Sunday, December 9, 2012

Crazy Crafty: Gettin' Christmas Crafty

I am normally not a crafter.  I don't have the patience, the time, the skill, or the money (crafts are EXPENSIVE) to make something that is set on a shelf and/or put away in a cupboard never to be seen again.  Don't misunderstand, I appreciate the skills of you serious crafters out there.  To be perfectly honest, I think it is out of pure, unadulterated jealousy at the nimbleness of your fingers and your never-ending ingenuity, that leaves me at odds with crafts.  Having said that, when the crafting bug bites, I bite right back - generally biting off far more than I can chew.

We live near a little plot of land that is a bastion of unachievable perfection in the world of horticulture/landscaping, namely Roger's Gardens.  For decades it has been, as A Christmas Story so beautifully puts it, a "yearly bacchanalia of peace on Earth and good will to men" - at least for the Martha Stewart set.  We try to go at Christmas time every year because the gardens are transformed into as much of a winter wonderland as Southern California can offer; stately pines end up being more lights than needles, an abundance of Christmas decorations of all sorts are available, and Santa Claus is there. A couple of years ago, while sidling through the crowds and outcroppings of merchandise, I found some tabletop, tinsel trees with beaded garlands and miniature ornaments.  In my eyes they had the primitive quality of mid-century Christmas decorations and all the sparkle of wacky tacky.  I turned one over to check the price tag and nearly had my first heart attack when I saw that this puny, little, ten-inch bit of Chinese manufacture was fifty dollars!  Before my friends could be embarrassed by the volume at which I shouted, "Fifty Dollars?!!  I could make this," I was at the 99 Cents Only Store sourcing materials for my trees.

My trees - not perfect but they get the point across
It took me two years to get them made; I told you, I'm not a crafter.
The total cost per tree is less than three dollars!
I guess that last sentence could have gone without saying...

As fate would have it, we were out doing some thrifting the other day and what did I spy, but one of those selfsame, coronary-inducing trees from Roger's Gardens.  At 96 percent off of the original price, we strapped it to the roof of the wacky wagon and brought it home.

The inspiration for my 99 Cents Store specials.
It's kind of like a glittering version of the Charlie Brown tree.
I wish there were more; I still love them!
The evidence is there, I am just not much of a crafter.  At least my trees are kind of funny and are entirely commensurate with the style guidelines of wacky tacky, right?

Have you been doing any wacky tacky Christmas crafting this year?

Roger's Gardens
2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd
Corona del Mar, CA
(949)640-5800



Cheers!

Mr. Tiny  

18 comments:

  1. Well, bully for you!!! I think your Christmas crafting trees came out devine!!! In fact, I think the ones YOU made look better than the Hong Kong specials! It kills me to see today's prices (highly inflated) stuck on some of the dime store merchandise that probably cost .59 when it was new. Anyway, remember, there aren't any rules in crafting. It's your own style of creativity that counts. Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! That is a huge compliment coming from the Queen of Christmas Crafting! Prices on EVERYTHING astound me these days.

      Delete
  2. I cannot imagine that tree costing 50 big ones! What the actual heck?! In any case, I think your gold ones are better, so there! Take that 50 dollar tree! :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Melanie! Hahahaha...the problem is I didn't really save any money. Knowing me, I probably just turned around and spent it on other stuff I didn't need.

      Delete
  3. I like your version better than the (what in the what) $50 version. They're kind of Hollywood Regency meets Charlie Brown's Xmas Tree! I think they look be-YOOT-iful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa! It's all I can do to class up the joint around here!

      Delete
  4. I love your versions! And you have a pair! And it didn't cost $100 (eek).

    I used to think I was a big crafter, until Pinterest came along to make me feel meager. lol But I -have- done some Christmas crafting this year from supplies around the house. 4 quilted coasters and a matching small runner from gnomey Christmas fabric a friend gave me, and pom pom garlands for above the doors in our hallway, to make up for the fact that we have paint samples on the walls and visible plaster where my dad replaces the thermostat back in *mumble* July *mumble*. And for our cocktail party I made name flags to adorn straws, and cheese flags. Because my mom always makes cheese flags. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tasha! Are you posting pictures of all of your stuff online? The few pictures that I saw of your party looked pretty awesome! Keep up the good crafty work; I need the inspiration.

      Delete
    2. Thanks! I'm going to try and see if I can round them up into a post. :D

      Delete
    3. Great! I can't wait to see it all!

      Delete
  5. It looks great! I know what you mean on price too. 50's-60's kitch stuff has started to catch on in our neck of the woods and that is bad news bears. Luckily i've got most of the "over-the top pieces" Iv'e pined for already. Go have a look on my "Thanksmass 1958!" post. I think you are the only one who can truly appreciate the "TV Yule log" as much as I do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mick! It looks like you guys had an awesome party with plenty of fun, food, and good friends. Who could ask for anything more?

      Delete
  6. As part owner of Roger's Gardens (at least I have made a sizable investment into the business), we are very pleased about your competitive endeavors this holiday season. Do you want a job?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have to admit that I like your trees waaaaay better than the original tree. "Go gilded or go home!" I always say. I think that you're QUITE the crafter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really?!?!?! I still favor the original but my wallet thanks me for going the cheap route. Thanks Eartha!!!

      Delete
  8. Glad to know I'm not the only non-crafty person in the vintage world! I love so many crafty looking things, I have "ingredients" for a gajillion projects, but do I make'em myself? Never. Congrats for getting farther than I ever have!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I keep trying, but nothing ever looks Pinterest worthy. I guess I'll stick to my sewing!

      Delete