Oh! Christmas tree!

Well, I finally have the tree decorated and *whew* we've never had such a tall tree in all our 37 years of marriage! I had to use a step ladder to get to the top and I may or may not have stood on the TV cabinet to reach the star . . . hmmm, after I put the star up I could see that it was being dwarfed - so what to do? I went out into the yard and snipped off a few birch branches to create a little burst at the top and add some weight. I really kind of like it.

our lovely 9' Frazer Fir

remember the chain garland I was making out of dictionary pages?

branchy

sweet little bird

my handmade paper ball ornament made from old Christmas cards

look up . . . look waaay up . . .

my birch branch burst (say that three times fast)

carrying on the dictionary page theme and my very own die-cut snowflakes

I'm loooving my tree this year! To start with we haven't had a real tree for quite a while and I completely changed all the ornaments. Don't be shocked - I know ornaments are extremely expensive which is why I made my own garland. Then the other day I was rummaging around in my crafty stuff trying to think what else I could use when I came across a stack of light cardboard that I had saved (being the hoarder that I am) and thought, I am going run down to my scrapbooking store and see what die-cuts they have. This lovely snowflake was sitting there calling to me and I spent the better half of the morning churning out about a hundred of them. Cost? $0.00 - I have a membership at the store and use of the die cut machine is free for members. Oh man, I couldn't have been happier. The rest of the ornaments - the birds, the felt skates, felt reindeer, and felt mittens I had bought at Superstore at the beginning of the season. Take my word for it, they were very affordable. And last but not least I have my Paper Ball Ornaments made from Christmas cards past. Go here for the tutorial on how to make them.

I am officially exhausted. I'm on my own tonight so I may just pour myself a bowl of nuts and bolts and sit back and admire my creation. And since I worked so hard I may just have baked caramel popcorn for dessert.

Happy Decorating Everyone!

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple Fun Stuff Fridays at Toys In The Dryer Christmas Trees at Thrifty Decor Chick Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts Home for the Holidays at Uncommon Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie DIY Ornaments at Centsational Girl Christmas Trees at Craft-O-Maniac Sundae Scoop at I Heart Nap Time The Saturday Seven at Positively Splendid Creating Christmas at The Girl Creative Home for the Holidays at Corson Cottage Create and Inspire at A Little Inspiration Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors Simply Link at Simply Designing Pity Party at Thirty Handmade Days Find Your Craft Friday at The Quick Journey Friday Flair at Whipperberry Simply Christmas Inspiration Party at Shabby Art Boutique Christmas Trees at 2805