Could this mantel be any busier? There's a lot going on. There's shiny glittery decor mixed with felt trees and garland, formal mixed with casual, but I like it. What makes it so special is the fact that Alyssa had so much to do with it. If you are a regular reader you may know I've been trying hard to make a crafter of my only girl. She is so artistically talented and creative, but for some reason she is resistant to let me teach her anything about sewing. Come on, it wouldn't take long to teach her everything I know. She claims it's because she doesn't have the patience. Well, she proved herself wrong.
After seeing LLA's fabulous beaded tree, she wanted to make one. I bought the styrofoam cone, a couple of packs of beads and a pack of 450 pins. Those supplies lasted about 2 hours and barely put a dent in covering the tree. In all I think she used close to 2000 pins and spent 8-10 hours working on it. I LOVE it!! I took several pictures of it trying to capture how beautiful it is and the pictures just don't do it justice.
The girl who is too impatient to craft also completed this garland. We worked on this one together, but Alyssa did most of the work. She cut all the circles and did the blanket stitching on most of them. I strung them and hung them on the mantel.
The instructions for making the garland can be found here.
I think if the truth be told, she has much more crafting patience than her mama.
Wow - that looks fabulous Autum! Alyssa did a great job. I keep hoping that my 16 year old daughter starts showing some signs of wanting to learn to sew - but nothing! She did ask me to make her a dress the other day...that is progress as she usually won't wear anything that's not store bought. Here's hoping!!!
Posted by: Di | December 12, 2006 at 02:35 PM
Holy Smokes! That tree is incredibly beautiful! Now I want one too! Alyssa, you did a beautiful job! I love the garland too, it looks like candy!
Posted by: Bettsi | December 12, 2006 at 03:12 PM
It's all so pretty! 2000 pins, whoa, that's A LOT!! I don't think I'd have the patience for that. Way to go Alyssa ;-)
Posted by: beki | December 12, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Alyssa, you did a terrific job on the tree! It's absolutely beautiful! I love your garland, too! Maybe I'll get some Christmas decorations down from the attic, now. I still only have a couple of stockings hung and my stocking advent calendar tacked to the living room wall. I may have to get the stuff for my girls to make one of those trees...gorgeous!
Posted by: susie | December 12, 2006 at 03:23 PM
Oooo I love it! It looks all festive and very glowy. Great job on the new beaded tree! I have a collection of christmas trees that I put on top of my pie safe this time of year. I might just have to make one of those for myself.
Glad to see your girl is getting all crafty!
Posted by: Chris Howard | December 12, 2006 at 03:25 PM
I am loving that tree!
Posted by: sueb | December 12, 2006 at 03:56 PM
It all looks beautiful. That beaded tree is really beautiful. What wonderful memories for you two to share.
Posted by: Patricia | December 12, 2006 at 04:04 PM
it's all so beautiful. Wow - that beaded tree is simply gorgeous.
Posted by: deb | December 12, 2006 at 04:06 PM
It's all very pretty. I really like Alyssa's color choice for her tree. The colors remind me of snow. Very nice job Ladies.
Posted by: MeLisa | December 12, 2006 at 04:19 PM
No kidding! That tree and the garland! I've been admiring both in craftinternet land all week. Good for you! She's not going to be a crafter. She is a crafter!!
Posted by: Kelli | December 12, 2006 at 04:20 PM
What sweet projects to do together. That, and they can be passed down to Alyssa when she has a family. I'm going to mark this and pull it out for my daughter in a year or two. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Pink | December 12, 2006 at 04:45 PM
Wow, wow, wow and wow somemore!!!!
Autum, you passed the craftygrrrl genes on but good!
Alyssa, you do beautiful work! I totally love your tree! And believe me, I *do* have an idea of just how hard you worked on it! You've also really inspired me to attempt the garland - maybe if I get cracking in January, I'll have something to show for it by *next* Christmas!
The both of you have created a LOVELY mantel - I love the mixture of formal and casual. And you were so right to place tree up on a pedestal...
Simply Gorgeous....
(did I already say "wow"?)
Posted by: lla | December 12, 2006 at 05:48 PM
oh wowsa ... Alyssa did a fabulous fantastic job on that tree and that beautiful garland ~ way more patience than i have :) though that beaded tree is so beautiful, i just may have to give it a go on the weekend, lol ...
a beautiful christmas mantle :)
Posted by: daisies | December 12, 2006 at 06:28 PM
your mantle looks fabulous autumn! merry christmas!
Posted by: Jessica Hood | December 12, 2006 at 06:30 PM
Oh, that is beautiful, Autum and Aylssa. You two do beautiful work. I love the entire look of the mantle. So pretty.
Posted by: Lori V | December 12, 2006 at 07:23 PM
Autum please tell Aylssa that her work is wonderful! I would love to make one of the trees and maybe start a garland later in the winter for next Christmas. I love the mantle!
Posted by: Jessica | December 12, 2006 at 09:47 PM
Wonderful decorations. You might be able to win her over to the craft side, after all.
Posted by: Katie | December 12, 2006 at 10:31 PM
I love Alyssa's tree. The colors are perfect for my house ..... if I start now, maybe I can finish a couple by next Christmas. We are just about finished with a "garland" tree. I saw them last year on Martha, little did I know, I should have started then.
I think you have started something in her. She just needed some starter projects to work on to get some good confidence going.
Posted by: Emily | December 13, 2006 at 06:50 AM
Love it!
Posted by: Alicia G. | December 13, 2006 at 10:08 AM
Ooooh, I LOVE your mantel! It's perfect... sooo charming and magical and calming.
Gotta do the felt garland.
You crafty bloggers are so dang inspiring!
I am so blessed to have found you all!
Posted by: Linda Thompson | December 13, 2006 at 11:35 AM
OH SO>>> Beautiful! Not too busy, just beautiful & classy, like all that you do! I think Alyssa just needed to find her passion to create! She did awesome! 2,000 pins, definetly shows a sign of passion!
My daughter is the same, but things that spark me, just dont seem to spark her! It has to be her idea and passion!! I love it!
Hope your holidays are going well!
Molly Adams
Posted by: Molly Adams | December 13, 2006 at 12:39 PM
My mom is a seriously good flowerarranger and that is the craft I avoided for years. Because well my standars are serioulsy high to begin with. Now in my own home far away from mom I start playing with flowers again. Mostly I make wreaths because my mom doesn't....
Posted by: mijk | December 13, 2006 at 01:56 PM
waouhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
BEAUTIFUL!
Can't find proper words to express my admiration!
I'd wished our home would look and feel so Christmassy!
once again,you did a great job!
Posted by: Patty | December 13, 2006 at 04:59 PM
Love the mantel! And she did great. She does have it! Great job! I don't think it's too busy either.
Posted by: kim in Camas | December 13, 2006 at 05:54 PM
busy? your mantle is super lovely!
Posted by: bekka | December 14, 2006 at 09:55 AM