I saw this tree on the Martha Stewart site and almost immediately set to making it. I'm planning on doing a whole landscape of recycled trees this year for a holiday display so this fit the bill perfectly. I have a few tips for you if you decide to make one as well.
* I made the polymer clay base exactly as the instructions and it came out perfectly only I used a bamboo skewer instead of a knitting needle for the support.
* I have a large paper cutter and I am *so* glad I did!
* Cut out all the newspaper ahead of time so you use the same amount of each size.
* We used a small newspaper cone for the top instead of a star since ours is just a regular tree in the woods and not a Christmas tree ;)
* I used Elmer's spray adhesive for the glitter. The glitter is actually small opalescent flakes - a brand new bag that I got while thrifting, woot!
* It is surprisingly sturdy and I plan to keep if for next year so we'll see if it stores well.
* My kids were very much involved and could easily do it on their own but it does take awhile so you may want to have them switch out if they get bored.
Loved your simple button paperclips and thought I would share our Zany paperclips with you. http://tinyurl.com/cybg5u
Posted by: Betty Bose | 04/25/2009 at 08:38 PM
Really great idea, thanks for sharing your tips with us.
Posted by: Krishna | 02/03/2009 at 07:23 AM
Love this! You always have the best ideas!
Posted by: Pink and Green mama | 12/27/2008 at 08:41 PM
I made this last year . It was quite a bit of work but well worth it. linda gerig
Posted by: linda gerig | 12/18/2008 at 07:47 PM
this tree is adorable. maybe i'll make one.
Posted by: Maryse | 12/17/2008 at 04:39 AM
hey there. i came over from funny magic. i love the tree, adorable!
Posted by: vanessa | 12/14/2008 at 01:13 PM
This is so cute! We've decorated this year with more natural, rustic things. This would fit in perfectly. What a great way to recycle. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings!
Posted by: Tammy | 12/13/2008 at 12:03 PM
This is really cute!
Posted by: cindy | 12/11/2008 at 07:58 PM
This is really cute!
Posted by: cindy | 12/11/2008 at 07:57 PM
I love it!
Posted by: kim | 12/11/2008 at 01:18 PM
That is brilliant - thanks so much for sharing. I read all my news online, but my folks get a daily paper... Time to raid their recycling bin!
Posted by: Jennie | 12/11/2008 at 04:16 AM
Ahg! The best thing ever! Now I'm wishing I read the newspaper ....
Posted by: Colleen | 12/10/2008 at 10:16 PM
Perfect !!!! Clarice
Posted by: StorybookWoods | 12/10/2008 at 08:03 PM
that's amazing! thanks for sharing it with us
Posted by: Amy Lapi | 12/10/2008 at 07:39 PM
thank you for sharing your tips!
your tree looks beautiful!!
Posted by: Alessandra | 12/10/2008 at 10:00 AM
I saw these and fell in love with them too! Yours looks beautiful. Thank you for the tips.
Posted by: Margaret | 12/10/2008 at 08:27 AM
Thank you so much for sharing this. I watch little tv, so I'd likely otherwise have not known about this really cool craft!
Posted by: Renna | 12/09/2008 at 11:24 PM
I just stumbled on your blog tonight and I love this idea. It looks so easy and fun...and I literally just signed up for the Wednesday and Sunday papers and was sort of regretting it, wondering what I'd do with all of that paper since my town doesn't offer recycleing. Now, I'm making trees...tons of trees
Posted by: Elizabeth Blevins | 12/09/2008 at 09:41 PM
I've been itching to do make this as well. It is now officially on my list for this weekend!
Posted by: Pumpkin Petunia | 12/09/2008 at 07:59 PM
Ooh that looks fun! I better go pull the paper from the recycle bin. :)
Posted by: Dena Rooney-Berg (sugarshop) | 12/09/2008 at 02:15 PM
Ooh, I like yours even better than Martha's (shhh... don't tell her I said that).
Posted by: Kim | 12/09/2008 at 01:15 PM
I peeked in this morning, and couldn't wait to return and leave you some GUSHING! I think you might know (more than most) how much I'm flipping out about this! You gotta love Martha, but YOURS is so perfectly stunning!! I can't wait to try this. I'm so thrilled to hear how it works with children. Christmas break is a comin' and I'm on the the look out for incredibly special and child-friendly crafts. This will be at the top of the list! Thank you! You've done it again!
Posted by: mayaluna | 12/09/2008 at 10:48 AM
Cool ideal, I might give it a try. Tip for storing make sure to put it in a bug and mouse proof box or it may become a nest!
Posted by: Alexia | 12/09/2008 at 10:23 AM
Thank you so much for posting this. I just watched the video and it is sooo cute. I use my newspapers for fire starter, but this will work too. I sure wish I had a paper cutter . . .
Samantha, if you go to MS website, you can print out the instructions. It calls for 50 sheets of each size except the smallest, which is 25.
Posted by: Yvette | 12/09/2008 at 10:15 AM
That is so cool! I love it. My little girl will love it too.
Posted by: pretty penny designs | 12/09/2008 at 09:59 AM