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i’ve been enthralled this season by the decor trend of tabletop trees. often small, lopsided and a little scraggly, i love the unique feeling of sweetness they have. some are fully decorated, some look as though they’ve had lights thrown on them, and others are left totally natural and bare. they’re perfect for small spaces, budget decorating or anyone who wants to add a twist to the traditional tree. though i already have my tree for the season, i’m tempted to go get a little guy to put across the room! i think they would even be nice to leave up year round (sans the ornaments).

what size tree do you have this year?

wrap up: {branch} {christmas} {holiday} {scraggly} {small} {tabletop} {tree}

i first got inspired to order some miniature bottle brush trees after seeing this pretty project from jeni baker over at in color order. with full intentions of bleaching them, then dying them pink and green. however, i had to stop half way through the process!

you see, my theme for christmas this year is white, white, white. actually, it’s the theme for the whole house! i love how sweet, simple and clean it looks. after i finished bleaching these little trees white, i fell in love with them and the winter wonderland they created. just look:

i think they’re so pretty and just darling as a center piece. here’s how i did it:

first, you’ll have to get your hands on some mini bottle brush trees. your local craft store should carry them but if not, you can find them here or here.

second, all you have to do is let them soak in a bath of warm water and a little bleach (i used 3 capfulls in my sink). the color begins to fade almost instantly. i let mine soak for a few hours until they were completely white, then i simply rinsed them and set them upright on a paper towel to dry overnight.

if you’re only making white trees, then you’re done!

HOWEVER, if you’d like to dye your trees into a dreamy color combo like these beauties from jeni baker, then you’re half way there! my mom ended up making some pink ones of her own, and the process is really simple. all you need is some rit dye! here’s the how to:

to dye your bottle brush trees:

step one: bleach your trees, following the instructions above.

step two: combine your desired amount of rit dye and warm water in a glass bowl (follow package instructions), and let your tree soak. just keep an eye on the color and remove the tree when you’re happy with it. leaving it in longer will make the color darker or richer.

step three: remove the tree from the dye and rinse with cold water. set on a paper towel to dry.

step four: if you want to add a little bit of extra sparkle (like jeni did), add some glitter using a glitter pen, or glue and loose glitter.

have fun!

wrap up: {bleach} {bottle brush} {christmas} {diy} {dollhouse} {dye} {mini} {miniature} {rit} {trees} {white}

with shiny ornaments, strings of light and holiday parties in full swing, i can’t help but be drawn to all things golden. it’s winter’s way of shining through these dark and chilly evenings. it makes the season feel special, glittery and unforgettable, don’t you think?

1) gold scallop garland – $16 | 2) golden twig pencils – $13 | 3) faux gold deer – $99.99 | 4) double band brass ring – $62 | 5) large gold paper bowl – $68 | 6) vintage cube necklace – $24 | 7) gold porcelain mugs – $120 | 8) you make me happy when skies are grey – $40 | 9) gold leather mousepad – $35 | 10) gold leather clutch – $73

wrap up: {christmas} {gift guide} {glittery} {gold} {golden} {holiday} {metaillic} {metal} {new years}

as i mentioned earlier, one of my favorite things to do each year is choose a gift wrapping theme. one year it was recycled newspaper, the next was huge glittered initials for each package. last year i used kraft paper and made pretty bows, and this year i’m making ‘chalkboard’ packages! with a little black kraft paper and a few white paint markers, i think they’ve turned out to be really cute. here’s how i did it:

the first thing you’ll need is some black craft paper. i got mine right here and though i’m super happy with it, you should be warned: it’s a HUGE roll! i was so surprised when it came in the mail, i guess i didn’t take care to check out the dimensions! so anyways, we might be doing this next year, too. ;)

next you’ll need a white paint marker that will show up well on black paper. after some trial and error and visiting my local scrapbooking store, this is what i came home with:

1. tim holtz distress marker in ‘picket fence’. this one looks very ‘chalky’. it goes on clear, but quickly dries in white.

2. sakura pen-touch white. this is the one i used for almost all of the packages. it’s easy to work with and still hasn’t run dry, so one is probably plenty!

3. crayola white colored pencil. not the greatest option, but it does show up if it’s all you have.

4. painters opaque paint marker. this is another good option. the point is a bit finer than what i wanted, but would work great for detail work!

the next thing you’ll need is some good ideas! i took some time to sit down and jot down a few ideas before i got started so that i would have something to reference. really anything goes! just in case you would like to use some of the same motifs, i’ve made this a download for you to reference. just click on the image above and print!

so there you have it. my ‘chalkboard’ packages that have been so fun to make! they are simple, affordable and really cute all bundled together.

what are your packaging plans this year?

wrap up: {chalkboard} {christmas} {holiday} {packages} {paint} {paper} {pen} {white} {wrapping}

i haven’t had a christmas tree for three years now. since we’ve lived so far away from our families we were always traveling for nearly the entire month of december, so putting up a christmas tree was nearly pointless. instead, we just mooched off the enjoyment of our parent’s and sibling’s trees (and didn’t have to take them down after the holidays!).

