Silhouette Ornaments

I found a bag of drapery rings at my local goodwill a couple of months ago and immediately knew I wanted to use them to make ornaments for the tree in our library.

Fun fact: decades ago when I was in college my mom gave me a bunch of unused wooden drapery rings. I turned them into Christmas ornaments and sold them to make spending money. Some things never change.

I simply searched online for copyright free silhouette images. I decided to do images of little girls and things that Mollie loved as she was growing up - our Goldens, swinging, blowing bubbles, dolls, etc. You could choose any type of imagery that would fit with your holiday decor. They are like little framed artworks.

I also decided to back my ornaments with marbleized paper so they wouldn't be just white on the back if they turned slightly on the tree. That's definitely optional but I look for any opportunity to use marbled paper.

I sprayed my drapery rings gold because my tree is green and my library walls are black. I needed the spark of metallic. If these had been going on a flocked tree or in a brighter room I might have left them wood tone. I do love the gold. 

Then I simply cut out the paper circles (I printed mine on cardstock) and used plain old white glue to put them together. That's it. I added a silky cream bow and put them on my tree. 

To finish off my tree I gathered up an assortment of ornaments. Anything vintage and worn in cream, white, gold or silver. Then I added in newer ornaments from my stash in the same color range. All sizes. I used my faux orange slices from last year. I also thrifted a small box of chandelier prisms a couple of weeks ago for $1.99 (pretty happy about that!) and I added those in along with some gold beaded garland. 

 

I topped the tree off with a bow made from wide ochre colored velvet ribbon that I've used before! 

It just shimmers at night and we are loving the look. All of the decorations except the thrifted drapery ring silhouettes were ornaments, ribbon and garland we had used in previous years. It's amazing how you can pair things differently or use them in different spots and get a completely "new" holiday look. You can see more of this tree on my Instagram.

My New Christmas Tree!!

I have admired King of Christmas trees for a long time. I even recommended one to my friend Julie last year and she loves hers. I love the open branches of the Noble Fir so when King of Christmas asked me to choose a tree I knew what I wanted without having to look! The box arrived quickly and I couldn't wait to see it. They come with a fabulous remote, gloves to wear while fluffing (and mine was so easy to fluff) and a bag for off season storage - no stuffing it back in a tattered box year after year!

I have several DIY ornaments planned for my tree which is going to be in my library this Christmas. In a blue and white chinoiserie planter! (Mine is thrifted but this one is similar.) So exciting. 

The first "layer" for my tree is the simplest DIY of all. I ordered these faux orange slices. In most instances I like to use "real" items but I'm a little funny about using food in ways that it can't be eaten later (you do you, but I've spent a lot of time with people who are food insecure so I chose faux for this.) Citrus is traditional in Christmas decor and I wanted to add orange slices to my tree. 

I used a very small drill bit to put a hole all the way through my orange slice.

I decided to glitter the sides of my slices for a little extra sparkle because I'm not going for a farmhouse or country look. You can definitely skip this step. I used Mod Podge and coarse crystal glitter that I already had (similar glitter) to "sugar" my orange slices.

After the glittered sides dried I used clear fishing line to create a hanging loop so the orange can easily hang in the open places between the branches. 

The space for ornaments and movement in the silhouette of the Noble Fir is the reason I chose this particular tree. I also went with a 6 foot tree so I could place it in a chinoiserie planter on a stand. 

The faux orange slices are the first layer on my tree. I have several more DIYs planned  (there is a little peek at the next one - any guesses??)s o be sure to follow along here on the blog and on my instagram!