Bottle Brush Trees
November 18, 2012
I never run across the vintage bottle brush trees. I think they are somewhat scarce.
I purchased some of the cheap ones at Menard's. The ones that go with the Christmas villages.
This is what they look like. Very dark green with snow flocked tips and white plastic bases.
I don't particularly like the plastic bases so I tied squares of burlap on mine. I could have used a bigger square on the large tree and another pair of hands. I hot glued a piece of silver beaded garland on the the small three and small silver and red ball ornaments on the big one.
They look almost black in these photos.
Then I hot glued on little cardstock tags on these two bottle brush trees.
Then I made it more complicated and messy, and bleached some of the bottle brush trees in water and chlorine bleach. After they were rinsed and dried, I put Mod Podge on this one with a brush and added mica snowflakes.
These in front were bleached and glittered.
I think I prefer the mica flakes. It was less clumpy.
What a mess on my kitchen table!
Do you like bottle brush trees?
I purchased some of the cheap ones at Menard's. The ones that go with the Christmas villages.
I don't particularly like the plastic bases so I tied squares of burlap on mine. I could have used a bigger square on the large tree and another pair of hands. I hot glued a piece of silver beaded garland on the the small three and small silver and red ball ornaments on the big one.
Then I hot glued on little cardstock tags on these two bottle brush trees.
Then I made it more complicated and messy, and bleached some of the bottle brush trees in water and chlorine bleach. After they were rinsed and dried, I put Mod Podge on this one with a brush and added mica snowflakes.
These in front were bleached and glittered.
I think I prefer the mica flakes. It was less clumpy.
What a mess on my kitchen table!
Do you like bottle brush trees?
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These turned out fabulous Carlene!! Love all of the white ones together and the ones in the galvanized pots are so cute too. Now I can't wait to get at mine! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I'll take 2 dozen in assorted sizes and colors, please!
ReplyDeleteI've got a few old trees, but you're right, they're hard to find nowadays. Now I want to make some, too! Menard's will probably be sold out of trees in a few days after your post circulates. :@
I do like them, I don't have any but I think I like the white ones your created better!
ReplyDeleteLove bottle brush trees! I have a lot of vintage ones--even in white--which are now sort of a yellow. Your white trees are just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I do love bottle brush trees and the old one's seem impossible to find. The one's you altered are really fun! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute!! I love the bottle brush trees. I just did a couple of posts using them in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThey are so versatile.
Judy
Love them and love yours! I saw sets of them at Big Lots (we don't have Menards here) and I'm thinking I need to buy a set or four now ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love bottle brush trees! Yours look great! The burlap is a sweet idea! So cute! I have bleached some myself. It's kind of fun. I love what you did with yours!! They look great!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE bottle brush trees! I found 2 at an estate sale late in the summer and this post has reminded me to start hunting for where I put them. I love all of yours but especially the ones in the galvanized buckets. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI do like them. The buckets and the burlap look nice. Not sure I would have the patience to belach them but I like those with the mica flakes.
ReplyDeleteAll of them look great! You are so creative. laurie
ReplyDeleteWell...first off. I love the little bits of burlap you added!
ReplyDeleteI like the bottle brush trees. I didn't know you could bleach them.
I learn stuff all the time, blogging! LOL...
Pat
You know how I love the trees. I choose the ones with the mica flakes best. Next the ones in the zinc pots are adorable. Also I love that spray painted village - how great an update!
ReplyDeleteYou know I love them! They look so good with the little banners in the zinc pots-
ReplyDelete♥Linsey
I don't have any of the bottle brush trees, but I do like them. I think you did a fantastic job with your "cheap ones from Menards"! Thanks for sharing them with us!!
ReplyDeleteI love how they look in those buckets. What an invention!
ReplyDeletehugs x
Crystelle
This turned out so beautiful. I'm following on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE bottle brush trees! The white ones are expensive ... over 10 for the small ones. I like your idea of bleaching them though. I've already got the bleach and the mica flakes so this is tempting!
ReplyDeleteI have seen many of the bottle brush trees, so I am curious about their history. I am totally LOVING yours!!! I like the dark green ones as well as the bleached ones! What a clever idea! Thanks so much for sharing. Now I'm gonna have to go looking for some to play with!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the white trees. The dark ones are so boring. I bleached a few this year and really enjoying them. I used Epson Salts for snow. I like the look of the burlap on the base. I wanted to cut slices from a tree limb, but did not get around to it. Maybe next year. Thanks for the inspirations for repurposed Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Blessings,
Audrey Z.