[Marci MN]

Do any of you decorate a Christmas Tree with JUST carved ornaments? If so I would love to see it! Thats my dream to someday have a tree that has just hand carved ornaments on it. Some day I would like to join in on the ornament swap to add to my tree. I'm starving for some eye candy and inspiration..

If you have pictures could you share them here? Purty please?

Wreaths accepted. I may have to start there as my collection is still small.

Thank you!

[Just Carving]

Hi Marci

I decorated my tree last year with about 10-15 carved ornaments--natural--no finish, no paint. Everybody walked in and saw them immediately--and there were a lot of colored ornaments that have been going on the tree for years. So, that's my first suggestion--don't just use the carved ornaments. But by leaving them unpainted, they will stand out--so make sure whether finished or unpainted--they stand out.

Second suggestion, go to this website:

http://woodcarvers.org/patterns.htm

Pick out a couple that appear easy to you--or that you like, if easy is not the problem. Carve cookie ornaments--just carve the pattern on one side, and use a gouge to make a contoured surface and carve or stamp your initials and date on the backside--I have to give Rick Ferry credit for this idea which I got when I received an similar style ornament from him a few years ago. And in a box they go until the tree goes up. I carved ornaments whenever I had a chance from about Thanksgiving on for a couple of years, and now, I have both cookie ornaments and ornaments that I carved in the round--some still natural, but I've painted a couple for practice one here and there--mostly to tet out new finishing methods. I'd post a pic, but I'm at work. I'll try to remember later. I'll probably start carving cookie ornaments this weekend--as soon as I finish the beginner Santa that was in the latest WCI issue.

Now git carvin' Lady--you only got a month until the fat guy Ho--Ho-Ho's!

Bob L

[Robert Cahill]

Nope, the wife and kids want no part of it. I tried to talk them into just homemade ornaments but they want the glitter etc. I do a lot of scroll saw ornaments also but they do seem to like carved ornaments the best .Our tree is perhaps 1/2 homemade(not all carvings) and half bulbs etc.

[Just Carving]

Here's a pic of my tree from 2005--I can't find 2006 pics. Anyway, there's a few ornaments and you can easily pick them out.

Hope that helps.

Bob L

[Marci MN]

Yes Bob..thats exactly what I've been needing.. Thats a very pretty tree and I can see what you were talking about by leaving them in natural wood. It is eye catching and pretty! Thank you for sharing.

Robert.. maybe we need to get you your very own tree, just for your ornaments? And the girls cant touch it.. its yours! *Grin*

Its been well over 15 years since I've decorated for Christmas.. so any pix will be a good shot in the arm for me to get going on my dream of one year of decorating with hand carved decorations.

[MelNM]

Hi Marci
I have a 2 foot tree with nothing but carvings. I'll take a picture of it soon and post it. Most of the carvings are from my friends on WCI. Hoping to graduate to a 3 foot tree next year.
Mel

[Marci MN]

Oooo yes! *rubbing hands together in anticipation*