Opening Day, A Tutorial and a Giveaway

The shop opens today at 4pm eastern standard time if everything goes without a hitch. I have loaded it up with one of a kind items that I am sure you will recognize. Most of these items are not reproducible so when they are gone they are gone and it is highly unlikely that they would reappear in my shop in the future. I am already feeling sorry if anyone misses out on something they had their heart set on tomorrow but I can't really make more things than is humanly possible for a person with my career. To compensate for that I have done my best to motivate and inspire others to create beautiful things for themselves with all my little tutorials. So here is a new one just in time for the holiday season you can use as a decoration or gift for someone you love. These trees were born out of my desire to not waste any of the scraps left over from pinecone making. Materials: Fabric, scissors, foam tree form , 1 pin and a ruler Step 1. Cut fabric into two inch long strips . The take these strips and make little cuts about 1 to 1.5 cm apart and about 1/3 of the way into the width of the strip. Now round off the ends of each cut so that it looks like a scalloped fringe. The number of strips you will need will depend on the size of your tree but I used about 18 inches of each of 3 or 4 different fabrics. Step 2. Find a foam tree form or make your own like I did out of a block of florist foam. They are really easy to carve with a kitchen knife and you can make more realistic tree shapes in any size you want. It is also much less expensive than styrofoam and probably more ecological. Step 3. Start wrapping your strips tightly around the tree starting at the bottom. I let the scallop edge hang a little below the foam. When one strip is finished just start wrapping another one by overlapping slightly. When you reach the top place your pin in it to secure. href="http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54fc19bef883301053625845e970b-pi"> Step 4. Cut a fabric circle about 2 inches in diameter. Scallop the edge and then cut our a wedge from it. This will be the top of the tree. Step 5. Remove your securing pin and place the circle on top overlapping it to form a nice tight cone. Now secure this with your pin. I little pin really holds this together. My kittens have knocked them down many times and they are still together. To celebrate my shop opening I will be giving away these trees. Please leave a comment below but you only until midnight to do so. Tomorrow morning I will draw two names. Happy tree making and see you in the shop at 4.

Comments

[Kami Wilt]

I'd love one of your cute little trees. Super special. Thank you!

[bluemountainsmary]

Margie - best of luck for the shop opening - I am so excited for you!

[julie Machen]

I have just the winter nature table for these beauties! My two bright lights would surely appreciate the beauty.

We can't wait to stop by your shop tomorrow.....just in time for our return trip from school tomorrow! I know your handmade lovelies will be gone quick.

[kristin]

can't wait!!

[April]

Those trees are so cute! I can't wait for your shop opening tomorrow.

[Sarah]

I may be too late, but here we go! Thanks for the ideas! Goodbye November, Welcome December!

[linda p]

congratulations on opening your shop!

[Miri]

Oh they are so cute!
I love them!

[Ballee]

Thats exciting, a new shop! I'll keep an eye on it!
And these trees are superbe, groeten uit Rotterdam.
Puk
www.ballee.etsy.com

[Shellyfish]

Adorable! I'd love to win! Good luck with the shop opening! Hope it goes well & can't wait to see everything.

[Julie adore]

it 's too late?!
i like your trees!

[Tina Poulsen]

Awww cute trees!!! :):)

[mary]

Good luck with your shop opening! Thank you for the tree tutorial. They are super cute!

[Crafty Gardener]

The little trees are adorable and would be a wonderful addition to my Christmas village. Good luck with the store opening. I won't be able to check it out till about 4:30, hope you aren't sold out by then.
Happy first day of December.

[Lauren]

Thanks for the tutorial, and good luck with your store!

[nicole]

these are so cute! we'd love them for our natue table

[Bunny]

Your trees are beautiful! Thank you for writing a tutorial to share with us, that's very kind of you. :)

[Kris]

Wonderful as always~ I heart resurrection fern!

[a rose is a rose]

oh those trees (well EVERYTHING you do) are precious

[geek+nerd]

Congratulations on your shop opening! I'm going to be at work during your update so I'll probably miss out on all of your fabulous creations. It would definitely be consoling to get picked for the giveaway ;) Have a happy one!

[Heather]

Oooh, that first tree looks like it has a treehouse at the top of it.

You'll have to get some elves to help you create more to keep that shop of yours full! May the etsy glitches leave you in peace.

[laura]

I know I'm late for your contest...but I just wanted to tell you how talented and inspiring you are!

I can't wait for shop opening...congratulations!!!

[Rane]

Back from holiday, very tired. I just drove
12 hours. sleep ….need sleep…zzzzzzzz.

