bag.  If I change from a large bag to a small bag, I dont transfer all the contents to the smaller bag.  Having multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia is quite a challenge.  With all of the bag changing I have been 'loosing' too many items.  My husband doesn't understand why I cant find my keys or glasses. I don't understand why my new house keys ended up in my makeup bag either.  So the time has come to give up the bag habit, at least until I am done with the downsizing and the move is complete.  Its going to be tough!  Im going to put all of the bags out of site in a closet I don't use and only keep 2 in my personal closet.  Well, maybe I should keep 3  ;)

Is Downsizing a Good Idea for You?

I know it was a good idea for me. Preparing to leave a large house for a small 'cottage' has been quite a challenge.  How do you dispose of 39 years of memories?  Ive discovered that some of those past memories were very important to me at the time.  Now years later, they don't carry the importance they once did.  Im taking an objective look at everything in my possession. Will it be important to someone else in the future?  Will they be glad I saved this or will they just be mad because they are having to clean out a lot of things they consider junk?  Well those things are very hard to decide.  Im trying to condense the items I think will be appreciated in the future.  Grouping them together and labeling them is the best way to preserve them.  Clasp envelopes are a good way to store papers from your kids childhood.  Some say store a copy on the computer, but there is just something special about holding my first grade paper, written about a field trip, in my hand. I also have a souvenir from the trip. I think they would look nice in a frame. I can imagine the item being on display in an antique shop 50 years from now.  That depends on how important my kids think it is ;)

Some Day Never Came

I had a great wooden chair in the basement for years.  The plan was to put a nice bottom in it....someday.  That day never came so I painted it two shades of blue and put in a hardware cloth (wire) bottom.  All it needs is some landscaping cloth , dirt, and small flower pots.  Trailing vines will go around the sides and some pretty annuals in the middle.  Someday.

Vintage Romantic Look Recycle Project

My latest recycle project.  I used items on hand and paid about .50 for the  two wire baskets.