Decorative Cord Wrapped Holiday Tree

 

It's that time again for our 'Do It Over' Designer's Blog Hop that happens the 4th Saturday of every other month! 'Do It Over' Designers is a group of talented bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY, hosted by Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. 

It's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new. Anything from fabric, old dishes, and decor to dressers and hutches. Items found in closets, cabinets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it! 

This month it's about Christmas in July! For my 'do over' project, I had to look high and low around my home for something to make! I found an old solar light panel that broke off from an outdoor light, some long sticks used for roasting marshmallows, dowel rods from the dollar store and from my stash, macrame cord that's several years old!

Can you guess what I'm going to make?  It's a decorative cord wrapped holiday tree! I saw similar trees on Youtube and wanted to create my own version using items from around my home. I love this type of holiday tree! It's a lovely idea to use even when it's not Christmas! It compliments so many different decorative styles - jncluding boho, vintage, shabby chic and even the farmhouse look! 

Let's begin by laying out the dowel rods in a triangular shape on top of parchment paper (to prevent sticking) that's on top of a cutting mat with measuring grid,  Then take the pointed end of a roasting stick and place in the middle of the dowels rods. Use the measuring grid to keep the rods evenly spaced.

Then measure out the bottom rod to meet the ends of the slanted rods and cut to fit on top. Secure rods with hot glue and let dry.         

To make fringe along the bottom rod, create a larks head knot around the wood rod by folding 10 inch pieces of cord in half, creating a loop on one end. Then drape the loop over the rod pulling the ends of the cord through the loop around the rod tight. 

Continue making lark's head knots along the entire length of rod to create a lovely fringed look.

Next, cut approximately 45ft of cording to wrap the tree. Fold in half to find the middle and glue the middle of the cord onto the back of the bottom center rod - stretching the cord out over the end slanted rods.

Then glue the cord to the bottom of the slanted rods.

Turn the tree over and begin wrapping the left cord over and around the center rod and back to the left side.

Then take the right cord over to the center rod and around, back to the right rod.

Continue alternating left, right cords, adding a bit of hot glue to help keep cords from slacking

Continue alternating cords and adding a bit of glue to the side rods to maintain the shape .  .  .

until you can no longer wrap the cord over and around.

Finish tip by wrapping cords around rods, cutting off excess and gluing in place.

Next, drill hole in solar panel to fit rod for a stand.

Add glue around base of tree rod and insert in solar panel.

For a decorative effect, wrap cord around base of tree rod and stand .  .  .

covering the actual solar panel and ending the cord by cutting cord at a slant and gluing in place.

And finally, unwrap the fringe cords, brushing the fibers out .  .  .

and trimming the ends.

What fun and whimsical is this!

Even when it's not Christmas!

Be sure to check out all the 'Do It Over Designers' listed below to see their lovely "do overs" too! 

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Little Vintage Cottage

Modern on Monticello

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers

Unique Creations by Anita

My Hubbard Home

The Apple Street Cottage

Birdz of a Feather