Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Christmas in July

I'm getting a jump on my Christmas crafting. Okay, okay, I am sensing a collective eye roll out there but give me a chance to explain. Every year during the holidays I get so frustrated because I want to put everything on hold and just make things. Pretty things. Decorative things. Things just for me. With all of the activities that go along with the season, it's next to impossible to find the time to make this happen. All of that's changing this month though because I am having Christmas in July. No, we're not going caroling or putting lights on the house just yet, but I am going to make one Christmas related project each week for the remainder of the month. If they turn out good then I'll share them with you. If I get lazy and abandon the whole idea altogether I'll pretend like I don't know what you are talking about if you bring it up. Deal?

The first project up is "Oh Christmas Tree." While at the craft store recently, I discovered a wonderful package of small scale Christmas trees. There were three in a pack and each measured about six inches tall. I decided they needed a vintage overhaul. This is how I went about it.

I started with one tree. It came with some accent snow already on it. The first thing I did was cover the tree's little gold base so as not to get other paint on it. I did this with tape.
Next I pulled out some spray paint I had. The colors are Blue Ocean Breeze, White and Simply Pink.
I gave the little tree quite a shower with a base coat of white paint.
After the white was completely dry, I switched out the drop paper. Next time around I will probably add a small piece of wax paper between the tree and the newspaper to prevent any sticking.
Next came a pink shower for the little guy. You can do as many coats as you like to get the color intensity you prefer. I did a couple of coats very close to the tree so that I could get as far into the bristles as possible for maximum coverage.
After the pink dried, I used a paintbrush to work in small amounts of glue to the tree.
After coating a small area with the glue, I would then pour glitter over the over that area. I worked in small areas mainly because I didn't know how the glitter was going to look. You can adjust the amount of glue you apply in order to vary the concentration of glitter. You can work the glue deep into the tree with your brush or simply add small amounts to the tips of the bristles.
I was heavy handed with my glue application on this tree, so the iridescent glitter I used went on heavy and created a flocked look.
After waiting for the glitter glue to dry, I then dipped pastel colored beads in glue and pushed them into the tree bristles for decorations.
The end result is the tree on the left in the first picture of this post. The other two trees were created using different paint and glitter combinations. There are so many ways to make this project your own through your choice of materials.
I'm excited by the way these turned out! Now if I can just remember were I end up storing them when December rolls around I'll be in good shape. Merry Christmas!

11 comments:

Kim's Treasures said...

You displayed your pretty trees so sweetly! I love them!

Have a great day!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Melissa! I love those trees! And I don't think you're weird at all~ Scarlet has been watching Rudolph all week and I'm about ready to bust out the craft supplies myself!
(are you going to SB?)
xo natalea

Sarah said...

oh!!!!!!!!! I'm lovin' these trees. I always wondered how they did this. Thanks for sharing. At first...when I clicked on your blog and the trees came up I thought...Whhhaaatt....christmas stuff already...but I'm gonna be on the lookout for christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby to get me a pack of those christmas trees. Cause...you know....in about 4 weeks they'll start having it!
Sarah
Vintage Lily
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Anonymous said...

Very Cool! I totally agree that you need to start now! If I don't start by August it gets away from me. Good job!

Sheila
halohill.blogspot.com

My Arts Desire said...

Great post! In fact, you've inspired me. I have these "big" {as in 5-6 ft.} tall skinny Christmas trees that I've not used in years. I've always thought a coat of silver spray paint and some glitter could repurpose these little guys. And you're RIGHT. Now's the time for those projects!!

Thanks for sharing,
xo
Sue

Joy Jones said...

What a great idea! I've got a box of little green trees that I could do that project too! Beautiful job!! Thanks for sharing ~ xoxo ~ Joy

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

I'm new to your blog. Christmas in July... I've been working on Halloween inventory since April!! I've no doubt these projects are much more enjoyable without the holiday stresses involved and a much better finished product! I too will be heading towards my lil green bottle brush trees with Krylon in hand. Speaking of Krylon,I thinks it's the only spray paint to use. I had spray painted two bathroom cabinets one with Krylon one with another brand well...let's just say cleaning *over spray* has taken on a whole new meaning for me Yikes! I will never sway from the big-K again!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing! I have seen those trees many times myself...I think I will pick up myself afew and do the same!!
Smiles,joy

Michele said...

I love those trees...I am such a sucker for anything Christmas!!!

Great blog site..come visit when you have a chance...
http://countryvintageblog.blogspot.com/.

Hugz,
Michele

Mom IsAmagpie said...

Oh my!!!! Those are so obnoxiously cute!!! I need seven. Seriously though, fantastic. I am trying to get the holiday kick start in gear myself, I'm feeling extra lazy this year, can you send me some motivation pills. Before my third, I was always on the ball with the holiday stuff, now not so much. I mean it's only been three years, I still need more time to adjust, snort.

Anonymous said...

what a GREAT idea.. i have a bunch of these little trees that i got on sale last Christmas.. thanks to you... you have inspired me to spruce them up.. hehe.