Thursday, December 1, 2011

Make a burlap sacked Charlie Brown Christmas tree


I really wanted to make something burlap for this weekend's SNS theme, so this little $1.50 sandbag came in mighty handy!


How I made a live burlap sacked seedling

What you'll need: (or close)

burlap sandbag
a waterproof container and / or a container with some weight
rocks
masking tape
raffia or rope
evergreen branch


I wanted this seedling to stick around awhile so I had to come up a way to support the branch as well as it getting water. Rocks worked just fine. :)


I chose a wonky branch on purpose. Charlie Brown or Whoville? Take your pick!


The opening was taped crosswise  to help hold the trunk in place.


The works was plunked into something with more substantial weight. I wasn't sure the clay pot was waterproof so that's why I didn't take a chance.


Slip the burlap sandbag on, and create a sloppy rolled cuff.


Stuff the bag with a bit of newspaper,



then tie the rope below the cuff.



Add some spanish moss and an apple for a bit of color, and you're 'nearly' done. :)


Fake snow to the rescue! This made an enormous difference. I appear to be on a big snow kick this season and this step softens all the hues beautifully.


A little fake plastic snow with some fresh cranberries were added to the sill.
Also spraying the lower half of the window offered a glow like setting.


The green branches were hit heavily but unevenly so the snow had a chance to thicken up.
One oversized pinecone was added for an extra dash of quirk.


And there's my quirky slouchy little burlap sacked seedling, totally natural and ready for Christmas. For FREE!

The snow served a very important 2nd reason by the way.
I didn't want anyone snacking on my display. :)

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35 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 1, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    So stinkin cute! I love it! I say whoville =)

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  2. Donna HermanDecember 1, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    i love it so much ...I'm gonna do it..thanks..:))

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  3. Rosemary@villabarnesDecember 1, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    I see Whoville, and I love it.

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  4. Barbara JeanDecember 1, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

    THANKS FOR SHARING HOW TO.
    HUGS AND BLESSINGS
    BARBARA JEAN

    GONNA SHARE WITH MY BLOGGY FRIENDS. =)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnnieDecember 1, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Oh I love the simplicity of it!

    Hugs!

    ~Annie
    www.lazyjoranch.com

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  6. TeriDecember 1, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    I thought this week's SNS was mantels and stockings and NEXT week was rustic/natural decorations???

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  7. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Beautiful touch!

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  8. ann albaDecember 1, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I knew I would find use for those Coffee bean burlap sack bags.
    oooo & DH got Grandpa's old drill I see a old fashioned tool box in my Future :)....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Funky Junk InteriorsDecember 1, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    #8 Alba, you're right... kinda. :) I was oh so wrong with my dates! This is the way it read last weekend:

    Nov 26 - burlap inspired Christmas decor

    Dec 3 - Christmas mantels and stockings

    Dec 10 - nature / rustic inspired Christmas decor

    Dec 17 - handmade ornaments

    Dec 24 - Christmas Home Tours

    Dec 31 - Your Christmas stories

    In order to keep that order, I had to group two in one to make it work. Sorry for the mix up! You can still show your mantel in the home decor this weekend and bring it back again when we theme it. :)

    Donna

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  10. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage DesignsDecember 1, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Super cuteness Donna !!!

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  11. Kristin @ Yellow Bliss RoadDecember 1, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Really love this idea. I love burlap and seem to be wrapping it araound everything these days! A tree branch is such a simple yet beautiful idea. Thanks for always being a source of great inspiration!

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  12. Catherine @ Stone and RoseDecember 1, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    The cutest!! How do you come up with these ideas?

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  13. Katalina JewelryDecember 1, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Looks like the cutest little tree in Whoville! I'm lovin' this idea...could put a tiny tree in every room!

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  14. Free Art PrintablesDecember 1, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Donna, that is so super stinkin' cute!!!! LOVE IT!!!

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  15. Callie BradyDecember 1, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Lovely! I'm going to try to make something like this. Thank you for the great idea.

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  16. HollyDecember 2, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    I love the word "wonky" .....ha! So dang cute!
    Holly

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  17. MarianneDecember 2, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Shoot I was totally confused too. I have been sewing until 11 pm last night to get my Christmas stocking ready and was counting on the rustic thing next week.
    Girlfriend you have got to keep your dates in order! Please!!!! :-)

    So I still don't know how you grouped it together then. Because even if I change the dates it still doens't add up in my agenda. I need help!

    ReplyDelete
  18. SueannDecember 2, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    Adorable!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  19. UnknownDecember 2, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    This looks so cute! Great job, I love the fake snow :)

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  20. VioletDecember 2, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    I would love to try this for Christmas and winter decor. I have lots of burlap feed sacks, one of them would be perfect! Thanks. ~V~

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  21. Pieced PastimesDecember 2, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    What a sweet little tree. It looks great sitting on the window sill. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Linda December 2, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    OH I LOVE IT!!!! Going to make one today. Thanks for the idea. I will send you a pic when I'm done...

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  23. KoleinDecember 2, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    That has to be one of the sweetest window sill displays I have EVER laid eyes on! Would look great as a magazine cover! Geeps, I loved it sitting on your pallet bench, too!

    xo
    ~K

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  24. UnknownDecember 2, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    I won!!! Thank you so much!!!! YAY!!!!!

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  25. Vintage HomeDecember 2, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Yeah Michelle!
    Crazy about your tree...oh the shape in that sweet bag!

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  26. debbie refresh restyleDecember 2, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Love these!
    debbie

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  27. NutbirdDecember 2, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    You knock me out! Anyone can try to make a Charlie Brown tree, but your execution and tutorials are always THE BEST. Ann

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  28. Valerene Matthews, MalaysiaDecember 2, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    LOVE IT! Why are you so clever!!?

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  29. UnknownDecember 2, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Super cute! A classic decoration.

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  30. KeiDecember 2, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I love that! It looks fabulous! My parents are thinking of not putting up our regular artificial tree this year (no space); I might show them this for inspiration! :D

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  31. Amanda @ Burlap and DenimDecember 2, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE!

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  32. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalDecember 2, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Omg, how cute! Sort of Charlie Brownish. I really love it. The little pops of red really make it stand out nicely.

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  33. gail@My Repurposed LifeDecember 2, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    donna! love, love, love your sweet little tree!

    have a great weekend!
    gail

    ReplyDelete
  34. ann albaDecember 2, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    I Have been looking out my Kitchen window all day my neighbor has a wonderful pine with Branches perfect for a Charlie brown tree.....
    Alas she hates cutting tree limbs Might have to do a beg & I'll make you one too plea :)
    Have a good one Ann.

    ReplyDelete
  35. foreverdecoratingDecember 10, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Honestly, this last picture of your Charlie Brown tree is so lovely that I can see it as the front of a Christmas card. I was so drawn to it, it waded through your blog to find the tutorial. I really want to do this and love this look. You have a fantastic knack of display and can see you being the display person in stores, etc. I can even see you being the person doing the concepts for the big Chicago and NY Christmas windows. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your work and your creativeness.

    ReplyDelete

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