Michaels Makers Dream Tree Challenge 2015

It's that time of year again!  Nope, not Halloween.  Nope, not Thanksgiving.  It's time for the annual Dream Tree Challenge with Michaels!  **cue applause**

Last year, my tree was dripping with faux taxidermy and tartan plaid.  I adored it!  This year, I'm sticking with the rustic theme, but I wanted something more natural, more earthy this time.  I thought, "If I lived in the middle of the woods and had no access to a store, how would my tree look?"  

Well, this is what I came up... and let me tell you, this is the first time ever a tree I've decorated has given me goosebumps.  I decided to put this up at my brother and sis-in-law's new house.  The kiddos helped and it was such a blast.  I know they will enjoy having the tree up for a few months.

For the tree skirt we went with mother earth's natural ground cover and used moss.  I love love love the way it looks!  For the topper, I used leaves and feathers.  

Everything on this tree was bought at Michaels.  (except for the pine cones, which were bought at an estate sale.)

Most everything is found in the floral section.  Browse it HERE!

And in case you don't have a tree and need one, you can get free shipping at Michaels!  Go here...

I really hope you find some inspiration here for your own tree.  If you need some extra, check out the 49 other AMAZING Michaels Makers for some more awesome ideas.  Merry Christmas my friends!

Of course, it's Halloween weekend, so a nephew dressed as a puppy just HAD to photobomb the tree.  That's okay.  I think he makes it look even more awesome!

An InLinkz Link-up

#MichaelsMakers Dream Tree Challenge Part 2

So let's talk Christmas décor inspiration.  What inspires your Christmas décor?  This year I wanted to do something woodsy, rustic, log cabin-ish.  I'm so incredibly happy with the way the tree turned out!  It feels so cozy when it's all lit up, wrapped in flannel and flanked in fur. 

To get this feel, we used the flannel ribbon and burlap ribbon from Michaels.  I made the pine cone garland last year (link below).  We focused mostly on natural materials for the ornaments, but threw in some glitzy gold stuff here and there.

If you saw our video in the last tree post, you saw our idea of using a paper mache deer head for the tree top was an utter failure, and we ended up using a stick star that I already had.  It fit in so perfectly with the theme!

      If you haven’t seen our Dream Trees yet, stop by The Glue String to see all 30 – they will blow you away!

You can help spread some holiday cheer by sharing a photo of my dream tree or any trees that inspire you this year on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, tag your friend, use the hashtag #TagATree and encourage them to do the same!

Michaels has a variety of Make it Merry projects for you and your family to work on this season!

Below are some of our Christmas DIYs from last year.. check em out and get inspired!

An InLinkz Link-up

#MichaelsMakers Dream Tree Challenge

Hello!! So we decided to do something a little different this month.. we did a VIDEO!  What??? Let me tell you guys, it was a blast!  We had so much fun.  We managed to squeeze 8 hours of shopping and decorating into 11 MINUTES.  Check out our video... Follow us as we shop for Christmas at Michael's, watch as we show you our haul and tell you our plans, then be amused as we attempt to decorate with children running around, my cat climbing the Christmas tree, and ideas not going quite as planned.  Most importantly, get INSPIRED and get in the Christmas Spirit!  When you finish the video, let us know what you think!  Should we keep up with doing videos?  Do you guys like it?  I feel they're slightly more personal because you guys get to see us... how we are for real.  Bottom line, we're goofy.  There's no way around it. 

Also, make sure to change the setting to HD.. much better quality video!  Click the little gear in the bottom right of the video window.

Stop by Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the full Dream Tree Challenge and all of the fabulous trees that were created this year by the Michaels Makers.  Head into Michaels Nov. 2 through Nov. 8 for the Make It Merry Tree Event  – 50% off all trees 6 ft. or taller!!! To kick off the holiday season, make sure and check out of Michaels’ Make it Merry  inspiration book or all kinds of holiday tips and projects.

An InLinkz Link-up

<!-- end InLinkz script —>

DIY Pine Cone Garland

I think the photos for this are pretty self-explanatory.. you need pine cones. Lots.  And jute twine. Lots.  Then you tie a knot around the pine cone with the jute. Repeat. Lots.  The end!  We're going for woodland-ish theme for Christmas this year so I figured my metallic pink bead garland was quite cohesive with the whole woodsy theme.  I wanted something unique, fast and inexpensive... Problem solved!  I covered the tree with this garland and also adorned each window in the living room.  I so love it!

Now onto something completely NOT craft/blog related, but too cute not to share... This is what I have to battle with every single Christmas...

   

Check out our link party page to see where we link up each week!