The first is the creative endeavor of reader, Lauren, who crafted her delightful tree out of recycled wood, scraps of copper pipe, and laser cut wooden ornaments. You can check out the process in pictures via her new blog, Tara and Thyme, where she also features a very sweet homemade Advent calender, and beautiful photography. Thanks for sharing Lauren!
The yarn "tree" (picture 3) hails from the home of reader, Jessica, and her housemates who realized that they "were low on space and money, but high in extra yarn, so we made this tree on the wall. Then, at our holiday party, we asked all of our friends to help us decorate it with paper ornaments." We like the idea of the alternative tree, but totally dig the alternative tree trimming party as well! Thanks Jessica!
And tree number three, comes from DIY master, Eric, whom you probably remember from his killer modern sofa project featured back in October. After witnessing his DIY prowess in the sofa project, it comes as no surprise that he'd think "Christmas Tree" when looking at a pile of leftover 2x4s, chain link fence, string, paper, and an old chandelier. To see more, visit his blog, Big [E] Modern.Thank you Eric!
What ideas are you other creative minds whipping up in lieu of the typical holiday fare?
(Images: 1,2: Lauren via Tara and Thyme, 3: Jessica, 4,5: Eric)
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Please tell me about that photo on the wall in the first picture!
I'd like to see the first tree lit up... are there no lights? A christmas tree MUST have lights.
Being low on space, money, and resources, I'm going to try making a Bristol board cone in white and decorating it with a colour scheme on which I haven't yet decided (pink and turquoise, yellow and green, red and turquoise...). I've always wanted a white Christmas tree.
I love the wood tree. Totally gets the message across without feeling misplaced. Love.
Wow! Amazing work! I love all three trees!
that first tree looks like a possibilitree....
http://www.possibilitree.com/
I build mine with 2 (recovery) planks of plywood ...
cut to the shape of a "Modern Tree", pierced with holes for hanging balls and paint with white glazed paint for wood ...
if this can inspire others ...
I placed some pictures that speak for itself in my Flickr "D.I.Y" gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teddy_qui_dit/4140540795/in/set-72157622893282752/
DragonKatinDC-
Lauren wrote in to tell us that about the picture that is hanging behind the tree. She says, "It is a photo of myself and my partner, done by our friend and amazing photographer Adam Volick: http://www.adamvollick.com/"
Teddy--your plywood tree is awesome!
I love all of these ideas! They're so creative and look great!
Teddy,
Thanks for sharing! I love it, and the fact that you can use it year after year. Awesome!
I wanted to get a wee potted pine tree and decorate it, but figured my cat would probably be far too interested in it. Instead, I got one of those nets of Christmas lights (meant for use on trees / bushes outside), hung it up on my wall in a vague tree sort of shape, and decorated away. It's pretty resplendent in its ugliness: http://twitpic.com/ufgtj
I think the yarn tree makers did a way better job with this concept... :D
I'll stick with my fairly realistic fake overloaded with ornaments no matter what my space constraints may be!! All these art objects that aren't very tree-like kind of undermine the concept to me. (I think of an HGTV Christmas episode of Design on a Dime where someone made a stuffed thing vaguely resembling three fluffy innertubes, strung up slightly lopsided, and called it a "contemporary" tree. Pathetic!) Your mileage may vary, of course.
Mlle Kate, Leah Dc ... Thanks ... ;.)
SherryBinNH ... Indeed, everyone can see Christmas as he wants.
Some see the spirit of the tree in form, others in the function it performs in supporting ornaments.
I much prefer the idea of having created and built something that acts and acts over the years in keeping the spirit of Christmas without cutting down real trees to only use one month ... or to place an ersatz plastic tree in my living room ...
but I understand that those who remain throughout the years a traditional spirit of Christmas ... This certainly reminds so many good childhood memories ...
I live daily in an mix of vintage design and contemporary objects ... but i remain very happy with my "Modern" plywood tree in my livingroom.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teddy_qui_dit/4198073422
(but I'll tell you a secret: I have a (big) tree outside ... with lights and balls, a survivor of a Christmas long time ago has been re-planted in my garden)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teddy_qui_dit/4200048386/in/photostream/
From Belgium ... my best wishes to all ...
I made an Advent tree which also serves as my Christmas tree. All I did was draw a chalk image of a Christmas tree on black foam-core board.
http://www.recycle-eh.com/apps/blog/show/5472891-my-advent-tree