Recycled Tree

I was hoping to make some brand new Christmas trees this year, but of course I'm rapidly running out of time . So I'm going to be sensible and cut myself some slack and just make some more of these trees.

I had so much fun making these last year. I had started off trying to come up with an original fabric tree pattern and eventually came up with the design below, which I still think is pretty cute, but  just not quite right.

Eventually, after much over thinking and over designing I realised (as I so often do) that I wanted the trees just to be nice and simple and started working with card and fabric to get the look I wanted.

I ended up being really happy with the over all look and think that it would just be fun (and less stressful) to use last years as well as making a few new ones. And hell, maybe I'll even find the time to tweak the fabric patten so that it works a bit better.

I think these tree's are pretty self explanatory, but I'd be happy to do a little tutorial if anyone would like me to? (I'm a bit shy about these things!).

Whilst we're on the subject of Christmas, I'm mightily relieved to report that Bella's advent calender is looking like it might be ready in time for Dec. 1st. It's only taken me a year.
Now I just have to come up with idea's for what to put in it. I don't want any kind of sweets/candy/chocolate in it and want/need to keep everything small (if for no other reason than it has to fit in the calender's pockets). So far I've bought her a little tube of strawberry flavoured lip balm (she's obsessed with lipstick at the moment, which is weird because I never wear it) and I intend to make her some Princess Peg dolls, but I'm stuck beyond that.
Anyone got any idea's for cheap and easy gifts that I can use?

Comments

[lucykatecrafts]

i think 3 year olds are easily pleased, things like christmas stickers, bits of play jewellery and even just the odd stone always go down well (i have a 2.5 year old obsessed with gravel at the moment, who went to bed clutching a sponge last night, the mind boggles!)

[Christy]

here are a few ideas
- jingle bell pony/pig tail holders - use elastic string and add 2 jingle bells, knot for a circle and then separate jingle bells and tie in knot.
- fabric headband
- barrettes with a felt flower attached
- felt flower to wear on coat
- homemade playdough - but that might be too big
that's off the top of my head. have fun!

[lucykatecrafts]

oh and yes, go on, do a tree tutorial!, you know you want to ; )
your trees are really sweet, simple but very effective.

have you seen these yoyo trees?, http://www.flickr.com/photos/prairiemouse/1604366716/

[Beth]

What about some pretty, thrifted scarves she can throw around? Little kids love scarves.
PlayMobil characters are really small or maybe some small animals...

[liz]

there are so many good advent calendar ideas floating around out in blogland!

last year, i bought a few packs of glow-in-the-dark stars, put a few in each stocking, and each evening she helped us pick where (in her room) she wanted the new stars to go.
this year, i bought two 'toobz' - the little plastic animals - which my daughter just LOVES - and i'm putting one in each stocking.

when the kids are older and i am more organized, i'd like to try the 'read one holiday book each night' idea or simple family rituals (we all decide what special things we'd lke to do as a family, write them down, and pick one each night to do)

have fun!

[liz]

oh - in case you wondered, each 'toob' has about 12 small animals in it. hence, one animal each night...
i realize that didn't make much sense if you aren't familiar with the toobz!

[judi]

Please do a tutorial! These are just precious and so colorful!

I'm trying to think of what you can put in the pockets.......

1. Little pretend bracelets & rings my Amelia loves them right now.

2. Maybe some stickers?

3. My girl also loves Thomas the Tank Engine. Would little choo choo's fit?

I'm at a loss for tiny things..... I'll have to think. When I was little, ours was a scratch and sniff....... weird, I know.... but I loved smelling each day. Sometimes it was Pine, peppermint, gingerbread and so on.

You must show us when your finished too!

[Jenny]

Head over to Molly Chickens blog and make her some of her cute mice. I think that they are archived around August. They are a big hit with my kids. In our house the mice sleep two to a bed though...so they don't get too lonely!

[Whitney]

How about barrettes, a small handmade ornament or a little figurine?

[meg]

I bought some small vintage ornaments at the thrift store. They are very sweet and we get to hang them on the tree each day.

[sharon]

barrettes - handmade or purchased (
using covered buttons or yo-yos)
tiny soaps
small markers or colored pencils, tiny watercolor box
small notebooks

[Beth]

What about sewing her some little beanbags to play with? Some felted wool balls? new crayons? A little button wreath for her door?

