Grey Havens Christmas – Big Trees

We made room for two skinny Christmas trees this year at our new downsized home. This one is in the dining room, right next to the windows. It is decked with a wide assortment of Santa ornaments, mostly Hallmark ones that I have been collecting for over 25 years. Nearby is an ancient Jackson press cabinet which holds an assortment of blue and grey pottery. The bright red candlestick is a pottery piece that we adopted during our recent Seagrove trip. Peeking out from behind the tree is one of my numerous needlework sampler pictures which hang throughout our home.

The second tree is located in our cozy great room. Hubby declares that this is his favorite tree! Mine too! It is completely covered with handmade ornaments, primarily of the needlework variety. I created over 95% of the ornaments, with the remainder made by friends. (Please pardon my flat lighting, but virtually no daylight reaches this room and I had to use the dreaded flash on my camera.) A little angel bear that we purchased at a local craft show graces the top of the tree.

I used to be a member of a local needlework club. When I first joined, I got inspired to create a bevy of Christmas ornaments after admiring another member’s tree. Some of these ornaments are 20 years old now! Most were created with counted thread patterns. But other needlework techniques are also represented, including silk ribbon, needlepoint, crazy quilting, handanger, and beading.

There are also a few folded star balls that I made with fabric in my stash. If you are not handy with a needle and thread, you can certainly create those! Every year when I decorate this tree, I shake my head in amazement at the hundreds of hours of work that went into creating these treasures! Ah, the memories! I still stitch up a few now and then, but I have slowed down considerably now that arthritis has settled into my hands and my eyesight has gotten dim with time. This tree is also running out of room!