Tree Week: Super-Creative Tree Alternatives That Will Have You Re-Thinking Your Own

<div style="text-align: center;">K.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some people don't like common, traditional, or normal.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I get that.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whenever I'm off on a new idea for a DIY,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> D. shakes his head and asks, "Why can't we just have a normal house?!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then he laughs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">'Cause he loves me just the way I am, right hon?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best thing about the internet is the ability to connect with all these brilliant minds and their workings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Apartment therapy, you rock my world.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">That one on the right would be perfect for the green room, everything in easy reach :)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="trees120208.jpg" class="mt-image-center" height="495" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/chicago/trees120208.jpg" width="487" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/wallpaper-graphics/another-modern-alternative-christmas-treeartware-070937">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This could even work with plants you have around the house, just mix in a few small evergreens..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="3534083874_3b21962986_b" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8357c6b5b69e2012875b35ea7970c " src="http://lotushaus.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8357c6b5b69e2012875b35ea7970c-500wi" style="width: 470px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenboutique/3534083874/in/set-72157607760589763/">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Embroidery hoops and fabric - what could be easier?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="394" id="il_fi" src="http://www.aolcdn.com/photogalleryassets/living/790083/embroidery-hoop-christmas-tree-343rr120109.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="343" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.holidash.com/2009/12/04/diy-indoor-christmas-decorations/">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">House and Home came up with this  - love it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaqw8MVzCy_68lkG18P2kRc3D5irSKl1ThCBLawS45FWAe2USEKlKas7cXzf_Zvw9xEKURHJD6Kn9Yu0sdmeScvXwvF3SpYufF2EFN2FEgtim1qMi20zZT5m4KiEE6D3k_HN7c4XFg4j3/s1600/Screen-shot-2010-10-19-at-7.50.46-PM.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Craft paper! SIMPLE. Kids could manage that one on their own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://realliving.ninemsn.com.au/img/2010/dec/1210RLroomtreekraft.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://realliving.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8122186">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Office tree, done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="120408-lc03.jpg" class="mt-image-center" height="540" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/120408-lc03.jpg" width="540" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/holiday/alternative-holiday-fast-simple-modern-and-inexpensive-070746">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Those are all good. Really good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But these are the best.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="419" id="il_fi" src="http://craphound.com/images/booktree.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="275" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="558" id="il_fi" src="http://sarahnewell.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/holiday.jpg?w=500&h=558" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="500" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Makes you want to chuck that old fake tree right out the front door, doesn't it?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">have great friday :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">til next time..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Tree Week: Super-Creative Tree Alternatives That Will Have You Re-Thinking Your Own

K. Some people don't like common, traditional, or normal. I get that. Whenever I'm off on a new idea for a DIY,  D. shakes his head ...

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Tree Week: A Modern Version For Under $10!

