Monday, January 21, 2008

"HOMEMADE MEMORIES" :
Valentine's Day
~Monday~
The Valentine Tree
I started this tradition with my daughters when they were young.
It started as an Easter/Spring tree and expanded to other holidays and special occasions.
We usually gathered twigs or small branches and painted them white. If I found some interesting twisty branches I would save them for several years... or start fresh.
One year we hung the tree with small decorated heart-shaped cookies tied with ribbons.
This year I kept my Christmas branches in the same place and added small ornaments to the branches.
I like to use our Valentine Tree as the centerpiece on the table, however these are very long twigs and aren't suitable So they remain in our bedroom.
Last night when I crawled in bed to read, the tree cast a warm atmosphere in the room.
I felt all cozy and peaceful as I read... with memories guarding over me.
Some of the ornaments are very old... some new.
A close-up into the thick of things.


I associate Valentine's Day with chocolate.
I found several chocolate ornaments a number of years ago
and they are so perfect for the tree.


There are lots of these little hearts on the tree. They are made from red, white, or pink polymer clay. I think this brand was Sculpey. It's easy to work with... but it is toxic. I rolled out pieces of the clay and cut out hearts with a small canape cutter. Then put a small bent wire (about 26 gauge) into the top of each heart. They need to be baked... directions are on the package. Bake them on tin foil on top of a cookie sheet. Cool right on the tin foil and hang!

A trip to the scrapbook store will provide you with lots of materials for making ornaments.
You can even make small paper chains, heart cookies, candy, etc.
Let your imagination go wild!!
So many possibilities!
Your tree can be small and be adorable. Experiment!
ENJOY!!
Joni






13 comments:

Nan said...

This is so precious, I never would have considered a Valentine tree!!
Hey, you need to add an ornament for your team! You must have "loved" their performance last night!

Mom IsAmagpie said...

That's beautiful, I love it! but what I'm really wondering is that a big piece of Polish Pottery? I can't tell but if it is, I think I'm in love.

Molly said...

What a fun idea! Love the chocolate ornaments! :)

dutchcomfort said...

You have so many great ideas to celebrate and decorate Valentine! I love your branches with all the ornaments, warm and cosy and cute!

melanie said...

Brilliant idea for the tree. Sorry about the Packers, we were all bummed. Except Caleb - our fickle fan who always picks the winning team.:)
I'm hoping to finish the book tonight even though I have 300 pages left...we'll see.
mel

Helen said...

OH Joni! Your house would be an amazing place to visit - let alone live in! How beautiful is this!!!!! The red branches with all those beautiful ornaments.....just gorgeous! Well off to the hardware store today...Hugh can't wait to see what he gets to make today!

Nan said...

Oops!!! I have a cold, what can I say, I thought you were rooting for the Giants!!! LOL, sorry bout that! Like I said, I have a cold, yep, that's it, that's the problem, my ears are plugged and um... my brain won't work right, and you forget, I'm a "flighty" Nannybird, and um.. since my ears are plugged, I, ah... couldn't hear what my eyes were reading and um... well.. you have to see where this is going, right?!!! Hugs anyway? LOL Nan

Angie said...

Too much fun! Thanks for your note on the blog. I'm feeling some better. Kinda tired.

Thankfully, I have this wonderful guy taking care of me.

Heleen said...

Oh, Joni what a super valantine tree! (oh and your vase will be great whit my polish pottery collection..) great post, again.

Wendy said...

Joni what a beautiful idea!! Thank you for sharing!! I love your blog and I'm so thankful you take time out of your busy schedule to share all these neat ideas! I'm also thankful Helen shared your website with me! Hugs ~Wendy~

Junie Moon said...

I love the tree branch idea! I've done this for Halloween by painting tree branches black but never even thought about other holidays or seasonal decorations. So fun!

Wanda said...

Oh my goodness, Joni, I should add all your wonderful Valentine pictures to my "kissing post"!!!
Love Valentines Day, but my Country Kitchen will be decorated with packing boxes and newspaper this holiday....but next Valentines Day I will have a cute little cottage to decorate for all the holidays!!! Yeah! In the meantime, can I just come to your post and enjoy yours????

LOL :)

The Wooden Spool said...

This is adorable.....you beat me to it! I have been envisioning something like this with white branches and using it for easter and Christmas as well......how fun! I want to try it this weekend!