All Instructions, Designs and Templates ©Rande Hanson.
All trees are approximately 12 inches tall including base and tree topper.
Paperwhimsy items used for the trees:
Felt Fabric, Roving, Fantasy Fibers
A template is provided for a 10 inch tree and tree toppers, at the end of the tutorial.
Cut the base template out of watercolor paper or something that will give the base a bit of stability. Overlap at the dotted line and secure. I used packing taking to and wrapped around. Leave a small opening at the top to attach the topper. Cut a piece of felt fabric approximately 3/8 inches larger than template. The fabric will draw up a bit after felted. It can be trimmed after felting if necessary. Lay roving over the felt piece in two layers, one across and one in the opposite direction. Lightly felt with Clover tool and mat. Wrap felt around the base and stitch with coordinating thread or embroidery floss. You can now begin to decorate.
Past Christmas tree. Wrap rusty vine around the base at an angle. I used 5-6 pieces. Wrap rusty wire in the same fashion, going in the opposite direction. Fill in empty spaces by sewing on vintage Mother of pearl buttons. Randomly add small pieces of peach embroidery floss, tied in a knot. Make a small bow from ribbon and attach with fabric glue at the top. Insert a rusty star in the top opening for the topper.
Present Tree. Add a thin layer of fantasy fiber to the roving layers before felting. Using the fiber sampler, just unwrap, and begin wrapping the bundle around the base. Attach to base with coordinating embroidery floss or thread. Add leaf beads attaching on edges of the fibers. Add a touch of fiber glue to keep in position. Using the star template, cut from heavy chipboard or similar, attach a small stick with glue. Cover with gold glitter on both sides. When dry insert in opening of cone, secure with glue.
Future Tree. Add a thin layer of fantasy fiber to the roving before felting. Cut 8 each 12 inch lengths of ribbon. Glue the ends and insert in the top opening of the cone. Space the ribbons around the base and glue inside the bottom of the cone. Wrap silver metallic chenille stems around the cone. Attach the mirror bits in empty spaces with fabric glue. Using the circle template, cut from heavy chipboard or similar, attach a small stick with glue. Cover with silver glitter on both sides. When dry insert in opening of cone, secure with glue.
Bases. I used 5 inch wood discs, from craft store. Paint with acrylic paint in coordinating color. For Present and Future, I added GlidenGlitz using Duo Adhesive.
For the Past base, I stippled rusty colored paints. You can then attach the tree to base with glue, or leave unattached.
Download: christmastemplates1