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Extraordinary Christmas Trees

I’m delighted to join Diane of An Extraordinary Day and Mary Beth of Cupcakes and Crinoline for an Extraordinary Christmas Tree Blog Hop.  We are sharing our Christmas trees and also some of the handmade ornaments that we’ve used to decorate them.  All of the ladies participating shared a handmade ornament that they made for October’s 31 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments Blog Hop.  Today we are sharing our trees and also some of the handmade ornaments that we’ve used to decorate them.

An Extraordinary Christmas Tree Tour - Get ideas for decorating your Christmas tree from fourteen homes. virginiasweetpea.com

This year I have three trees:  a handmade wooden tree that displays my Swarovski snowflake ornaments; a tree on my porch filled with ornaments that I made for it this year; and our traditional tree in our family room.

Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Tree

My husband started a tradition of giving me a Swarovski crystal snowflake ornament in 1994, the year we were married, and he’s gifted me with one every year since.  I display them on a wooden tree that we made together when I first started to get interested in woodworking.

Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Ornaments - 1994 through 2017 on this tree. -virginiasweetpea.com

 

This tree stays out until March so that I can enjoy the snowflakes all winter.

2017 Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Ornament - virginiasweetpea.comYou can see more of my formal living room’s Christmas decor here.

Porch Tree

Our porch tree usually just has lights and no decorations, but this year since I’m no longer teaching, I had time to make ornaments to use for its decoration.  I looks much more festive decorated and our neighbors love seeing it when they walk past our home.
Christmas Tree Decorated with Handmade Ornaments - virginaisweetpea.com

Our porch is a great place to sit and relax and I especially enjoy rocking in a rocker while looking at the tree.  This space is decorated for the season with a vintage vibe.  You can see more details here.

Vintage Inspired Christmas Porch Decorations - virginiasweetpea.com

This tree looks so pretty at night.

Christmas Tree Decorated with Handmade Ornaments

I had a great time crafting the ornaments for this tree. I gathered pine cones on a nearby cross country trail and used them to make the pine cone ornaments.

Easy Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments - virginiasweetpea.com

Easy Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments

The other ornaments were made with clay and Christmas cookie cutters.

Easy Clay Christmas Ornaments - virginiasweetpea.com

Easy Clay Ornaments

Family Room Tree

Our main tree is in our family room and is filled with ornaments that we’ve collected over our 23 year marriage.  We buy ornaments when we travel, give each other ornaments as gifts, and I like to make ornaments.  We are to the point where not every ornament in our collection goes on the tree each year, as we have too many,  Having too many ornaments doesn’t stop us from buying more nor stop me from crafting more!

Christmas Tree 2017 - virginiasweetpea.com

 

A very special part of our Christmas tree is using the Christmas tree skirt that my grandmother made in the 1970’s. I loved it as a child and am happy that I am able to continue the tradition and use it under my tree.

Felt Christmas Tree Skirt Made in the 1970's - virginiasweetpea.com

Our tree is decorated with my husband’s collection of Hallmark ornaments, my collection of P. Buckley Moss Ornaments, ornaments that we’ve purchased, and ornaments that we’ve made.

Christmas Tree 2017 - virginiasweetpea.com

Handmade Ornaments

The Sparkling Snowflake Ornament that I made for this year’s 31 Days of Handmade Ornaments is on the tree.   Look in the middle of the tree and you’ll see it.

Sparkling Snowflake Christmas Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

 

As is the Woodland Elf Ornament that I shared in 2016.  Look just under the sparkling snowflake in the middle of the tree and you’ll see this woodland elf peeking out.

Woodland Elf Christmas Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

For the 2015 Ornament Hop I shared a Button and Felt Snowman Ornament.  I think I may have given this guy away as a gift because I can’t find him on my tree.  I used to let my students have some of my craft projects to give to their moms as gifts and that is probably what happened to this guy.

Button and Felt Snowman Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

I used to love to cross stitch and one year made several beaded cross stitch ornaments for our tree.  This angel is a favorite.  I doubt if I could see well enough now-a-days to craft this!

Handmade Beaded Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

 

The same year I made this adorable beaded Santa ornament.

