This year I wanted to have a rustic feel, nature inspired theme to my Christmas tree. What’s more rustic and nature like than cutting down trees in the forest and making your own ornaments? My husband did the cutting of the actual tree with the chainsaw, (we use wood to heat our home) I asked him to save me a branch or two.
He cut me a branch that was fairly straight and about 2 1/2″ in diameter. I would’ve loved it if he would have cut the slices too, but insisted I could do it myself ha-ha! So down stairs I went, grabbed the handy dandy miter saw and sliced away. I should mention I did know how to use the saw and have used it before, so no major catastrophe had to be averted! Although one may have thought so, every few slices or so the blade hit a flaw in the branch, that sent chunks of wood flying everywhere. I’m sure I screamed every time! Safety glasses were definitely a must!
After all the cutting, screaming and wood flying was done, I was left with 15 – 1/2″ thick slices for my ornaments.
Using a small paint brush and some black craft paint, I painted the front of each slice. I didn’t sand them first, the blade on the saw left them quite smooth to the touch. Go ahead and sand them if you like, and using actual chalkboard paint would work well too. I just used what I had on hand.
Next I gabbed some Christmas stamps I had, a white paint pen for the little dots and some white craft ink I bought from Michael’s. I don’t think there is any right or wrong, just do whatever you think looks good. You could even use chalk and change it up every year.
I drilled a hole at the top of each ornament for the ribbon to thread through. Screwing eyelet hooks to the top would work as well to hang the ornaments.
I added the ribbon and hung them on the tree. I used ribbon but twine or raffia would look good too.
Pretty and rustic!
I’m Linking to:
