My Africa Christmas Tree

My Africa stick Christmas tree

I have a painting over my fireplace and with the heat coming up the wall did not want to expose it to too much heat. Needless to say, there it was a WIDE OPEN SPACE.

In previous years I had a wreath or up but felt nostalgic and had this yearning for "home" so I decided to bring a bit of my roots home for Christmas and do something a little different.

I saw something similar online and loved the idea so I added my little Africa spin to it. With the help of my husband we searched for sticks and after a fruitless search of way too dry sticks he decided to cut some fresh branches. This made him feel more comfortable as the wood was wet and less prone to catch fire. Not that I was concerned, the fire is not even close to the mantel.

I had some ornaments and also clay letters my sister made that I used to decorate the tree. I made the burlap and feather stockings a few years ago and thought it would add to my theme. the star was just a few sticks I attached first with a glue gun and then secures them with wire. All the sticks were attached to each other using wire.





I glued the letters to rustic looking burlap ribbon.

They are in Afrikaans and spell LIEFDE - LOVE, HOOP - HOPE, GELOOF- FAITH, VREDE-PEACE

Some of the ornaments are made from wire and beads that are sold on some of the street corners for tourists.

I added a Jacaranda pod. This is from one of the most beautiful flowering trees in South-Africa, but nit indigenous to SA. The have light purple flowers that bloom in October, the beginning of spring and the streets are lined with them where I grew up. It brings back beautiful memories.

Kitchen/Nook chairs with an African twist

Chairs - the "little black dress" your kitchen or bathroom needs.

Well, we went sailing again and I found these 3 chairs. Two were stained dark and one lighter, all with different seat upholstery. 

She also had a few pieces of upholstery fabric with african animals that she threw in with the deal. It had good bones and I saw their potential, SOLD!

We started working on them, took the seats off, liquid sanded the chairs and sprayed them flat black for an informal but classy look. 

This was a quick fun project and I am satisfied with the results. I hope it will make a nice addition to someone's kitchen or bathroom. It will also look good in a little corner as a coffee break area with a little round table. 

My paintings - Africa

I will post my paintings here with links for ordering prints or sale info.

Thirsty Zebra

This painting is NFS, but prints can be bought from FineArtAmerica. This is acrylic on canvas.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/thirsty-zebra-cecile-smit.html

Lion Stare

Pastel - done in 2001. NFS Prints also available at FineArtAmerica.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lion-stare-cecile-smit.html




4 Proteas

I love the bold and ruggedness of this flower. Yet it is soft to the touch and truly reflects our African culture.

Per WIKI: Protea is both the botanical name and the English common name of a genus of South African flowering plants, sometimes also called sugarbushes. In local tradition, the Protea flower represents change and hope. 

KINDERDIJK 

a painting I finished and dedicated to my friend who took the reference picture I used. She passed away couple of weeks since she took the picture.