"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Thursday, March 11, 2010

My Nutcracker tree...

Could you hear my big sigh? I am so pleased today as I can share a major UFO that I finished this week. In December, I showed you a sweet little pink feather tree that I found on eBay. I had an idea for it as soon as I saw it online. Excitedly, I ordered the tree and waited for it to arrive. Here is the result of my idea...a Nutcracker tree...

*Click on the photos to enlarge them*


The first step was done back in December when I took a bowl of (fake) snow from my Christmas village and some spray glue outside to give the tree a snowy look. What a mess that makes. I can still see fake snow in our garden. *grins*

I have always loved this magical Christmas story which had been turned into a ballet that is every child's holiday fantasy. The music seems to transport me into the living room of the Stahlbaum house on Christmas eve. I watch with goose pimples as the Christmas tree grows and am transported to that enchanted forest where snowflakes dance and sweets come to life to entertain us.

But look! Here is Clara's godfather Drosselmeyer with a very special gift for her this Christmas eve. A nutcracker!

Clara is thrilled with her new toy.

Oh no! Who is this? The Mouse King has come come to fight the Nutcracker.

But the Nutcracker Prince still reigns. The Mouse King is defeated and the Prince takes Clara off to the Land of Sweets...

I filled my tree with sweets made of wool felt. It has been great fun coming up with various ideas for candy. What Christmas could be complete without ribbon candy. This beautiful decorative candy is a joy to see and I can remember my mother having it in a bowl on the table during the holidays.

Jos asked if I was going to make Dutch 'spekjes' which are a marshmallow candy here in Holland. I made them especially for him.

Care for a little raspberry ice cream cone? I have pistachio too if you prefer?

Or perhaps you would rather have a peppermint twist?

Wrapped candy gives you a surprise as to what is inside...

Taffy rolls are almost too pretty to eat!

I hope you enjoyed visiting my Land of Sweets. I will be keeping this tree out year round in my quilt studio to enjoy being a child each time I see it!

22 comments:

Heleen said...

Het ziet er allemaal zo lekker zoet en mooi uit!

onlymehere said...

You are so very creative! You do have an eye for beauty and make the most amazing things. I never ever would have thought to do this!

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi,

What a beautiful tree you have created! I also love the Nutcracker and your tree and ornaments are truly spectacular!!!

Snowy

Cindy's Stitching said...

The nutcracker tree is pretty

Irene said...

What a wonderful tree and well done.

Elly said...

Wow dit is wel heel amerikaans Heidi!
Het snoep ziet er erg leuk uit, had ik dat al bij je gezien? Komt me tenminste bekend voor.
Hugs en groetjes, Elly

Barb said...

Heidi it is fan-tas-tic!! What a wonderful world you must live in,I know you make mine so much better .I wish I had your imagination now what can you do with "Katie Did"lol.
Love the roll at the end ,you are just so talented.

hazel c UK said...

Oh Heidi your tree is magical and the candy looks delicious, where O where do you get your ideas from.

Thank you so much for sharing and I hope I can come up with something nice nearer Christmas for my pink tree.

Love Hazel

Christine said...

What a lovely idea, its gorgeous

Françoise said...

Beautifull!!!!Very creative!!!
hugs
françoise

Jenny said...

What an absolutely adorable tree. It is almost as magical as the story itself! The ornaments are precious and the candy is absolutely delicious. Heidi, you have such a gift for creating beauty and warmth, for bringing joy not only to your own home, but to many others who enjoy your blog. Thank you for taking the time to make others smile and to inspire their creative muse's. :) Your passion for needlework is truely a blessing.

Hugs from California!

Nancy said...

Holy cow, that is great. You are one very clever little elf. I love this tree. Your candy looks good enough to eat too. great job.
Love you, Mom
PS: I literally just got home. I didn't even unpack yet. LOL. See how important you are.

angelasweby said...

Heidi what a wonderful trip through story land. I have loved looking at your beautiful pictures and seeing the imaginative way you have brought this fairytale to life. I knew you must have some pretty special plans for your pink feather tree.
The fabric sweets look so delicious and the little figures hung delicately among the branches finish off this project perfectly.
Thank you for sharing it with us :>)
Angela xx

mainely stitching said...

Oh my heavens, Heidi. You are just insanely talented. That's STUNNING. Absolutely stunning. WOW!!!

Carolien said...

Hi Heidi,

It's good to have a nice reminder of being/staying a child ... This tree makes me think of 'suikerspinnen' and since I don't like suikerspinnen ... but I love the thought behind it. And I love the Nutcracket Ballet for sure!

Bye & hugs, Carolien

Teri said...

What a great tree! The little candy ornaments look delicious!

Siobhán said...

Oh Heidi, that is so neat!! What a great idea--the tree and all of its ornaments are adorable.

Brigitte said...

You always have such creative ideas. And not only do you have the idea, you also create these things. It's become a lovely Nutcracker tree.

Muggensteekjes said...

Hoi Heidi,
oooh wat een geweldig mooie boom en dan het mooie wijsje op de achtergrond, helemaal leuk. Wat heb je er ook prachtige ornamentjes inhangen, very pretty!
Groetjes, Ingrid.

Kathy said...

Oh my, this is absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful addition to your Christmas decorations. And I love your candies. :)

Jantine said...

Wat een geweldig idee! Snap dat je er blij mee bent!

Willy said...

Je hebt er een geweldig leuke boom in Notekrakerstijl van gemaakt.