Author |
Message |
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:04 pm
Heh, Eggie, I thought maybe part of the tree didn't come out correctly in the shot. Well, gonna have to think about that one! Maris, your Dpt56 display is just stunning! (On top of my full-time job at Blue Cross, I used to work part-time in what was called Tabletop (china, crystal, picture frames, bridal registry, etc) dept at Strawbridge's during the Christmas season to bring in extra money--and I remember customers coming out of the woodwork looking for those Dpt 56 items. Lucky for me they were all housed in a separate store within the mall! Whew! Hmm, I may being getting a collection bug (beyond my Santa one)! Love it! How long have you been collecting them?
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:05 pm
Btw, I think this snippet of a tree captures our Vee:

|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:10 pm
I love this Asian-inspired one with lanterns, slippers, umbrellas and ribbons!
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:14 pm
One more, cuz I am not too sure what to think of it. Kinda crazy, but close-up rather spectacular:
The skirt is made of ribbons. I like that idea! Does anyone really hang that many balls??

|
Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:15 pm
I need Christmas help! I'm putting up my first live tree all by myself. I'm having problems getting it flat in the stand and I can't get it straight. Any tints??? Thank you! 
|
Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:25 pm
Vacanick, did you get someone to make a fresh cut for you? Preferably a level fresh cut? Since a lot of people are talking about putting up Fresh Christmas Trees, I'll turn to America's Master Gardener, Jerry Baker, for a great tip on keeping your tree the freshest it can be...Here Goes... " There's nothing like a fresh, great-smellin' Christmas tree to really spread that holiday cheer. To make your tree as beautiful and long lasting as possible, first when you get your tree home, cut 1" off the bottom of the trunk to remove the dried sap. Then mix up 2 cups of clear corn syrup, 2 tbsp. of bleach, and 4 One-A-Day Vitamins + Iron in a bucket of very warm water. Set the trunk in the bucket, and let it soak overnight. Finally, before bringing your tree inside, spray it with some anti-transpirant to help it retain its moisture through the holidays. And be sure to keep your tree watered at all times for the most amount of holiday cheer." Source ETA: I put a lot of stock in Jerry, but my concoction is a lot less pricey...some sugar and a little bleach is all I use in the water. It will drink up a lot of water in the first 24–48 hours so don't let it run dry.
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 7:41 pm
Do you own a saw? That's hard work. Vee is right about the 1" layer that should come off the bottom--if the place where you bought it didn't do that for you in front of you, and if you don't intend to place it in its stand right away. We have never tried any mixture to feed it, though! Also, Nic, NEXT TIME, take your base to the place where you are going to buy your tree--as we ALWAYS do now--a reputable place will cut that inch off-- AND will cut the tree trunk (circumference-wise) if necessary-- to allow it to fit into your tree stand perfectly. (They may cut and test, cut and test.) Good luck! ETA: Keep all shaved off pieces. You may need them to 'shim' up the tree in its stand--so it WILL sit straight.
|
Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 8:25 pm
Thanks for the hints. I still have questions ... is the tree supposed to sit flat in the bottom of the stand?? If so, I'll have to trim off some lower branches. The tree lot did cut off a bit at the bottom but that was all. Also, when I'm putting the tree in the stand ... is the tree standing up or on it's side?? btw .. I don't own a saw but I found that my large garden clippers will work.
|
Chiliwilli
Member
09-04-2006
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 8:34 pm
I watched a clip on the news about setting up your live tree and the tree person only said saw off the inch or so, set it up in the stand with plenty of water, make sure to check the water often when you first set it up because they suck it up fast at first, there is nothing you can 'feed' them that will make them any better off than plain water, be sure to let it relax before decorating probably 24 hours. Also, there is a new watering device for live trees that fits beside your tree and contains extra water but it looks like a wrapped package. I haven't seen one anywhere but try ACE Hardware maybe.
|
Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 8:38 pm
Eggie, those trees are beautiful. I love the Santa village tree. Thank you for sharing.
|
Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 9:14 pm
If you can, can you find out where they bought the tree from the brightly colored one? I have been looking for a fake tree like that, where there is a lot of room between the branches, so I can hang everything from and they can be seen. I loved them all, esp the Raggeddy Ann one. (Who has Lance's credit card, btw?)
|
Egbok
Member
07-13-2000
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 10:08 pm
Grooch, I'll see if I can find out for you. Now, if I had Lance's credit card, I would have bought the Raggedy Ann tree! ;)
|
Grooch
Member
06-16-2006
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 10:35 pm
Thanks, Egbok! And I will let you have the Raggedy Ann tree. I actually collect Raggedy Andy. 
|
Fabnsab
Member
08-07-2000
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:04 pm
anyone have any suggestion on how to hang fake garland inside? We tried the adhesive clips but they all fell. I dont want to just do tape because you can see it. We are trying to put garland around all of our arches indoors...TY heres my kitty in our tree. Most people would yell because she is in there. I yelled because I couldn't get a good angle for the pic!

