No tree

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?

We always had a traditional Christmas tree, decorated with glass baubles, lammetta to look like icicles (thin strips of shiny metal tassels) also dodgy Christmas tree lights which would regularly stop working. It was a treat to be allowed to decorate it with my mother’s help. I think we always managed a tree with nicely placed ornaments and would then add bits of cotton wool to represent snow.

Scroll forward a few years. Now I rarely have a tree because of my cats. They like playing with the baubles and breaking them. They have also knocked the whole tree over. I haven’t given up on the idea. I even think I could hang a tree from the ceiling just to keep the cats at bay!

Tree or decorations

Since we haven’t got a tree this Christmas I haven’t put any baubles or decorations up. But that didn’t stop me getting an old box of them out to draw. The #bandofsketchers prompt for Christmas Eve…. Now I’m having a caramel chocolate and a glass of port while watching ‘the day after tomorrow’ I guess they put it on because its full of snow…..

Cats and trees

When you have cats sometimes you can’t have Christmas trees. Baubles and tinsel are just too tempting. Cats who climb will be up to the top of the tree in seconds. There is also the danger of them chewing on the tree lights wire. Also you don’t know if they are going to chomp on some of the traditional toys, like tiny Teddy bears, that might have been handed down from generation to generation. Granny’s baby jesus or the angel with real feathers can be casualties! I’ve seen a few videos of anti cat tactics, and the one of hanging the tree from the ceiling looks pretty good. One solution I once did was to cut out the shape of a Christmas tree and container and stick it to a wall, then sticking real baubles and ones you have drawn onto it. Make sure any baubles are stuck on well and are anti shatter. Other ideas include a bauble free tree… But it might still get climbed!

Tiny canvas fun

I’m doing a few more tiny canvases for my stall, I’m miles behind with being ill. I’d bought twenty and so far I’m part way through three.

I’ve started another couple of pictures of Christmas baubles. But the third is going to be a Bee. I think we have to really think about stopping using insecticides or we will be in very great trouble.

Ive also outlined a dove of peace and an angel. Better have a rest then do some more.

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Craft fair news

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Finished tree decorations…. I think they are OK. I’ve tried to make them festive. I’ve attached ribbons so they can hang off a tree. Well I will be trying to sell them at the craft fair I’m doing in the morning…. More to do.. I’m trying to do a painting of Frost. I’ve used lots of metallic paint, I think it’s in need of more detail though. _20191108_220603

Bye bye baubles

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After a week of resisting temptations my cat decided to attack the Christmas tree last night. The round, glittery baubles just got too much for her. Before I knew it she was round the back of it and the whole artificial tree was shaking …. Rocking from side to side . Luckily I was next to it as it started to topple. I caught the top of it and hauled it back upright.

Now the tree is denuded of its colourful decorations, left with only a string of fairy lights and a few strips of shiny paper as a reminder that it is not twelfth night yet. I’ll put the lights on again tonight. ….

Hopefully the cat will have no reason to attack it again now the temptation has been removed….

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Hiding under the tree

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Hiding under the tree, determined to shake the baubles free. Trying to use the plastic wrapped metal trunk as a scratching post.

Every so often she sneaks underneath, now the presents have gone, then stands up on her back legs – her front paws in the air, battling a glinting decoration, rattling the tinsel. A couple of times the tree has rocked and shaken like a fir in a tornado, almost, but not quite, uprooted from its three pronged stand.

Then out she shoots, scampers after a toy, a feather, a ball. The tree is forgotten till next time – then used as a hiding place, scratching post, and climbing frame in turn when she feels like it.

Twelth night will see the tree demolished and returned to its cardboard box home. What will cat do then?