holiday 2024: funky fabric Christmas tree!

while most of my holiday decorating this year
involves re-using a lot of elements i already have
along with a few new things i am making,
there ARE new store-bought things in the mix...

and one of them inspired a whimsical tree:

i picked up a few small flocked trees at Target for $3 each.
as they sat in my studio waiting for me to use them, 
i looked at that bright chartreuse green tree - and had a brainstorm.

i have a fuzzy chartreuse green microfiber blanket.
i have a few wire tomato cages. i put those two together.
and the result is a very... SEUSSICAL... tree.
which perfectly fits my 2024 theme,
O Christmas Tree 

continue reading and see what craziness i pulled off!

do you see the resemblance from my inspiration tree
to the final large tree??!!

this is actually REALLY easy to make!

Let's Make It!

materials:

one large wire tomato cage - the thicker metal ones @ 4' tall.
duct tape .  4-6 heavy-duty binder clips  
thick microfiber or flannel fabric that will fall into folds -
should be at least the size of a twin-sized blanket

1 set of 'curtain' LED fairy lights on thin wire strands
(these are very important since they will touch the fabric)
+ an extension cord to plug in the lights after installation

ribbon . a metal canning jar ring . ornaments
pipe cleaners . scissors

method: 

sit the wire tomato cage on the ground - upside down,
with the large round end on the ground.
pull the four 'legs' at the top together and wrap them with duct tape.
this will hold them in place to form a tree shape.

now place the wire cage where you want the tree to be.
(if you worry about it being pulled or knocked over,
sit a few concrete blocks or heavy weights
 on top of the bottom ring, to hold it in place)

note: these photos show the BACK side of the 'tree' -
once you've done this part, you'll turn it around (last photo).

drape the fabric around the wire cage.
fold @ 8 inches of the fabric over the pointed top of the wire cage
and let the rest of the fabric fall loosely into folds.

working from the top down, use heavy duty binder clips
to pull and hold the fabric together on the back side of the wire cage.
(you can place them on the inside of the fabric if you wish).

now turn your wire cage around with the longest fabric to the front.
adjust the way the fabric folds down the length of the tree,
and tuck the fabric ends under to 'pouf' the bottom of the tree.

now add the lights:
NOTE: LED fairy lights are the ONLY ones you can use for this.
they won't heat up, and that's important since the lights touch the fabric.
we do not want any chance of fire danger.

take the fairy light curtain and stretch it out
so that the bundles of each strand are separate.
(they come all wrapped up in the connecting strand)

grab the non-plug end of the wire that connects all of the strands
and begin to wrap it tightly around the TOP of the tree,
until the entire curtain is on the tree - still bundled.
you want the plug end of the cord located on the back side of the tree.

unwrap the tie around each strand bundle,
and let the light strands fall down the folds of the fabric.
pull them slightly to stretch them out straight.

then tuck the ends of the strands under the fabric around the tree
to neaten up the look. it also makes it kinda' GLOW!

run an extension cord from the plug on the light curtain
down the back side of the tree, so it remains unseen.
(most fairy light curtains come with remote controllers,
which makes turning on the lights MUCH easier!)

okay, that was a lot of work...
time for a sip of a holiday beverage of your choice
before we hang the ornaments!

i used a different way to hang ornaments:
cut ribbon into equal length strips that reach almost to the bottom of your tree

tie one end of each ribbon onto a canning jar ring

slip that ring over the top of the tree
then spread out the ribbons so they fall between the light strands.

next up, add a tree topper -
mine is a star ornament and some lime green velvet ribbon
(that ribbon hides the light strands at the top and the canning jar ring.)

BTW: always add your tree topper BEFORE you add ornaments.
it is SO much easier, and it reduces breakage of ornaments
from being hit by a ladder.

 start attaching your ornaments to the ribbons.

my favorite technique for ornaments - on any tree - 
is to cut pipe cleaners in fourths, then use those pieces
to attach the ornaments to the tree - in this case, to the ribbons.
if you match the color to the tree, or ribbons, they disappear!
(and they won't kill your feet or your vacuum cleaner
if they fall on the floor!)

i recommend using lightweight, unbreakable ornaments -
 especially if it's for a playroom or kids' room.
resin, paper, papier mache', plastic, air-dry clay ornies all work well.


ta dah!! O Christmas Tree, indeed!

yeah, i KNOW i could have just bought a lime green tree.
but where's the creative fun in that?! (plus i'd have to STORE it)

a few props finish off the scene in my studio...
normally i would wrap a bunch of empty boxes for photos,
but this year it just seemed like too much work. sorry. 

yes, i have a sickness. i can't help it.
gift wrapping MUST coordinate with the tree theme.
if these were wrapped in red paper, i would faint.
am i the only one????!


related content:

easy wire tomato cage trees

rainbow colorized tree decor - holiday 2020 

ombre' tree decor - holiday 2017

gilded & green tree decor - 2013

elegant tree decor - 2012


make pipe cleaner ornament hooks


my #1 Christmas tree decorating tip


shared online:

funky junk interiors | new upcycle ideas #755

creatively beth | creatively crafty link party 

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