Love the ideas above of tiny soaps and swishy scarf!

Beth

[jeanetta]

if you are looking for some non sweet yet crafty ideas for an advent tree, google "jesse tree ornaments". its along the same lines as advent but with lots of crafty ornaments to make.

[Amy]

Most of my ideas have been listed. I make barretts I sell on etsy so I say one each day! Nail polish was another idea, nacklace charm, magnets, jingle bells, finger puppets, ribbon, ...love the glow in the dark star idea!

[lina]

Grace (www.uncommongrace.typepad.com) has a fantastic list of goodies in her post earlier this month. Our advent calendar will be ready a day or two late I think!

[lina]

Uncommon Grace has some great advent ideas in a post earlier this month. I'm going to be sewing flat out to get ours ready by Sunday (only a day late!!).

[Melissa H]

My daughter is about Bella's age and would love a matchbox car or two. Maybe some stickers? Someone above mentioned stones--acorns and seedpods are also popular around here. Photos of family members taped together into an itty bitty scrap book?

Ok, now I want to make a pocket advent!!

[Louise]

I put in a poem and sometimes include an item that leads to an activity. Such as going out to get a christmas ornament each, going to get our Santa photo done, baking cookies and put in a cookie cutter, nail polish, beads to make into a bracelet, finger puppets, a Santa key so Santa can get in our front door (on 24th), making jelly, Christmas pens for doing cards, making paper chains, and christmas stamps. Hope that helps - I have to redo mine now too!

[fi]

My daughter loves stick on earings (because her mean mother won't allow her to have them pierced), kids rings (the more garish the better, it seams), tiny puppies (Pocket puppies?), fairies, hair clips, charm bracelets....last year I gave my son a tool box on day one, which he filled up day by day with craft supplies from his advent calendar, sequins, feathers, pom poms, glue, stickers, pipe cleaners, etc.

[Al]

I'm a very bad Mummy! The firt year My kids used their advent, I put in tree decorations, nuts, small change etc. Roll on 5 years and yesterday I realised that I needed to get stuff to fill the pockets and so dashed round Waitrose buying endless chocolatey items. I just know the boys are going to be really happy with their treats this year. What's a girl to do? Do you think I'm a slacker Manda?
Alxxx

[Kristy]

Bouncy balls,little animals,clip-on earings,rings,hairclips,rubbers,little rolls of selloptape,glue sticks,finger puppets,stickers,perfume samples,little people,i owe you notes (trip to the park etc)
Well that's what I would do if I was a good enough mother.Of course my girls will just be getting a Cadburys advent calendar from Grandma.It's a bit of a tradition now and they love it.Nothing like going off to school with a sugar rush!!

[di]

I love your Christmas trees!! I agree - jingle bells, lego men....gosh it's harder than you think....

[Cara]

For the advent calendar: how about little bits of stationery (erasers, mini pencils etc) - Muji is always good for that sort of thing. Does Bella have a dolls house? Little things for that would fit well. Also, I second the earlier suggestions of hair clips and stickers.

Thinking about little presents: my partner's family have a nice Xmas tradition of 'tree prizes' (developed from years of keeping 3 little boys happy) - every time they play a game over Xmas the winner can choose from one of the wrapped gifts sitting in the tree. Everyone who comes for Xmas can contribute a couple of prizes (and you're not allowed to win one of your own items) but no individual thing can cost more than £1. Pound shops really come into their own for those!

Looking forward to seeing the calendar!

[Jo]

Rather than giving things our Advent Calendar is one of doing things. So, in the calendar you can put little notes about something special you might do that day - whether it be going somewhere special, doing painting, crafting, sewing, writing a letter to Father Christmas, making cards, visiting a friend, decorating biscuits... the list is endless and just right for keeping our little ones busy and takes the focus away from getting 'stuff' constantly. But, every now and then, perhaps one every week in Advent, a little piece of chocolate absolutely delights everyone!

[Suzie Sews]

Oh go on do a tutorial....I was only thinking about these trees last night, although had forgotten where I had seen them...I loved them last year and never got round to having ago...they looked great along with your little village.

LEGO I usually buy a bag from our second hand market, give it a good wash and put in a few little bits a day...