(looks like you’ve been having fun!I have been away for a short
time and when I get back you have
started a etsy acount!!! WOW!~
I am so happy for you and proud!
Great job ... it cant be easy with
you working and all. Good luck I
know it will do great! I hope you
had loads a fun while I was away!
So great to be back! I am going
to go and look at all the posts
I missed! These trees are so
sweet! I bet that you could make
shingles on a house the same way.
when you get to the end cut it.
then start again. Very fun!
*I drove in some very crazy blizzard, could not see
infront of the van snow! Glad to be back to
see you all! But I am a mean mom …the kids
slept in to van..well kinda.. so I am sweping
their sleepy little heads out the door to
school*yeah I know but they have been sick alot
this year and I dont want them missing more..*
then I am going to snuggle down with the babies
and sleep!! I bet they will sleep all day they
did not in the car…. they cried! And the worst
part of the drive was I was the only adult…
I am crazy I tell you! Thank you for being my
therapist….as alway your money's in the mail.
LOL!! Chat with ya latter!
Rane and kiddies
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[katey]

so cute tree!!!! good luck with your shop etsy!!! :)

[Elaine]

super cute trees!

[Alice Joanou]

Dear Resurrection Fern,
Your blog is my favorite one on the web. I am truly and deeply inspired by your words and your work and was amazed to learn that you are also a family physician. How, dear Resurrection Fern, do you do it? I would sincerely like to know your process for creating time to make all the magical things you do, along with caring for family and others.
Again, thank you for your inspiration and art. You are wonderful.
With sincere respect,
Alice Joanou

[saganaga]

Please enter me! Thanks!!!

[Elsa Mora]

Yay Margie!!!!!!
I am sooo excited about your new Etsy store!!!!
It is wonderful that now you can share your treasures with the world.
Lots of love!!!
Elsita :)

[Courtney]

Congratulations on the Etsy shop opening ... I'm looking forward to checking it out!

[Jennifer]

Good luck with your shop opening. I am certain it will go smoothly! Thanks for sharing. Best to you. Jennifer

[Morgan]

I love your blog! And would love to win one of your beautiful trees, if I'm not too late. Thanks for sharing your work and thoughts in your blog- it is a real inspiration to me.
I'm looking forward to seeing your etsy shop as well- congratulations!

-Morgan

[Shelley Sears]

Best of luck w/ the store! Your things are all so wonderful. I'm sure you'll do great.

[e]

Those are so pretty! Love reading your blog & congrats on the shop opening :)

[Alexandra P.]

how very cute..good luck with the etsy opening!

[Hayley Miller]

Found you via Whip-up, LOVE the trees!

Cheers!

[DeerDominique]

Congratulations on your upcoming shop opening. I love those trees! I read your blog everyday, your photos and creativity are SO inspiring, Thanks for sharing yourself!

[Cassi]

These trees are so beautiful, as are all your things, so I am thrilled that you will be opening a shop full of your treasures!

[Elizabeth]

I am so excited about your shop opening.. I love your blog! :)

Blessings,
Elizabeth

[Eva]

congrats on your shop opening- i hope i make it there in time to see everything :)

[Kelly]

So excited to see your shop items ~ your trees are so much fun ~

[mayaluna]

I'm so excited for you and this new Etsy adventure!I'm also excited for ME at 4pm this afternoon! I'd love to win a sweet tree. Thanks for the tutorial... we all win no matter what!

[Hannah]

Love the trees, I know my 3 month son would love looking at them!

[laura]

Lots of luck with your shop! I hope to open my own etsy shop one day but I am not there yet. I still get excited to think about it though! I will be sure to visit yours. These trees are lovely. Could I fit one into the pre-christmas schedule...? :)

[Tobey]

What adorable trees! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with your readers so we can also make lovely items.

[Clara]

All my best wishes for your Big Day...I can´t wait ...it´s so exciting :)
And you are always so generous with your ideas and that is a good thing...you are a very creative person with a big, warm heart!

All my best
Clara

[Erica]

Good luck on your shop! How exciting!

[Melissa Brown]

Margie! These little trees are just the best! I am so excited for your shop opening, I wish you all the best with it!
xo
Melissa

[sherri s.]

Congrats on your Etsy shop--I've been trying to start one but am somehow fearful...sigh. Anyway, lovely trees, lovely blog!

[Christina J.]

The trees are so cute! Can't wait to visit your new Etsy shop.

[chelsea]

Yay! Thank you - I can't wait to make some of these myself!