Trashtastic Tuesday on Wednesday- Brown Paper Christmas Tree

Yes, you read it right, this is my Trashtastic Tuesday post being posted on a Wednesday. Sorry for the delay, but I had a few delays with finishing this project in time. And I am also sorry that I am not bringing you my regular WIWW post this week. I really didn’t have much to show you in the way of outfits (I have been wearing my painting clothes all week), so I will be back next week with a WIWW post.

I was looking for a project to do for Trashtastic Tuesday over Thanksgiving Break, and I just wasn’t feeling inspired. Probably because I am smack in the middle of painting my stairwell. That is a lot of work, let me tell you!

So I decided to scour some of my favorite blogs for inspiration, and I came across this adorable book page Christmas tree on Funky Junk Interiors a few days ago! I really liked it, so I decided to make one, but put my own spin on it.

Carlene over at Organized Clutter shared a great tutorial for how to make this tree. No need to rewrite a tutorial when I used hers, and mine turned out great!

I decided to change mine up a bit though by using some leftover brown paper I had from when I installed my Brown Paper Floors downstairs. I made a couple of really cute book page Christmas trees last year, and plan on putting them out again this year, so I didn’t want to use book pages.

Here is a picture of the supplies I used for this project. I cut out my squares just like he tutorial said. I used these as a guide for making all of my brown paper squares. I also used bamboo skewers instead of a wood twig.

They came in a pack of 100 for $1, and I am sure I will find another use for the other 99. Ha! I will use them for actual food if nothing else.

I had to cut down my foam just like she did.

One thing I did, that she did not do, was to crinkle up each square of brown paper before I place it on the skewer.

So I worked on this yesterday while paint was drying, and while we watched Grease last night. Can you believe that Miss 17 Year Old had never seen it? I had to change that!

So anyway, it took me quite a long time. I would say at least 5 hours or so of cutting the brown paper into squared and then ripping each edge so that it would look rustic. I did cut my squares first, it was just easier for me that way.

When I finally had all of the squares onto the skewer, I just felt disappointment. The brown paper just looked so blah against that terra cotta pot. And the ornament I had purchased specifically to use as a tree topper looked ridiculous. I knew I would not have time to go out shopping, so I had to come up with something using what I had.

I decided to paint the pot white using some paint I already had. I only used one coat, and I wiped it a little with a paper towel afterwards. So after that I needed something to top the tree, at least temporarily. So I decided to print out a star template and use some chevron wrapping paper I have to make a star to stick on the top. I also took a red Sharpie marker to make a a little red stripe going right under the rim.

I won’t keep this star on top, I plan to look around for something else to use next time I go shopping, but it looks cute for now. And I love the pot painted white! What do you think of my rustic brown paper Christmas tree? I think it is totally trashtastic! And if I decide to change it out, I will be sure to show you. I haven’t even started my Christmas decorating yet, but it feels great to have one project done.I am so thankful that I found this adorable project at Funky Junk Interiors! It was the perfect project to do while watching movies over break!

Now, I have to get painting, and then this evening I will start cooking for Thanksgiving tomorrow. This will be my third year hosting Thanksgiving dinner, and we will be having about 10 people here eating. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Cheers!Link Parties:

DIY By Design
The Happy Housie
House of Rose
The Shabby Nest
Funky Junk Interiors
DIY Showoff
The Dedicated House
Rain on a Tin Roof
Minettes Maze
Uncommon Designs
A Stroll Through Life
The Dedicated House
View From 510
Home Stories A to Z
Project Inspired
Savvy Southern Style
Remodelaholic
Rain on a Tin Roof
DIY Showoff
Get Your DIY On