but this year is different. for the first time in a long time, we were able to get a tree! it’s just one small perk of being back home. another small perk is that ‘home’ just so happens to be the 2nd largest producer of christmas trees in the states. YES! so, i started searching for local tree farms and finally decided upon one that sounded promising. with cider in hand we bundled up and headed out about 11 miles down a windy road.

upon arriving we were greeted by grandpa, a small dog and no one else in sight. as we inhaled our firsts breaths of christmas, we let toaster and the farm pup play in circles around us. our instructions were to go find the tree of our dreams somewhere on the several acres of trees and to only return when we’d chosen the one.

it wasn’t an easy task. all were either lopsided, asymmetrical, too short or too tall. until about 5 acres in… we spotted it! way up on the hill there was a perfectly straight, round and fluffy tree and it was just the right height. we marked the tree and returned. grandpa says, “did you bring a saw?” we giggled, then realized he was serious, then looked at each other with wide eyes. ‘um, well, we were hoping maybe we could borrow one of yours?‘.  he grabbed a small, 10 inch saw (apparently, ‘the big one’ was in his other truck) and drove us down to where it was located.

after about 5 minutes of sawing, david yelled ‘timber!’ as our pretty tree fell to the ground and got wisped away to be measured, bundled and strapped to the top of our car.

with sappy hands we returned and spoke fondly of our experience the whole way home. we quickly fastened it in a stand, watered it and turned in for the evening.

the next day, my mom came over and helped me decorate it. apparently i love these globe lights, because after i purchased several new boxes of them, i found the exact same ones in my christmas decor boxes.

we carefully unwrapped the ornaments i’ve collected over the years, and hung them each on the tree. i love nothing more than sitting by the fire at night with no light on in the house except for the ones on the tree. merry christmas!

wrap up: {christmas} {decorating} {farm} {lights} {ornaments} {tree}

hey guys! if you’ve been enjoying the roost tribe or know someone who would, you might be looking for a way to share it with them. to help, i’ve created a way for you to give anyone a membership to the roost tribe! it would be a great gift for a blogger, crafter, seller or creative of any type (or even yourself!).

there are two ways to give the membership:

1) purchase a 6 month membership to the roost tribe for $30
2) purchase a 1 year membership to the roost tribe for $60

included in each packet will be a personalized membership certificate showing everything that’s included, an 8×10 bonnie christine bouquet print and a ‘how to get started’ kit. 6 month memberships will get the packet in a neat pdf presentation that’s ready to print and give. 1 year memberships will have the choice of either receiving the packet via ready-to-print pdf OR opt to have it mailed to you on premium presentation paper (free shipping is included!). if you choose to get a kit mailed to you, be sure to order by december 15th for delivery by christmas.

give the gift of inspiration for months to come, it truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

the ‘not so’ fine print:

after you complete your purchase through paypal via the links above, i will get in touch with you via your paypal e-mail address. included in this e-mail will be an easy form for you to fill out sharing with me your information, preferences and the recipient’s information. in order to not spoil any surprises, all of the recipients roost tribe material will start on january 1st, 2013. just let me know if you have any questions!

wrap up: {christmas} {gift} {give} {kit} {membership} {packet} {print} {roost tribe}

each year i print out a little christmas gift list to help keep all the gifts i buy/make for others organized. this way, i can see what i’m giving everyone and make sure i don’t forget anything! this year, i’ve also added a ‘wrapped’ check box, just to make sure everything arrives in the mail and gets put under the tree.

i begin each year by jotting down the ideas i have for everyone (in pencil). then, as i purchase (or make) each item, i put a check mark in the box labeled ‘bought’. then, i check them off one more time as i wrap them just to be sure nothing gets forgotten. i also usually jot down the price next to the item, so i can keep track of what i spend each year!

because there’s nothing worse than having a loved one find your gift list, i’ve added an optional ‘side 2′ to this printable. to use, just turn your piece of paper over and print these two ‘no peeking’ labels on the back. fold from top to bottom, then right to left and the labels will show on both sides when your list is folded.

i hope this helps keeps your holidays organized! love, bonnie

p.s. don’t worry mom, this isn’t actually what i’m getting you!

wrap up: {arrived} {christmas} {download} {free} {gifts} {list} {printable} {wrapped}

this hostess loves to make people feel welcome, warm and comfortable. she makes dinners and gatherings feel special, but not pretentious. her love for cooking and homemaking is what brings people to gather around her table and they give thanks before diving in to the delicious meal. she is kind, talented and always someone you look forward to being around.

1) six stainless steel straws – $18 | 2) ash wood cutting board – $32 | 3) sparkle and shine tissue tassel – $45 | 4) 22k gold rim dish – $28 | 5) give thanks banner – $17.50 | 6) mason jar shaker set – $16 | 7) handmade cardamom marshmallows – $6.50 | 8) dahlia tea towels – $26 aud | 9) carved handle bottle opener – $20 | 10)  the hostess mug – $15 | 11) square doily coasters – $19 | 12) earth textured candlesticks – $29.99 | 13) paper mache bowl – $15

wrap up: {christmas} {cook} {gatherings} {gift guide} {her} {holiday} {homemaker} {hostess}