Christmas trees in miniature

Alfredo Cattabiani in his book "Florario" writes that till the Ancient Egypt the fir (Abies alba) is considered the tree of the nativity. In Greece ot was sacred to Artemis, the Moon. In North Europe and Northern Asia the fir is considered a Cosmic Tree, tied to the winter solstice.

In the Middle Age in Norse and in ancient Germanic territories, a fir was brought inside home and decorated with wreaths, painted eggs and sweets. Only in 1840, at French Court, the fir became the Christmas Tree.

Also this year I've made Christmas trees in miniature, some very little, protected under glass domes, some larger, always in 1/12 scale.

I've covered the trees with white paint, decorated with beads, bows, tiny glitters; a very useful pick up tools, with a sticky tip, helped me: the Pinflair, you can see it on Joanna Sheen website.

These little trees are better than my real Christmas tree, maybe I'll post some picture of it... maybe.

Merry Christmas 2013

1. Crochet Christmas Hanging Decoration - Vumap
2. Crochet bells – Gomitolo E Uncinetto
3. Christmas tree garland – The Soul of theRose
4. Pocket Journal Christmas - Quor

Old, tired Holyday, harbringer of light in spite of everything.

Holly leaves #2

Holly again! This time as a lovely bobby pin :)

You will need

• paper (250 gr)
• air-drying clay or wooden balls
• light and dark green acrylic paint
• red acrylic paint
• ivory acrylic paint
• protective varnish
• bobby pin
• pencil
• scissors
• paint brush
• embossing tool
• shaping mat
• white glue
• cyanoacrylate glue

Follow the previous project HERE up to green painted leaves.

1. Paint the edge of the leaves with the ivory paint.

2. Before the white paint dry, coat with the light green from the edge to the inner part of the leaves.

3. Glue the red little balls.

4. Cut a strip of paper and paint with green varnish.

5. Put the strip o paper inside the bobby pin.

6. Glue the holly leaves to the paper strip.

Arrange the holly pin in your hair.

Only for personal use, commercial use is not allowed.

Holly leaves #1

The question mark in the last post was hidden this project :)

A simple decoration to fix on Christmas wreath, gift boxes, nice corners in your home.

You will need

• paper (250 gr)
• air-drying clay or wooden balls
• green acrylic paint
• red acrylic paint
• protective varnish
• magnet (optional)
• pencil
• scissors
• paint brush
• embossing tool
• shaping mat
• white glue
• cyanoacrylate glue

1. Draw three Holly leaves and cut out with scissors.

2 . Put the leaves in the shaping mat and press the edge with the embossing tool. The thorns will rise up.

3. Paint the leaves on both sides and let dry. Paint with protective varnish on both sides and let dry again.

4. Mould by hand three little balls from air-drying clay, let dry.

5. Paint the balls with the red varnish. When dry, paint with protective varnish.

6. If you like, glue a magnet on the back.

Have fun! :)

Only for personal use, commercial use is not allowed.

An ancient talisman

Ilex aquifolium is the Latin name for holly. Alfredo Cattabiani in his book "Florario" writes that the ancient Romans brought branches of holly during Saturnalia, the days before the winter solstice, as talismans against evil spells.

An echo of this tradition has reached us and in the present holly is a symbol of Christmas.

I think it is a good omen to write again on this blog with a post dedicated to holly.

During the past days I've prepared some miniatures with little paper leaves and tiny handpainted berries. The writing NOEL is already gone in UK, the two wreaths are in my shop and the greeting bunch will follow them on tomorrow and then... what is that question mark?

Curious ;)

I'm back

Winter is coming, the sun goes to bed early and the dark hours grow. I cannot work under the electric light so I have decided to write on my blog in the afternoon and I hope don't give up this time :D