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DIY Tabletop Christmas Trees Using Vintage Tart Tins and Icing Cones

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I enjoyed creating these DIY tabletop Christmas trees using vintage tart tins and icing cones. I had everything on hand, and most of what I used came from past estate sales. I saw the tart tins and icing cones in my stash one day many months ago, and thought what cute mini Christmas trees they would make with just a little modification, and hubby’s help.

My Beautiful Mini Tabletop Trees

mini-tabletop-christmas-trees-on-hutch

The Supplies

Of course, I forgot to get a photo of the tart tins and icing cones before I started, but here’s the rest of the supplies I used:

  • binder twine
  • red and green glitter
  • 2 paper napkin designs
  • pinwheel beads

mini-tabletop-christmas-tree-supplies

Basic Construction

I commissioned hubby to put the trees together for me. He soldered wire to the tart tins, which went up through the holes in the narrow end of the icing cones, leaving about 1-1/2″ of wire extending from the top. It wasn’t at all flexible, so I studied how to decorate it. I found the pinwheel beads at a recent estate sale. Luckily they fit over the wire, and provided nice color.

pinwheel-beads-used-to-decorate-the-top-of-the-tree

Decoupage Method

The icing cones easily took napkin decoupage using the accepted method:

  • separating a 3-ply napkin into the final one-ply with the design
  • Matte Mod Podge applied to icing cones first
  • Then the paper napkin was applied to that
  • As many of us know, it doesn’t work well to apply Mod Podge to the napkin, which too easily tears it.
the-decoupaged-icing-cone-with-glitter-applied-over-that
Glitter applied over the decoupage

I was pleased with how it looked, but a little glitter makes everything look more festive! And I took it a step further to glitter the tart tin bases.

the-glittered-tart-tin-bases

But Wait…There’s More to the Story

Now you really don’t know the whole story here. These look perfect now with their round wooden bases. I found out the hard way that my trees needed wooden bases. They were a bit top heavy, even with the lightweight addition of the pinwheel beads. One day recently, the worst happened. One of my trees fell over on the floor, which was open season as far as my DAWG, Leo was concerned. Yes, our one-year old was about to get in on the act.

leo-with-a-favorite-toy

Here’s our “angel” with one of his favorite toys…a thrifted stuffed animal that he killed a while back. I should mention that he has a basket FULL of toys, but no, he wants whatever I’ve got, whatever I’m working on. Hubby found him with my treasured tart tin mini Christmas tree on the floor that he was about to kill. Horrors!

Last Step

This is when we realized the trees needed bases. Tragedy avoided.

Here’s a final look at my beloved trees. I really like how they turned out.

mini-tabletop-christmas-trees

You don’t want to miss the rest…

And now, before you go, why not check out the inspired creations by my talented blogging buddies from the “Blogging 50” Facebook group? Yep, we’re living proof that it’s not just the young bloggers who have it all together! We’re an all female group of…ahem…mature….ladies, who have great ideas and lots of wisdom.

blogging-fifty-christmas-blog-hop-photo

The Creative Christmas Link Party is hosted by Janet of Shabbyfufu and the the bloggers of Blogging 50. Please visit all of the talented bloggers below!


Sharing with these Link Parties….

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Florence

Owner at Vintage Southern Picks
As an experienced online seller for 19 years, I reveal some of my selling secrets. In my Vintage Finds posts, I show what I buy for resale, and what sells per month. Because many items are vintage and need TLC, I show the refurbish process to make them attractive for resale. I love picking, junking, thrifting, and shabby chic style.
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Latest posts by Florence (see all)

Comments

  1. These are ADORABLE!! I love using napkins/Mod Podge for decorating – always on the hunt for pretty ones to use for projects. I’ve never seen the decorating tubes but will be keeping an eye for them now for sure.

    Reply

  2. These are Adorable Florence! I love how you put them all together with the cones wrapped with the pretty napkins, and the tins for the base. I’m glad that the hubby was there to save your tree from a killing, lol. And able to fix them so no more toppling over.

    Reply

  3. Oh Florence these are adorable! And your story is too funny! I’ve never even heard of icing cups – learn something every day:) Great repurposed Christmas craft. xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

    Reply

    • Thanks Tuula! Loved your angels too, although I haven’t had a chance yet today to read very many of the awesome posts. I’ll be coming though. I saw yours on FB. Thanks for pinning!

      Reply

  7. Oh dear Leo, what are you doing with Mommy’s stuff? 😀 It doesn’t look like he damaged anything though. Maybe he was just trying to check if they were stable and would last a lifetime? They look lovely too Florence and it’s such a neat idea.

    Reply

  8. Florence these are so adorable. They look as if they came out of a Dr. Seuss book. And you cannot blame Leo for wanting a piece of the action! 😉

    Reply

    • Thanks Mary. I guess they do look similar to Dr. Seuss. I hadn’t thought of that! Oh yes, Leo…such a trial he is. Always wanting to play & chase our cats.

      Reply

  9. So sweet! You always say that you’re not crafty Florence, but I’ve seen some very creative pretties on your site. Including this one! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  10. Hi Florence,
    I’m a modge podge lover too and your Christmas trees turned out adorable. I’m really enjoying looking through your posts. Your creativity is fabulous!
    Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving,
    Jemma

    Reply

  14. Thanks so much for visiting!! I have found a place in my Living Room where I will be displaying my vintage pop up card. These are adorable!! Thanks for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply

  18. Florence, your Christmas trees are lovely! That’s too funny that Leo wants whatever you have regardless of his toys. I’m glad you found the wooden base solution for your trees.

    Reply

  19. Cute, cute, cuter!! So, the icing things are tin? (Or aluminum?) When you mentioned them in the other post, I thought they were going to be the plastic tubes. Which would be cute as well. They’d have to be stuffed but would be lighter weight. Maybe even too light. And I’m not sure how to attach the wire inside…. Hmmm…. Maybe a thought for next year. Definitely want to do one of the versions next year! I’m a-pinnin’. 🙂

    Reply

    • Yes they are tin. Hubby did the wire part…said he used “ceiling wire.” They threaded through the hole in the end of the tin. Thanks for pinning!

      Reply

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