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Vintage Book Christmas Tree Craft Project

December 13, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I made Christmas trees using pages from a vintage children’s book.
(Consider this a great way to recycle damaged books that would otherwise end up in a crowded landfill. The old Dick and Jane book I used had torn and missing pages and was of no value to a reader.)
For my example, I made tree ornaments and paper bunting, but these trees can be used in a variety of creative ways such as holiday cards, bookmarks or as scrapbook embellishments.
To begin, start with a half circle. (Any size will work, but the size will determine your tree.)
To make my half circle, I placed the center of a bowl on the middle edge of a page and outlined around the top of the bowl. If you aren’t a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of crafter (like I am), you can use a template. But, it doesn’t have to be perfect…
Vintage Book Christmas Tree Craft Project
After you cut out your half circle, fold the right side over almost to the center of the page, placing the edge a tiny bit above the paper.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Fold the corner back. This point will be the top of your tree.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Flip over the paper.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Fold the top right side down (almost to the edge but not quite) to make a triangle.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Flip it back over again and voila! A Christmas tree.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
cute already!
Seriously, you can make dozens in no time…
Now for the best part!
Decorate your trees with supplies on hand—buttons, rick rack, glitter, ribbon, stamps, jingle bells, etc.
Hot glue tree trunks to the bottom using card stock or scrapbook paper.
For Christmas ornaments, hole punch the top and string a loop of ribbon to make a tree hanger.
vintage red buttons
vintage green rick rack and a jingle bell
I made bunting by stringing four trees together, stamping the word “Snow” and adding red glitter to the boughs.
red glitter, contrasting tree trunks, “Snow” bunting…
This project works well with scrapbook paper or sheet music as well. Just remember, both sides of the page show, so use paper with complementary front and back colors.
Whatdya think?
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

a Christmas memory: buying the tree…

December 12, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

Keiser Supply Company, our small town hardware store, received its shipment of Christmas trees in early December. We weren’t allowed to buy one until Momma could borrow Daddy’s truck to bring it home. And since Daddy worked AllTheTime, it was almost Christmas before we finally drove into town for our tree.
Way in the back warehouse where it was chilly, fresh Scotch pines propped against the wall. Momma held tree after tree upright so we could see from every angle.  
 
Momma said until the tree “fell” it was impossible to really know what it would look like. 
 
I didn’t know what she meant. 
 
I thought they were all beautiful. 

My sister and I circled through the Christmas forest inhaling fresh, fragrant evergreen until we became so cold, we agreed on a tree.
Mr. Cunningham tied our perfect specimen to the truck bed so it wouldn’t flip out into a field on the way home.
“Momma, should I ride back there with it?” I stared at the tree, worried it would get smashed by Daddy’s tools.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ll freeze to death.”
She wouldn’t let me.
nice little house on the prairie bonnets…
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
What if Christmas doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more? – Dr. Seuss (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

city sidewalks, busy sidewalks…

December 11, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

wordless wednesday…

Dallas at Christmas, Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park

in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas…

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.



Musical Pairing:

Original Silver Bells, Bob Hope & Marilyn Maxwell


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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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