As many of you have read, my hideous white Christmas tree and I have been at odds with each other over the past couple of years. My store-bought Christmas tree has not taken care of herself-always mis-shappen and shoddy looking-and I am sure she has heard the awful things I have said about her under my breath, not to mention, she still gets huffy when Zena, our cat, gnaws on her prickly, plastic branches. Needless to say, last year I decided that we needed a break from each other, and I promised myself that I would not drag her down from the attic this year.And I KEPT my promise.
Instead of decorating with my plastic, commercial white Christmas tree, I made a new one, and it didn't cost me a penny.
Inspired by Cherry Blossom trees, I simply gathered sticks that had fallen from our trees and painted them a creamy white, and placed them in a white decorative pot (which I have used in numerous projects-Remember Amelia's Secret Garden Party?)
Then I made white tissue paper petals to mimic cherry blossoms and glued them to the white branches.
I could have stopped there if I had wanted a simpler, minimal look, but the romantic side of me just couldn't stop, so I added a handful of luxurious white feather plumes~

Since this tree was created for Amelia's room, I adorned my homemade Christmas tree with sweet, childlike ornaments:
a pair of vintage dusty ice blue mittens, petite vintage silver bells and birds,

Instead of decorating with my plastic, commercial white Christmas tree, I made a new one, and it didn't cost me a penny.
Inspired by Cherry Blossom trees, I simply gathered sticks that had fallen from our trees and painted them a creamy white, and placed them in a white decorative pot (which I have used in numerous projects-Remember Amelia's Secret Garden Party?)Then I made white tissue paper petals to mimic cherry blossoms and glued them to the white branches.
I could have stopped there if I had wanted a simpler, minimal look, but the romantic side of me just couldn't stop, so I added a handful of luxurious white feather plumes~

Since this tree was created for Amelia's room, I adorned my homemade Christmas tree with sweet, childlike ornaments:
a pair of vintage dusty ice blue mittens, petite vintage silver bells and birds,
and a gray dove-accessorized with a aqua satin scarf. And notice the top of the white pot was also dressed for winter, I added a vintage white rabbit fur collar around brim for a wintry touch!
And my favorite detail about my homemade winter blossom Christmas tree is that I placed it into the curio cabinet in Amelia's room~a fancy little display case just for the tree. I hope to add white lights inside of the cabinet so that at night, it becomes a magical little scene behind glass for Amelia to enjoy.images by à la parisienne





31 comments:
adorable. t.xoxo
This is so pretty, stylish and unusual too!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
Oh Mindy, what a beautiful tree. I love all the things you have adorned it with, especially the feathers and the fur collar,also love the little mittens with the pearls too.... so sweet!!!
hugs~~~ Daphne
It's such a serene little tree! Very clever and very beautiful. Virginia xx
Mandy, You're amazing. Sorry girl, I know I gush over all your skills but DANG! My kids have raided the Christmas bins and have put up these god-awful old tinsel trees in their room with everything but the kitchen sink hanging off them as ornaments. I tried to explain it wasnt really the LOOK Momma was going for and they looked at me like I was Scrooge.
Looks like I will have to keep the prettys to myself.
I know what you mean about hating your tree - I have a silver one for our bedroom and it looks so mangy. Perhaps I too will issue a punishment and keep it in the box this year.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Angela
Mandy, You're amazing. Sorry girl, I know I gush over all your skills but DANG! My kids have raided the Christmas bins and have put up these god-awful old tinsel trees in their room with everything but the kitchen sink hanging off them as ornaments. I tried to explain it wasnt really the LOOK Momma was going for and they looked at me like I was Scrooge.
Looks like I will have to keep the prettys to myself.
I know what you mean about hating your tree - I have a silver one for our bedroom and it looks so mangy. Perhaps I too will issue a punishment and keep it in the box this year.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Angela
Dear Mandy~
It's begining to look alot like Chirstmas! I adore this white Christmas tree! The cherry blossoms make it so whimsical and it is full of beautiful magic!
Merry Christmas to my most clever friend!
XO
This 'tree' is so beautiful Mandy... Amelia will love it....
Dreamy tree so much more beautiful than a store bought...the feathers are a sweet touch
Carla x
This post is so breathtaking and yet simple. Love it!
You have a beautiful, beautiful blog with goregous photographs!
xo deborah
Mandy,
This tree is so sweet! I didn't think the pictures could get any better until I saw the tree in the curio cabinet! Adorable. And a very lucky Amelia.
Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.
Alicia
Oh, I think your tree is dreamy Mandy. And I love the paper ornaments. We should all have a petite tree to look at as we fall asleep. XO
Hi Mandy,
J'adore toutes ces plumes et cette douceur blanche! Noël en blanc est une idée superbe!
Have a great evening!
Absolutely gorgeous! Fiona
Mandy, this tree is almost breathtaking! It's so sweet and beautiful. I wish I had your eye and talent for creating such beatiful things. As it is, I can only try to copycat you. :)
beautiful, not beatiful. ;)
Mandy,
That's the sweetest idea & execution. Kudos!
xo
Sandy
So magical indeed my sweet friend...I love it!!! Thanks for sharing sure joy with us and inspiring me to get out in our backwoods and find some branches. xoxoxoxo
Wow, what lovely inspiration I have stumbled upon! Love it - I have put you on my blog side bar! Happy Holidays - your daughter will just love that tree! :)
<3 Jessie
Your tree is beautiful!! The little blue gloves have captured my heart. Everything you touch becomes beautiful.
Nancy
I love white christmas trees...very pretty! I am having a giveaway on my blog and would love to see you enter!
Daisy~
You definitely have truck loads of inspiration and drive ! When in need of good ideas , " à la parisienne" is a must !
Fidji from www.irresistibleparis.blogspot.com
Dearest Mandy ~
It is gorgeous! Lucky little Amelia...her december dreams will be filled with such magical christmas beauty!
Bisous,
Melissa
Like all this great sensation of white!
Well, my goodness, darling. You are so talented! It looks fabulous. I am not decorating a Christmas tree this year either (I'm not angry at mine, just tired of decorating a tree for 23 years..I needed a break). Your tree looks great.
absolutely ethereal and lovely!
Sweet perfection!
I really would love to have all white in my home, with just a few splashes of color. Would love to do away with the artificial tree and do something wildly creative and feminine like your gorgeous white tree. But there's a part of me that feels I HAVE to have the big plastic tree for the rest of my family or else it just wouldn't be Christmas. Oh, if only I were brave enough to just not put the thing up.
Anyway, it's so sweet and pretty! The feathers are the perfect finishing touch. Great job!
Scrumptious. I could eat it up. Mad skills girl- you have MAD SKILLS.
So lovely and magical! Wishing your precious daughter the sweetest sugar plum dreams this holiday season.
Debra
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