21 December 2010

209. I Don't Craft! Christmas Edition.

When I think about combining various related topics because I don't blog frequently, one thing I may have alluded to or outright mentioned a long time ago is that our household size has more than doubled with the addition of my sister and her two children!  They are with us until June of next year.  This means there are twice as many residents in the house and, somehow, four times as many presents under the Christmas tree!

It also means more indecision about the Christmas tree dilemma.  Long ago we stopped buying fresh trees.  Just didn't seem right to chop down a tree that we'd enjoy for 30 days.  We had a fakey-fakey tree for a long time, but it got all bent out of shape and we tossed it a few years ago.  One year we bought a rosemary tree and intended to plant it in the garden after the holidays, but I'm sad to say that somehow it died before January!  This year I decided to make one.



Right after Thanksgiving, the hemming and hawing began over the tree.  I brought all the Christmas stuff up from the garage, and I draped some Christmas fabric over Clementine.  My sister twirled a string of lights around her.  My husband saw the impromptu concoction and said, "You should make a tree that will use the dress form as a base."

I don't think this is exactly what he had in mind, but I suppose that's how inspiration works and develops in a collaboration.  A princess seamed, strapless bodice connected to a tiered, floor-length gown.  I really don't love crafting, to be honest!  But this was a decent hybrid (who wears acrylic felt?) between crafting and garment sewing, and with the little time I spend behind my machine these days, that's OK.  The best part is that I can see us using this tree forever and ever, as long as Carmen is with us to wear the thing.

The house is already full, but my parents will be here in two days to ensure that we are all way too busy!  In case I don't get to post again before the weekend, MERRY CHRISTMAS to those of you celebrating!  Stay safe and warm and in the company of those you love.  :)

21 comments:

  1. Pure Genius!! And no trees were senselessly wasted!

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  2. Okay.
    This is amazing. Not to mention DARLING.
    Well done!

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  3. That dress is gorgeous! love it Antoinette

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  4. So very very clever - I was going to write, "what a clever girl you are" and then I thought, "d'oh!"

    If your sister and kids are staying with you for 6 months that speaks of a difficult situation and I think this time of year must be so challenging for them. How lovely for them to have a sister to support and nourish them.

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  5. Antoinette, once again you have me totally thrilled! LOVE!!!

    Happy holidays to you and your family :-)!

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  6. It's a tree that's just begging to be worn...you aren't that far off from having a entry into the next World of Wearable Arts competition! (Google it - it's a NZ-based event.)

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  7. very chic christmas tree! We also have tree dilemmas. Our fakey-fake got ruined in the basement and since then (4 years ago?) we have become "creative" decorators. I used a dress form one year and just strung lights around the body and added a hat. nothing like this - great hybrid! Merry Christmas my friend!

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  8. Great Tree Dress!! You are very creative!! Merry Christmas, my dear.

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  9. Merry Christmas Antoinette, to you and your family! Very clever tree for a very clever girl! And you have SO MANY PRESENTS! WOW!

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  10. well, if there were ever an occasion to be happy about a dress that will never be worn, this is it. Dahling, you sparkle.

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  11. What a wonderful idea!!! I love it. Our solution is that we don't have a tree INSIDE. We decorate a growing tree right outside the kitchen window so at night we light it up and we can see it while we eat our dinner. Have a Merry Christmas.

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  12. Best use of pom poms ever. Ever. Happy New Year too. :)

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  13. Love the tree and dress; very creative. Happy New Year!

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  14. I know I"m late, but for next year you should have a huge ginormous silver head for a star!!!

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  15. I gotta say, I don't think I've ever seen such a fabulous idea. I'm a freelance clothing desinger, so this is definitely something I'm gonna have to try one year.
    Kristina J.

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  16. that is classic! we go and chop a feral pine from the national park we back onto so that is easy for us luckily. yours looks beautiful though -hope you had a good season.
    x

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  17. Antoinette - I passed on a blog award to you. You can go to my blog for more information - congratulations.

    http://clairekennedydesign.typepad.com/the_atelier_of_claire_ken/2011/03/an-award.html

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