The New Christmas Tree: 24 Dazzling Trees and Over 100 Handcrafted Projects for an Inspired Holiday - Tapa dura

"The New Christmas Tree is one of those fabulous books that inspires you to start making things right away--even if you're not crafty." --Parade "With her step-by-step ornament instructions, as well as advice on buying and maintaining trees and other decorations, Brown turns tree decorating into an intensely personal experience." --Los Angeles Times "Carrie Brown's recently released The New Christmas Tree may be just what you need to get that creative sap flowing. Her book presents 24 ideas for rethinking the tree, starting with the basics: picking the tree, what types work best with certain designs and caring for your festive foliage. . . . Beautifully photographed and coffee-table ready, the book is also practical, containing detailed instructions on how to recreate the featured trees." --Associated Press "A treasure trove of ideas for those looking to add a creative twist to their holiday cheer. Highlights include the paper white tree, inspired by the cut-paper banners in Mexico, the pin tree, which turns pincushions into ornaments, and the copper and cork tree, wrapped in wine-cork garlands. Brown includes directions on what to collect (such as the lights) and what to make; the latter includes everything from simple marshmallow garlands for a Hansel and Gretel tree to quilled paper birds on the birdland tree. There's no shortage of clever ideas, especially for those who'd like to produce ornaments without much fuss. Brown is at her best in suggesting simple crafts that will make an impressive statement." --Publishers Weekly

The New Christmas Tree inspires readers to turn a holiday standby into a stunning design statement - whether they're looking to add something new to their traditional Christmas decor or create a unique holiday tradition all their own. A closer look at each one-of-a-kind tree reveals the real heart of these designs - beautifully handcrafted ornaments, garlands, and more, from felted bumblebees to delicate paper flowers. Some use traditional Christmas materials in novel ways, while others employ flea-market finds, household objects - even foodstuffs! - to create something entirely unexpected. Each chapter takes readers through the process of constructing a well-balanced tree that is rich in texture and dimension from topper to tree stand - selecting the appropriate lights, making and assembling the decorations, and adding the finishing touches that pull the look together; Also included are information on the fundamentals of tree selection, installation, and design; basic crafting techniques; sources for products, tools, and equipment; and care guidelines.