Cassie Bustamante

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Our Fringed & Beaded Christmas Tree

December 11, 2015 by Cassie 34 Comments

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Happy Friday!  I am about to share with you our fringed & beaded Christmas tree, but let me just say that it doesn’t really feel like December, does it?  Temperatures have been on the warmer side, snow is not even in the forecast…. I sure hope we get more “Christmas weather” coming our way! Anyhow, last week I shared with you my living room tour, but at the time I shot it we didn’t have our tree.

We headed out as a family to Gaver Farm in Mt. Airy, MD.  Each year we’ve lived in Frederick County, we’ve tried a different farm.  There was one near us we loved the first year, but sadly, it closed.  Gaver Farm is our new favorite- they had a great system in place, and had fields and fields of trees to choose from, and carts that made hauling the tree once you cut it sooooo much easier.

We wandered past the Canaan Firs because Chris was sure we needed a Douglas or Fraser Fir although I saw plenty Canaans I thought were perfect.  So we walked, and walked, and walked… we hemmed and hawed over several trees.  That was one of the only days that has actually been wintery and freezing cold… my hands and feet were suffering and my lips were blue.  We finally headed back to where we started at the Canaan Firs and found the perfect tree for our home.

IMG_5245PinAs you can see from the photo above, my lips were purply, Sawyer has a look of relief that we are finally done, but Emmy at least looks thrilled.  And I promise Chris was there with us… see?  Someone needed to do the actual labor part.  The kids and I just pick the winner. 😉

IMG_5246PinWe got it home, set it up in the living room, and let it rest for a day before we went to work the next day decorating.

While the kids were at school, I strung lights on the tree, and added the red wooden beads that belonged to my Great Nana.  I am personally not a red person, but they must go on my tree every year.  I wanted to add more garlands to the tree this year, so I removed the fringe from my mantle and added it to the tree as well.  I had two very long pieces of fringe, so plenty to make it around the tree.  Once the Emmy and Sawyer arrived home, it was time to decorate!  We added the ornaments as the sun worked its way out of our sky.

Emmy hanging an ornamentPin

 

At first, just Emmy and I decorated… Sawyer was not very interested.  However, Jake decided to join us, and we were glad to have his company.

Emmy & Jake by the treePin

Lately, my poor old man is really showing his age, so I welcome his presence whenever I can.  I don’t know how many more Christmases we will have with him, but I sure hope there are a few more left.  He did me a favor and sat for a couple photos…

Jake by the treePin

Emmy and I continued to decorate, and we had a laugh at this ornament… it was made by my bestie, but during storage the hot glue that held Snow White on the base unglued and reattached itself to the side of the dome.  We thought it was pretty funny, and we put it right on the tree like that!

Emmy and OrnamentPinEventually I coaxed Sawyer into joining us by telling him I had his brand new trumpet ornament ready to hang on the tree.  He excitedly joined in and stayed for the rest.  And then I forced my kids to pretend to really like each other for a photo.

Sawyer & Emmy by the treePin

When we were finished, we sat back and enjoyed the twinkling lights and warm feeling in the living room.

Christmas tree lit at nightPin

 

I thought I would also give you a chance to check it out in daylight as well.  As you can see, I had extra of the red beads since I mixed them with fringe this year, so I placed them in my lucite coffee table tray.

Christmas Tree with Fringe and Beads in Living RoomPinI love the look of the fringe and beads together… there’s just something about garlands.

Living Room Tree with fringe and beadsPin

And right now, this is the most magical seat in the house.  Who wouldn’t want to cozy up next to the tree?  (Well, probably people who are allergic to natural trees, but all others would love to!)

Living Room Chair and TreePinAside from the fringe, beads, and lights, our tree is decorated simply with ornaments that are special to us.

There are ornaments that have been in the family for years…

God Jul OrnamentPin

Crochet ornamentPin

Oh I wish I could crochet- I used to strongly dislike that ornament as a child, but now I wish I had a whole tree full.

There are ornaments that were gifts from special friends…

Toadstool OrnamentPinThere are handmade ornaments, like this one that was made by Cheryl of Reclaimed, a Sweet Clover vendor.  She and her partner gave one each to me and Sarah for Christmas.  I already hung it on my tree.

Handmade house ornamentPinAnd then there are ornaments that remind us of those we have lost.. like this one that reminds us of our old dog Charlie who passed away two years ago.  As you can see one of the paws came off of it… it’s imperfect but it’s sweet and makes us think of him at the holidays.

Charlie's ornamentPinI better wrap up this post before I go and get too emotional on you… with Jake’s aging, and seeing this ornament I can’t help but be a little weepy.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend making Christmas memories with the people and pets you love.  Cheers to the weekend!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Living Room, making our home, My House

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Comments

  1. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says

    December 11, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Emmy and Jake!!! That photo is just the sweetest. Love the fringed garland and your tree is gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:28 am

      thank you, julia! those two really can pull at my heart.