<div style="text-align: center;">It's tree week!</div><div style="text-align: center;">With the holiday decorating in full swing, I am obsessing a little over trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are my favourite sort of trees at the moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I will be skulking (even the word sounds fun, really :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">around the woods behind my place to find some large branches...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sparkle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413543164797835730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtZ4ND9XKvWtQttbDe6glYOgkaF9O-ANpYZ3zwYuOx6ku13hVh9a2EXpGvqD4HiPTuMdIjdkrbPMauBdLu5HLWs-WZKOzFVIswCJklzhyzJvW9poSOY6ewIeAei9Oq8LA0uUV2tCGma6z/s400/southern+accentssimple-holiday-branch-l.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 501px; width: 501px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://inspiracionline.blogspot.com/2009/12/joining-christmas-decorating-fun.html?showComment=1260549488843">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/hollyberry23/_MG_9402.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.inthefunlane.com/2010/11/newspaper-ornaments.html">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://img3.visualizeus.com/thumbs/09/12/02/christmas,clever,decoration,holidays,idea,ornament-0586d0a314d97d7a8601cfac74987564_h.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="398" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blueprintbliss.blogspot.com/">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Color.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/ds_kathstree.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/01/crafting-and-cooking-weekend-pursuits.html">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Simplified color. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I sort of love this for Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's just skip the baubles..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Painted Branch.jpg" class="mt-image-center" height="707" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/dc/Painted%20Branch.jpg" width="540" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/look/look-cool-painted-branch-070910">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">but I'd like something a bit more tactile,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and voila-</div><div style="text-align: center;">the winner!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="yarn branch art piece thing" class="aligncenter" height="336" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4654891750_e11124e51a.jpg" width="500" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.leethal.net/zine/?p=985">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="little winter" height="366" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5161052689_6396d57fd1_z.jpg" width="550" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.secretpocketblog.com/2010/11/heart-bursting.html">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4547" height="714" src="http://thesomedayblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/wall.jpg?w=500&h=714" title="wall" width="500" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesomedayblog.com/2010/11/22/diy-yarn-wrapped-branch/">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's nothing quite like wool knits for the winter - mittens, sweaters, throws, pillows</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a yarn junkie :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to get them made!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And a few of these to decorate the presents -</div><div style="text-align: center;">we made those last year as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/022610dandelions01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="022610dandelions01.jpg" border="0" class="mt-image-center" height="625" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/022610dandelions01.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/022610dandelions01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/022610dandelions01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/022610dandelions01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/diy-yarn-and-twig-dandelions-109850">source</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Am working on the finishing bits for the chandelier today,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> so I will post pics of the branches and that shortly, hope you can stop by.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just wanted to share a bit of good news and a HUGE thank you before I go -</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I won two giveaways on Monday :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first from <b><a href="http://dailyimprint.blogspot.com/2010/11/monday-giveaway.html">Natalie</a></b> at <b><a href="http://dailyimprint.blogspot.com/2010/11/monday-giveaway.html">The Daily Imprint</a></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">was for these adorable holiday decorations, </div><div style="text-align: center;">generously gifted by the talented women of <b><a href="http://www.polli.com.au/">Polli</a></b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542102154255591538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXaQdFlOPqsZ_uTv2Todr_u4CxvWNgCYkeKVGpwOdnrxczTpXN7ZuguZyWTCQvmj0fJMXG1Xq90pBtDKXVGdZjFfPCP9nkhN2o15buWXRTf2TJ0E2MkayNSczNK7O53Bzj6Fw7yu-S_IH/s400/DECAKI-01_FireplaceFRONT.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Natalie is a Deputy Editor on Real Living Magazine, and it shows in her writing :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">She features fresh, insightful interviews with interesting creative minds frequently on her blog.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stop by, you'll enjoy it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The second giveaway, from the charming <b><a href="http://ramblingrenovators.blogspot.com/">Jennifer</a></b> at <b><a href="http://ramblingrenovators.blogspot.com/">Rambling Renovators</a></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">was a pair of tix for <b><a href="http://www.oneofakindshow.com/xmas10/">The One of A Kind Christmas Show & Sale.</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Will be heading down there this Sunday :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxdmP72xNjvgwVAI5ucAL9kVTzi73WttDD4yS4G6405z0Bsf_OW5dzV6tCAatBHzAxNIg9BUL-fHlc5U7X5d68wN94jb6AsLR5jCBpx991q21AsG8SjKcFZxdWGJ1BD1AL1ot2A7096s/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-01+at+9.20.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxdmP72xNjvgwVAI5ucAL9kVTzi73WttDD4yS4G6405z0Bsf_OW5dzV6tCAatBHzAxNIg9BUL-fHlc5U7X5d68wN94jb6AsLR5jCBpx991q21AsG8SjKcFZxdWGJ1BD1AL1ot2A7096s/s640/Screen+shot+2010-12-01+at+9.20.47+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Their blog follows Jennifer, husband and daughter Chloe (great name :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">as the super-talented couple renovate their home in Toronto.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's heaps of great DIY and beautiful design - it's one of my favourite reads.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much, ladies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You made my week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">til next time..</div>

Tree Week: A Modern Version For Under $10!

