Romantic Country, Toasty Trees, and enough tiny trees to fill a country

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Bleached_trees_036 I have news- my latest story is out!! Romantic Country is on the stands now, I picked up this issue at Borders.

I had dealt directly with the managing editor, Phyllis, for the whole article and didn’t even know that our fantastic blogging friend, Fifi was the guest editor!!!

If you don’t read her blog, you should get right over there, it is full of great how to’s for beautiful projects and sneak peeks into her lovely life.

Bleached_trees_037 I wish I had gotten to work with Fifi, she seems like a fun person and everyone who knows her says such wonderful things about her.

The issue is 100% gorgeous, and I am thrilled with the whole magazine.Bleached_trees_038

The titles to my story, that Fifi added, are cute as a button and add so much to the article, I wish I could take credit for them.Bleached_trees_039

Here is a tiny snippet from one of the photos by my good friend, the talented, Diane Guthrie.  Diane and I had worked together on an article for Romantic Homes a couple of years ago, and it was such a great time. She is a buddy and we get together regularly for coffee and hanging out.

Diane is the one on the ladder in the photo on this posting, and there are also photos from our collaboration for Romantic Homes on that post too. Ice_and_fudge_055

And now for more news- the winners of my drawing are:Holiday_home_184

Lori Oles– Vintage Flair (blogger winner)

Gail Sell (non blogger winner)

Gail has entered the Sweet Treats and Roses Recipe Swap that Beth and I are doing.  I know that Gail LOVES roses as much as I do, and can’t wait to see what she comes up with.  We still have a few spots left if you are interested in joining in too.

The two winners get to chose either a pair of earrings I made from vintage pieces, or a copy of The Crown and Tiara book (great ideas in it, and so pretty!!) First come, first serve, email me with your choices, I only have one book to send.

Remember, there is still the monthly drawing that you can win too.  I’ll draw that the beginning of Jan.Bleached_trees_021

We’ve had a fun morning here, yesterday was a Sugarwings sleepover night.

She helped cook breakfast.Bleached_trees_024

A favorite around here is "Egg in the Hole"

You cut a hole in bread with a glass, biscuit cutter- or even better, holiday cookie cutter, then drop an egg into the hole and fry it up together.Bleached_trees_029

Of course, the best part of egg in the hole is the little piece that you cut out, that you cook in butter too, then add jelly to. 

Sugarwings liked the jelly covered Christmas tree shape, but notice that under her high chair, Twinkle is having the rest of the meal.  I think Twinks gets more food than the baby does at mealtimes.

Well, I never have to mop after I feed the baby.Bleached_trees_001

Sugarwings  was fascinated by the Christmas tree project I did too, but I had to keep her back from the bleach and the dye. She isn’t quite ready yet to be a hands on helper with these kind of things.Bleached_trees_002

I found the directions to this on Clarice‘s site.

I am crazy about the results!! Vintage  looking, beautiful bottle brush trees from brand new ugly ones!

First you soak them a few minutes in bleach and hot water, and rinse well.Bleached_trees_003

They already look great once they are bleached, but if you want you can dye them any color.

I used professional quality fiber reactive dyes, just because I had them, but am sure that Rit would be fine too.Bleached_trees_004

Of course, I should have changed clothes. I should have done this in my studio. But no, I was too excited and wanted to play with the colors, so did it in my kitchen sink.  There is a perfect, made for projects, sink in the studio.  But, heck, it is only dye, I bleached it out of the sink when I was done.  I think the sink might return to white again………Bleached_trees_006

I left the dye in the trees for about 10 minutes.Bleached_trees_008

And since I hate to let anything go to waste, I used the left over pink dye that was in the bowl to dye some shirts for my fairy grand baby. Bleached_trees_010

Once the dye is washed out, the trees are perfectly vintage looking!!

These trees are on sale at Michaels right now for 25% off, plus they are pretty cheap to start with, a big bag full of all sizes for $14.

Bleached_trees_016 My little helper was pretty impressed with the results too.

Thanks for the tip, Clarice!!

And thanks to Fifi and Phyllis for making my article look so good in Romantic Country!

And thanks to Sugarwings for making my morning such fun with her giggles and all her help.

And thanks to Beth for being such a fine administrator for our swap and for being such a buddy.

And thanks to Diane for being such a pal and for her great photos.

