gettin' down and crafty

So I was poking around the internet the other day and found myself here at one of my favourite places. 

A few days earlier, I'd bought a few packages of these at a local craft shop.

Impulse buy.  Didn't like the colour AT ALL ... my Christmas colours are predominantly white and silver (NOT dark green and gold).  But I've been wanting a set of little bottle brush trees for a long time so when I saw these, I got them.  And then thanks to Yvonne, I knew exactly how to make them my kind of pretty.

It's been a very VERY long time since I rolled up my sleeves and got down and crafty.  I really need to do this sort of thing more often.  I kinda felt like a mad scientist watching the dark green colour fade out of the trees as they bathed in the bleach & water.  It took a lot of restraint for me to not run back to the store and grab a bunch more trees ... just so I could play some more!

I also fell in love with those cute little putz houses since I first saw them a long time ago in a Martha Stewart magazine.  And after seeing Yvonne's adorable mantlescape, I was on a mission to recreate the same thing in my own home.

I spent the next few weeks looking for putz houses with no luck.  I finally gave up and figured I'd have to settle for a nice display of just trees.

Then BAM!  I was in the GROCERY STORE of all places and there they were ...  DIFFERENT WHITE & SILVER PUTZ(esque) HOUSES!!!  And they were only like $4 each!!!  (Sorry for yelling, but I'm trying to make you understand how awesome that moment was.)

"Ok Christmas, you can come now!"

Comments

[A Little Blue Dragonfly]

So cool! I didn't know you could dye bottle brush trees. And I love the colors you chose to dye yours...very you! Your display is gorgeous! :)

[Melissa Bratland]

Where did you find your bottle brush trees? I am having a hard time finding any!!

[Rachel]

Yes, I would love to know where you found the bottle brush tress and the putz houses. I've been given serious thought this year to making my own putz houses.

Fabulous display.

[greenrabbitdesigns]

just gorgeous......and very Kristyne !!
V x

[Bonnie Kane]

LOL You go girl!

[anna]

Love the trees! So fun. Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I love reading your blog. You have a wonderful sense of humor. You brighten my days. Noticed you aren't posting as often. Hope that means you are all moved and settling in. Thanks so much for sharing your talent. God has blessed you with a gift. Merry Christmas

[Shay]

I love them! And I am also in Yvestown! When she put her house up for sale, I couldn't convince my husband to move there and buy her house :) He told me if my fabric started selling... :) Merry Christmas

[Susie]

Wow! They are far too cute. I would love some of those as I am obsessed with cute little flowers.

[Christa]

How cute!! What store??? I think my sister needs to get me some of those houses!!!

[Bonnie Nyquist]

Good things come to those who wait! Adorable as usual!!

[katie]

That looks sparkly and festive! Have a Merry Christmas!

[vintage grey]

They are quite beautiful!! Merry Christmas to you! xo Heather

[Gillian Dempster]

Just gorgeous, now I want some. Would love a white Xmas too but we are expecting a HOT one here in Aussieland. Can't always have what you want!!

[Anita]

Very cute! I love the colours you chose. Great job!

[Pat Godkin]

My grandmother had these houses and a church. I remember cellophane windows and some had a hole in them for lights. I have since found my own a few years ago at Target!!!

[Suzitee]

I have never heard of these little houses before, but OH MY GOODNESS...now I am in love with them! I wonder where we could find them in Australia?

[Dawn]

This is so cute!! I will have to make one of these next year. :)

[Cheryl Arkison]

So pretty! I bought some trees too, but my girls like them as is for now...
New year, new beginnings ahead. Let's see if we can try and make a meet up happen now?

[Jen@thecottagenest]

Gorgeous! All of it! I have a bag of those trees and I've been to intimidated to do anything with them. What kind of dye did you use? Any tips before I begin? I'm ready to dive in!

[eve danilkewich]

I sure do like the Macaron pincushion..especially the color purple.WOw looks like fun so I'd be glad to win the free kit.THanks for all the good ideas.