"The Silver Tree" Postcard Tutorial

Are you old enough to remember the aluminum tree with the 4-color light wheel? Both of my Grandparents had them at one time or another. I still love them and I've been trying to come up with a way to represent the aluminum tree in a postcard. It all came to me last week when Kim gave me some scraps of silver silk from her holiday dress. I thought that others might want to create an aluminum tree memory so here's a little tutorial.

These cards are made in sets of 4. Cut 4 Timtex (or whatever you use for the insides of your postcards) bases 4" x 6".

Fuse paper-backed fusible web (I used WonderUnder throughout the project) to the back of 4 fabrics, one each of red, yellow, green and blue. Cut one piece of each 4"x6".

Stack the 4 fused fabrics and align them carefully. Cut a crooked "X" (not corner to corner) through all layers. It's important to keep the fabrics aligned for the cutting because you have to put these pieces back together.

Peel off the fusible paper backing, sort out the cut pieces and arrange them on the 4 Timtex bases so that you have a piece of all 4 colors on each piece of Timtex. Make sure the cut edges align in the center of the card and then fuse everything in place.

If the pieces do not align perfectly, it's better to have some of the base showing at the edge of the card instead of spaces along the cut edges of the "X". Does that make sense?

Apply some fusible web to the back of the silver fabric. Make a paper tree template. I made mine a little wonky so I would not have to be fussy about placing the tree in the card. Cut out 4 trees, one for each card and 4 small triangle shapes for the base of the tree. Peel off the paper backing from the fusible web and position the tree on the card. Make sure that there is a bit of tree over each of the 4 colors of the backing. Tuck the base triangle under the tree and fuse the tree in place.

I put some Silver Superior Glitter thread in the needle and stitched a star at the top if the tree and the fagoting stitch down each side.

In my Pfaff 7550, the start stitch is #132 and the fagoting stitch is #17. My machine has a single motif setting and I used that for the star.

I couldn't find anything exciting to use for the backing so I just used white fabric. I fused the WonderUnder to the white fabric and then cut out the 4"x6" backing pieces and stamped them with my Postcard stamp before I fused them to the back of the card.

In this photo you can also see a better view of the decorative stitching on the tree.

The next step is to finish the edges. I have a serger so chose to serge the edges so that I could use a heavy decorative thread for total coverage. I used Silver Superior Razzle Dazzle in the upper looper, white standard serger thread in the lower looper and  Silver Superior Metallic in the needle. I serge straight off each edge, then use seam sealant on the 4 corners (front and back) and then trim off the tails.

You do not have to serge the edges. If you wanted to use Razzle Dazzle you could load it in the bobbin with white in the needle and zig-zag with the front of the card down.

The last step is the most fun - add the crystals! I placed one large clear or silver crystal in the middle of the star and then added red, yellow, blue and green crystals (small and large) on the tree. Keep each color of crystal placed in the appropriate color quadrant. In the card in the photo look at the top red quadrant. All of the red crystals are on the tree only where there is red fabric underneath.

I do not fuse my crystals one at a time. I carefully place a press cloth over the card and them place the iron on the press cloth and fuse all of the crystals at once. On the right side of the photo - there is a postcard under the iron. Now you are done! Address and mail them.

If you do not have crystals, you could paint ornaments on the tree with fabric paints or you could embroider french knots. If you do the ornaments with stitching do it before the back is fused to the card.

I hope that someone might want to make these cards. I made 16 of them! I have 32 cards made for Christmas mailing so far. I'd like to do one more card design for this season.

Comments

[tracey petersen]

I have a bejeweler and add the cystals one painful one at a time. It never even occurred to me to do them all at once with the iron!

Clever girl.

[Andrea]

These are cute ! I'm almost tempted to start making postcards but am resisting - lol ! I can believe you will miss your African quilt - it is gorgeous but at least you chose the right owner for it. I'm a migraine sufferer too so you have my sympathy.

[Terri]

Oh I do remember. I'd forgotten until you mentioned it. What memories. I love your little silver tree.

[Joanna van Ritbergen]

I am amazed you can get such a nice edge with the metallic threads.

[Cindy]

My aunt and uncle had one of those for years. I remember the light that twirled in order to change its colors. Thanks for the tutorial and the reminder!

[Sequana]

Yes, I remember that tree, but not who had it. Friends of my parents, maybe.

Are you trading any of your holiday cards, btw?

[Jeanne]

Thanks for the nice little toot. You are so clever! I used your ironing tip the last time I added crystals to a project. It works fine as long as they don't need to be right in the center of a flower, since they can shift slightly. I remember those aluminum trees- seems like I even remember a pink one. Just not right!

[Kate]

I love this tree - I sure hope that's what's coming my way :)

[Sarah]

I love your card! We had one of these when I was little. What a fantastic idea!

[cathie]

Vicky - I remember my grandma had one of those trees. Every year my dad would buy the biggest real tree he could find, but I was always mesmerized by my Grandma Wanda's little silver table top tree and how the lights reflected on it. Thanks for the memory - AND the wonderful tutorial!

[Sue B]

very cool Vicki!

[Ruth]

LOL Whose grandmother didn't have one of those trees? Great job on the tutorial.

[Quiltdivajulie]

THANK YOU, Vicki ~ I need to make card inserts (postcards but without the filler) for my co-workers (I make a charitable donation, then give each of them a handmade card to announce the gift) and this idea is PERFECT!!! And I can use my glittery thread and crystals, too!

[Deb Levy]

LOVE that card!! in fact I just found one of those trees and bought it! Thanks for the tutorial, I thinkI may have to make this one!

[Mary]

This looks great...I've been thinking about making a Christmas tree card...I'd do green but I hadn't thought of adding sparkles. I don't have any crystals...I bet sequins would work...or french knots are another good idea. I've been watching Allie bead her crazy quilt and have been thinking about getting some of those too. There are just too many variations but I don't really want to start collecting more supplies!

[Micki]

That's a wonderful card and a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. And I do remember those trees.

[Randi]

I love that tree card! Great tutorial, Vicki! I haven't made any cards, yet. I just don't need to squeeze in another project right now, but that is adorable.

[Sharon]

Thanks! I am collecting Christmas tree projects this year. I included mine on my blog.
Sharon
http://e14studio.blogspot.com

[Tany]

This is a great tutorial, just in time for Christmas! Thank you!

[Pam]

Yes! We had one of these at my childhood home. It was always in front of the big picture window...I loved to sit for hours and watch as the wheel went round and round..red, green, blue, yellow....thanks for bringing back the memory!

[Evelyn]

Ohhh, my Nana used to have a tree like that and I blogged about it as a Christmas memory this year. Your card is just perfect!!!

Cheers!

Evelyn

[Gayla]

I love all the ideas you've given with the postcards you make. Thank you so much! How do you mail the postcards? Does a stamp stick to the fabric on the back?