And thanks to everyone who participated in our "What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home?" party

I must be feeling very thankful today.  Just extra happy and exuberant, I guess.  I need someone to start playing the music that tells me it is time to shut up, like they have at acceptance speeches at the Oscars.

Edited note: These trees really are not my own idea, I saw it on other blogs!! here is another one with them, http://mamanjackjack.blogspot.com/

and here is a flickr site to see everyone’s!!  http://www.flickr.com/groups/563828@N24/

They are so fun to make, and so easy. Nothing like a simple project at this hectic time of year!

And speaking of passing along project ideas, Dona has used my lamp/coat rack idea and tweaked it into her own. Mine is featured in the Romantic Country magazine article that I wrote.

46 thoughts on “Romantic Country, Toasty Trees, and enough tiny trees to fill a country”

  1. Joy

    I can’t believe this. I just had these ugly really green dollar store bottle brush trees in my hands yesterday and wondered how I could change them – they’re cute but the color on them is awful! What a wonderful tip!
    p.s. I swear that Sugarwings gets cuter every day!

    Reply
  4. Elaine L.

    Thanks about the tip abound the trees. I’ll have to look for them at Michaels.
    My daughter calls the egg and toast, “eggy in a basket”.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  5. Gumbo Lily

    First off, congrats on the Romantic Home issue. It looks fab!
    SugarWings is is a “Sugar Dumpling.”
    Adorable vintagey trees. I saw them at Clarice’s too. Isn’t she crafty and thrifty at the same time? (you too, dying the T-shirts)
    And I want to thank you for sharing your delish-to-die-for fudge recipes (way down below). Can’t wait to try some of your layered fudge. THANKS!
    Glad Tidings!
    Jody

    Reply
  7. Jessica

    Congrats on the magazine article. I tried to find that mag in CVS yesterday, but it must have been hiding. I’ll look again.
    I never would have thought of dyeing bottle brush trees. You’re so much more daring than I am! They turned out really cool.

    Reply
  9. Tammy

    I just found your blog. What a wonderful treat. Great eye candy and fabulous ideas. Congrats on the magazine article. Very exciting. I’m going to make the “egg in the hole” for breakfast tomorrow for my two kiddos. Happy holidays.

    Reply
  10. Natasha Burns

    Oh I’ll have to get a copy of that, it’s my fave magazine and you’re in it again and Fifi was the editor!
    THanks for the tip on the trees, I’m going to bleach mine back a bit now I know it can be done!!!

    Reply
  13. phyllis

    Sugarwings and Twinkle are having my most favorite childhood breakfast!
    That is the neatest craft or un-craft maybe…I have to drive an hour to get to a Michaels tho!
    I love what you said about me the other day…and you earned points you didn’t even need 🙂
    I have always wanted to meet Sunday Hendrickson. Well I’ll go hunt your magazine down in a day or so!!! Can’t wait!

    Reply
  14. jessi nagy

    congrats on the magazine!! i will go out and buy that asap.
    also the egg thing, my mom used to kake these for me, then i passed it down to my kids. we call the “sun spots” my friend makes them to, there family calss them”egg in a frame” how funny!
    awesome trees, and cutest grandbaby ever!
    jessi

    Reply
  17. rhondi

    Karla. How exciting for you to be featured in Romantic Homes magazine. I’ll be sure to pick one up next time I’m at the store! Once a gain thanks for hsoting the Holiday Home party. It wa sfun to participate and I met some wonderful new friends through it. Those trees are great. Michaels will be wondering why the rush on trees when we all run out to get some and try it.
    When I was a child we called those egg toasts “toad in a hole” and my mom used to make extra toast to dip in the yellow. Sse cut them up in thin strips and we called them toast soldiers. Thanks for bringing back those memories for me.

    Reply
  18. pink gate

    Great idea for the trees, next year for sure….
    and your in RM, that is pretty great as well…I will look on the stands for a copy .
    I have added one of my Christmas tradition to my blog that was featured in Victoria magazine a while back, if you have a second come take a look.
    Louise

    Reply
  20. Lori

    i just read on another blog about bleaching the trees and now you have added a whole new dimension with the dye!!! eeeek!!! i am SO excited to try this!!! thanks so much Karla for the tip! Sugarwings looks like she is enjoying her breakfast…that is my Jacob’s favorite breakfast, we call it cowboy toast!!!

