Saturday, November 27, 2010

How To Make Your Own Dyed Bottle Brush Trees and Other Holiday Decorations

 2shelves
              (Christmas 2009 photo)
Hi everyone! I hope you all had scrumptious Thanksgivings and everyone got along! We had a wonderful day (the weather was summer like). We had dessert on the porch! Of course this morning it was in the 20’s – that’s Georgia weather for ya.
tureenforrest
I’m decorating for Christmas this week (I’m not doing too much this year since I don’t want to have to pack up a lot of stuff) but I thought some of you might like to know how to make your own dyed bottle brush trees since it’s so easy and they’re so inexpensive compared to ones you can purchase.
pepperminttops
Plus you can customize them to your colors. I (of course) did mostly red, yellow and silver last year. These would be pretty in pink, blue, green etc!
Click here: How To Bleach and Dye Bottle Brush Trees
frontwreath
This is a really really easy wreath I made last year out of pom poms!
Click here: How To Make A Pom Pom Wreath
rickracktree
Here’s a red and white tree I made from felt along with some bottle brush trees.
Click here:How To Make A Felt Rosette Tree
topphoto
A yarn tree - which has got to be the easiest tree to make. All you do is get a cone (Dollar store/Michaels/etc) and wrap yarn around it until it’s totally covered. I added a pom pom to the top. You can also see a bit of a tree that I decoupaged with scrapbook paper.
buttontree
                  (A button tree & glitter snowball)
I was really into making trees last year! This year I’m making my some easy garlands.
joyhouses
Above are unfinished birdhouses from the Dollar Tree that I decopauged one year with Christmas scrapbook paper and some letters to spell “JOY”. Have a look through the Archives for more ideas. You can search by category or just look at November/December posts from previous years.

I’ll be back next week with some Christmas decorations and then I’m taking a break until January or so. I won't be working on any house projects during that time so I'll have more time to finally catch up with you all!

Thanks for dropping by today and have a wonderful weekend!


49 comments:

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

We had heavy rain that turned to SNOW on Thanksgiving. :)

Deb said...

You have the most beautiful hutch for Christmas and all the trees....I love them. Your blog will be one that I check each day though-out the holidays. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

Leo said...

Love all your christmas decorations. Especially those little birdhouses. So cute.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Manuela, The trees are all beautiful!! What a gorgeous display in your hutch.
xo,
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Manuela,
Everything looks so festive and wonderful. I really have to get to one of the discount stores and think outside the box for crafty. You are so talented.

Have a great day.

Viola over at www.alongawidowedroad.blogspot.com

Jan Hatchett said...

I am SO glad that I found your blog a few weeks ago! You are so creative and I just love it!

Elizabeth said...

Manuela, you are so talented! I love the rosette tree and the JOY birdhouses. Great ideas!

mizdarlin said...

So nice of you to share..I've always loved that rosette tree.might make it too!..
It's great to take dollar store finds and make them work for the season..thanks so much for all your beautiful pictures too..you are an inspiration!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Manuela, I love all your goodies! You have such a creative spirit and I LOVE all your toile! Everything is displayed so nicely. Thank you for sharing and have a great weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I'm so glad you posted this with links, Manuela! Your china cabinet decor is one of my favorites.

kara@elements-interiors.net said...

Hi Manuela! im your newest follower and LUUUUUVIN IT! I love all your ideas! BRILLIANT! Im going to be spending a SHAMEFUL amount of time here :) I would BEYOND ADORE you to visit my 14 days of xmas trees...and i have a giveaway! So glad i found you!!!

*ENTER CUSTOM FLORAL Give-Away Here *

xoxokara

Sammy said...

simply Divine.

Love,

-Samya :-)

june@craftyniche said...

Your decorations are so lovely! I didn't put as many out due to my 2 year old son who is both curious/destructive! 1/4 of our tree is decorated and the rest of the ornaments are put away. :)I love the changes you have made to your home for selling. Will you still be staying in the same area?

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Thanks for the reminders and links....Have a wonderful Christmas season!

Anonymous said...

Your blog is a godsend to me this year, as I'm decorating for the first time in over 12 years, not on a dime, even, but merely the ghost of one. I've been going through your archives all morning, finding inspiration and ideas all OVER the place. Thank you so much! (Ooh, and now I see you're having a floral giveaway. My dime-ghost and I are about to rush over there to enter!)

Melanie said...

I love the pom pom wreath and the felt flowers made into a tree. You are so talented and gifted at all things crafty.

Glad that you had a great Thanksgiving.

Salmagundi said...

It was fun revisiting some of your projects. I'm anxious to get out all of the trees I bleached last year with your tutorial. Enjoy the week. Sally

The Old Parsonage said...

Wow, sounds like a delightful way to end your meal! Love the look of all your handmade treasures - especially the glittery ones!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Leann

Unknown said...

What wonderful ideas! Love the texture of the button tree!

Kathleen Grace said...

