Spring Easter Tree

I started a tradition about 5 years ago of bringing branches in from my lilac tree and turning them into an Easter/Spring Tree. The warmer temps inside my house had a forced blooming effect on the lilacs and they would always bud out and when Easter was especially late in the season the lilacs themselves would bloom. So pretty, but of course there was always a downfall. Just like all cut flowers, lilacs die and they always die before I'm ready to take down my Easter decor. This year I decided that I was going to bring in the branches but give them some paper love.

So, go out to your yard and don't forget your clippers. Cut down some branches from any of your trees - I am picky and I like to select the branches that have a bit of an out and upward curve to them - I think they make a prettier tree then those of the more straight nature. YOU do what you like of course - I'm just sayin!
Next, just go to work with some of your favorite scrapbook paper and cut , cut ,cut out tons and tons of leaves. I folded my paper wrong sides together and cut the leaves so that I had a front and back. The particular line of paper I used is called "Home" by the company My Mind's Eye. It just caught my eye because of it's Springy colors. If you have a die-cut machine this is where you would use it to cut out leaves - OHHH the time that would have saved. No really it didn't take that long. Pay no attention to the butterflies those were just scrap pieces I was using.

I used several different papers - probably about 9 different ones.

Now just start glueing them to the branches. I just sandwiched the branch inbetween the two identical leaf shapes. You can use any quick drying glue that you prefer. I didn't use hot glue but you could certainly try it. The particular glue I used was Martha Stewart "Create" gel adhesive. I bought it at Walmart.

I glued a leaf to every single branch. At first I didn't have as many but my hubby walked by and said , "Babe, I think your tree looks a bit fallish and it needs more leaves." I had to agree and went to work cutting and glueing. I think it gives the tree some nice interest if you angle each leaf a bit different than the next.

Here's the finished product complete with Easter decorations. Sorry , my wallpaper is sort of distracting from the tree. Click on the picture and you can see it better.

Now, if you want to make some Easter eggs to hang on your tree they are super duper easy. I just cut strips in varying sizes out of one of my favorite lines of fabric and then mod podged them to a plastic easter egg. You know, the kind you fill with goodies for your kiddos. Then after I had the egg all covered in fabric I let it dry for a bit. Then, I did a final coat of mod podge and wrapped a ribbon around the egg and secured it to the top with a dot of hot glue. Leave enough ribbon up top to dangle from your tree. Easy right. I bet you have tons of those plastic eggs lying around. Now if someone could just come up with something creative to do with all that blasted Easter grass that gets spread all over your house at Easter.

Feel free to ask any questions . Always happy to help.

Big Big Love, JEN

Oh and Happy Spring!

You know what I just thought of - wouldn't it be cute to also add some paper flowers to the branches or crepe paper flowers. If I get to that I will post a picture.

I am linking this post up with the wonderful Jen over at Tatertots and Jello for the weekend wrap up party. Come by and see all the goodies!