Wednesday, November 30, 2011

My Rusty Junky Shabby Chic Christmas Tree

I finally finished decorating my Christmas Tree today! I don't think there is another tree like it anywhere! The best way I can describe it is Vintage, Rusty, Junky, Shabby Chic with a touch of Bling! The best part - it cost me less than $10.00!

I found this tree at a garage sale for $5.00 when I was on vacation a few weeks ago.
Our house is too crowded for me to put up our big tree this year {read we have way to much furniture in our little living room.} I set the tree on our antique Queen Sewing Machine that came from my Father-in-Law's Step Grandmother.
I found 2 vintage patterns at the Goodwill and made lots of tissue paper flowers. The patterns were from the 70's and cost 59 cents each. I made tissue flower balls, rolled roses, a star flower, and little puffs from the patterns. Not a single piece of pattern went to waste.  That was over 40 ornaments for $1.18!
 I found a few springs off of a seed drill for rustic ornaments while bed springs made a rusty garland circling the tree.
 I used a few of the ornaments I already had and then tied some of the strips of material that I use on my rag wreaths to the branches.
 I came across three vintage, cross-shaped rug beaters recently and had intentions of listing them in my etsy store, but they found their way on the tree instead!
 This ornament was made by my sweet Grandmama. I would stay with her at night (because of her health)and we would make ornaments together. She made this one just prior to her last Christmas. I will always cherish those memories and even though the ornament is not perfectly stitched, its perfect to me.
This little angel was given to me many years ago by an elderly man at church. We shared the same birthday week (coming up soon) and we would always stand up together as the church sang Happy Birthday to us.
 

 I made a star flower out of the pattern paper and added touches of gold, brown, and lime glitter branches for a little sparkle.
 My only other purchase was one string of lights. The tree was pre-lit, but needed some more lights.  Everything else on the tree is upcycled and reused.  I used an old burlap potato sack for my tree skirt.

I got a few gifts wrapped today and now I have to get busy making the rest of my gifts! So what do you think about my rusty, junky, shabby tree?

P.S. Please come see my Gazebo decorated for Christmas. It has some unexpected decorations as well!

I'm linking my Christmas tree to :


Unskinny Boppy


Tip Junkie handmade projects

Confessions of a Stay At Home Mommy

Sew Woodsey










Savvy City Farmer Thrift'n on a Thursday





Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special


Visit thecsiproject.com

15 comments:

  1. I LOVE it!!! Only YOU can think of stuff like this...Love the browns and reds...Beautifully done!
    Can't wait to see more handmade gift shots!
    hughugs

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  2. i love the rust and springs! so cool!

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  3. Love, love, LOVE it! Every single part and as a whole are fantastic!

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  4. It is rusty, junky, gorgeous!!! You sure are creative and know how to squeeze those pennies! Your thrift and creativity make my heart sing!

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  5. You never cease to amaze me with your cleverness, uniqueness and craftiness! This tree is so cute and charming! I love it!

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  6. Thanks Yall!!! Glad you all like my junky tree!

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  7. Once again, Janice! Your craftiness is awesome, and I can honestly say that is the MOST beautiful tree EVER!!!! The thought, memories and cleverness all wrapped up, gorgeous :)

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  8. Wow! Your tree is just gorgeous! So much rusty junky BEAUTIFUL uniqueness I don't even know where to start! Thanks so much for linking up to the party. :)

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  9. I "heart" your junky rusty FABULOUS tree, wow on the hand made paper decorations and those rug beaters were a great find! :)

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  10. That is one super cool and creative tree. I love the various textures. You have a new follower.

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  11. Wow, I am loving this. And thanks so much for the idea to make tissue pom poms from patterns. BRILLIANT!

    Warmly, Michelle

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  12. I see we both ready Donna at Funky Junk Interiors - love the stuff she creates- and you are posting such great stuff with rust, recycled and creativity. Love your Christmas tree, also the gazebo is so inviting. I am following you and putting a link on my blog under Creating.. to your blog.
    -Joy

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  13. Hi - found your blog on my sister's blog (aVintageGreen) and am following. Love junk and rust. I've put a link back to your blog on my blog list.
    -Rob

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  14. That's so creative! I love the tissue paper puffs.

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I appreciate all of your comments and read them all! It makes my day to hear from you!