burlap forest

I couldn't start the week without sharing our new burlap forest. I think I'm so excited about our little trees because they weren't planned, and they're still evolving. When I was experimenting with materials for this year's advent calendar, I made a little burlap cone out of a coffee sack scrap. It was very sweet, with lots of potential, but never got finished because I got swept away in my toilet paper madness. That poor cone sat forlornly in my abandoned-projects-basket... you know, the one with all of the failed crafting attempts. Its pointy tip caught my eye every time I walked into the studio. "All right," I said (yes, I talk to my projects... shh!) "I'll give you another chance, but perhaps you'd like to be a tree." I turned that cone upside down, stuffed it with a bit of wool and gave it a circle bottom. Instantly it grew into a rustic little "tree". I placed it at the dinner table next to our white pine cones and berries. It was happy, but a little plain. The red berries sitting beside it seemed inviting. My children certainly thought so. Burlap's loose weave makes it perfect for sticking and poking... think of pin cushions.


One tree wasn't quite enough. I made two more as you can see in the first photo. Three is such a good number. I brought out felt circles, lace, velvet ribbons, etc. I chose various embellishments and had a blast poking or wrapping them on.


Burlap behaves in a similar fashion to felt in its ability to grip other fabrics. I loved having another opportunity to bring out pretty trims without sewing or gluing them on permanently.

I think we'll redecorate these trees every year... maybe even another time or two during this season. I had my hand in these ribbon ones, but next time I'll set out pretty bits and just let the kids go wild. Now, every forest needs friends...

The children relocated our brand new snow people (and bunny) . We used that weird air- dry clay stuff. I think I prefer my homemade play dough... but this was good instant fun. You've gotta love those carrot noses. My son's idea: tooth picks colored with orange marker. Of course, carrot juice does smear a bit on fresh snow! If you feel like making some trees for decorating (and redecorating), but don't have burlap... try a felted sweater, like these. Happy Monday!