Friday, December 10, 2010

It was a gray, rainy day ...

So I decided to go up into the attic for our tree and the decorations. This year I decided to do the 'big' tree. I was inspired because of two bloggers trees that they recently posted about. One is Donna's wonderful funky tree. It can be seen here, at Funky Junk Interiors. And the other tree is by Jeri. Her lovely tree with it's antique jewels can be seen here, at Hopalong Hollow.

After insulating the attic a year or so ago, DH did some rearranging up there and put all the Christmas boxes right near the ladder at the west end of the attic. It's all easy to get to and I enjoyed seeing the boxes and reading what was in them. My excitement for the days' project was revving up. I got the tree trunk in the stand and started putting on the limbs and then saw that the thing was crooked in the stand. It was slipping so wouldn't stand straight, having lost it's piece of cork that we had used before. I started taking bottom branches off, to see if I could remedy the situation with a shim, but that didn't work. I went out to DH's workshop and told him my problem, he came in to take a look, and ended up going back to workshop with tree trunk and stand. He brought it back in a little while later, ready to be inserted in stand and ta da, it's straight and should always be so from now on.

This tree was another one of our 'curbside' finds 2-3 years ago. It was right on the street east of us thrown out still all put together, but without a stand. Of course, FlowerLady had to have this tree because it was gorgeous, and FREE. Since our cottage is small, I got the idea, to leave off some of the branches on the back side so that I could move it closer to the wall and it wouldn't stick out into the room as far. It worked great, I just had to use some of DH's heavy little metal weights from his workshop. They work fine in the stand, on the back side.

The lights were also found curbside in the last year or so, and I was thrilled that they all worked. Once I had the lights on the tree, then the real fun began. Unpacking and hanging the ornaments. It was an all day job, as I walk around the tree seeing where I want to place each ornament. Sometimes I move them, because they could look better over here, or wait maybe over here. Ah yea, that's just right.

Some of these ornaments are really old, passed down from DH's family. Some my late MIL gave us each year until she passed away. She had started the tradition with her kids when they were little. Others we've collected through the years, and some were given to us, plus I was involved in a Christmas ornie swap with some friends for about 5 years in a forum, where we exchanged handmade ornaments.

After decorating all day, around 5 or so I was basically done with the tree, and pooped! Now I just have to hang ornaments where ceiling and wall meet, and set up the creche. That won't be until Sunday though, as I am working at my job today and tomorrow.

Here is a little peak at the tree as taken this morning from my little space. There will be more pictures once I get the rest done, and all the boxes back up into the attic.





The Christmas spirit

~ Love ~

changes hearts and lives.

Pat Boone

Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

20 comments:

Mrs. Mac said...

... is all I can say for such a great free find. I can see how meticulous you are about placing ornaments in just the perfect spot. I'd say it's definitely a keeper ... and to think of the poor fool that ditched this tree at the curb!

jerilanders said...

I love that you removed the back branches to set it more closely against the wall! I cut away a lot of those branches too. It gives me more greenery to use around the house, to make a wreath or embellish the stairway railing. What a great curbside find! Don't you just love other peoples throwaways??!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Good grief!! THAT IS A HUGE TREE, not big, but huge. And it looks lovely too. Yes, those ornaments evoke so many memories.

Sending love and blessings to you, don't stress out as the holidays near!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

E. Charlotte said...

Oh I love your tree! Wonderful that you got it, and its lights, for free! I like that you have such a mix of ornaments, all unique and special. :)

NanaK said...

Love your tree. You are inspiring me to look more closely on garbage days.

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's just beautiful! I do wish I could have talked Mr. NaM into bringing home the tree that sat on the curb in our neighborhood all weekend. In the box and all...
Free things are awesome! And that tree is absolutely gorgeous. Well worth the effort of spending all day on it and I can imagine you and your DH will have many contended evenings in it's glow.

Lona said...

Your tree looks so pretty. I saw Jeri's tree and her boxes filled with antique treasures. It like going down memory lane every time you decorate a tree with keepsakes.I am so impressed by the great find you get from the curb sides. Way to go! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sandy said...

Your tree is beautiful! It's an all day job
for me unpacking all my ornaments too, but
I so enjoy it.
Hope you enjoy your weekend.
Blessings,
Sandy

sweetbay said...

What great finds! Your tree looks beautiful.

Antique ART Garden said...

I love it, very pretty.

Jim Groble said...

My fingers have finally relaxed their death grip they had on my steering weel. Thanks for your remarks. Your tree looks very cool. jim

gld said...

Glad you decided to use it this year. It is looking very beautiful.

I am always amazed by your 'curbside shopping'.

That doesn't exist either in our immediate area or the larger town. Trash is put out in containers with lids and picked up.

Have a good day at work.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! I love how you find things curbside, keeps them out of the landfill and gives them new life!

I always enjoy your blog, and love your header picture.

Meems said...

Good morning FlowerLady,
You worked hard on that tree and it shows. I love to do large pieces in small spaces... it looks perfect where you placed it. And so nice you have memories wrapped up in the ornaments.
Blessings, Meems

Rebecca said...

Really, really beautiful, FlowerLady! I, too, am intrigued by and applaud your ingenuity in removing branches to make it fit your space better! I'm also jealous of your attic organization. We just have a small access to our storage and my husband goes to top of the ladder and calls down to me what he sees, etc. (I have never even looked up there myself! I'm sure it's not very well organized.

Karen said...

What a wonderful find and gorgeous tree! Isn't it surprising how long it takes to decorate a tree? I'm so glad your DH could fix the leaning problem, too. Looking forward to your next pictures, too!

Kit said...

Oh how very pretty! I put my ornie tree up last week and loved re-visiting all the wonderful ornies of years past. Kit

Anonymous said...

Love your tree. Makes me think I really should get busy and get mine set up. :)

shadesofidaho said...

Flowerlady your house and tree are just gorgeous. So glad you put this up. Was hoping to get to see more pictures today.

I really like the way you hung the ornaments at the top of the wall and would like to know how you did that. On a wire or individual hooks or pins??

Every thing is lovely.

Chris

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed seeing your ornaments and reading about your goings on with your tree and decorations. You are truly creative!