"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The winter tree.....

Christmas has come and gone along with all the trimmings. Yet don't you just miss the pretty white lights of your tree? I put up a winter tree each year for the month of January. It is such a pleasant sight in the evenings with the lights low and my handmade winter ornaments glistening on the branches.


It all started when I found a tutorial online to make mittens. I immediately thought it would be fun to create a winter tree but wanted more things than the mittens on the tree.

So I created some ice skates using a pattern in a Tilda book...

...and these scarfs which I came up with myself. There is a tutorial for these on my old handwork blog showing how I aged the ornaments also.


"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again."

~Bill Morgan, Jr.

29 comments:

Nancy said...

You put your winter tree in a new spot this year, I like it there. It is oh so cute. You are just one very clever little elf.
Keep warm with some hot chocolate.
Love you, Mom

onlymehere said...

This is really unique! I've never seen anything like it and I think it's a really fun idea.

Linda said...

Oh, I'm missing the cozy effects from my Christmas tree...your Winter tree is just perfect to take away the blahs....I like it! I'm going to have to find your tutorial...hugs, Linda

Nishant said...

You are just one very clever little elf.

Work from home India

Cynimin said...

What a nice idea, so cute!

DonnaTN said...

I do miss the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights. Especially in the morning when it is still dark. I would turn them on and feel so peaceful. You always have such interesting music. Where do you find it?

*Ulrike* said...

Fabulous! I think that is such a great idea. I like to leave my snowmen out until sometime in February, and by then I'm ready for spring!!! I still keep the white lights up on my mantel around my candle holders, it adds interest and coziness.
Ulrike

Simple Home said...

I love that little tree. What a great idea. It's just perfect!
Blessings,
Marcia

Angela said...

Heidi,
Your tree is so welcoming with it's twinkly lights. I adore the skates and was lucky enough to get some little lace skates on our wonderful visit to Bruges together. That seems a bit like a twinkly dream too :>)
I need to find out how to make those skates on your tree. The mittens and scarves are gorgeous too.
Angela xx

Tone said...

Hi Heidi!
Lovely winter tree!
we still have our xmas-tree, but it will be moved tomorrow night. Sivert is 9 today, and we have a big family party tomorrow night. He wants the tree to stay until then... -
I am working and working, trying to finish off my work here before anotherone starts in february -
I have too much in my head and too less on paper, unfortunately... So guess who`s trying go get things in order in few days...shame on me, chaotic woman...I`ll be a better friend on blog in MARCH...

Reginas Cottage said...

dear heidi,
i love your winter-tree.
hugs,regina

Celestial Charms said...

A winter tree is a charming idea. Yours looks so pretty.
Maureen

carolr said...

I want a winter tree. Now, how will I get one?

Tracy said...

This is such a lovely post-Christmas idea, Heidi! Your tree is so pretty with it's frosty look and glow. Already I miss the glow of the Christmas tree. We took down/put away the last of the holiday decorations today. This weekend we catch up with family now we're back from our Christmas trip. Happy Weekend, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Delightful Heidi ~ Happy New Year!

I read The Christmas Mystery, which I managed to borrow from the library and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Marie x

sea gull lights said...

What a cute tree!

irma said...

happy new year!!!! en een mooi en gezellig blogjaar Liefs Irma

Mary said...

I love that little 'winter tree' Heidi. It's hard to put all the Christmas pretties away again - did mine Thurs. - but I left out a white star.......to wish upon perhaps!

Hope this New Year will be a good one for you.
Hugs - Mary

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Heidi, your winter tree is just BEAUTIFUL!! I love all the ornaments you made and now you can enjoy it through the gray and gloomy months! Thank you so much for the link love and trying my mittens! xxoo, Dawn

Sonja said...

Love your wintertree! So nice to keep a little bit of christmas-feeling in the house. I didn't need to put the tree away, as I didn't put it up this year. But I am having a hard job on my jetlag. Yep, I do. But lots of nice memorys from a wonderful holliday in a wonderful country!

Teri said...

Lovely little tree! I enjoy having winter decorations and lights up to enjoy as well during these colder days. The skate ornaments are pretty. I've not visited your "home" blog before, but I'll be back!

Jo said...

Hi Heidi We certainly do miss the lights on our christmas tree we were all sad to pack the tree away
in our lounge room this year as it looked so pretty. I love you winter tree, now thats a good idea!

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi! This is my first time to visit your blog...love it! And I love your winter tree. I got a little feather three from lns and was playing with the idea of doing something with it to keep from putting it away.
Now i know what to do! Thanks for the inspiration!
babs in alabama

Andylynne said...

I love your winter tree. I bought an anitique looking wire tree at christmas. Thought about leaving it up after christmas with only woodland items on it. Now next year I will definatly do so. Maybe I can manage some mittens in the mean time.
I love your ideas and all the beautiful ways you brighten your home.

bathroom lights said...

I love your tree!

Lynda said...

Your winter tree is adorable, Heidi! Love the ornaments you've made.

xo,
Lynda

Marianne said...

I love your winter tree! Wherever did you find such a soft lit tree? Your mittens, skates and scarves are perfect for this tree! How lovely!

Simple Home said...

I hope all is well, I've been missing seeing posts from you :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

I like your idea of a winter tree !!! I leave my Christmas Dickens Village up through the beginning of Feb. to make our home cheerful. Jan