It's tree week! With the holiday decorating in full swing, I am obsessing a little over trees. These are my favourite sort of trees at t...

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Tree Week: The Trick to Using Glass Balls

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.toysperiod.com/images/glass-christmas-ball-ornaments.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br /><img height="400" id="il_fi" src="http://img4.southernliving.com/i/2009/12/fresh-christmas-ideas/mercury-glass-balls-l.jpg?400:400" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /><br /><a href="http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas-00400000059442/page45.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a><br /><br /><br />It's tree week over here, and today we are looking at trees done in glass balls.<br />Although using glass balls may seem a bit traditional for some of us,<br />I'm thinking the real trick to making this modern is the <i>way</i> you use them.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="731" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA0dlsgCEdmsmJD4mABagQaK_eEJM-L8kngB69esdFWx-6MoaSY_6D2aEXI4xui00p1TFB2ubEwGavZiaMvyNZtuFEiSTdUP4QFXqJqrm60I1eg3HTCkCdVw0ntjqIqr14LaR3c7CAHg/s1600/sarah+richardson%27s+turquoise+tree.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="420" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In that gorgeous tree above,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah Richardson has hung her ornaments in groups, </div><div style="text-align: center;">making for more visual interest than if she spaced them all out evenly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I"m with Sarah on loading up the tree, the more the better!</div><div style="text-align: center;">D. has resigned himself to the fact that our storage area is actually a Christmas depot :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">But you have to be careful about the weight you are placing on each branch - </div><div style="text-align: center;">that tree looks a wee bit tipsy, LOL.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a similar style in warm colors she placed in her country home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="420" id="il_fi" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UJ67U9v6N2k/TLtiAoXjTyI/AAAAAAAAAJc/eKjU7F9iloo/s1600/tree.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="369" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Totally different effect when you switch from </div><div style="text-align: center;">the more modern blue/green/clear palette to the red/silver/gold palette. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The first tree is somewhat serene, and fresh </div><div style="text-align: center;">in an analgous scheme that enhances the dark green of the tree.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The second has much more energy, </div><div style="text-align: center;">due to the fact that red and green are complements.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This means each will intensify the other,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and encourage your eye to move back and forth between the two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you prefer a more lighthearted approach,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this medley of color.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, they hung the ornaments in groups, I'm seeing a trend here :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="583" id="il_fi" src="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/120208_white.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="526" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/roundup/7-best-alternatives-to-traditional-christmas-trees-071025"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of multicolored decor..<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="[ss_100163177.jpg]" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRMdRqqezMrmImwZ4DRsJhUNU4NVuE65IzmfTO6ejG_LLIe7gd29eT87O-RV_4HIfSQfJ5ZCD2ywPC2lVTNi19yd91mK8kgxCKFF26T9z-1MLF54HKKYCWFb3gZKIyH2Tf2fBVbnduyQ/s1600/ss_100163177.jpg" /></div></div><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415851989808105778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoYAUndtfy1y0b2jrCXxyV27IPm8Z8gc8Jx0uWt8Ey7OGafSiIjRwk_HgV7KL4fzLnVQkW1P0lCMgKpxFLes4posq6Z0V56TjTDIaDV9P5IkO7uoOJpehEqBFj-onaC0UCjoO2_ctCAI/s400/ss_100218099.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/trees/nontraditional-christmas-trees/?page=4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br /><br /><br />What a difference when the ornaments are spread out evenly -<br /> such a formal feel.<br /><br />I think I like the loosey-goosey-drunk-with-sparkle versions better :)<br /><br />You?<br /><br /><br /><br /><img height="338" id="il_fi" src="http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/15326-bigthumbnail.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="450" /><br /><a href="http://architecture.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/15326/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a><br /><br /><br />til next time..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

Tree Week: The Trick to Using Glass Balls

source It's tree week over here, and today we are looking at trees done in glass balls. Although using glass balls may seem a bit tradit...

Read more »