Alternatives to Traditional Christmas Trees

Yes, they are lovely to look at, but they are also costly (more and more so each year), and quite often they make a rather untidy mess on the floor. Unless you have kids at home and/or you find you just can't live without that fresh pine smell this time of the year, you may be wavering on whether or not to keep buying a Christmas tree year after year.

Yes, there are living trees for purchase and later planting, and yes, depending on where you live you can rent one, but wouldn't it be so much more interesting to do something different, something eco-friendly, and maybe even artistic? (Not to mention economical!) Read on!

This was one of my favorite contributions to the  Helium Celebrations channel. I really wish I  had a photo to go with this post! Originally published in November of 2010.

How to use a Wooden Ladder as a Christmas Tree

The idea of using a wooden ladder as a Christmas tree may seem odd to some, but to those who are imaginative or creative minded, it’s not only eco-friendly, it’s downright brilliant! No pruning, no pine needles to sweep up, no worry of water evaporation creating a fire hazard from a dry tree, and best of all, no extra expense – that is, as long as you already own the ladder.

A wooden ladder as a Christmas tree presents so many possibilities. The ladder could be draped and decorated like a tree or left bare and strung with multi-colored Christmas lights. Gifts could be strategically placed on the ladder’s “steps” while the other side of the ladder could be used for hanging everything from cards to stockings to ornaments.

The ladder could be painted green or left its natural wood color, which would probably be best since the ladder would mostly likely go back to its normal function once the Christmas holiday season is over. One way to add green though would be to drape a green fabric such as felt or even satin down the front of the ladder the way one would carpet a stairwell.

Decorative objects or even potted plants such as poinsettias, miniature pines or rosemary could then be arranged on the ladder’s steps to create a stunning display. After Christmas the plants could then be repotted or donated. Alternatively, collectibles could be arranged on the ladder’s steps to create an ascending display of figurines, snow globes, music boxes, gingerbread houses, candy dishes, vintage toys and any other sentimental object significant to you and your family.

Decorating the ladder without any kind of fabric draping should begin with the lights just like a real Christmas tree. This way you can carefully arrange the strands by weaving them in and out of or around the rungs/steps. Use clear lights for a conservative look and colored likes if going for a classic or theme look. Colored lights and a few strategically placed ornaments can more than serve as a substitute Christmas tree.

Many people like to decorate their Christmas trees in specific color schemes that change each year and the same approach can be taken when using a folding wooden ladder as a tree. There’s no hand and fast rule that says your Christmas tree has to be an actual tree. Just be careful climbing the ladder while decorating and follow the same safety rules you would when using the ladder to do projects around your home.

How to Choose the Best Fabric for Sewing Projects

It's late November already and to say I am severely slacking in my progress of the great article migration is a gross understatement. Time is a precious commodity, and I just never seem to have enough of it. Add to that my recent computer problems and it will be a miracle if I manage to save my published articles on Helium from disappearing into oblivion.

After spending what seemed like several hours on someone else's computer trying to figure out how to access my account (when I'm used to not having to type in a web address) and finally gaining access, I realized that for many of the "Where to find..." type titles, I would not simply be able to copy and paste, click save, preview, and publish.

The reality of having to take out the time to re-check all the hyperlinks and update the previously published information created a new problem. Then, all of a sudden, it occurred to me that I didn't have to publish the articles at once in order to transfer them. I could simply save them as drafts and re-publish as I had time.

Whew! Thank heaven for small favors!

So without further ado...

How to Choose the right Fabric for a Sewing Project

Choosing the right fabric for a sewing project is very important. The wrong fabric can cause a number of issues with a garment, accessory or home décor item. The right fabric can mean the difference between proper fit, durability and easy care, while the wrong fabric can spell disaster.

• Clothing

When sewing clothing from a store-bought sewing pattern, it is easy to find the right fabric for the job. On back of every sewing pattern there is a guide to help determine exactly what type of fabric is suitable for the item you wish to sew. The pattern’s guide will also list fabrics that are unsuitable for the garment as well.

There are a number of reasons to follow the guidelines on back of the pattern when deciding on an appropriate fabric for your project. Patterns that are suitable for stretchy fabrics are generally not suitable for non-stretch fabrics as those fabrics do not have the give of knit fabrics. Using a non-stretch fabric in this instance will result in an ill-fitting garment.

Patterns for blouses and dresses that call for soft fabrics such as silk would not be suitable for heavier or stiffer, less flexible fabrics such as taffeta or wool and vice versa. Patterns for casual clothing or children’s play clothes, are generally best suited to fabric that is easy to care for such as cotton or linen, which is both durable and machine washable.

• Household items for indoors and out

To find a suitable fabric for a home décor item, sewing patterns also provide help, but not everything is made from a purchased pattern. Throw pillows, for instance can easily be made by cutting a square piece of fabric, sewing up the seams, and stuffing the pillow with fiber fill. Choosing the fabric for the pillow will depend on where it is to be used.

Indoors, pillows for the bed or sofa can be made of almost any washable fabric, but outdoors a heavier, more durable fabric is required such as canvas. A large pillow to be used as a bed for a dog or other pet, should also be made from a durable fabric that is easy to clean.

Table linens, bed quilts, runners, hot pads and so forth are generally not suited for silky fabrics and certain knits. Quilts though, can be made from silk, as long as the type of silk used is one that is washable, otherwise the quilt will have to be dry cleaned. Many stretch fabrics are made with synthetic fibers which makes them unsuitable for kitchen use for items such as hot pads.

• Accessories and toys

Hats, handbags and toys all have different fabric requirements. The silky fabric used for an evening bag is obviously not suitable for a child’s doll. The fleece or felt used for a simple winter hat, while durable, may not be the best choice for a clutch purse to match an after five or cocktail outfit.

When making dolls, doll clothing, soft blocks, or stuffed toys the fabric requirements are quite different from garments or household items. While a variety of fabrics are suitable for these items (cotton jersey, muslin, fleece), there are several, such as wool, that are not.

Sometimes finding the right fabric isn’t just about texture. Surface design such as stripes, diagonals or other “obvious” prints, may not work as well for your sewing project as you might expect. These types of fabrics are harder to cut to have the prints line up, especially when sewing clothing.

Finding the right fabric for your sewing project is a matter of matching the right weight and texture to the item you are making and, in the case of patterned fabric, choosing the right design to compliment your finished item.