Handmade Beaded Santa Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

My mother gives me a P. Buckley Moss ornament each year for Christmas.  Patt Moss is a talented artist and has been popular in Virginia for many years.  She is a Shenandoah Valley artist and her work depicts scenery found in the valley and often includes Mennonites.

This is just one of the many P. Buckley Moss ornaments that my mom has given me over the years.  These ornaments are miniature works of art.

P. Buckley Moss Christmas Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

 

I’m not the only person in my family who makes ornaments.  One Christmas my husband disappeared into the workshop one evening and crafted a Virginia Tech ornament for me as a gift.

Virginia Tech Christmas Ornament

 

He couldn’t leave out his own alma mater and also made a Wisconsin ornament.

Handmade Wisconsin Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

My former teacher assistant was a talented artist and drew this nativity scene on a whim one day when I handed him an ornament and a gold Sharpie.

Handpainted Nativity Ornament - virginiaasweetpea.com

I could go on sharing handmade ornaments for a long time.  You can find more ornaments that I’ve made over the years in the crafts section of my blog.  I’ll close with this handmade ornament that I bought for next to nothing at a local antique shop.  Someone made it with love and now I love it on my tree.

Handmade Felt Ornament - virginiasweetpea.com

 

For more extraordinary Christmas tree inspiration, please visit these lovely blogs…

Day 1Day 1 - An Extraordinary Christmas Tree TourAn Extraordinary Day | My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | Petticoat Junktion | The Crafting Nook

Day 2Day 2 - An Extraordinary Christmas Tree TourLovely Etc. | Celebrating Everyday Life | Stone Gable | Sweet Pea | Atta Girl Says

Day 3Day 3 - An Extraordinary Christmas Tree TourI Should be Mopping the Floor | What Meegan Makes | Remodelando la Casa | Cupcakes & Crinoline

15 Comments

  1. I’ve never seen a tree of Swarovski ornaments. They are stunning! I’d be tempted to leave it up all year long! And I’m glad I’m not the only one who has more ornaments that she can use, and yet I keep buying more!

  2. Oh my Goodness! How many Christmas tree do you have? Don’t get me wrong, I love it, I just have a hard time storing mine can’t imagine having to store more. I wish I had the space to have a tree in different rooms, you have no idea how happy it would make me! Love all your trees and all the handmade ornaments you have put on it!

    Hugs

  3. I love it…we have multiple trees, too, so I am so happy when other people do, too!! All of your trees are just beautiful, but I’m especially drawn to that porch tree…it’s totally my style. Thank you for sharing them all with us!

  4. I think it is so fun to have more than one tree! Each has it is own personality with a classic touch. Thanks for sharing, Paula. I love visiting your blog and seeing your lovely style. Merry Christmas, sweetie.

  5. Oh, Paula, you’re just the best! Your crystal tree is just gorgeous; you’re so smart to leave it up through the winter! And of course I love your porch tree. But your main tree is my favorite. I LOVE that it’s decorated with a mix of ornaments; that’s my style exactly!

    Bless you this Christmas and always, Paula!

  6. Paula, all your trees are so pretty! I can’t pick a favorite. Love the texture the pine cones give to the porch tree, and I could be there staring all they long at those crystal snowflakes, stunning!
    I remember that little elf, still one of my all time favorite handmade ornament, so unique!

  7. I enjoyed seeing your ornaments! Since I retired from teaching, I love making a new ornament each year, making some extra for gifting. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

  8. Paula, your crystal tree is fabulous!! It’s wonderful that you enjoy it all winter. I can only imagine how it sparkles in the sunlight. How fun for you to decorate your porch tree. I love the snowy pine cones and have always wanted to try my hand at clay. Maybe one day. 😉 It’s so fun to hear the stories behind the ornaments and I love how you pointed out the location of the ornaments on your tree.
    I have really enjoyed “hopping” with you these 3 years and look forward to many more.
    Merry Christmas Paula!!

  9. I love different themed trees but there is nothing like a tree decorated with handmade or gifted special ornaments. I love the stories behind yours. The hand drawn nativity is so special!

  10. All of y our trees are so pretty, Paula, and I love your handmade ornaments. Everything you create and share always inspires me! Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo

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