For the first time ever I've bought and decorated a Christmas tree. It was all quite fun even though I probably didn't actually have time to work on it. Oh well, we have been enjoying the scent and the festive decorations. Even though for 11 years at Martha Stewart Living I decorated countless trees, hand crafting hundreds of ornaments (double sided by the way, in case they spun around at shoot time) I never felt like expending the energy to do my own. It felt like work. Since I know longer am crafting Christmas for a living, I thought this should be the year to start. And that we finally have a proper living room! So here it is, I didn't want to do anything breakable because of the cat so I just went with paper and straw. Maggie is finding all the dangly sparkly stringy things VERY hard to resist. I picked up some ornaments at Ikea and then made a few, and used my sewn paper garland.
A few handmade paper ornaments. The 3D balls I did in MSL ages ago, based on an idea my grandma always did.
I had always wanted to try these German stars but had heard they were very tricky. I used a YouTube video and it worked great for a topper. Or Ikea sells them for $2.99 for a 6 pack, which is so cheap!
And finally a few holiday decorations. I made 4 candles into a advent wreath, although I guess it's actually four little wreaths. Each Sunday we light a candle until Christmas.
I hope everyone is taking time to enjoy the holidays and getting some decorating done!
What a cute tree! Did you make that accordion-like ornament? How in the world did you do that?
Posted by: sarahjane | December 08, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Your garland is absolutely perfect for the tree.
Ours is decorated in a collection of ornaments that goes back to ones I received as a baby.
Posted by: Amie aka MammaLoves | December 08, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Wonderful decorations! I have a friend who cooks for a living and hates cooking when she gets home! :)
Posted by: Christina | December 08, 2009 at 05:05 PM
So adorable! We have to use non-glass too. Mine are felt. Our cats knocks the tree over almost every night.
Posted by: Shelia | December 08, 2009 at 05:49 PM
so cute!!
Posted by: missdtm | December 08, 2009 at 05:50 PM
what a lovely tree and the ornaments are perfect! I hope you will enjoy it all the more since it is your very first...who knows, you may get hooked!
Posted by: sharon stanley | December 08, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Looks beautiful, Laura!
Posted by: Kylie | December 08, 2009 at 11:03 PM
beautiful! so great to see you last week- looking forward to sunday!
Posted by: Blake | December 09, 2009 at 10:32 AM
love all the paper garlands! so inspiring. I also fell for your handmade giraffe and included it in my gift guide roundup. the fabric you used is so fantastic!
Posted by: Jen Jafarzadeh | December 09, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Your tree is just beautiful. Have a lovely Christmas.
Posted by: katiecrackernuts | December 13, 2009 at 12:14 AM
What a beautiful tree! I just love all of your handmade stuff! It makes me so happy. Wish I could have been there at Divine Studios. I would have surely purchased a thing or two. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Muffin | December 16, 2009 at 04:13 PM
12.15.2009
marthaish projects
My sister and I are doing a few projects before the holidays. I have listed four, and so did she, on our www/shootinsistersblogspot.com site . . .
but, oh, Laura is really trying to make me look bad . . . .
Posted by: jeannette | December 24, 2009 at 05:03 PM
The decorations that you made are simple but when they are put together, a masterpiece is just created.
Posted by: hosting website | February 05, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Excellent article with essential information. I will check back again in the near future.
Posted by: Catherine | April 29, 2011 at 02:43 AM