Christmas is past for another year ... Notes on Decorating Trees

Darlings, perhaps you have tree decorating down to a science, sadly the Fab does not.  Perhaps this is due to her will-o-the-wisp nature, perhaps it is due to obstacles most folk do not encounter whilst decorating their Christmas Tree.

 Regardless, the Fab is making notes for expedited decorating for next year.

1. Have a decorating theme.
2. Collect all ornaments, unwrap them from their protective paper.
3. Arrange them on a flat surface, grouped by size then color to ensure that a Fab has an even distribution of decor over the entire tree.
4. Lock all animals in the laundry room while putting up the tree.  That way a Fab has only to put ornaments onto the tree, once.

Darlings, the above pictured Christmas cat is Smoky, who sleeps with one eye open and has been immortalized in an original yet affordable garden sculpture.  <--- this would be a shameless plug for the Fab's alter ego's web store.

Decorate your Christmas Tree in Layers ...

Now, there are theories on Christmas Tree decorating, then there is Fabiola’s theory. I, Fabiola, approach decorating a Christmas tree like I approach getting dressed.

First is the arrangement of the branches. Think of it as putting on your foundation garments. There are those who insist upon selecting a natural tree. It is a known fact that in getting dressed or choosing Christmas trees, allowing nature to decide what goes where will only lead to unfortunate aesthetics. (Darlings, those of you over 40 know exactly what Fabiola means?)

Remove your lovely artificial tree from the storage box and assemble it on the stand. Spend some time arranging branches. Push the sagging ones up; flatten out any branches that are too poofy. Remember to check the 360 degree view, someone always feels compelled to look around back. To accomplish tree beauty feel free to use duct tape, pallet strapping, or latex to attain the perfect form.

Next are the lights. Think of this as selecting your garments for the day. Fabiola can't help but mention that Christmas has always fallen after Labor Day so -- all white lights? Well … you decide. (Perhaps white lights should be reserved for those that want to display a lumpy natural tree?) Color! Color and visually even coverage is the key. Would you put as much material for a hat as you would use for a skirt or pair of pants? No, of course you wouldn’t. You would have too much on your head or not enough to cover your behind. Take a step back, look, rethink. Add additional layers of light until your tree is evenly illuminated.

Only after your lighting is perfect, add ornaments as if you were selecting jewelry. Perhaps it would be better if you added ornaments as if Fabiola was selecting jewelry. There is no such thing as too much when it comes to sparkly. If you are the sort of gal that favors wearing boas, add garland before the ornaments, tinsel after.

Finally add scent. Plug in an evergreen house freshener and you will have the perfect Christmas tree.

I've Looked At Clouds ...

Fabiola has looked at these clouds from one side only as they are 2 dimensional. Mary painted them on the walls of the spare bedroom. They used to be early morning clouds with touches of pink and yellow, but an amazingly bad local "decorator" took the sunrise outa the clouds.

There is a great story behind the bad decorator, but even Fabiola can't go into that now. -- Stencilled picket fences and bird houses over marble floors -- no, Fabiola can't bear to tell that story, because she isn't drinking tonight. One of these evenings, Fabiola will get into the single malt then bessie bolt the door.

Regardless.

Mary used a similar method to the one she used in her "Homage To A Floor" only she limited herself to blue and cloud colors.