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HOW TO BLEACH, DYE & DECORATE BOTTLE BRUSH TREES

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I wanted to share how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees! I am a huge fan of bottle brush trees. I love how versatile they are. The possibilities are really endless & when I saw a bag of 21 varying sizes of trees at Michael’s for 40% off, plus an extra 20% off coupon, I knew I would have some fun! This bag came to about $11-score!!

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
I wasn’t a fan of the dark green, but knew I would be dyeing them anyway. There are many tutorials but I always like to use what I have on hand. As I was previously a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I have lots of reinkers & glitter. To bleach the trees simply take a large bucket (I picked mine up at The Dollar Tree) & fill it with half hot water &  half bleach. It is best to go outside.                              I also wear gloves. Simply put the trees in the bucket & watch

how quickly they turn. The color comes right off. You can leave them in as long as you like, but it really should only take a couple of minutes to get them a nice ivory color. Rinse them under cold  water & let them dry on paper towels. If you want to leave them ivory, you are ready to decorate.    

If you want to color them simply take a small spray bottle & fill      
halfway with water & add a dropper full of reinker. If you don’t     
have reinkers, you can use RIT Dye or even food coloring. Simply  
spray the brush until you get the desired color. You can also soak  them overnight, but really the spray bottle works great. 
Now the fun begins! There are so many things you can do. Of course my mind was racing with things. I added some craft glue & 
glitter for some beautiful glitter trees-love the german glass glitter! 
I knew I wanted some ornaments-here are several simple, but pretty ideas: 

Teacup Ornament

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
Glass bottle  Ornament
 
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
Silver Car Ornament

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
Birdcage Ornament 
 
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
I used several vessels to display a few of the trees. I love the cherub in the back. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving so I can finally put them out. 
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
Silver deer in an old mason jar

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
This was my mantel last year. I added a tree to a faux fur wreath & a couple in candleholders.
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees

 

how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
how to bleach, dye & decorate bottle brush trees
I love the display in an old cigar box! 


So get your craft on & most of all have fun! 



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Julie

Thursday 15th of November 2018

Do you know how to fix these trees when they have been smashed? I moved across the country and so many of my trees got crushed...breaks my heart.

ourcraftymom

Monday 26th of November 2018

I wish I knew how. I had several that were ruined in a recent move as well and was so bummed. I tried unsmashing them, but they haven't bounced back.

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