I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…and since I live in Texas the chances of that happening are fairly slim. So, this year I decided I would create my own winter wonderland with a snow covered Christmas tree for the Michaels Dream Tree Challenge. I’m absolutely thrilled with how this snow covered tree turned out and can’t wait to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa, a roaring fire in the fire place and dream of a white Christmas while admiring my Winter Woodland Christmas Tree.
I loved creating my Rustic Reindeer tree last year and when the Michaels Makers Dream Tree Challenge was announced I had lots of ideas swirling around in my head. There was the idea to create a bright and colorful kid-friendly tree for the play room, or the idea to embrace the “mad for plaid” trend and create a rustic plaid tree, but every time I thought about it I kept coming back to a winter wonderland theme. Finally, on one of my trips to Michaels inspiration hit while I was browsing the fall clearance items. I spotted the cutest fluffy white owls and immediately knew that I wanted my tree to feature these adorable woodland creatures.
I have always admired the look of the pretty snow flocked trees, but the OCD clean freak in me has always squashed the idea of actually ever having one. I was telling my mom about how I wanted to flock a tree but was worried about the mess and how it would turn out. She told me the story of the one Christmas my great-grandmother decided to try something out of the ordinary and flock her tree, she remarked about how stunning it was and that it’s always been one of her favorites even after all these years. I’m a sucker for personal connections and decided at that moment I was going to go for it, after all my motto is making the “ordinary EXTRAORDINARY one creative project at a time.” I did tons of research and decided to use bonding flock to create the snow white tree of my dreams. It was easier than I thought and the end result was even more stunning than I could have imagined. Don’t get me wrong, it was still a big mess, but I think my great-grandmother would be proud.
Now that I had a snow covered tree and a theme, Winter Woodland Christmas, it was time to decorate. I decided to incorporate some of my handmade decorations from last years Dream Tree Challenge and used the ruffled burlap garland as a base. I added a silver ribbon over top of it to create that shimmery, snowy, rustic woodland look.
I used some of my birch logs and stuck them in the tree, perfect for the owls to perch on and add texture.
Along with the fluffy white ornaments I made last year, I handmade a whole bunch of new ones this year. I used lots, and lots of feathers to make a variety of different ornaments to carry out the winter woodland vibe throughout the tree. I covered Styrofoam balls in white feathers, added feathers inside of glass ornaments and glued feathers to the outside of ornaments for an easy and cohesive look.
I wanted large over sized ornaments but I couldn’t find them in the store to match my theme. So, I used Styrofoam balls and covered them in glitter, beads and snowflakes to get the look I wanted. When you can’t find what you are looking for in the store consider creating your own DIY ornaments, in my case it was simple and only required a few inexpensive supplies.
Last year I made these simple wood slice ornaments and I thought they were the perfect addition to this years tree as well. I love how I was able to incorporate some of my ornaments from last year, but achieve a completely different theme for this year’s tree. Let’s face it, most people don’t run out and completely redo their tree from top to bottom each year. Slowly adding and incorporating elements from previous years is a great way to cut cost and save on decorating your Christmas tree, all while changing the overall look and feel.
What to do with the top of the tree is always a struggle for me. This year I added lots of snowy white branches to add height and interest to the top of the tree. My mom found this beautiful stuffed owl at a local shop, Holiday Warehouse, and he was the absolute perfect addition to the top of the tree.
I absolutely love how this snow covered Winter Woodland Christmas tree turned out and look forward to celebrating the season with my very own white Christmas.
I know you just put away the Halloween candy, but if you are inspired to start decorating your own tree make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the other 49 Michaels Makers’ dream holiday trees. And if you need a new tree this year make sure you take advantage of FREE shipping on all Christmas trees that are 6ft or taller on Michaels.com now through November 14th!
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This is just gorgeous! I love the monochromatic look and rustic touches.
Thank you Chris, I’ve always wanted a white tree so glad I went for it.
Mariah! It’s gorgeous. It makes me want to try and convince my husband to let me flock a tree. I may need some owls too. Great job. It’s never to early to get some Christmas inspiration.
Thank you Tracey, you convince the husband and I’ll help you! 😉
LOVE LOVE!!!! Neutral is my fave for all Holidays! So brave to flock your own tree!! I have always had preflocked. It inspires me to try….someday;-);-) Haha!! I love the fluffy owls! So adorable.
Thanks Kara! I was definitely nervous about it, but it ended up being easier than I expected and I’m so in love with how it turned out!
Hi!…
Please share the ”how to” of that chic fluffy ornaments…
Those are greaat!
Hi! We will be sharing that tutorial very soon, you won’t believe how easy it is!
This is such a beautiful and original tree. All the rustic touches make it so unique in so many ways. And those cute little owls are something really special. Thanks for sharing with us. You have inspired me to move away from the traditional and try something new. (sorry about that, it was an erronious url on the above comment)
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Leigh, I was pleasantly surprised with how pretty this one turned out! 🙂
Your Christmas tree is absolutely stunning! I love how natural, full and wintery it looks!! The natural ornaments are beautiful, it looks like something right out of the forest, haha, but with beautiful decorations!
Amazing job, I’m just going to drool over it, over here!
XO Kass
You are so sweet Kass, thank you!
Your tree is so beautiful, Mariah! I would love to decorate my tree like this.
Thank you so much Mary Beth, it is probably one of my favorite trees I’ve done so far. 🙂
Beautiful! Love the flocking! What a great tip and research free!
Your tree is so beautiful. I absolutely love the owls and am going to make a couple winter wreaths with the white snow owls. Unfortunately I’m having a hard time finding them. Could you be so kind and tell me where you purchases the snow owls for your tree? Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Elizabeth, I absolutely loved my tree this year and was a little sad to take it down after Christmas. I found some of the smaller owls at Micheals and the other larger ones my mom found at a Christmas store in Dallas. It is called Holiday Warehouse and this is their website, http://www.holidaywarehouse.com/
Hi there!
I have been searching the last few years for owls for my Christmas tree, to no avail. I just happened across your blog, and you’re my answer to my dream Christmas tree! Your tree full of owls brought such joy to me, no have no idea! Please tell me where you found your owls or if you made them? I’m at a loss at how to have them for my tree! I live in Canada and I’ve searched everywhere for owl ornaments! Please help!
A deep admirer!
Linda
Hi Linda, I found some of the smaller owls at Michael’s and the larger ones I found at a local store called Holiday Warehouse. I was just in there the other day and they are carrying them for the holiday season again this year. You may be able to search for them on their website, http://www.holidaywarehouse.com/. Good luck finding them, I just love how they transformed my tree last year. 🙂
did you ever do a tutorial for the fabulous fluffy ornatments? I need something like that for my white/red tree this year.. 🙂 thanks
Hi Tammy, I never actually got it photographed and posted…looks like I have a new Christmas post to work on. 🙂 But, they are super easy. Simply buy round foam balls, rip or cut muslin or white cotton fabric into 2 inch strips. Then cut the strips into squares. Take a square and place it on the foam ball, use the blunt point of a bamboo skewer to poke the fabric into the foam ball. Keep repeating until you’ve completely covered the ball, this is a great craft to do while watching TV. 😉 Of course, feel free to reach out to me at mariah(at)gigglesgalore(dot)net if you have questions or need any more help.