Wednesday, February 3, 2010

From Christmas Tree to Valentine Tree

This year, I put up my beloved white Christmas tree, and my newest cat (whom we adopted about a year ago, so she wasn't here for Christmas last year), decided that it was too beautiful to let stand there unclimbed. She loved sitting in the branches. Unfortunately, she ruined the tree, as it was a cheap one to begin with.



I was going to donate it, but then I decided that since the top section was intact, I would keep that, and use it as a mini tree next year. As Nick and I were packing things away, though, I decided it would make a lovely little Valentine Tree, so I unpacked it.

I also unpacked a set of 10 mini Christmas bulbs I had that were shiny, pearlized hot pink. Ooo, pretty! I had everything on hand I needed to decorate, or create decorations, except 1 thing- garland. For some reason, I just hate tinsel garland on that white tree. It looks horrid, so even though I had some red sitting out, I refused to use it.




In all honestly, I wasn't going to add garland at all, but I found some cute wired heart garland at Dollar Tree, so I grabbed it. It's pink and lavender, and I'm really glad I did! I love how it looks on the tree.

I made several unique heart ornaments out of felt, and added those to it. I also dug out the last of my flocked red, and pink glitter heart stakes from Dollar Tree (I picked them up for a craft, then hated them in it, and never used most of them), and stuck those in the branches.



For a topper, I took a pink sequined pick I got on clearance 90% off at Michaels after Christmas, and I bent the two middle strands into a heart shape, then two others outward. The lone stray (it was a 5 strand spray), I spiraled around the base. I also formed a heart from some of the left over wire garland, and added that, and one pink glittery heart pick.

Instead of a skirt, I used one of my Valentine's Day placemats under the stand. Last weekend, I picked up 2 glass apothecary jars at Goodwill, and filled them with left overs. One has a couple of pink bulb ornaments, and the left over flocked & glittery hearts, sans picks. The other has the last of the wired garland wrapped around inside of it.



I love, love, love the jars filled with candy, but 2 of my 3 kids have ADHD, with a large emphasis on being impulsive, so leaving candy laying out is an open invitation for them to chow down until it's gone, then look at each other and say "I don't know who did it, Mom!"

So, until the kids are out of the house in 10+ years (my youngest is 8, and this is totally counting on them all going to college, which we are pretty insistent on), the candy displays will just have to wait.

12 comments:

Trish said...

I LOVE it! So pretty!

Michele said...

oooooo...I love how you decorated it!!! I miss not having my white tree out...but with all the baby stuff from my grandson, there just isn't room!

Hugz,
Michele

Veronica said...

It looks great. Very pretty.

Michelle @ Delicate Construction said...

How cute!! I love it, and my cats would have climbed mine too if I had one lol- cats are lucky they are adorable!

Expressions by Heather said...

Thank you everyone!

The same cat climbed my main tree, but lucky for me, it was made MUCH sturdier, because she didn't bend those branches. Lil snot!

Kim said...

awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lei said...

I hear you on the candy free-for-all... can't happen here, either. I've got an ADHD kiddo as well!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

So cute! I love those heart ornaments. Really sweet!

XOXOX
Jen

Wilma Lee said...

Very cute. My husband has been wanting to get a white tree for some reason, maybe this year i will let him.

Lori said...

Very lovely!!! What can you do about kitties??? they just love to climb.. I love the candy jars...

Thanks for joining "Get your craft on Thurs." Hope to see you next week!
Lori

reggierhy said...

When I read the description, I had my doubts. But seeing the picture wiped them all away. What a cool tree, honestly I don't think anyone would even realize it was once part of a Christmas tree because it looks like it has always been a Valentines Tree. You did an awesome job!

Stephanie - My Frugal Lifestyle said...

What an awesome idea! It looks so pretty! I came across your blog and it looks like we share the same interests :)