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...a glimpse into life on Vancouver Island, needle felting, photography, food, gardening, etcetera...etcetera
"Happiness always looks small when you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and at once you learn how big and precious it is."
Maxim Gorky

Monday, December 13, 2010

An alternative...

Every year I struggle with the idea of what to do about a Christmas tree.
I grew up having the big cut tree with it's lovely smell and grand size.
The tradition of going to the lot with my dad on a snowy evening to pick one out...
the excitement of decorating with my brothers and sister and the thrill of seeing pretty wrapped packages underneath it on Christmas morning.
Then I grew up and had my own ideas about the whole industry of cut trees and how I thought it wasn't right somehow.
For a few years I would go out to the power lines, where B.C hydro allows you to take a tree (which they will cut down in the spring for maintenance anyways due to too many crowding the lines).
Truth be told, our house is small and I still am not completely comfortable with taking a perfectly healthy young tree for a few weeks and then out to the compost or burn pile.
So last year I started a new spin on things and have begun...
The Christmas chandelier!
 Quite simple, really.
I took a plant support (kind of like a tomato cage but made for large perennials), took the spikes which would normally go into the ground and wired them together like so...(usually there's 3 spikes)
Then I gather up whatever prunings I desire...(this year it's huckle berry and split leaf alder.)
Bundle them all together and wire them onto the support frame...
Next you add your lights...
Check out these beautiful lights...
No they are not hand blown amber glass...guess again!
Dried apricots! 
This was an idea my friend Irma saw a few years back and we've been spreading the news ever since.
Just put a tiny slit in it and slip it over the fairy light.
Then all that's left to do is hang said chandelier over your table or wherever you want and get your precious ornaments out to decorate...
Once again, another way to bring the light into the house on these short, dark days.

8 comments:

gz said...

inspired!

erin's art and gardens said...

oh my gosh!! can i steal this idea? i love it! we are having a christmaS party on thursday and my chandy has a coat of primer on it, waiting to be painted white...i would much rather decorate it with branches!! i am inspired too. thanks for stopping by my blog today.
erin

the wild magnolia said...

Tremendously clever and original and beautiful. I love all of your ideas. I live in a small apartment and this is something I can do!

Thank you so much!

Cobalt Violet said...

I love this! OK so next year I might have to do this if I can get myself together at the beginning of December!
It's beautiful and whimsical. Looks like something from a magical fairy tale! Enchanted.

Sherry O'Keefe said...

love this! beyond it's eye-appealing beauty, the act of creation behind it fills me with such wide open space. thank you!

love this. ya, i know. i said that already!

Linda said...

I love your Christmas chandelier.

farmlady said...

THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA. I'm so impressed with your creativity and the resourcefulness of this "chandelier" is just amazing. Plus... it's just downright BEAUTIFUL.
If there was an contest for the best alternative Christmas tree you would win first prize.

Brenda Stratton said...

I love it Kerry. Wish I could visit you over the holiday season. xxxb