      Reply
  2. Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says

    December 11, 2015 at 9:36 am

    I would love to snuggle up in that chair by the tree! Love everything, your family is precious!
    xo
    Debbie

    Reply
  3. Darrielle Tennenbaum says

    December 11, 2015 at 11:22 am

    The fringe was a brilliant idea-LOVE!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:27 am

      thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Laurel Stephens says

    December 11, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I just love this post, Cassie. It’s a breath of fresh air seeing a real family decorate a real tree together!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:27 am

      thank you so much, laurel! the tree that is the one we all sit and unwrap gifts by needs to be special and full of memories.

      Reply
  5. Emy says

    December 11, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    I love trees with special sentimental ornaments the best! I’ll always treasure the ornaments that my kids have made. I love hearing their memories about each ornament as we put them on the tree.
    Crochet is pretty simple. I’ve never seen an ornament like that. It’s lovely.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:26 am

      it’s funny to me how much i disliked those crochet ornaments but now not only do i love them, but the memory of disliking them! haha!

      Reply
  6. Vel says

    December 11, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    Love the fringe and now the memories that go with it will make it even more special!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:24 am

      thank you so much, vel!

      Reply
  7. Tania says

    December 11, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    I love your tree! I have very similar fringe on my boho Christmas tree! You can see it here if you’re interested: http://littlevintagecottage.blogspot.com/2015/12/boho-ho-boho-themed-christmas-tree.html.

    Tania

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:23 am

      great minds!

      Reply
  8. Gwen says

    December 12, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Only you could think of putting fringe on a Christmas Tree! LOVE it!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:23 am

      aaaw, thank you! i love my fringe!

      Reply
  9. Kim says

    December 12, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    I love that your tree has special ornaments that mean something to your family instead of being a themed or overly done tree. I have to say though I have always been smitten with your old man and hope you have many more christmases with him. I love those ears!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:20 am

      thank you- i am smitten with him, too and hope the same! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    December 12, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    Handsome Jake. He is one good looking pup 🙂 What a gorgeous tree!!! The wooden beads from your Great Nana are amazing! I so badly wish I had family ornaments. I just adore how personal and special it makes Christmas decor feel.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 14, 2015 at 8:20 am

      isn’t he? thank you so much! i love the family pieces, too.

      Reply
  11. Gretchen says

    December 14, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Love all the tree picking and decorating pictures! I’m impressed with you for cutting down your own tree; we did that one year, and it took FOREVER. Of course here we don’t have real Christmas trees that you can cut; just Leland cypresses, I think? so maybe it’s different in the land where fir trees grow 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      haha! yes i remember those from louisiana- not the same at all!

      Reply
  12. Haley says

    December 14, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Love the fringed garland! and that little mushroom ornament! The photos of your kids are adorable.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      thank you, haley!

      Reply
  13. Krystine www.KrystineEdwards.com/blog says

    December 16, 2015 at 10:31 am

    I’m going to have copy that fringed garland, I love it so! and your kiddos are so cute, adore your little family!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      go for it!

      Reply
  14. Erin @ Belated Bloomer says

    December 19, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    There is just so much to love in this post, Cassie! Such sweet family happenings, good memories and gorgeous decorating (and meaningful decorations!) I’m glad this has been a full and wonderful season for you–congrats on the success of your half marathon!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 21, 2015 at 7:16 am

      thank you so much, erin!!! i appreciate it! XOXO

      Reply
  15. Karrie says

    December 23, 2015 at 2:02 am

    It all looks so great Cassie!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 27, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      thank you so much, karrie!

      Reply
      • Sheryl says

        January 2, 2016 at 5:08 pm

        Is your dog Jake a beagle? I’m asking because he looks so mich like my beagle Hope. She was a lemon and whilte beagle (Looked light brown but the breeder called her lemon and white) She was actually a rescue dog that the breeder took in. Our dogs are family members and when they are gone they leave a big hole in our hearts. I believe that we will see them again. So Charlie will be waiting for you over the rainbow bridge. Love never dies.

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          January 3, 2016 at 2:04 pm

          jake is a bagel- a basset and beagle mix. he’s definitely unique and i never saw his father so who knows- maybe the dad was a lemon and white beagle!

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Peace Sign Tree Topper - Cassie Bustamante says:
    November 28, 2016 at 5:00 am

    […] is from Target and the kids and I picked it out together.Last year was the first time that I used fringe on my tree as garland and I loved it so much I repeated that idea this year.I always crash much earlier than […]

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    December 5, 2016 at 7:08 am

    […] has several templates available, or you can use your own photo.  I opted to use a picture of my fringed Christmas tree from last year as a background. As you can see above, designing the cover is the first step, and […]

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    December 9, 2016 at 10:06 am

    […] one of each.  I let her choose the orientation; rather than going around the tree (like our fringed tree last year) she wanted them to be streaming down the tree.  We finished adding and cutting the trims, and […]

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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