The 2020 Upside Down Tree

 Each year, I try to pick a theme for my Christmas decorations. +

Last week, while getting supplies, I saw a few tall flocked trees that I liked, but I just couldn’t bring myself to pay for new trees to go outside. After all, I’ve got about 16+ in the shed, most came from the thrift store or garage sale for $7 or less. I didn’t want to do an exact replica of last year, but I was drawing a blank, till I started dragging out the trees from the depths of my storage building. 

 

There was my silver tree that I’ve hung upside down before. It’s pretty scraggly, missing a few branches, a little (lot) wonky, but it still has potential. (wish I'd taken a before picture.) 

 

As I was hanging my tree by the camper, I got to thinking. You know, this tree is like 2020. There’s a lot that’s been upside down and crazy this year. Things are wonky... but there’s still been good things happen this year. This year lots of things have been missing, but just like adding all the tinsel, ornaments, and glitzy stems to help fill in the gaps, there’s been new and different alternatives that have came along to help fill the hole. 

 

With some effort and some creativity, this tree can be pretty, although not the norm.  It absolutely can’t stand on its own anymore, but really none of us can. Branches are tied together and there’s some gaps here and there. The top section can’t hold itself upright, but it’s not noticeable when it’s hanging upside down. With a little effort, love, lights, ribbon, garland, and ornaments, its a totally different tree. 

 

Let us remember that even though there’s been lots of craziness and ugliness in 2020, there’s still good and pretty things that have happened this year that are worth celebrating and appreciating. There’s still love, new life, weddings and new beginnings, friendships - both new and old, new and established businesses trying hard to make it and some having there best year ever, there’s new homes for some, taking time to try new things, spending more time with family, gardening, experimenting, being creative, overcoming obstacles, enjoying nature, a stronger wave of supporting our local businesses and makers...I’m sure there’s much more to add to this list. 

 

Yep, the upside down tree and 2020, they are different... but hang in there friends - just like that tree top that can’t hold itself up, we all need each other to support each other through it all. Grab a branch from the second section and tie it to one from the first section. Now, do it again. And again. And again. 

Now let your light shine. 

P.S. The rest of my "tree farm" is inspired by  my pink and aqua camper Christmas tee. Find it here. 

She's come a long ways!

I was looking through my camera roll Friday and realized it was exactly 2 years ago that I found my camper! She's came along ways from her ugly duckling - deer camp camper - man cave - mossy oak sticker days! Here's a few now and then comparison pics of camper to glamper. 

Two years ago, I spent the weekend cleaning her up and did the same thing this weekend as we are preparing for the Backwoods Marketplace  next month. She got new handmade curtains today and some cleaning, as we are starting to load inventory for the market. Nothing says glamper like a chandelier! 

You've come along ways Miss Gussie! Oh the power of a good scrubbing and paint! 

"Sometimes I wish I lived in an airstream

Homemade curtains

Lived just like a gypsy" - Miranda Lambert 

Of course she has homemade lace curtains. Don't tell her, but I really wish I had an airstream too! Seriously though, I would be tickled with a whole fleet of vintage campers! 

I ❤️ the original backsplash and I haven't done anything to the green cabinet doors or countertop. 

You sure have been a fun project to fix up! I always knew a camper would be a part of my future business, I just didn't know exactly how. It makes my heart and creative self happy to be able to share her pictures and get to travel to vintage markets with her. Thanks for traveling along with our journey! 

Gettin' All GUSSIED Up!

So Saturday went something like this...

Get up, eat breakfast, turn on glue gun.

Start making burlap roses for Caitlin's bridesmaid bouquets

I have sudden idea that I need to measure inside the camper!

Complete measurements for bedding area and ceiling area that needs repairing.

Get sidetracked and make a curtain out of a wedding dress! If you follow on Instagram you'll know I found a wedding dress at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Two tacks and she's now a curtain. I finished painting in the camper on Thursday, so I'm anxious to start decorating.

Go back inside and make more roses, all the while online shopping for a mattress and reading product reviews. Found a three quarter mattress with high praises at an affordable price, ordered it, a set of sheets, and mattress cover. Should be here in a week or so! 

Decide to go back to the camper and think about the curtains some more. What does one do with a BBQ stained tablecloth? Make curtains of course! 

The bottom half of this wall needs a few minor repairs and is going to be covered in new material, but I just couldn't help starting the gussification! I think GUSSIE is going to be her name. What do ya think? 

I couldn't stop at just these two curtains. The sewing machine was running good. (Read, I didn't have to fight the bobbin - it hates me!)

I found this little lamp at a recent garage sale, the wire frame at a resale shop and the two work great together dontcha think? I tied ribbons and twine on the frame. Don't fret, it's a battery powered votive. 

I then went to the farm for a while. I love watching all the little babies.

Also on the agenda at the farm was to photograph these bouquets. Heads up Brides to Be-

Moore Farms Rustic Weddings purchased these two bouquets to Give Away on their Facebook page in May and July. 

Head over to Moore Farms Rustic Weddings Facebook to watch for news about the upcoming giveaways. These two burlap and lace bouquets are two of the top three bouquets in my etsy shop. The other being the turquoise pictured above. 

Come home, eat supper, finish watching the Nascar race, while working on burlap corsages

I'd say Saturday was a fabulous, productive day and now I'm blogging from my cozy bench in the camper! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!