Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The China Tree


Hi everyone! Last year a couple of bloggers showed Christmas trees that they had in their kitchens filled with all kinds of fun dishes or kitcheny goodness and I really wanted to do something similar. Only I don't have any room in my kitchen for such a thing. I need all my counter space cause there's not a lot of it. BUT I could do something in my dining room!



I was able to purchase some little china ornaments last year during the after Christmas Sales. Not enough to go around the whole tree unfortunately. But I'm hoping to get some more this year after Christmas. I strategically placed what I had on the sides and front and supplemented with 4 demitasse transferware cups that I have.




I was able to get two Spode ornaments at more than 50% off last year and this year I have my eye on some Lenox ones that TJ Maxx has.



Isn't that teapot darling!
Planning ahead saved me quite a bit of money on this project - I didn't buy any ornaments this year. So if you know that there's something you want to do next year it pays to wait for the after Christmas sales and buy then (I'm sure that's what most of you do anyway)! I also finished up my black china cabinet and I'll post those pictures tomorrow. Have a good evening everyone!

42 comments:

Lady of the Mote said...

That is sweet!

GlorV1 said...

Oh I'm definitely planning on waiting for the after sales. I usually do. I think the little tree looks so cute with the cups and what looked like little teapots. Thx. for sharing.

Jo said...

That little tree is adorable! I love the ornaments and the white urn the tree is in.

Momto5 RachelJoy Photography said...

thats a real sweet tree :) good job

Heather said...

very nice! i love it! i have a bunch of little teacups & tea pots on my big tree. i love decorating with tea items!

Deb said...

That's too cute! The idea fits in the dining room too! Deb

David and Christine said...

I love your tree it's beautiful!! Love the ornaments I will have to check out my TJMAXX.

CHRISTINE

www.romanticcottage.blogspot.com

Betty said...

Manuela,
Simply beautiful! I saw a wreath in a tea shop for $50.00 with tea bags and tea cups...I made one that I enjoy....

Next week I hope to post on decorating....Betty

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Totally cute, Manuela! I love it!

Salmagundi said...

The tree is darling - now I have to look for dishes ornaments (after Christmas, of course!) Sally

Susie Q said...

This is absolutrely darling! I love it Manuela! Those teapots/cups are just so sweet...

Love,
Sue

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

That is so sweet...I was actually thinking of doing a tree with tea cups!

Sue said...

the tree is so cute...Mary at the Little red House used tea cups also on her dining room tree. You ladies are oh so clever....

Anonymous said...

So cute.... love the urn you put it in and those little cups and tea pots are soooo CUTE..... looks so perfect in the dining room....
HUgs
Linda

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Oh Manuela, this is sooooo adorable and clever!! Also... I love the cranberry transferware! You are amazing! So smart to put the tree in front of a mirror! Super adorable.

Oh...YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED...I have a lovely little soul-searching exercise for you over on my blog.

Warmly,
Tracey

Betsy Brock said...

How fun is that! Perfect for a dining room!

Suzanne said...

Your dining room tree is adorable! Love the sweet teapots and cups.

Linda Q said...

That is darling, love the tree in the white pot, to cute!

Missy Wertz said...

I love that tree. I have been wanting one for years. Now that I have seen Cindy's, Linda's and now yours, I feel like I have to have one. If not this year, next year. :D

Essential Oil Premier University said...

What a cute little Tea Tree in the dining room. Very, very cute.

Blessings,

Sher

Unknown said...

Your tree is adorable. I have a tree in the dining room with no ornaments. I think you have inspired me.

Elizabeth said...

I love this. I've seen this sort of thing one other place and I think that it is very original. Love it!

Hey, if you like to read uplifting Christmas stories, I'm featuring some on my blog throughout the month. Today's was number 4. Stop by and enjoy!

God bless,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth said...

I love this. I've seen this sort of thing one other place and I think that it is very original. Love it!

Hey, if you like to read uplifting Christmas stories, I'm featuring some on my blog throughout the month. Today's was number 4. Stop by and enjoy!

God bless,
Elizabeth

Carrie said...

Oh, what a lovely tree, Manuela - just perfect for us dish-aholics!
Carrie

Anonymous said...

That is so cute! I have an urn some what similar to that one. Hmmm...now you've got me thinking!

The Muse said...

That is quite simply LOVELY!

Unknown said...

I think that tree is cute. I love the tea cup trees. if only i had room. Did you see the candlesticks that Jen has on her blog? If not you wiil see them next week on mine..lol.. mishelle

Anonymous said...

Very nice idea to decorate like this, I like it!

Kathleen Grace said...

I really love the idea of using beautiful dishes on the dining room tree. ince dishes are one of the things I can't get enough of, it seems fitting to find one more way to show their beauty, and the kitchen /dining room is the perfect place to do that! Once again you have made a beautiful display:>)

Becky K. said...

I might just have to do a small tree for myself next year. Love this!

I wanted to invite you over to Hospitality Lane to enter my contest/giveaway today...

Becky

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

LOVE IT!

I have a few teapot ornaments on my regular tree....I may have to seek out a few more for a special little tree, for my room......

Screaming Meme said...

I am loving your tree...Very very cute! :)

Lady Katherine said...

Okay! I am in love! With the dish tree!!! that is. Its so great!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I love your tree! What a great idea. I never would've thought to decorate one like that! :-)

Anonymous said...

What a great tree!!! I've just come over and can't wait to dig around your archives.

Terri Steffes said...

Manuela, do you remember me? Somehow I lost your blog, and as I was rereading some of last year's blog posts, I found you again. I am so excited to see your site! I can't wait to catch up with your posts, you have always been an inspiration to me!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your tree is adorable! I saw one made with blue transferware at Rhondi's blog - so now I am on the lookout for some extra red transferware pieces so I can do this next year!

Loved your birdhouses in the previous post. I never thought to look at the dollar store for birdhouse. I have always gone to Michaels...I will check that out!

Unknown said...

I love that you used ribbon to hang them on the tree. Putting it in front of that mirror made it even better. Great job!

Unknown said...

Manuela

I popped over for a visit from Tracy at Frugal Luxuries, I am speechless I love your Christmas decorating.

I am off to get into the garage and decorating cupboard and see what I have around that I can transform into a "vignette" for the cupboard next to our front door.

I read through some of your other posts as well and I notice you mention cutting down on eggs in recipes, if you have to make a cake and have no eggs or not enough you can substitute one tablespoon of Golden Syrup (it is a sugar syrup dark but not as dark as molasses) for one egg and then cut down the sugar by one third. This works well for denser style cakes but can be used for butter cakes as well.

daisymum

momstheword said...

Loved this! So cool. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures tomorrow. BTW, about your comment: I scared myself too, lol! Yes, we forget we bought stuff too.

Paula said...

Dear Manuela,

Yes that teapot is darling! All of your pretty china is and I love how you decorated your little tree with it. You are so creative and make everything lovely!
I am looking forward to the after Christmas sales as I really don't have many Christmas decorations, so I need to add to my stash.

Love, Paula

Anonymous said...

What a lovely touch! I enjoyed the pictures.