A Thrifted/Upcycled Kind of Christmas - (Part 2)

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Thank you all so much for the kind & encouraging comments you left me on my Part 1 post. 

I saw this on Instagram on marcandangels post - very true indeed!

 A couple of months ago, whilst browsing my local St John's Op Shop, I saw this cone below.  This was the same day I purchased the $1.50 wooden angel in my previous post.

The cone was plastic & covered tightly in a thick brocade fabric - it measured 17 inches in height so was quite tall.   It has been $8.90, marked down to $3.90, & when I took it to the counter the lady took another dollar off as the tip was slightly broken.   I knew immediately I wanted to make it into a Yo Yo tree, the same as the one I made 

last year in * this post *

I painted it 2 coats of Linen chalk paint - it adhered really well. I also glued cardboard in the base to give it some stability, although the paint did stabilise it rather well.

Each evening sitting on my couch, I would make fabric yo yo flowers using fabrics in the French General range - it was quite therapeutic & as I made them I tossed them in a small basket by my chair.  I made larger ones (12cm) for the first 2 rows & then decreased in size to a 9 cm circumference.

Finally - just yesterday - I had enough yo yo's to cover my cone.  I used fabric glue to attach them as I could not stitch through the painted surface.  

This silver candle holder has been in my stash for years a very long time & I thought it would make a good stand for my cone tree.  I currently have the tree just sitting atop the candle holder as I am unsure whether or not to paint this & I need your help & opinions please.

Lots & lots of yo yo flowers ...... 62 in total !! 💗

I had thought about painting the base in a dull Christmas red - the same colour I have used * here * on the wooden reindeer.  But I also rather like it left as it is ... sort of a bit vintage looking.  

What would You do dear readers?  Please leave me a comment below & let me know ... paint or leave as is ??

Also the rusty star is just attached with double sided cellotape currently ... paint this ?? or leave as is ??  Your opinions would be very much appreciated.    If you are unable to comment then just email me & I can copy/paste your comment.  Thanking you in anticipation.

(My email address is stitchedbyjulie@hotmail.com)

This pair of wooden chopping boards was $4 in Stratford Hospice shop earlier in the year. I decided to paint the round one at the back ... this turned out to be simply a wood round & Not a chopping board & the paint went on so well ... I am using the Forrest Green that I have become rather addicted to this Christmas.

Two coats later & I applied a wonderful Iron Orchid Designs transfer that I purchased last Christmas.  I had planned to screw an eye hook into it to hang, but I rather like it just tucked into my display as is.

When I bought the red hessian online in Spotlights Black Friday sale (last post) I also bought 2 metres of Minecraft fabric.  I made my Grandsons a pillowcase each using * this * simple tutorial..  As the fabric was extra wide I had enough on the sides to make them each up a drawstring bag as well. 

They are both right into everything Minecraft at present & I am sure they will love these items which I plan to put in their Christmas stockings.

This morning I finished up some wooden tags that I had painted - some I used transfers on & others I mod podged serviettes onto.  These will be tied onto gifts for some special folk.

We had a lovely craft group break-up outing last Monday when we visited Cambridge & went to view the Town Hall  all decorated for Christmas.  We also visited a couple of Op Shops & had a nice cafe lunch. 

Click on the picture to enlarge it should you wish.

  While I was waiting for the ladies to be served in the SPCA Op-shop, I happened to look down on the floor & this picture was leaning against a stand, kind of tucked into the corner.  I could not resist buying it & I absolutely love it!       So dear friends ... look around but also look up  & look down when you are thrifting - you never know what bargains you may miss.  $12.00 an absolute bargain!  💙

Thank you as always dear friends, for your visits here today,

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the furry three x0x0x0x