Can I just have a big JEOW! for a project gone right.
Yes, my friends I am so pleased how this project turned out, that I keep pinching myself. If you read my “how I made tin lanterns” post yesterday, you’ll know that my projects don’t always go exactly the way I planned, but I usually keep tinkering with a project until I like it, or otherwise throw them out and try to quickly forget about them. But this particular project is one that will go in the books as ‘came out exactly like I had envisioned it in the first try’.
I made a filler project for my Christmas tree.
When I decided that I was going to go for a ‘new’ Christmas this year, I knew I would have to come up with a filler project for my tree. There was no way that I was going to be able to fully decorate my tree with handmade ornaments only, if there wasn’t at least something to give it a ‘full’ feeling fast.
So my mind started spinning. And my eyes started wandering around my craft room: now what can I use. I considered draping fabric around the tree, I have seen it done and liked the look. But then my eyes hit this big role of milky faux-paper My Love brought me once. And it clicked.
What if…..
What if I decorated a whole string of lights with that. It is white, It will be shiny, it will look cute and it will cover a whole lot of tree.
I am sure I saw this idea somewhere, sometime, probably a looooong time ago. But for the life of me I can’t remember where. But the idea must have stuck somehow, because I could see it in my mind…
So I started the work.
I drew a template and cut it out a gazillion times.
For the Dutchies the template I used in centimeters:
And because I love you my Anglo-American friends, the template once more in inches:
As you can see I punched a hole. (Take it from me, try one first before you punch all of them, you might need a much smaller hole). Then I folded it and glued the tips together:
I used this paper that isn’t really paper but more like a plasticky kind of material (polyester it is, I think). It was used in map making drawing rooms before they automated the drawing process. But I am sure you can use any kind of stiff, milky, transparent craft paper.
And then I –simply- placed them on a string of white led lights.
Fiddling with it the have all of my trees stand up straight was the hardest part. In retrospect I should have made much smaller holes. Using a string of lights where the lights stand up straight would have helped too. But I didn’t have those, so I made do with my unruly led lights because I am on a ‘non-buying Christmas’ crafting trip.
This is really an easy project. If you have some free labor at your disposal that can do all the drawing and cutting (aka kids), you can whip one of these out in a couple of hours.
And they look good.
And they fill up the tree nicely.
So now all I have to do is come up with, and make a whole lot of Christmas ornaments, to fill up the rest of the tree.
Working on it….
Stay tuned….
These are wonderful! My, you are so clever!
CUTE!!! I think I could do something like this with my kids…they want their own tree next year. Totally saving this in my inspiration files
WOW they're great! I'll bet they could be made in any design too. Can't wait to see you tree all decorated. I'll bet it will be beautiful!
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens
Marianne, these are so nice! – like you bought them in a store!!!!
I agree with Debra, they could be made into any design for any holiday or just because!!! You've got my brain swirling now with ideas! Great! Just what I needed!! LOL!!!
I thought of you after I posted my twig snow flakes!
You are very resourceful with your goods!!!!
xo
~Kolein
What a lovely post. I just stumbled onto your blog through Mustard Seed Creations and realized that your name is the same as mine "Marianne" ~ when I looked further I realized that you are from holland and so was my mother hence "Marianne". I have not seen pictures of the "duth Santa Claus" in years. and it made me chuckle when I saw the chocolate letters. I get them every year for my family.
I will be back definitely… Lovely, lovely Blog.
what a clever idea!!!
Very cute! I could see stars being wonderful as well! Or even done in more of a random fashion applying them just here and there to already installed lights. Don't you DARE having me stopping and inventing something! I don't have time… stop it!
xo
Donna
Well now that is so darn clever! You are on to something there. I love the way it looks, and can't wait to see your ornaments you come up with.
That is very pretty and how clever you are! It does fill the tree nicely and the white lights are perfect. Your new invention could be in a magazine. How fun!
What an amazing genius idea! So simple, so beautiful, so elegant! I'm totally in love. Such creativity on display today, thank you for linking! Many blessings Marianne!
xo
Kate
Leuk idee! Mijn vriend heeft gisteren een serie van 200 lampjes in de kerstboom gedaan. Ik geloof dat hij meer dan een uur bezig geweest is. Het ziet wel leuk uit.
I so love these! What a great idea =D
These are lovely. They look so crisp and add a glow to your tree. Great idea.
What an adorable idea! They look great in your tree!
Manuela
I just stumbled onto your blog through Mustard Seed Creations, That is very pretty and how clever work you done on it. The white lights are perfect. Your new invention could be in a magazine.