Make It Merry

I'm blog hopping for 14 days with Diane and the Make it Merry Gang...14 days of DIY Christmas decor!

My assignment:  Christmas Trees.

I've been wanting to make a tree out of scrap wood for a few years now, so this just gave me the nudge I needed. 


Should you like to make one...I'll show you how I made mine.  First you need to create a center post stand.  I used a 2x4 and four 1x6 pieces for the base.  The measurements are whatever you want or have on hand. :)


This is what the base looks like.  I suppose there is a name for such a configuration. A stand like this could be used for so many things besides a tree.  A coat rack and sign post come to mind now.


After screwing in the first two boards, you just rotate the stand and add the third, then fourth.  I pre drilled all the holes.


Next, I laid out the scrap pieces of wood I picked out for the tree.  A couple of them I did cut just a little, but mostly I just played around with what I had.  Some are drawer front pieces, one is part of a coat rack, one a cupboard piece, some from tables and so on.  Just keep rearranging until you like what you have. I then scrubbed them all clean with hot soapy water.


  When dry, I screwed each of the pieces in place from the back on the post. (pre drill)  After a few of them, it got awkward and I had to have my husband help me hold them and drill them in.  If my work table would have been cleared off I think I could have managed on my own but it wasn't. :)  It was fun to have him help me anyway.


All done!  I experimented with adding some vintage ornaments and my sparkle light bulbs, but decided I like it just as is with a couple of birds.  It won't be staying in this spot, but I needed to take pictures where I had some natural light.


That teal wainscoting is my favorite scrap wood.  I've used some of it here before.


I left the hardware just "as is" on the pieces. I enjoy the randomness.


Of course, every tree needs a topper.


Mine is baling wire around an old metal embroidery hoop.  Those embroidery hoops come in handy!
I nailed it into a block of wood on the post.



If you would like to see another scrappy DIY tree, click here to see my posts for last year's Junkle Bells tree.

Here's the big list again for the Make it Merry blog hop.  You can click on each one and follow along.

nifty thrifty things the blue velvet chair homework project possessed meridian road modern country style Truly Lovely home sweet homemade Jill Ruth & Co. Rustique Art hello lovely inc. Decor to Adore Inspire Me Heather Ladybird Ln Image Map

31 comments

  1. Oh Jill, this is wonderful. I have been waiting to see what you would come up with! What a fun use for all the wood scraps around this house.

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  2. I'm in LOVE with this tree, Jill, especially since I decorate my house with nothing but trees each year. I am going to look for old wood to see if I can make something similar. This is adorable. I'll give you credit and link to your tutorial if I make it! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  3. I absolutely love your scrap wood tree and completely agree about the wonderful suprises that the latches and other hardware add to the branches. What a fantastic idea, and your craftsmanship is superb. Those sweet little birdies look perfectly at home perched on the boughs and the embroidery hoop star is exactly the right touch for adorning the top. I'm such a huge fan of your style! Thank you ever so much for sharing this superb project xoxo, Diane

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  4. Love it! I've been wanting to make one too...it turned out wonderful.
    ~Heidi

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  5. so original and rustic! I love that :) I can see many variations coming from your awesome idea.
    thank you for sharing with us.

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  6. That's great! You had all the perfect elements...the drawer pulls and hooks really add character!!

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  7. Love the scrap wood tree! It is wonderful. I think my favorite part is the star. I may have to "borrow" that idea.

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  8. Augh! This is AWESOME!!! Dang... I'm going digging through the wood piles. LOVE it.

    ;-D robelyn

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  9. I love your rustic tree! I think I could scrounge up enough boards to make one for my yard!

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  10. EEK! I LOVE IT! Really love it! Now I'm feelin' the pressure to perform...because I'm up on the list for tomorrow's 14 Days show. Jill, this is absolutely lovely.
    Michael

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  11. Jill, it's so rustic and warm looking. Great job! I like it with those birds.

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  12. OH my gosh.....how cute is that?! The problem with blog hopping to discover other people's talents in creating--means I wanna create! NOT that that's truly a problem...LOL

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  13. you are such an inspiration Jill! love your tree so much, so clever". Mx

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  14. your tree is an absolute wonder dear Jill
    Love it from star to stem!
    oxo

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  15. ahhh! i love this tree, and it doesn't seem right to call something so lovely 'scrappy!' it appeals to so many of my sensibilities, and the fact that it is rustic is such a refreshing change from so much manufactured 'perfectness' dontcha think?

    so happy to join the make it merry crew (my turn on friday)and gather so much inspiration.

    michele

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  16. Love, love, love this....and the tree topper using the embroidery hoop was pure genius!!!
    Jane

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  17. Well, I just love this - it's super cute! Great tutorial too, nice job!!

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  18. I love this! I may make one for my front door next year - going to pin it!

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  19. Wow! I love this tree!! Super cute!! :)
    xoxo,
    Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}

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  20. what a fantastic tree - I love it! I've seen a few of these around too - but yours is so much better with the hardward left intact...and that topper is to die for!
    BTW - like your festive blog header too!

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  21. I LOVE this!! That is what I call a beautiful artificial tree ... No plastic!

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  22. Oh you clever woman! I adore your creation. Well done.

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  23. This is marvelous!! I love the drawer at the bottom! I'm pinning this. The little birds are just the right amount of embellishment for it.

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  24. Wow!
    I love this tree!!!!!!
    So beautiful in its simplicity!

    ...about your question on my site..yes i did the ceramic"pots".I´m glad that you like them.

    Hugs

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  25. This is such a neat idea!!! It would fit perfectly with my 'rustic' Christmas decor!!!

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  26. I LOVE it! From the topper right down to the bottom!

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  27. Jill. I love it. and, wanted to say hello...so, hello, kindred friend.

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  28. How did I miss this?....oh that darn job of mine makes me miss all the fun stuff!
    Still loving those cute glitter bulbs of yours.

    Hope the kiddos feel better soon.

    hugs
    Carole

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  29. That's great! You had all the perfect elements...the drawer pulls and hooks really add character!!

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Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit!

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