Monday, November 15, 2010

Handmade Holiday and Randomness

*Something is a bit crazy with my format this time around. I can't figure it out so I am posting this as is.*

Over the weekend I volunteered at 'Heart of Advent'. This may be one of my favorite events at our school. It's an adults only gift making/craft fair. Lots of fun to be had, for sure. It finally kick started my holiday crafting ambitions.




One fast and simple project I did was origami evergreen trees. We used the pattern found here.
But as you can see the tree on the left in this photo looks a lot different from the tree on the right. Either I did something wrong or there is a mistake in the pattern. It says to fold the paper 4 times but when I did that I ended up with that funny looking tree. I looked over the project photos again and saw that the paper was really folded 8 times. It's folded almost the same exact way as the star lanterns. So after I figured that out I took that tree apart and folded them all the 8 times, instead.



Now we have a happy little winter wonderland to decorate our home with next month. I don't plan on making any more of these this year but wouldn't they make sweet handmade gifts? I was thinking, too, to make them out of some of my girls' green paintings. For other fun handmade holiday ideas please check out the Handmade Holiday posts over at Plain and Joyful Living.

I thought I would also share a few pics of our nature table before we change it this week. I didn't take a picture of her, but our Autumn fairy is swinging above with her falling leaves, again.





Chinese lanterns and beautiful needle felted art made for me by the ever talented Meg for our Seasons Round exchange last year.





I also wanted to post a couple pics from our Martinmas dinner last week. Having our dining room lit up with lanterns was really magical.




Last, but not least, to add to the randomness of this post, K brought this home from school Halloween week. It's a wet on wet painted jack o lantern. Her class made them over the course of a couple of days. She decided hers looked more like a tomato, though.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

beautiful as always!

Julie said...

I just love those trees. What simple way to add a little holiday cheer to a space! Your seasonal table looks beautiful.

renee ~ heirloom seasons said...

I love the little forest of trees!

And I cannot believe all of your lanterns! I got ours finished just as the light was fading on Martinmas. I had already given up twice during the day, and once almost sent you a very whiney email proclaiming that I would just never ever be able to make them, but then I finally did it! Hooray.

Your advent gift making fair sounds wonderful. I wish we could be creating together!
XOXO

Tonya Gunn said...

Your trees are so sweet and all of those folded lanterns. I have saved a tutorial and hope to try it some time. Maybe to put on our mantle for the holiday Christmas season.

Thank you for sharing.

Jessica said...

Beautiful handmades! Our Martinmas lanterns are now a favorite at EVERY dinner (and breakfast!) ;)

This is my favorite time of year!

momma rae said...

your pictures are gorgeous, as always. i agree with renee, i wish we could all be crafting together this season!! so fun it would be. those trees are adorable.

sorry i have been out of touch. i hope you are doing well! sending you love, rae

a little crafty nest said...

I love all the items on your nature table...so beautiful and peaceful. The origami trees are wonderful! We will try these for sure this season.
xo Jules

BlueSkyJenn said...

Can you pass along the source for your amazing tiered wooded display? I would love to get one!

Anonymous said...

oh those gorgeous little orange lanterns! origami trees hmm might have to add that to the xmas craft list.

TAWNYA said...

i TOO love THE WOODEN TIER DISPLAY: Can you pass along the source for your amazing tiered wooded display? I would love to get one!

alyssa spring said...

I wanted to do all handmade gifts this year like I did last year...but I'm just NOW getting motivated after having the baby blues for awhile....I don't think I'm going to make the Christmas deadline! Didn't I remember that you are expecting? How is your pregnancy going?

karen said...

gorgeous photos! The green trees look great

Seaside Siblings said...

How beautiful. I have just discovered your blog via natural suburbia and am now following.

WonderWhyGal said...

Love your trees! I've been enjoying your blog via Natural Suburbia.

Andrea

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/fiber-arts-friday-spin-sort-felt-and.html

Jessica said...

And can I ask where you find such nice, big acorns?! The ones around here (Seattle-area) are so very, very tiny. Which is cute but, oh, what I would give for some plump ones! :)

saraelise said...

I love the trees so much~ I think we need to make them as well. Thanks for the inspiration. And your lanterns are just dreamy.

Unknown said...

Your Martinmas lanterns were gorgeous and all the other amazing lanterns you have. Your home looks magical with a beautiful autumn table as are your little christmas trees.

Unknown said...

Your Martinmas lanterns were gorgeous and all the other amazing lanterns you have. Your home looks magical with a beautiful autumn table as are your little christmas trees.

Hullabaloo Homestead said...

Such cute little trees! Thanks for sharing that tutorial with us! I hope you are feeling well these days and gettign as much rest as possible.

:)Lisa

La Chili said...

Your photos and way to live is always so inspiring.
I look forward for that lantern tutorial, its so beautiful.

Cadi said...

Beautiful lanterns! I hope you will enjoy the pattern. I like how it fits my lil' girl. Thanks for stopping by the blog. I try to keep it upbeat & Waldorfy, but it still is a grieving blog, too. How amazing that he left me this beautiful lil' girl! Bright blessings to you!

Nadine said...

Love your blog...
a real sense of peace resides here...
Thanks for sharing

Always

Nadine

Amber Greene said...

Hi Nicole
I finally got here to see this post! I am so pleased to be back, as your blog just gets more beautiful with each visit. I love these trees. Gorgeous! I am off to make some now!!! Amber (MamaMoontime)

Rachel Willow'z Design said...

It is all so gorgeous! I love the trees!!

Kristy said...

Just popping in to say hello and I hope all is well. I know this time of year is busy and spending time with family is more possible than ever so I am hoping that's what's keeping you away.

Best wishes for the Season and here's to a positive 2011.

xo

kirschkernzeit said...

How are you, Dear? I wonder if everythings okay with you and your (almost3 ) babys...
send you my love
Bora from Switzerland

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