Tuesday, December 16, 2014

My New & Improved Steampunk Tree!

I've been spending all my time crafting the Harry Potter tree this month, but in order to make room for it I had to combine last year's two trees into one - so I thought you'd like to see!

I mixed together elements of the steampunk tree - which had lots of jewel tones, copper, and amber lights:


 ...with my not-really-themed-but-sort-of-classic-reds-and-vintage-paper tree:


The result is a mix of copper, bronze, red, paper, and gold - and for something thrown together in an afternoon, I'm kind of liking the new Franken Tree:


The steampunk elements are smaller (I plan to add larger gear ornaments & goggled top hats, but sweet StayPuft, where is the time going?!) but once you get closer you can see all the copper wire spirals, clock-hand snowflakes, hot air balloons, etc.


 You readers have sent me lots of goodies on the tree, from little steampunk robots to laser engraved pins from the museum exhibit that featured my Lady Vadore costume in 2012: 



 The clock-hand snowflakes were a gift last year from my friend Sharyn, who made them herself. Aren't they gorgeous? She also made me this fun steampunk pinecone from faux leather:

John and I don't have sentimental ornaments from our childhoods or early years together, so it's fun building up a cache with memories attached. Whether it's a gift or something we made ourselves, I like that now more and more of our trees actually means something.

Happy to say that after three years our balloons are still holding up great, as is my homemade tree flocking!


 

Oh, and that paper garland I made last year? I packed it in rows of three in a long skinny box, so it didn't take up much room at all - and it's still in perfect condition after a year packed away:


I think (hope?) the vintage book paper adds to the Victorian vibe, along with these glass birds:
 
 

 It was hard leaving all the shiny fuchsia and teal ornaments packed away this year, but worth it, I think, to make room for Potter.

Oh, and the final touch:


Because Trekkie forever.

 :)

29 comments:

  1. It looks awesome! Does your cat mess with your tree? We can't figure out how to stop ours from climbing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nah, our cats aren't really climbers - I think they both missed that lesson in How To Be A Cat. And believe me, I am VERY happy about this. ;)

      Delete
  2. Jen this is all amazing, but one quick question? How many days/month does it take to put all this stuff away??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Putting it all away is MUCH faster than putting it all up, so pack-up only takes about a day, with John helping. It helps that we have a place for everything, and other than the trees, it all goes into large stackable bins.

      Delete
  3. Shuttlecraft to Enterprise! Shuttlecraft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy holidays. Live long. And prosper.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep! We have that ornament too!!

      Delete
  4. i LOVE the paper and acrylic (I'm assuming) snowflake in image 3283!!!!! did you make those too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did, yes, and I keep planning to make more! There's another close-up here, but it's essentially rolled paper cones glued to a dollar store plastic snowflake.

      Delete
  5. I'm seriously going to try making one of those hot air balloon ornaments. Mama's birthday is this weekend. Hopefully it doesn't take THAT long... thanks for the tutorial. :)
    The tree looks great, Jen. I think I'm just going to live vicariously through you this year... no tree for me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think this tree is beautiful.
    It's much brighter than the original steampunk tree, and less delicate than the original paper tree. I LOVE IT. So much awesome.
    See, and you said you had no sentimental ornaments. :) I think the USS Enterprise needs to make an appearance in more projects than just the tree. heehee

    -- Piper P from Washington State

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this! Great mix of steampunk and crafty, homemade ornaments.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sharyn is pretty amazing. She sent me a purple and teal necklace she made. I am missing a couple boxes of Christmas decorations so I'm thinking some of your Harry Potter ideas are in order this weekend. Because, you know, I have plenty of time to finish the 4 quilts that I haven't even started yet. Yeah, that'll happen! There's always next year, right?
    ~Jodee

    ReplyDelete
  9. So I'm just going to say that you're doing all my decorating for me (just moved in October, and our trees are still buried behind piles of crap). I definitely like the combination!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The new tree is stunning!!! I think it was meant to be!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome! Love the random Shuttlecraft in there!

    ReplyDelete
  12. We have the same shuttlecraft ornament on our tree!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That tree is amazing! Every time I think you can't come up with something any more fantastic you find something!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are posting from the cruise??!?!!?!? Is that Star Trek ornament the one that, when you press the button on the bottom, Leonard Nimoy's voice says, "Shuttle Craft to Enterprise, Shuttle Craft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy Holidays. Live Long and Prosper"??? Cause I have the same ornament!!!!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEE
    I am really loving those ornaments Sharyn made you. Wow -- such talent.
    Maureen S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maureen -- I have it too -- and all the Enterprises, the Klingon Warbird, the Romulan Bird of Prey, DS9. etc., etc. etc. (Because Trekkie forever.) Oh, and thanks!

      Delete
  15. That tree looks so amazing!!! I am with you I miss the teals and colorful bits but the copper and red and paper it just wow. You keep on rocking and being awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I work at Michaels and have directed several of my customers to your blog for tree flocking advice. Apparently nobody sells canned tree flocking anymore, but people still want it!

    As always, your trees are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  17. As always, you're such an inspiration. Merry Christmas and live long and prosper!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Where did you find the clip on birds?? I love, love, love that specific style because they copy some my grandma had that were my favorite on her tree. I found some at World Market a few years ago, but have been unable to find them recently and want to expand on my mini flock.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The birds are several years old now, but I found them at Epcot, if you can believe it! There's a Christmas shop in Germany, and they sell all old-fashioned glass ornaments in there, with lots of birds. Pricey stuff, but these were an extremely rare sale, so I couldn't pass 'em up!

      Delete

Please be respectful when commenting; dissenting opinions are great, but personal attacks or hateful remarks will be removed. Also, including a link? Then here's your html cheat sheet: <a href="LINK ADDRESS">YOUR TEXT</a>