Misguided Designs Hand Painted Gifts

Misguided Xmas Trees

A Misguided Designs Xmas tree is not going to be your typical Douglas Fir or Scotch Pine... in fact, it's usually not a tree at all! I began creating these 'alternative Xmas trees' in 1988 and really enjoy coming up with the theme and design.

I never know what this year's design will be until the inspiration strikes me, usually sometime in early November. I've listed each 'tree' in the approximate chronological order, most recent to earliest... I think you'll agree these holiday sculptures are truly Misguided.

Alternative Christmas Tree - 2011

It had to happen. Our houseguest Velvet (my birthday present in 2011) had been standing naked in the living room since July. In November I was hit with the idea of using all my extra yarn to dress her for the holidays, and I am extremely pleased with the way she came out. Her arms, shoulders, torso, legs and feet are wrapped in a single layer of different colors of yarn. NO KNOTS (hey, I want the yarn for later, right?). Her hat and skirt are knitted pieces, and I am especially fond of her shoe wraps.

To accompany Velvet, a yarn-wrapped flamingo with matching wrapped legs and a leash. No Name's body is totally yarned, and the wrapped base looks like the surface of a pond. I knitted some grass, scattered balls of yarn around and added yarn spooge to the tree. The look is couture, modern, a little crazy and very sexy.

Once again, the tall background tree was recycled from years past. This is the fourth time it has been part of our holidays and has finally been retired. I'm so glad that I had Velvet around to inspire me and offer herself as my creative canvas. Making art RULES.

2010 Misguided Christmas Tree

It took until the second week of December, but I'm really glad I waited for the inspiration to hit me and create this truly unique Christmas art piece.

It has been compared to a kite or a sail, but I was actually trying to recreate something based upon the 3-D toothpick stars that I learned to make as a little girl, the same ones attached to the face of last year's tree.

This sculpture is fabricated from 9-inch bamboo skewers, gift wrap and tissue, tulle, hot glue and tacky glue. Built as a freestanding series of triangles, my husband was convinced that it couldn't stand on its own without additional support. Measuring almost 6-feet tall and 4-feet across, it creates a sense of movement and motion, even though the entire structure weighs less than 2 pounds!

Once the holidays are over, this tree will remain in our home as an object d'art... as long as someone doesn't accidentally demolish it. Wish me luck!

Alternative Christmas Tree - Abstract Tree, 2010 Edition

Alternative Christmas Tree - Modern Tree, 2009 Edition

2009 Misguided Christmas Tree

For 2009, no political statements... I wanted to create trees that made purely artistic statements, and I think I succeeded!

Our main tree in the den was retasked from one we have used several times in the past. Standing over 8 feet tall, a modern color scheme was highlighted with Silver and Black glittered toothpick stars, along with one pulsing in Copper. Since Bob hadn't finished his latest remodeling project (sigh), the metal lathe covering the fireplace helped to create an industrial look, unplanned but effective... lucky for him!

The second tree in the living room was actually more of a decoration than a tree... in fact, it was two different trees in one. Side One was covered in a modern Red and Silver pattern with polka dots that reflected the lights... very cool.

Side Two showcases my crazy 3-D paper creations, attached to the surface of the tree like ornaments. I think there are almost 40 of them, and it was really hard to decide which to include since I have almost 100 made! I'm planning to create a larger wall art design using this tree and more of the 3D pieces, so we'll see how that goes as we jump into the New Year.

I really liked the idea of retasking the larger tree... this may be the fourth time it's been up since being built over 10 years ago. Talk about recycling!