the blessing tree…a how-to
August 23, 2010
It was a flock of blessings for a dear and amazing friend who will be a bride very soon. A group of women gathered to bless her way, her life, her great love. I made a blessing tree inspired by her most lovely invitations. Lucy was in total love with something to hang her wishes and art on, to look at them over and over. It makes me want to make one for us.
I was in love with the art from the invitation (by Noah from Another Limited Rebellion design) , so much so it has been hanging on our art wall in breakfast nook/art studio. Big deal people, only the really special stuff makes it to the wall. There is just something about the birds, what they bring and take away, and making a home in a tree sounds dreamy to this girl.
I bought a simple clay pot at the thrift store and painted it brown. A nature walk at a local park was the perfect place to find the “tree”. I hoped to find just one perfect branch but I ended up combining 3 together to make it work. I tied the branches together with a plastic tie used for electrical wire and covered it with rafia. The tiny heart was “The Giving Tree” inspired. (even though I kinda do not like that book. such a moocher, that boy!)
A styrafoam block held the tree in place and I covered the top with a round piece of brown paper. The birds were cut out over a dreamy night by myself after all had gone to bed, just me, the dog, some scissors and Netflix. It was pure loveliness. You can find the bird template here, I have no printer since the move so I traced it right from the light of my screen.
Each woman wrote a blessing or a wish and hung the bird in the tree. It was ridiculously sweet.
This is a great project for inviting some intentional goodness into your space. Kids will love writing their own wishes, love notes, blessings too. Seasons are a great reminder to turn over something new on the tree, all kinds of earthy goodness and creations can make it unique. So now I am off to make a tiny version for our family…may birds of blessings find a tree near you today too!
Kindnessgirl 
August 23, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Oh my Miss Patience, this is why we get along so well…I am doing a ‘kindness tree’ at my son’s school. Tomorrow I’m getting together with a bunch of the kids from school and they’re going to write words of kindness on paper tags to hang from a special tree at the school. I will place a small plastic container at the tree that will contain blank tags and and pencils so anyone at anytime can write their own kindness tag to hang on the tree. I’m very excited about it! Don’t worry: pictures and blog post will be coming once all is done. 😉
August 27, 2010 at 6:47 am
A Kindness TREE! Perfect! that school must be over the moon to have you Chris…your heart is so big and wide, reading every little corner of that place…love to you!
August 23, 2010 at 10:24 pm
I love this. Love-love-love it. So much.
August 27, 2010 at 6:46 am
I can just see the Amber goodness all over that one…I gotta get a flickr pool going so we can see these beauties!
August 24, 2010 at 7:02 am
What a beautiful project, I love that idea.
August 27, 2010 at 6:45 am
thanks Kathryn!!
August 25, 2010 at 5:38 am
I love this idea, we already have a tree on our season table, that we decorate according to the time of the year. I might write some wishes/blessings with my girls to hang on it too x x
August 27, 2010 at 6:45 am
I love the season table! I keep collecting little treasures in my pocket and then forget about them…send me a picture if you girls decide to do it, I would love to see it!
August 25, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Thank you so much for this idea. My friend just started chemo and i think this is the perfect thing that all those who care about her can participate in! your blog is beautiful.
August 27, 2010 at 6:43 am
oh Staci! much hope and peace to your friend…thinking of her and you as you walk the cancer journey together. Thanks for taking the time to tell me, I really appreciate it!
August 26, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Patience- I don’t like that book either! (I thought I was the only one!!) BUT, I love this idea and I am already thinking of how I am going to use it, and reuse it, and reuse it!! Miss you madly. K and Bee
August 27, 2010 at 6:42 am
thank you!! i hate how the tree lets the boy abuse him and take advantage of him…i do love Shel though, a lot! …and I can just see your tree now, with all the loveliness of the H family! can’t wait to see you guys soon! L will be thrilled!!!
August 30, 2010 at 8:57 am
I’m so happy to see that my design inspired such a wonderful project!
August 30, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Noah…that design is SO, so beautiful! Amazing work! ….and thank you for taking the time to reach out. I will totally add your credit in the post. thank you!
September 4, 2010 at 8:55 am
This is such a sweet idea…..as a matter of fact, I am going to paint the blessing tree either on my large white kitchen cabinet or on canvas, frame it and hang it on the kitchen wall…..haven’t decided which place yet. Just as a reminder of our small and simple blessings of life. AND my daughter teaches First Grade at our nearby elementary school and I am gong to make the “Blessing Tree” for her first graders to share kindness ideas and hang them on the tree……thanks so much! You are an inspiration to all!