...and here I thought I was DONE making trees. NOPE!
Inspired by a gorgeous mid-century modern photo, I was planning to create THIS:
Inspired by a gorgeous mid-century modern photo, I was planning to create THIS:
As Charles Phoenix says, "I KNOOOOOWWWWWW!!!" Isn't it cool?!!
I ordered some materials online and had a plan. Then I ran outta' time to build it. So I pivoted to create smaller similar versions instead... In any case, I adore these fun and truly EASY paper trees and I think you will, too!
Continue reading for details & tutorials...
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.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
I've created three different sizes of trees, based on the three glass vases I used as bases.
Tutorial
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
Materials:
tall glass or ceramic vases - not clear, but anything else will work
24" paper parasols - I chose white, but use any color you wish!
You'll need one parasol and one vase per tree.
Packing paper - helps hold the parasol handle straight inside the vase
Method:
tall glass or ceramic vases - not clear, but anything else will work
24" paper parasols - I chose white, but use any color you wish!
You'll need one parasol and one vase per tree.
Packing paper - helps hold the parasol handle straight inside the vase
Method:
1. Place the unopened paper parasol handle inside a tall, skinny vase.
2. the parasol's bottom edge should sit just above the top of the vase.
I nudged the bottom edge of the paper part open *just a bit*, so it would look more like an elongated triangle 'tree' than a column of paper. If needed, a bit of polyfill could be pushed up into the paper parasol to hold it open.
2. the parasol's bottom edge should sit just above the top of the vase.
I nudged the bottom edge of the paper part open *just a bit*, so it would look more like an elongated triangle 'tree' than a column of paper. If needed, a bit of polyfill could be pushed up into the paper parasol to hold it open.
1. The medium sized tree sits in a larger vase, and needed some support for the handle to sit straight... I wrapped some packing paper around the handle loosely, so it would fill in the space.
2. I lifted the parasol up and inserted the handle wrapped with paper into the vase, pushing the paper down so it was firmly holding the handle.
3. Once in place, the wood supports of the closed parasol sit at the top of the vase.
4. By pulling the edges of the parasol outward, it opened up and became more triangular - and the edges of the paper now extend outward over the top of the vase.
2. I lifted the parasol up and inserted the handle wrapped with paper into the vase, pushing the paper down so it was firmly holding the handle.
3. Once in place, the wood supports of the closed parasol sit at the top of the vase.
4. By pulling the edges of the parasol outward, it opened up and became more triangular - and the edges of the paper now extend outward over the top of the vase.
1. The medium sized tree in the largest vase also needed some of the packing paper around the handle of the paper parasol.
2. + 3. I inserted the handle wrapped with paper into the vase, pushing the paper down so it was firmly holding the handle in place.
4. By pulling the edges of the parasol outward, it opened up and became more triangular - and the edges of the paper now extend outward over the top of the vase.
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
When all three paper parasol trees are at this stage, the fun part begins!
Let's add some mid-century style ornaments to bling things up a bit...
You'll need hot glue, pipe cleaners, scissors, and some ornaments for this part.
2. A small drop of hot glue @ 1/3 of the way up that pipe cleaner is what will attach these to the frame of the parasol...
3. ... by holding the pipe cleaner BEHIND the wood frame piece, the pipe cleaner basically disappears and all you see is the ornament.
4. I glued an ornament at the end of every third frame piece, with one skipped between them.
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
The finished edging.
1. On the large tree, I've added pieces of cut pipe cleaners as a 'hook' to hang the glass ornament balls. My pieces are @ 1 inch long.
2. + 3. After cutting them, I wrapped one end of the pipe cleaner pieces around a chopstick to create a loop.
4. A small drop of hot glue @ 1/3 of the way up that pipe cleaner is what will attach these to the frame of the parasol...
5. ...by holding the pipe cleaner BEHIND the wood frame piece, the hook part will sit just below the wood frame end.
Because I chose to use larger glass balls, I glued the pipe cleaner hooks on every fourth wood frame piece. That left room for the ornaments to hang without bumping each other (it also uses less ornaments that way).
4. Simply hang your ornaments onto the hooks and squeeze them closed to secure.
5. ...by holding the pipe cleaner BEHIND the wood frame piece, the hook part will sit just below the wood frame end.
Because I chose to use larger glass balls, I glued the pipe cleaner hooks on every fourth wood frame piece. That left room for the ornaments to hang without bumping each other (it also uses less ornaments that way).
4. Simply hang your ornaments onto the hooks and squeeze them closed to secure.
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
The finished edging.
Wait, we're not done yet!
Let's add a topper to these trees...
Elfie thought the small tree needed a star topper, so he climbed up to attach it... and got stuck. He looks kinda' cute up there! (I used straight pins to hold him in place)
The medium tree got a larger silk-wrapped ball as a topper... this one had already lost the hanging loop, so the hole was accessible. I pushed a clear pushpin into the wood top of the parasol frame, then carefully sat the hole in the ornament down over the pin.
The large tree got the finishing touch of a vintage plastic bell on top - it's the same color green as my vintage glass ornaments!
The medium tree got a larger silk-wrapped ball as a topper... this one had already lost the hanging loop, so the hole was accessible. I pushed a clear pushpin into the wood top of the parasol frame, then carefully sat the hole in the ornament down over the pin.
The large tree got the finishing touch of a vintage plastic bell on top - it's the same color green as my vintage glass ornaments!
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
.jpeg "Mid-Mod Paper Parasol Trees Tutorial")
I was taking photos when Elfie stole my light strand for the small tree... he's such a pill!
I really love the fun ornament 'trim' on the edges of these trees - reminds me of pom poms. Now can you see why I was so excited about creating that BIG paper parasol tree??!! Maybe next year. (Though every year, I have more ideas than time... with just two more holiday posts to go, I'm working hard to wrap everything up so you have time to try them out before Christmas!)
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