jeweled Christmas tree

One might remember that last February as I was finally ready to make my jeweled Christmas tree, I got impatient or silly or whatever you want to call it and made this heart instead. Well, I finally got around to making that tree this February.
I've had this frame forever- I got it at Hobby Lobby years ago when I began dreaming up this project. It was super on sale- I think I bought it for $9.99. You can't tell from the backside in this picture but it's thick and gaudy- the gaudier the better for this project. I cut a piece of masonite to fit inside the frame and built the tree on. The material had to be thick enough to support the weight of all sparkly gems.
I used a sponge brush to cover the masonite with a thin coat of fabric glue, then pressed on the velvet fabric for the background. I lightly drew the outline of the tree onto the velvet with chalk, any lines left visible rub off easily in the end. I prearranged the jewels on an extra piece of velvet, in the exact shape I was after.
All of the pieces are glued on with a hot glue gun. I tried to use a little glue as possible so it wouldn't be blobby and visible. I started with the edges and worked my way in, gluing the biggest jewels down first.
I have been collecting all the costume jewelry for years. This project can get very expensive if you're not careful. I found a few lots on ebay, a few are family heirlooms and I've done lots of digging in local antique shops for cheap broken and mismatched earrings and brooches.
I wanted the tree to look as solid as possible so I filled in the little gaps with tiny jewels and pearls.
A kind blogger friend gave me this bee (it was a belt buckle) and the 2 tiny bees (cuff links?) that are hidden in the mix at the last Beehive Bazaar- Midge, you are so sweet and thoughtful; what a treat to have a few bees to put in the mix!
I can't believe this tree is finally finished. I feel like I've really accomplished something this week- and it's only Monday! It's going to be like the best Christmas present ever when I get to put my jeweled tree up this December.


Lice update: (gross) Everyone but M is still clean. When I checked her hair yesterday I found only 3 nits and 1 actual bug. I haven't seen a actual louse since day 1, even then she had less than 5 full grown bugs crawling around. (Is your head itching yet??) WOW- how did he slip thru the cracks? (I guess he just hatched, let's hope it was a "he".)
Last night we all soaked and washed our hair in the tea tree/eucaluptus oil shampoo concoction- just to be safe. (that tea tree oil is amazing stuff- after reading about it, I think I want to bathe in it.)
This morning I didn't find a single nit or bug in M's hair, hooray!
Let's hope this is the beginning of the end.