    Reply
  23. Stephanie

    Congrat’s on the magazine article. I cant wait to see it 🙂
    We tried the toast with egg in the middle this morning- it was a huge hit ! We’re going to try it with Eggo’s waffles and an egg in the middle ……
    Happy Hloidays ! Stephanie

    Reply
  24. Stephanie Vanderslice

    Hi Karla,
    Thanks for the Holiday party link–several people looked and one even got a decorating idea from little ole me. This is very heartening for a newbie blogger and a very amateur decorator.
    I went out shopping with my girlfriends Saturday night (this is rare with our busy lives, families) and we ended up at Barnes and Noble where I got Romatic Country and showed them all your gorgeous bathroom! We all oohed and aahed at the photos over our hot chocolates and lattes.
    Stephanie

    Reply
  25. June

    I loved your party and am still touring homes–such creativity and beauty out there that it stuns me.
    Your bottle brush project came out wonderfully well. I am going to try Clarice’s instructions, too, and am grateful that you’ve told me Michael’s has a sale on the little trees now. I’ll look for the magazine, too.

    Reply
  26. dona

    Congrats on the mag. I am stopping on my way home to get it tonite. Have a wonderful Christmas. I always enjoy the pics of your grand baby, brings back lots of memories for me when my Tami was that age.

    Reply
  28. Karla

    Congrats on the article! I love the egg in a hole too – esp. love your Christmas take on it. I have that same bag of trees – I too saw the instructions but haven’t tried it yet – you are now inspiring me!
    Karla

    Reply
  29. sadie527

    Karla- Congrats on the article. I’ve got to rush out & get a copy. I joined your & Beth’s swap via Beth’s blog. Yeah! THANKS for the bleached tree how-to. I have LOTS of ugly dark green trees ready to transform!
    Keep warm out there in frozen land! – Amy B

    Reply
  30. Lynn @ theVintageNest

    Hi Karla, I found your blog from the Christmas Tour. It was so much fun seeing everyone’s beautiful decorations. Loved reading your fabulous blog and hope it was okay to add you to my “take me away” blogs to read. And I am for sure going to try the bottle brush tree thing. Congratulations on the magazine spot. Romantic Country is one of my fave’s and I can’t wait to get it. Come visit me when you can. Happy Holidays ~ Lynn

    Reply
  31. Janet Villeneuve

    Hi Karla,
    I’m Joy’s friend Janet, and when Joy told me about your blog party, I really, *really* wanted to join in, but alas, I could not. (Explanation on my blog!) But, in the better-late-than-never vein, I just posted what I love about my holiday home & I’d love it if you could stop by!
    Thanks,
    J.
    PS. Am totally stealing your great tiast 7 egg breakfast recipe– it’s too cute!

    Reply
  35. britt-sparkled vintage charm

    I was already excited to buy the new Romantic Country mag because my sweet friend Fifi is the guest editor,but now I am even more excited to get it because you are in it!! How fun!! 🙂 The tree look amazing!! thanks so much for the idea!! 🙂
    xo Britt

    Reply
  38. Ele

    Congratulations on your article. I’ve actually been looking for that magazine, but as yet haven’t had luck in the town where I live. I’m sure it will show up somewhere! Love the tree idea and the colors you chose are lovely!

    Reply
  42. Norma Conway

    Egg in the Hole was one of my absolute favs. when a kid. We didn’t have much money then so this was sometimes supper too! I love that you call it by the name I knew it as. Often names change by community, etc. As an adult here is my egg in the hole these days: Thick slice Italian crusty bread fried and with the egg cooked in the middle just like usual. But then (work quickly so that everything is warm/hot): slice an avacado and place on top of the egg. Have already fried green tomatoes at the ready. Place them on top of the avacado. The sliced cooked tomatoes will just sort of moosh up. Salt or not. I like mine open-faced but you can top it with another slice of toasted Italian bread and I’m here to take bets that this will be one of the top 3 fav. sandwiches known to man and womankind. Enjoy! p.s. the bottle brush trees break my heart. Truly there is magic in these little things.

    Reply
  46. Liisa

    Hi,
    I just found your lovely blog and saw this tip about bottlebrush trees. Great!….Only problem for me, living in Sweden, is to find these bottlebrush trees! Can You tell me where to buy them?? Online store if possible
    Thank´s
    Liisa at Ottilias Veranda

    Reply

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