I Can Figure This Out!

Don't you just love it when you get the perfect idea in your mind? ...And have no idea how to make it work?! That would be me with my garden pot tree stand.  In my mind it was perfect and in fact it did turn out that way....after a bit!

First, I started with one of these. Remember the Funky Garden Pots? They're 20 inches in diameter and 18 inches tall.

I had been collecting empty wire spools from work planning to make them into outdoor tables with torches for next summer....that might possibly still happen .....I just needed to redirect for a short time.

I had two sizes available and after playing around with them for a time minute or two, I came up with a plan.

Upside Down!

I took apart the 12" diameter wire spool to get the two disks.  Next I found some scrap wood that would fit in the bottom of the pot and give a little extra height and secured them all together with some 2" and 2 1/2" screws I had available.




 Then I dropped it into the pot - disk side up.

The two disks together created a little indentation in the center for the metal base of the tree trunk to set in. I lined the hole with some 1/4 inch gasket that work was going to throw out. One man's trash....

Next I placed the 18 inch diameter wire spool on top of the small one in the pot (maybe next year I'll secure the two together). I used the gasket in the top hole as well.

Since there was still some space around the edges, I search for something to wedge in and found 8 very thick placemats. I folded two together until they were thick enough to wedge it in tight. Sorry no pic of that.

And this is what it looked like with the base of the tree set in. The rubber mallet easily removed the plastic fixture at the base of the tree trunk that the plastic feet slid into. No plastic was injured in the process.

I purchased some inexpensive red material to place over the top of the wood under the branches...because if I didn't it would drive me nuts!

And here is the final result!




And here is my newest favorite ornament! (Thank you, Neen!)










Next year I might have to have two potted Christmas trees! Okay...truth....already planning it.

Oh, Happy Tree!

For many years, I've had the same decorations on my tree because I couldn't figure out how to fill it up so you couldn't see through it. I got it half done and the next morning when I walked into the living room, the first words out of my mouth were, "I HATE my tree!" Wasn't expecting that to come out of my mouth!

So what's a girl to do? Yep...I came up with an idea.  I decided I needed a "happy" tree and my fake and sparse tree needed to be potted! Remember these?

Oh, yes I did. And I ended up with this!

This is a Happy Tree

in a

Dr. Seuss pot!

Are you smiling yet?

Get ready, 'cause I just have to show some ornaments! There are heirloom ornaments crafted by my Mom 40 & 50 years ago, some that my son chose and a few recent ones!  Here are just a few!

Flashback Ornament from
my Christmas Ornament Yankee Swap this year!

   Let me tell you! There were several of us competing for this little VW Bus!



My Son's "Baby's 1st Christmas"





My Son is a Star!









Meet Tinkabella with the innocent "I wasn't messing with the bird" look.
Like I believe THAT after raising a child!



Ode to Family & Friends in Florida!



And guess what?? I can't see through my tree anymore! I'll do a "how to" on potting a fake tree separately. It was interesting on the fly for sure.

Thank you for dropping in during the Christmas season and peeking into my home! I hope you're all enjoying your holiday decorating, families and friends and wish you all the joy and wonder this season is about!

Linking up to:

Setting For Four

Cupcakes & Crinoline

Three Mango Seeds

It's So Very Cheri

Thrifty Decor Chick