|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:14 pm
Nic, we almost always have to trim off a branch or two at the bottom. Clippers work well for that purpose. And the tree can be on its side to do that. However, the tree should be standing while trying to determine if it is in a vertical position. (You can wriggle the stand on with it lying on its side--but then immediately move to stand it up to work on getting the tree to sit vertically. You need two people. One to hold it in what the person thinks is a straight position, the other to stand back and look at it and tell you if it truly is vertical. When you get the okay, then you tighten the screws or whatever comes with the stand to keep the tree anchored and steady. (Always check it again yourself; don't rely on the word of your 'helper.' Two heads are better than one!)
|
Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:15 pm
LOL, Fab, I'm a bad one to be giving advice about that cuz I love the staple gun and would use it in a second. LOL, that's a great picture!
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:18 pm
Fab--I just read an article about colored metal wire. This was gold, but I am sure you can find it in green, too. Craft supply stores or florist supply places should have it. (And that is exactly how the lights were fixed in place on a small artificial tree I use on my porch.) ETA: That IS a great picture. Little busybody!!!
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:22 pm
Oops, Fab. I see you want to place it on your doorway. Sorry. I was thinking you meant something placed on your tree. Hmm. Do you have a woodwork ledge at the top of the doorway? Some place where nails could be placed unseen? So an arc would be at the top, with the sides just falling down straight. If there is no ledge, are you willing to put tiny nails here and there in your wall/doorway, anyway? That would do it, and spackling later could fix it up again.
|
Fabnsab
Member
08-07-2000
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:26 pm
Ty guys! I want to put it along my arches, which is all wall. wargod, I love the staplegun too but its our first home so we are still in the honeymoon stage where we're being careful. Next year, I will probably staple EVERYTHING...lol ETA, herckle, same reaosn for the little nails. We are just being a bt anal, I suppose. Also, we dont have any extra paint to cover the spackle.
|
Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 11:57 pm
Fab, Never heard of these products but found this online: Hanging Garlands URL: http://tinyurl.com/y3u2kw "There is a new product on the market called "Hook and Hang" which are plastic hooks that attach to almost any surface but come off without leaving any damage. These are great for hanging just about anything when having a Christmas tree decorating party. Depending on the size of your garland, I´d recommend at least three, one at the top of the door and one on each side. If you cannot find these, you can also try an over the door wreath hanger and some poster putty. Loop the garland over the wreath hanger, then secure the sides with the putty." Now back to my simmering brainstorms: Well, if you were to use nails, you could simply buy seasonal wreaths (arc-shaped, not full circle) to hide those nails during other times of the year. Also, I think spackle (or hole filler) comes in colors now. Not sure what color your wall is, but if not too-too off the norm, still might be a possibility. A good paint store should be able to advise you. Lastly, and this is on the strange or far-fetched side--you could use 2 tall indoor twig trees. By bending the tops of each tree to center, you could re-create the arc shape and attach lights or the garland you had in mind to the branches. Here's a picture giving you a bit of an idea of what I am suggesting. I think a tall twig tree on each side could bend enough to form an arc at the top for you. Not sure how much that would cost you, though.
Good luck!
|
Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, December 11, 2006 - 12:20 am
Hmm, ok, I can see you not wanting to put holes in your new house. You could put the garland up with tape, then use those little bows (that have the twisty tie on back) to cover the tape up. Just twisty tie the bow to the garland and arrange them so they cover the tape? If you're any good at making bows, you could buy your own ribbon and do tie them on the garland.
|
Fabnsab
Member
08-07-2000
| Monday, December 11, 2006 - 12:20 am
aw ((herckle))) thanks so much for all of that info! That pic is stunning! My dining room is crimson and my kitchen is canary and my living room has a very difficult texture effect...lol...it couldnt be any worse. I will go to JoAnn Fabric tomorrow and pick their brains. I will post what i find out in case someone has the same problem.
|
Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Monday, December 11, 2006 - 12:27 am
Eggie those trees were so awesome, I loved the beard/village one the best. Fabnsab, your cat in the tree picture is cute too. We were at my brothers place for Christmas yesterday (sunday) and it was great, they have a good pile of snow and the temp was just above freezing and sunny. The kids had a blast outside. Even my nephew 15, his girlfriend were out in the snow enjoying it just like the rest of the kids.
|
Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, December 11, 2006 - 3:43 am
Thanks I have been collecting for 25 years. Now about tree stands. I have hands-down the best tree stand ever. It is called the swivel straight and I have owned it for about five years:
The cup on the inside I take with me to the tree stand stores to make sure the trunk fits.
|
Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, December 11, 2006 - 3:44 am
here is a description of it: Swivel-Straight Tree Stand holds up to a 10' tree...put it up on your own! Swivel-Straight Christmas Tree Stand is so safe, stable and easy to use, it'll be your first choice if you're working solo! Unique pivoting base enables you to put up and straighten your tree quickly and easily-without frustration, or back or muscle strain. Simply slide the trunk receptacle onto the bottom of the tree, and then insert into the swivel and lock base. With a touch of the foot pedal, swivel and straighten your tree without a struggle or support wires. Save valuable time and energy during the holidays! Holds a tree up to 10' tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 5"; up to 100 lbs.
|
|