Orange slice ornaments are in the oven – 2 weeks later than planned or at the exact right moment…
I’m deeply immersed with a lot of very ambitious last minute Christmas project ideas, it smells like white pine and orange peel, the stick trees are up and it’s snowing the exact right amount.
All the work things are done (at last!) and the coziness here is deep, twinkly and particular.
let’s talk about stick tree number one
An elephant and monkey are merrily attending the base and there’s a happy cat on top this year. The tree is made from several sticks bundled together and wrapped with a fabric scrap. The skirt is a bit of an old crazy quilt.
The whole thing lists significantly to the left and is festooned with:
snowmen in bad moods
jingle stars
a sleepy moon
minimalist chicken
little owl
sheep
scrap trees
and wax paper snowflakes
I wish I had some flies – maybe I’ll add that to the last minute list.
I do like my holiday decor just slightly off kilter – like these cardboard castles with austere little windows. The creature that may or may not be a cat is by my brilliant friends at Codo Experiment. The white pine branches were obtained legally and definitely not in my annual december crime spree under the cover of darkness.
and stick tree number two
Branches in a vase filled with pennies for stability (pebbles or sand work too) The ornaments are the ghosts of Christmas past- my mom’s treasures that sleep the rest of the year in the crumpled tissue she wrapped them in. The big paper star on top is made with the wax paper snowflake method but in vintage paper and tin foil.
My plan for the day is to smell the smells and make the things and bask in the twinkle. I hope you are similarly situated and your holidays are merry and bright!
PS
After the holiday break we have lots to talk about – most importantly the 2025 100 day stitch book!
I love your vision. Everything you make is so sweet. Have a lovely Christmas, and healthy New Year.
It’s all so Lovely and cozy! Merry Christmas and looking forward to more fun projects in the New Year!
Happy Christmas Ann, your lovely treasures are all around and it is like a party, a celebration of peace and happiness, contentedness. All is good.
Your Christmas is wonderful and so Ann Woods. I enjoy you year round and your cute projects.
Looking forward to my 3rd 100 days of stitching.
Wishing You Happy Health 2025
Judy
Those disgruntled snowmen…perfect. They make me laugh every time I look at them. Adding them to my must make list. Enjoy the twinkle and the aromas of the season.
Merry Christmas greetings Ann,
I’ve been a busy little bee lately reorganizing my studio in anticipation of smoother creative work. I’m so looking forward to joining all of you for the stitch book and working my way through all of the wonderful patterns I bought from you. This is shaping up to be my Winter of Ann Wood Handmade…how delightful!! Anyhoo.. I’m Erin, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve been a reader of your inspiring blog for a while and it will be fun to actively participate.
See you soon, Erin
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Lovely trees and decorations Ann.A veritable winter wonderland.
Looking forward to the 2025 stitch book after a hectic few months house selling and buying.
Have a very Happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2025.
Fiona xx
Making some of your little wobblers today (on my squeeze it in list) to hang on the tree and around the place…happy solstice to you!!!
Achei muito criativo o seu natal! Gostei muito dos enfeites e das árvores! Quem sabe adotarei as suas ideias para o natal de 2025!
I so enjoy this and all the ideas and inspiration you provide. Thanks! We stopped putting up a regular Christmas tree a few years ago and I never thought of a stick tree but I love it! Our neighbor’s birch tree is always generous with its branches, I’ve even stockpiled a few of them next to the house, so I might even just set something up this week. We observe 12 days of Christmas anyway!
Absolutely LOVE your Christmas creativity! Basking in the glow of a kindred spirit! Thank you for sharing!
I enjoyed seeing your Christmas decor! Thank you for all the links to patterns, too! I adore those sheep! Merry Christmas!
I love getting your newsletter with all of the wonderful photos and ideas. As a musician, I am super busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas but your beautiful house is so inspiring that I just want to get to my fabric stash! So…thank you!!! Merry Christmas!
What a magical Christmas!
So admire your skills and creativity. Love your newsletters.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
I love your sweet trees and whimsical decor, Ann. My husband and I have been sick with a nasty cold. No tree up yet but I hope by tomorrow. Looking forward to a long winter playing with the patterns that I’ve ordered from you! Merry Christmas from Massachusetts! Jan
Your handmade decorations are wonderful!
Merry Christmas dear Ann! Merry and bright and being the light, thank you for your generous spirit. May 2025 bless you.
Merry Christmas! Your emails bring joy through the year, I look forward to each one – your creative nature is always inspiring and I so love your simple decorating style ~ wishing you everything beautiful in the New Year!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for the wonderful inspiration you share with us!
Merry Christmas Ann!! Your space is charming and so sweet!
Merry perfectly imperfect Christmas…the very best kind
You are always so inspiring. I think I love your stick trees as much as real ones. I am going to try that next year. Could you give me a tutorial on preparing the orange slices or have you already and I just missed it? Anyway, I love everything you make and have bought some of your patterns that have been sitting in a box waiting to be made. I can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2025. Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you!