Sunday, December 14, 2008

Trimming The Tree - Free gift


Having decorated hundreds of Christmas trees through out my Career in Retail Merchandising and now as a designer. To me the mark of a good tree is one that looks good with the lights on or off. For this reason I all ways decorate ours with the lights off. (tree lights not room lights) You get a better sense of balance of color that way. I have a very methodical way of decorating the tree.

Lights off.


You get just a peek at the grandfather clock tucked inside the tree.



Antique child's sewing machine. The numbered boxes each contain a small set of ornaments that Zoe hangs on her tree in her room. Its like an advent calendar hidden in the tree.


Lights on!


My Favorite Ornaments - Coo Coo Clock , and a distorted view of me taking the picture in the silver teapot.

Double seater sleigh, with a small book with Zoe's monogram.


Acorn Orns. one of my favs.


Small Amish Carriage we got in New York. Joe's Santa plane ornament. The kids get a new ornament each year. When they get married they take there set of orns with them.


The view from the bottom.

Now for your Free gift - set of 4 gift tags.

Download the PDF file here

Print them on card stock, I like the brown paper color myself.

Enjoy!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your tree is absolutely beautiful! Very Victorian and I love the stories that go with the ornaments, too. Clearly you love this season! Thank you for inviting me into your home and Merry Christmas! ~Arleen

Cyndi said...

That is a beautiful tree!!! I love how full it is with all your pretty things. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

so pretty and cherry!

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

That is a STUNNING tree! I love how you've used 'non-traditional' ornaments like clocks and carriages. Thanks for the tour!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is a beautiful tree!

sandra/tx said...

Derek, that is one spectacular tree. I love the tip about decorating it without the lights on. I love your blog!

Karin said...

Oh my gosh. GORGEOUS!!!! Really beautiful work. I love all your unique ornaments!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Lovely tree...Lovely blog!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Derek for sharing this absolutely gorgeous tree!

Anonymous said...

when I saw your gift it brught tears to my eyes...thank you

Unknown said...

Absolutely LOVE your artwork. Glad to have gotten Grandmother's Attic, etc. on your retirement. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas

vivian said...

You are by far my favorite designer. I especially love your old house elements. I would like to tell you that last week my homestead was torn down as well as a brick house next door, a church, a seperate church hall and a brick schoo that had been built during my lifetime to make room for a Walgreens. This has hit me more than I could imagine deapite having gone to the site earlier and saying goodbye. I lived there from 1942 until my marriage and the house and store wasn't sold until 1975.

Best to you and your in 2009
Vivian

amsangel said...

Thanks so much for these great tags, I might have to change my ways and not just write on the paper! Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

Merci

Unknown said...

wow I love your tree please tell me how you do it. I love the ribbons ornaments everything!

Anonymous said...

Hi Derek,I just love that tree it reminds so much from when i was a kid.Thank you for posting your photos.Thanks a bunch for the tags.You and your family have a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic New Year.
BrendaLC

Lori Crouch said...

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely Christmas tree. I now feel totally inadequate! But, at least, I can place your tags on my gifts, and make them all look better... Seriously, I love them and I thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wow your tree is beautiful!!! Thanks for the tags, they are lovely.

Unknown said...

Your tree is absolutely beautiful. It's very original and colorful.

Mad Hatter said...

What a beautiful Christmas tree. You certainly are a talented designer.