Lace Christmas Tree Forest Craft Tutorial

I've created several lovely projects with vintage lace, including crochet covered pumpkins that have gotten a lot of attention on Pinterest and were featured on Better Homes and Gardens online magazine for fall, and a no-sew tote bag that has been featured on FaveCrafts.  Since I have a never ending supply of lace and crochet trim, I decided to create a little forest of Christmas trees with it this season.

You will need several styrofoam cone forms in a variety of sizes:

 

You will also need some lace, preferably vintage lace.  This is the assortment that I've been hoarding for such an occasion:

 

Because my tree forms were green, I covered them with white felt first, so the green wouldn't show through once the lace is applied.  Cream colored felt would work too.

Using a glue gun, attach one end of your lace piece and begin gathering it and tacking it down as you go around the bottom of your tree form.  When you complete the first row, cut the piece of lace and proceed to the next row above it, overlapping the lace sufficiently so you can't see any of the tree base.

I decided to try a couple forms covered with vintage wallpaper as a base instead of felt (if you don't have vintage wallpaper, Christmas wrapping paper or scrapbook paper makes a fine substitute.)  I laid the foam tree down on the wallpaper and measured and cut in a manner that would make my high school geometry teacher cringe, but I somehow got it done:

I decided to use double stick tape to secure the paper, and it worked quite well, sticking paper to paper.  It's hard to show you invisible tape, but I'm sure you can figure it out!

Once I had my tree forms covered with either paper or lace, I needed to select a topper for them, a trunk, and other embellishments:

I tried to use things I found around my house, like thread spools and spools of floss for the trunks.  A glob of hot glue can be used to attach the bases:

For the toppers, I used old ornaments, beads, and a gold plastic rose.  You can see where I embellished the wallpaper tree with some lace wrapped around it in a spiral fashion.  Hot glue again:

So that's pretty much it for my lace Christmas tree forest.  I hope you can try a variation of your own before next Christmas rolls around!

I don't think they are too "Christmassy", because of their neutral palette.  Maybe they can be kept in a vignette through the winter, just like other winter-ish decor: 

I'll be linking to the following link parties:  Simply Designing, LizMarie Blog, Brambleberry Cottage, and It's a Handmade World.

Mitzi

Comments

[rein]

these are lovely!

[Pat C.]

I love your lace Christmas trees, Mitzi... they are just adorable!♥ What a clever idea! xoxo

[Susan Beaty]

wow mitzi, i love these. hopefully the cones go on sale after Christmas:) got vintage wallpaper and lots of vintage lace and crocheted lace. guess you know what ill be doing for next year. thanks so much. susy

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Susy,

Ooh, Im glad you like the project....I know your version will be sublime!

Mitzi

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Pat,

I hope you can try these with your own special twist, Pat!

Thanks for taking the time to write to me!

Mitzi

[Jacqueline]

Oh my dearest sweet Mitzi, this is absolutely beautiful! Such a wonderful project and thank YOU so much for sharing it here. Have a beautiful merry happy holidays and wishing you the most wonderful Christmas! Love to you!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Jacqueline,

Thank you so much! Im glad you enjoyed my little project. I can almost imagine one of your lovely little dolls walking about in my forest.....

Mitzi

[Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage]

How charming, Mitzi! This would be a great way to use up all the odds and ends I've have lying around. ;)

Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Be sure to stop by tonight to see yourself featured.

Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

[Susan hemann]

How creative!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Susan,

Thanks so much!

Mitzi

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Liz!

Thanks so much for featuring me at The Brambleberry Cottage! I am on vacation right now and we dont have a computer hookup, so Im using a computer at the public library. Wow, is that ever an adjustment for me! We only get a 30 minute session, too!

Ill be sure to stop by after the New Year and really dedicate some time perusing all the great crafts on your site.

Mitzi