Sunday, November 4, 2012

Pearls and Scraps


Halloween's over. No point in lingering. I'm ready to move on to Christmas.

What happened to Thanksgiving, you ask? For the past 26 years, we've traveled to Illinois to spend Thanksgiving with my husband's family. Over the years, weather has prevented us from going only a couple of times. Because we don't spend the holiday in our home, I automatically move directly from Halloween mode to Christmas mode in my decorating. And, now that our children are grown and gone, that's even easier.

Even though the Fall decorations are still up throughout the house, this weekend I was itching to make something Christmas-y.


After the holidays last year, my local grocery store, which has a fantastic floral shop, had what seemed like a mountain of Christmas items left for clearance. I bought out every one of these little feather trees, among other holiday items. The trees are small and sweet and whimsical.


Being vintage myself, I have a distinctly vintage decorating style. So, I didn't care for the bright white of these pretty little trees and planned from the outset to "age" them and give them some simple embellishments. I also planned to plant them in these small, vintage metal molds.


After giving the trees a tea bath,  I prettied them up with little scraps of a net crinoline and satin from a beautiful, but tattered 1940s wedding dress that I am using on a custom project for a friend. Then I added faux pearls from my collection of broken-down and cast-off vintage jewelry.


As I was preparing the vintage mold bases, I remembered I had three small vintage milk glass jars and decided to see how they looked. Can you believe it? The base of the trees fit perfectly in the jars. They seemed to be made for each other. I'll likely make more of these and put some in the metal molds.


I'm toying with the idea of a light dusting of glitter. What would you do? To glitter or not to glitter--that is the question.


Make it a great day!



16 comments:

  1. They are lovely the way they are, but I would glitter!

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  2. A light dusting of very fine glitter would be lovely, Ann. I love the idea of putting them in vintage molds!

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  3. I'd go for a very light dusting of glitter - just the finishing touch that's called for.

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  4. I love tinsel on the tree, but I'm not always a glitter person. Then again, it is Christmas... have fun. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

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  5. How lucky to find those clearance feather trees - love how you aged them. I have used my aluminum molds for many things, but never thought of small trees. A little glass glitter couldn't hurt, but they are beautiful now!

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  6. Love your vintage feathered trees! I'm visiting from the All Star Block Party and love to follow you!

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  7. What a lovely project, these turned out great!

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  8. SOOOOO CUTE!!! The pearls oh be still my heart!! Wow, you have done an amazing job on them! LOVE the pearls of course, but the milkglass jars are just perfect.
    Now I am going against the masses, but I'm not a glitter fan!! It gets everywhere you don't want glitter!
    But, lights and candles and lace, yes.
    Lovely lovely lovely...awesome project!
    thank you so much for sharing with us for Pearls and Lace Thursday! I'm excited to have you here!
    Blessings,
    Doni

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  9. I think the addition of glitter would really bring these to life. They're already gorgeous and I didn't even think about adding glitter until you mentioned it, but it would be awesome! Thank you for linking up to the Better Late Than Never Christmas Inspirations bloghop.

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  10. Ann, I love your little feather trees! your milk glass jars are perfect. Check out my feather tree at The French Hens Nest.

    Linda @ The French Hens Nest

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  11. These are so pretty...I love both the metal, and the milk glass bases. I think glitter would be the perfect finishing touch!

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  12. These are gorgeous. The milk glass jars are perfect and what a great idea to set them in the pretty pearls. Thanks for sharing at Christmas in July.

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  13. I am in love with the milk glass jars! That works perfect for the trees!

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  14. I am so happy to see those beautiful and pearly craft! That can make a perfect centerpiece or your christmas tree itself. Time goes by so fast and in no time, it's Christmas. you're ready now :)

    Happy Holidays,
    Marilyn
    Christmas decorating ideas

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