Last week I picked up this sweet little white Christmas tree for $20 at a local thrift store. When I posted it on FJI Facebook, I asked what you’d do with it.
One comment stood out. It was from a dear follower I met at Bella Rustica. This was Dana’s answer.
I loved the idea! But decided to put it in my bedroom instead where I would enjoy it often.
I call this one my little white Christmas tree of gratitude.
Dana is so right. I’ve had so many blessings along this Funky Junk journey. While my Christmas tree forest in a crate and ladder tree were fun, this round I wanted the tree to actually mean something.
The base trunk is covered in ‘lacy’ snow, some of these keepsakes from my mom’s collection.
Inspired by Songbird’s Christimas tree set inside trunks, this was my own take. The tree is simply sitting on top of one.
My sweet parents. They allowed me to be whomever I wished to be. And how fitting is this vintage print of them enjoying a Christmas of their own?
This rusty old bulletin board will make more sense to you VERY soon. Stay tuned!
Along my blog journey, I’ve received gifts. I don’t have every gift I’ve ever received hung up, but a couple are JUNK GIRL from Rochelle via Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets,
and this sweet rusty chariot from Sandra via Sandy Seashore.
I like to think of gifts from followers as gestures of ‘giving back’ what they feel I’ve hopefully been able to give them in some small way.
I also have aspirations yet to fulfil, and one will always be to ‘write a book’.
Blogging is kind of a game of chance. You put yourself out there and see where the chips fall. I’ve created so many online connections I adore in the groups I’m involved in, the companies and opportunities that have come my way, and the followers that keep returning for more.
This passport is positively loaded.
It means a friend had enough faith in me to purchase the passport for me before I even applied for one. It was a ‘sending off into the big scary world’ gesture.
It means Chris Srock from GMC had me flown out to the South for the World’s Longest Yard Sale, allowing me to meet friends I’ve wanted to meet for a very long time, to see the South for the first time AND help someone in need. All involving junk! Amazing.
A month later, it means Linda Lindley spotted something in me and took Bella Rustica action.
It means HomeTalk getting involved and helping make Bella a reality.
It means having the opportunity to meet great folks like Dana and her husband, that drove 11 hours to visit me. And more. So much more.
2012 has been such an amazing year!
This little jar filled with sticks reminds me of the farm I grew up at. Big towering untamed trees that have been there forever.
Nothing fancy. Just natural and very very home.
Inspired by Eclectically Vintage’s Kelly’s mason jar Christmas tree, a tiny snowy jar filled with rusty nails is to pay homage to where I came from and what I love.
My dad’s nails in the barn were always in a tin can and rusty as can be. No wonder I love rust so.
The grapevine garland was an eleventh hour brainstorm. And was a breeze to throw on.
Thank-you Dana, for this lovely idea. It warms my heart to look at this tree and reminisce how much each object means to me.
And thank-you to everyone, for helping to create a reason to even have this little white Christmas tree of gratitude in my home! At a time when so many are hurting, this tree theme was the perfect fit.
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This is positively adorable. I love it. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the gift giving and festivities and forget all for which we are grateful. What a nice way to remember.
Stunning. Off to drag a suitcase up to my bedroom, where my little white tree has been plugged in. There’s nothing on it. I love the gratitude idea though…and such sweet sentiments too. The holidays can be rough for me…time to switch my focus a bit. Thanks for the great ideas.
Nothing beats a memory tree and yours is perfect with the snow white tree and rustic ornaments! My favourite is the pic of your parents by their tree.
Donna!
Love your tree – and can’t believe you found a white one at the thrift store!
It’s perfect – your parents picture, you passport to remember all the great journeys you’ve been on – and that mason jar (thrilled to see I inspired a little piece of your tree)!
Kelly
What a wonderful idea Dana had and how you executed it is beautiful! I love sentimental and inspirational things and this tree is just so special! 2012 was indeed your year to shine and I’m sure that 2013 will be even more so! Hugs, Leena
you put the spirit back into the holiday with that tree…its beautiful…
I love every little thing about it Donna! The junky stuff stands out beautifully against the white.
Beautiful! Happy Holidays!
Susan
Beautiful sentiments and stunning tree. I just love it.. grapevine and rust, two of my very favorite elements! Thanks for a year full of inspiration and excitement! Happy Holidays to you and your family and friends!
love that sweet memory tree, donna! merry christmas to you:)
It looks amazing. Such a blessed tribute to your special year. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week. Christmas is coming!
I love your memory tree. Merry Christmas.
Love love it h I love this site so glad I found it it’s so me thanks for all you do merry Christmas too you!
I love it Donna, I think it looks fantastic. After seeing your white tree and Kelly’s, I think I need to be on the hunt.
Only you would happen along, to find a fab little white tree for $20 :0) This is one of my favorite trees of the year. I like the story behind it and all the meaning. Thanks for sharing your memories Donna!
Gratitude is always perfectly lovely and truly beautiful!
I love your White Gratitude Tree Donna. What a great idea! I wish you and your son a very happy and blessed Christmas.
Blessings,
Pamela
Beautiful, memories, thoughts of past events, precious. Thank you for sharing.
Remembering some memorable memories through decorating some vintage ornaments…. 🙂
What a lucky find and a lovely tree. So honored that I inspired a bit of it.
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Oh, I absolutely love the white Christmas tree with all of your cherished memories. Dana’s suggestion was awesome. I remember those trees from when I was a child…
Donna it`s beautiful, and all the more so because of each special memory it holds.
Merry Christmas
Debbie 🙂
Would not have thought of that! You come up with the coolest stuff!
I have enjoyed reading your blog since I stumbled on it about four months ago. Lovely tree, and lovely sentiments. I would expect nothing less from a spirit like you at Christmas time!
Perfect! Merry Christmas my dear girlfriend! I’m so blessed to have “met” you this year! …THAT is on MY tree of thankfulness! xo, Kimberly
Lovely idea for such a meaningful tree!
What a great idea…thanks for sharing. I now have a whole year to collect memento’s representing my 2013 experiences for my own next year’s version of Donna’s idea 🙂
I was thinking about how I often pick up litter to use in my jewelry. This article is my muse to start making utter items from litter. Also one way to keep plastic bags from filling our landfills (at least for a few years) is to put them in a blender or coffee grinder to use as “snow”
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