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My Christmas Gift of Music

Friday, December 24, 2010

During this Christmas season, I wanted to send everyone a big "THANK YOU"! I really appreciate your time and thoughtfulness. You've made me feel very welcome in this blogging world. I've made new friends all over the world and hope to know many more. So this is my special gift to each of you...

Here are two of my children performing their own arrangement of  "O Holy Night". My daughter's playing the marimba and my son's playing the vibraphone.

Merry Christmas!







Christmas Tree Tutorial Grand Finale!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

And now for the Grand Finale!

.........drum roll please.........


Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow I plan to post my Christmas gift to you. I'm very excited to share it with all of my wonderful followers.

Christmas Tree Tutorial #10

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Today's post will be my last Christmas tree tutorial, and I think I saved the best for last. It's been fun putting together these tutorials with their different methods and ideas. Hopefully you've been able to learn something new and have enjoyed yourself as well.

Be aware that today's tree is a bit more tedious and time consuming than the others. However, I think the end result is well worth the effort. This tree looks much more realistic, so you just might have people asking, "How did you do that?"


Pretty cool looking tree... huh!





You'll need a green fondant cone, a rolling pin, and a small daisy cutter. (Or any other similar flower cutter.)




Cut out a flower shape then fold it in half.




Fold it in half one more time, so it's folded into quarters.




This is what it will look like. There should be a triangular shape at the bottom.




Using a little water, wet that little triangular shape and glue it to the base of the cone. Push up the individual petals so they stick out.




Continue adding flower shapes as you work your way up the tree.



It takes a little while, but when you finish filling in the tree... it looks fantastic!

Tomorrow will be my Grand Finale!!! So make sure you don't miss it... 

Christmas Tree Tutorial #9

Monday, December 20, 2010

I think of this tree as my "art deco" Christmas tree. It's stylish in it's own kind of way. (However, shhhhh don't tell anyone... but it also reminds me of a pineapple. LOL) I was in a bit of a hurry when I made this tree, so a few of the indentations are a little off.  If you decide to try it, take your time and make sure your knife point is always perfectly straight up and down.

This is the tree you'll be making this time.




You'll need a fondant cone and a small knife with a pointed end.



Starting at the bottom, push the tip of the knife into the fondant. Stagger each row as you move up the tree.



After each indentation, remove the knife in a downward motion. If you pull the knife straight out, it will leave ragged edges.



My finished pineapp... ummm... I mean my finished Christmas tree. ;)

Only one more tree tutorial left! Stay tuned for the grand finale!

Christmas Tree Tutorial #8

Sunday, December 19, 2010

If you don't have a lot of time... this tree can be put together pretty quickly.

Simple yet elegant...
Begin with a fondant cone shape.
Roll out some extra fondant.
Using a pastry cutter, cut the fondant into strips with the wavy wheel. (My strips are about an inch wide.)
Start at the bottom and attach the first strip (wavy side down) with a little water.
Continue adding more strips, overlapping them as you go.
Cut out a small circle of fondant.
Go around the outside edge of the circle with the wavy wheel so it matches the fondant strips.
THIS STEP IS OPTIONAL!!! You'll need a ball tool and thick soft petal foam. Gently push inside the middle of the circle with a ball tool until the circle begins to cup in shape. Don't push on the edges. Then attach it to the top of the tree with a little water. You'll have to mold it just a little so it fits properly.
There you have it...  another tree to mark off your list!

One thing to keep in mind with this tree, is that it has a definite front and a back. The ends of the strips will meet together in back. Even if you join the ends very neatly, the line will still show. So put the back side of this tree where it isn't noticeable.

Christmas Tree Tutorial #7

Friday, December 17, 2010

Hello everyone, I hope you're having fun experimenting with all the different trees in my tutorials!

Today's tree needs to be made from either gumpaste or a 50/50 mixture of gumpaste and fondant. Fondant alone isn't strong enough and won't allow you to ruffle the edges as shown.


This is another one of my favorite trees... so pretty.


In addition to fondant/gumpaste, you'll also need a rolling pin, a ball tool, 3 different sizes of circle cutters, and a foam petal pad.


Once again you'll need to form a cone shape.


Roll out the gumpaste and cut a couple of circles, then cut them in half. (If you want to cut out more circles, make sure you cover them with plastic wrap so they don't dry out.) Using the ball tool, thin the round side of each petal. Place the ball tool half on and half off the edge, then gently push down as you move the ball back and forth along the edge.


Starting at the bottom of the tree, attach each petal using a little water along the top edge. Make sure you don't wet the ruffled edge.


Stagger each row of petals as you work your way up the tree. When you get closer the the top, you should switch to a smaller circle cutter.


For the top of the tree, cut out the smallest circle but don't cut it in half like the others. Simply ruffle around the outside edge of the entire circle then place it on top. After you've finished adding all the petals, gently push the ruffled edges up so they stick out and don't look matted down.

That's all there is to Christmas tree #7.

Christmas Tree Tutorial #6

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Here's one more quick idea for you...

This tutorial is very short, so you'll get to see this tree picture again really soon!!! LOL   ;)


Make 3 cone shapes that gradually get smaller in size. Cut the tops off the 2 larger cones. (Scissors work really well to do this.)

Simply stack the three pieces on top of each other and you're done. This tree makes me think of Hershey's Kisses. Have you ever tried the coconut flavored kisses? They are my absolute favorite!!!

Trees don't get much easier then this!


Christmas Tree Tutorial #5

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

No special tools required for this tree... only fondant and water.

I love this little whimsical tree!

 



Roll some fondant into a cone shape.





Using the remaining fondant, make balls of various sizes and then roll them into teardrop shapes.




Attach the teardrops with a little water around the base.




Continue moving up the tree. As you get near the top, start making the teardrops smaller.




That's it. You're becoming an expert!

See, wasn't that easy?


Christmas Tree Tutorial #4

Today's tree tutorial is very similar to #3. This tree is also pretty simple, but it has a much different look. I think it's a little more realistic.

I just want to start singing Jingle Bells....



You'll need some green fondant shaped into a cone, a small diamond cutter, a rolling pin, and a shell tool (or a toothpick will also work).



Roll the fondant and cut out diamond shapes.



Take one fondant piece and the shell tool.




Turn the shell tool over and gently roll it from one side to the other.



Carefully rolling it will leave an impression on your fondant. If you don't have a shell tool, you can use a toothpick to get the same effect.




Brush a little water on the top edge of each diamond then start attaching the bottom row. 




Continue adding the leaves. Make sure you stagger them as you work your way up.




Join the top edges together when you reach the top.


Christmas Tree Tutorial #3

Monday, December 13, 2010

Here's a tree that anyone can make... it's soooooo easy!

This happy little tree just makes me smile! :)




You'll need a rolling pin, fondant/gumpaste, and a teardrop shaped cutter.

Roll out the fondant and cut lots of  little teardrop shapes. You'll need to cover the cutout pieces with plastic wrap so they don't dry out .



Paint a little water on the tip of each teardrop. Then starting at the bottom, glue the pieces around the base of the tree.



Stagger the teardrops and continue to work your way up.


When you get to the top of the tree, join the tips of the points together.



PRESTO!!!! You're done.... there you have it, another fantastic Christmas tree!

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