Beautiful decorations Manuela. We got ours down from the attic today and I started decorating. I looked at the boxes and it all looked like so much. I think it's time to pare down a bit. I won't be putting so much up this year. No time and the thought of taking it all down later keeps it real:>) Glad to hear from you. Hope everything is going smoothly as you prepare to put the house on the market.

Kate Campbell said...

Those bottle brush trees are just brilliant. So clever. I'm getting a little excited for tiny things lately.

Brenda said...

All your crafts are wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous as always, Manuela!

Simple Home said...

Our weather has turned cold too, finally. I'd like to have it somewhere in between hot and freezing :-) Thanks for all the inspiration and how to's. I love those Christmas tree plates too.
Blessings,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

I love all of your projects but especially the birdhouses and the rosette tree.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Your decorations are always so lovely! Thanks for the tips on how to make the trees in a variety of different ways.

Happy Decorating!

Becky
xo

Anonymous said...

You always have such neat ideas! They will help me with my goal of decorating without spending any monty on it this year!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I love your house at Christmastime! Always so festive and colorful. I remember the mantel from last year. Beautiful it was!
Brenda

Debbie said...

Everything you do is always so wonderful! When I get five minutes to really enjoy catching up, I'm going to look at some of your archives.

Also, I love those decoupaged bird houses.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing your so pretty creations. I always appreciate how you share your "how to do" tutorials on your projects. I am not decorating as much this year either.
Have a great week.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Manuela! Yes, I remember your wonderful decorations! I am not doing anything very fancy this year either, but I am trying some new things...among them some PB copy cat candles! I was Googling a nonflammable way to attach the sheet music when I came across your toile candle post! Well...duh! Of course...Mod Podge! lol I gave you a little shout out on my post! I hope that's OK! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Gumbo Lily said...

We were all stuffed with Thanksgiving and a good time was had by all.

Love the white bottle brush tree with red trimmings! The pom pom wreath is cute too. You've got such talent! Thanks for sharing some of it with us.

Happy decorating.
Jody

Jennifer said...

I love how you always include instructions for your projects. It is so appreciated. Bootle brush trees were something I had looked at several times this year and just didn't want to pay for. Now, maybe I will have some anyway!

Your home is always so beautiful at Christmas. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Jen

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

HI Manuela, love all your trees and goodies. They are beautiful. You have such a way of displaying things, I never get tired of looking at your posts! Love that red yarn tree the most.
Blessings,
Debbie

Mage said...

The rosette tree looks cute i like it! Perfect to decoration for small apartments like mine. I believe that occasions such as this season need no luxurious decors because creativity is always a choice. Great blog!

druid account for sale

Kelly said...

What lovely trees! I'm especially loving the yarn tree....I definitely need to make one to go with the yarn wreath I just made! Thanks for always sharing your beautiful creations.

Kelly

bj said...

O, yes, I remember your cute little trees.
I am not doing as much this Christmas season, either. I would love to make a nice Christmas banner and hope you show me how. :))
hugs, bj

Pam@PassionPuffs.com said...

Love the way your home always reflects the seasons. Thanks for sharing and for the great ideas.

Denny said...

Manuela,you always amaze me with your creative talents & the things you make...Thank you for giving me inspiration...:)

Vee said...

I remember the bottle trees from last year...lovely colors like a candy shop. Have fun decorating this week! (Yes, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'm glad that you did as well.)

Donna said...

Manuela, I love all your wonderful decorations.....especially the bottle trees. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!

Hugs,
Donna

~Kristin~ said...

You are so very crafty!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a lovely weekend!

Barb said...

Manuela, the bottle brush trees are so colorful and adorable. I really like them!

Barb

PattieJ said...

I love all of your little trees! So pretty!

Cindy said...

Hello dear Manuela,
Thank you for showing us how to make some of those lovely trees. I have never had a bottle brush tree, so I don't really know what they are like, but I do admire them so. I love them all, really.
Take care, have a wonderful Christmas.
Love and hugs, Cindy

Anonymous said...

i came across you blog wile searching for frugal Christmas ideas.....it's great and inspiring to see what you can do with next to nothing!!! I am trying to "keep it simple" this year ,as I have been laid off and find it difficult with only one income coming.... but I am certainly up for the challenge!!!! Thanks for all your great tips.
I am looking for free downloadable labels to put on the front of glade candles as gifts to my family on Christmas....anyone have some good suggestions?

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Manuela, I remember last year, when I saw your bottle brush tree post, I was determined to do some for myself. I wish I had your energy. I STILL have not done this project, but I STILL intend to do it! (Best of intentions don't always come to fruition with me!) Now I want to do a button tree too. (Dream on Laurie!) That hutch filled with Christmas is just stunning. laurie

Recycled Rita said...

Manuela,
Every time I visit and leave a comment I tell you how inspiring you are! But...you always inspire me and I love visiting your little blog and seeing your pretty home!
Happy Holidays! karen....

very merry vintage style said...

These are all amazing! Love your trees.. Come on over and link up to my holiday link party--love to include it! http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/2010/12/something-old-something-new.html
Mary