Our Solstice Tree

Only a few weeks away until the Summer is finally here and to celebrate the solstice, christmas and all our other favourite holidays, family Rainbow wanted to enjoy this holiday time mindfully.

Our love for mumma earth is always our drive, especially this time of year where consuming becomes the norm. We like to celebrate with open hearts.

Our first project, was the Tree.

We have been collecting old pallets for a while now for all sorts of upcycled projects we have created around the home like pallet vege garden walls, furniture and assisting with the kitchen reno. But this time they were to be used for our Solstice/Christmas tree.

We measured out our lengths, cut the pallets to size, screwed it all together, and well! It was time for a super smoothy!!

Here are the step by step instructions:

Recycled Pallet Timber — Break down a standard pallet to it’s major pieces. You should wind up with 3 or 4 lengths of 2×4 and a bunch of slats. 🙂

You'll need a pencil and a length of line ... — You’ll then need a pencil and a string line …

A couple of drill bits ... — A couple of drill bits (maybe) …

…and a saw! (It can be a hand saw if that’s all you have) 🙂

Lay two lengths of 2×4 end to end to form your tree trunk

Use one of your slat to connect the two tree trunk lengths together

Turn the trunk over and start layout out your slats, with one slat covering the join in the trunk. (Once this centre slat is screwed in place, it will create a strong join across the trunk.)

Add a screw to the top slat. Don’t screw this in all the way as you’ll need to attach you’re string line to this.

Run your string line diagonally down to your bottom slat at the angle you’d like your tree.

Mark along your string line with lead pencil

Remove and cut your slats along the lines you’ve marked

Now screw all your slats in place! If your wood is a bit brittle (especially if it’s a little old) you may need to drill pilot holes first, so your screws don’t crack the wood.

You’ve done a great job!! It must be SUPER GREEN SMOOTHY TIME! 😀

Now the decorations!! Three hearts for three bubbins were made from felt with just one word that represented the meaning of christmas to ourselves was our mantra as we sewed. Togetherness, Kindness and Happiness.

5 Silver bows hand made together to represent our bond as a family. Silver tape was recycled from Remida.

Finger knitted and newspaper fans on hemp string buntings added that extra special gift to our tree. With cardboard painted shapes, recycled paper snow flakes, reefs made from unused cardboard puzzles and clay ornaments filled our tree with life.

A solstice tree with meaning, love and one in which wont cost the earth.

Happy Solstice to you all.