Trees, trees, trees

How peculiar that trees have become such a predominant symbol of Christmas. What did we do before the humble Christmas tree? Imagine a pre-1841 household, bereft of a great big enormous space filler that means I have to start thinking a couple of weeks before it goes up just what is stuffed behind my favourite corner chair, will it be on view, do I have to take it elsewhere in my stuffed like a turkey house, or can I just plonk the base there and fill in any visible gaps at the base with a ready-wrapped present pile that works as a disguise from December 1st until the 25th, when who gives a flying squirrel what lies behind anyway, because the whole house is heaving after a month spent rampaging to carol concerts, last minute shopping, making sure that the obligatory family visits have been done and panicking that if Aunty Carol turns up with serious presents you won't have anything more than a tin of Walker's Shortbread to pass over.
It must have been bliss.

But the Christmas tree dates from pagan times (or Martin Luther, depending on who got to Wikipedia last) and we're stuck with it.



This year I have really enjoyed crocheting little bits and bobs for the house so inspiration struck one September day and I set to work. It sounds crazy, but it took me two months to finish them I hooked the bodies and joined them in less than a day.
They sat around for a couple of weeks while I waited for the wooden dowelling to form the stand to be delivered.

Then another couple of weeks to think hard whether there was any stuffing in the house or was it hidden well in the Craft Attic and then sitting it by the chair (stuffed behind so that it was slightly hidden from view) until I felt soft enough to stuff a tree while DH looked on in amazement muttering "Who has time to stuff a tree? You don't even stuff mushrooms!"


Another week for the ricrac from Ebay to pop through my door and a few (ahem) a lot of buttons to fall casually out of little envelopes (that made DH's day; another rattling envelope to explain!). I think it was the night I sewed them on that he finally stopped asking why and just sat with a fazed look on his face. He finally knew he had entered Bedlam. And I was the only patient.

But they are finally done, stood in empty tuna tins filled with grouting because that pot of Polyfilla I know I have somewhere is... somewhere else and not here.  And ready for the end of my mantelpiece. Elves one end, trees the other. Can't wait.



What did you say? You want to make one? Seriously, they are mega easy. They use only treble stitch and slip stitch for the bodies, joined together with a row of double crochet (English terms) I have written a  small pattern, which I will share later this week.

Comments

  1. Thanks for stopping by, I think the trees look great! I love the way you've decorated them and can see them being a hit with your visitors. I loved reading your post it gave me a few chuckles on this miserable foggy November day :)
    Will follow by email I think so I don't miss anything.

    Peg x

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    1. Thank you! I hope my follow by email link works.... sometimes it can be emotional! I use Bloglovin for my bloglist since the demise of Google reader :(

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  2. These trees are quite splendid. I love the proportions of them and the buttons and the ricrac are jut wonderful decorations.
    Lisa x

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    1. Thank you. I have a red, cream and any other colour I fancy theme going on this year. There are even gingham buttons on the trees!

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  3. Well I think that your trees are beautiful!!!!!!! I don't think that our husbands get these things sometimes do they! Just like the way that we don't get their things!! I am sure that your mantel will be beautiful!!! xx

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    1. He always says he doesn't notice things, until I sit doing something he thinks is beyond the pale; then he notices! And he won't mind when the mantelpiece is dressed and lit up with tealights as well.

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  4. I love your trees and ricrac and buttons

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    1. It's cracking how something as simple as wool, ricrac and buttons can be so pretty. I'm pleased with them, and thank you for the compliment

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  5. These are lovely and so sweet looking.

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    1. Thank you. I'm counting the days off until I can officially display them....

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  6. I laughed out loud when I got to the bit about Bedlam. Our menfolk just don't get it, do they? I think the trees are fab, I fancy having a go at them myself but I've got too many other things going on just at the moment.

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    1. Thank you. He's learning slowly not to ask what I do with my spare time and wool. I've been meaning to make these for ages plus yonks and they just never made it to the hook. But This Is The Year when I get to make lots of hooky goodness for my Christmas. Can't pay and won't pay for imported Christmas Tat so I will just have to Make My Own.
      What A Lot of Capital Letters. I must have had That Lesson in school this week.

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