DIY Pine Tree Topiaries

Are you like me and you walk into a store and see something you like and your first thought is how you can make it yourself?  I was in a cute store a couple of weeks ago and they had some of their Christmas decor out.  I spotted 3 pine tree topiaries and fell in love until I saw the sticker.  The smallest one was $49.00.  I like even numbers until it comes to items and then I like 3s.  There was a tall, medium and small.  I wanted them all, but I didn’t even dare look to see how much the other 2 cost.  I just stored the image in my mind and decided to try and make my own.
I mentioned in my last post that my son and I went tree pruning in the park last night.  We only took the dead branches.  I needed trunks for my topiaries and my son thought it would be fun to join me. 
Here’s our pile of dead branches.

Some of my faux greenery is mixed in.  I promise these branches were dead. 
I chose some straight ones and sawed them to get my trunks.  I stuck them in some old pots with styrofoam.

I had 6 pine tree floral stems.  I cut each piece of greenery off of the stem to get my topiary branches.  I had this great idea that I would glue them to the trunk. 

Don’t try it.  It doesn’t work.
I was about ready to give up when my husband suggested I drill small holes into the branch and strip some of the plastic off of the end of the stem, exposing the wire, so the branches would stick into the wood better.  It worked like a charm and I got pretty good at drilling 45 degree angled holes into small sticks.  I used hot glue to make sure they stayed.
I wrapped the pots with burlap and twine.

I already had the burlap, pots and free trunks so I think my project cost me less than $10 for all 3 topiaries.  That’s a huge savings.
Are you ready to see them?
Ok here they are.


In this photo you can see the individual stems stuck into the branch.

It looks they grew out of the branch doesn’t it?  Yay for the husband idea!  When his idea worked he told me that I had to mention him in this post.  :)
One more shot.

I think this project was a success. 
I put them in the closet until after Thanksgiving. 
Are you busy making your Christmas crafts and decor?

Tracy

Linking to
Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Make it 4 Monday @ Cottage Insticnts
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Project Parade @ DIY Show Off
Sticks Twigs and Branches @ Fumky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Get Your Craft On @ Today’s Creative Blog
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts

Show and Tell @ My Romantic Home

Big Pine Cones

Yesterday I found a fun store called Gray is Grey.  Here’s his facebook link if you want to check out his store.  (Go here.)  I wish you could see his driftwood Christmas trees better in his photos.  They are so cool.

He had these beautiful pine cones all over the store.  I bought some for my Christmas Tea table I will be doing, but I knew I could use them at home too.  I found a neat wire basket to display them.  I also got one unique pinecone and placed it on a stand.  I don’t think I ever tire of pine cones.  They are one of my favorite pieces of nature. 

 

Here’s the detail of the unique pine cone.

Is anyone else kinda stuck between holidays?  I have already done my fall decorating and it feels kind of early to put out Christmas decor.  I don’t do Thanksgiving decor because it seems the same as fall. 

I have another project I need to start today that can be fall/winter.   My son and I visited the nearby school in the dark last night and trimmed dead pine tree branches for it.  I hope it works out after all that trouble.

 

Tracy

 

Linking to

Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming

Another Bottle Collection

My son and I had a great time visiting some little shops today.  I wanted some amber/brown bottles to go above an antique medicine cabinet that use to belong to my mom. 

I stopped at a cute shop on Route 66 named Whispering Pines.  I love her little shop and I visited with her today and really enjoyed meeting her.  She also has a blog.  Visit here if you want to see it. 

She happened to have a few of the bottles that I was looking for and I was glad to buy them from such a nice lady.  I can’t wait to go back next weekend for her Christmas Open House.

Here’s my bottles.

 

I also got supplies for a ton of things I have in mind to work on and found some huge pine cones at another fun shop I will share with you soon.

Tracy

 

Photo of an Old Wooden Barn

I have so many things I need to do and here I sit.  I have seemed to put all of my energy into my photo class this week.  I finally know how to move my camera out of the safe zone so I accomplished my first goal.  I keep wanting my photos to be fabulous.  Patience is not my thing.  I believe most photographers tweak their photos by editing.  Some software programs can cost you an arm and a leg.  Picasa is free and does help and another one I found that does a little more is Picnik.  It is free but with an upgrade of $24.95 a year, you get more functions.  I took a photo of an old barn on the edge of town and used the editing to bring out some colors in a rather monotone setting.  I always find myself thinking anything old and worn is beautiful.  The Trendy Treehouse has a new weekly feature where you get to show how you would edit a photo they provide.  I think it will be a great way to learn new things. 

Here’s my edited photo.

Do you edit your photos?   If so, what program do you use?

Tracy

To the Blogger Who Offered the Giveaway

I misplaced your email and the info for the giveaway.  It has been a crazy week and I deleted my emails without thinking.  Would you please contact me again? 

Thanks

Tracy

 

Sunset for Outdoor Wednesday

I missed a gorgeous sunset last night so I went to the park to try and get it tonight.  There were no clouds so it wasn’t as amazing, but all sunsets are beautiful with or without the clouds. 

 

Tracy

Ballard Bird Knock Off Attempt

The Ballard Catalog had some bird ornaments that caught my eye.

I thought I could easily make them myself. 
I made a bird but it wasn’t very easy and it didn’t turn out quite like I had in mind.  I do have to say it is cuter than the original 3 for $1 birds I found at Dollar Tree.

I had to pluck the feathers off to reveal a plastic bird form that looked more like a duck body.  I pulled out the bug eyes and attempted to cover the bird in burlap. 
I couldn’t get it to work.  So I went to plan B.  I covered the bird in paper sack colored tissue paper using Mod Podge and then made the tail and wings with wire and twine.

I will show you several more views of the before and after.
Before

After



Side by side.

I am undecided if I like this project or not.  What do you think?  Is it worth making more and burning my fingers on hot glue? 

Tracy

Linking to
Before and After @ Savvy Southern Style
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple