Juliet and the Nutcracker: Dress Form to Christmas Tree!

Greetings Friends! As promised, I'm sharing my first Christmas decor project of the season. I had so much fun playing dress up and this post has sentimental meaning for me as well. 

Nutcracker Ballet Dress Form Christmas Tree


You probably remember Juliet. During my blogging journey, my rustic dress form has been featured in several of my posts. She's been decked out by my front door...

Christmas dress form


adorned in a vintage apron...


Dress form as decor


and more recently, welcomed fall. 


Fall dress form


So it's only natural that I would transform her for Christmas and my inspiration comes from a holiday favorite, The Nutcracker.  When my girls were little, they performed in our town's annual production.  While Youngest Daughter lost interest after a few years to pursue singing, Dear Firstborn continued the tradition until the year she left for college.  To this day, when I hear any song from the ballet score, I grow nostalgic.  Every song represents a different dance role and I am instantly transported to days of auditions, countless rehearsals, elaborate costumes and standing ovations followed by bouquets of flowers for my ballerina(s).  Now you see why it's been a special project for me! On Wednesday, I'll share my tutorial including how I used coupons, dollar store items and thrift store finds to save money on my creation.  Today it's all about presentation, so without further adieu....ta-da....Juliet and the Nutcracker!

Nutcracker ballet dress form Christmas tree


Every ballerina needs a tiara!  Now let's go to the ballet...

Repurposed dress form Christmas tree


Our story begins when Clara is presented with a toy nutcracker at her parents' Christmas party. After an evening of fun and festivities, she is off to bed and the dream begins...

Nutcracker ballet vignette


When the menacing music begins, beware of the Rat King! While I am not a fan of rats--this one has to be the cutest ever! I was thrilled to find him locally at Hometown Crafts

The Rat King ornament


The Nutcracker defeats the evil rodent and whisks Clara away to a magical kingdom of snow, dolls...

Clara and the Nutcracker


...and treats! 


Cupcake Christmas ornament


There's even a Sugar Plum Fairy! 


Sugar Plum Fairy Christmas ornament



Aren't these toe shoes gorgeous? I think someone must have outgrown them before they got much wear; I just tucked some floral ribbon inside for the display. Dear Firstborn used to wear hers out until they were tattered but I wish we'd kept a pair. I found these at Lilacs-N-Calico & Co. on my recent trip to Mason. I'll be sharing more finds and fun photos from shops from there soon! 

Vintage ballet pointe shoes


Last, a full length view and remember to come back Wednesday for the tutorial! 

Nutcracker ballet dress form Christmas tree


Ballerina Juliet will be my Christmas tree this year.  I'm curious, would you consider an alternative to your traditional tree? 




MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR FEATURING THIS POST:




The Enchanting Rose










 FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE




 The Dedicated House





Link parties

Would you like to comment?

  1. LOVE this!! I have a small dress form like this that I just might "dabble" with!! Thanks so much also for your Free E book offering! I downloaded it and loved it!! Wonderful!!
    And thanks so much for dropping by!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  2. Just Beautiful, Cecelia. My fond memories are of taking my girls to see The Nutcracker when they were little girls, and now seeing them taking their own daughters. It is a tradition I find Heartwarming. I find your display heartwarming also. Lovely-- I like all of the little touches and I just love her wintry skirt reminding me of frost on lacy branches. Great Job!

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  3. How sweet, Cecilia! Perhaps my Chris Missy can come to the performance! ;) On a side note, I use both mine and my daughter's old pointe shoes in Christmas decor - talk about being on the same page! Have a lovely Sunday.
    Rita

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  4. Oh Cecilia! She turned out spectacularly! I love the story behind it too. What precious memories it holds. I'd do something different if I could come up with something as meaningful as yours. I have a feeling my family would make fun of me ans my idea though. ;)
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  5. This is so pretty and such sweet memories! I love it and so glad you shared this.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  6. That is so sweet, and such a nice story to go with it. I still like to have the traditional tree, but I have more than one place to put things and would so something like that in the sewing area.

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  7. Well Cecilia; Juliet is beautiful and will glitter and shine this Christmas season. What a fun and meaningful project. Love the story and memories that it brings to you. Enjoy
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  8. What a great idea to use her for your Christmas tree this year! How cool is that? I've always loved vintage dress forms....they're so hard to find any more and so expensive! I have a makeshift one that I love to dress up with all my sparkly vintage rhinestone jewelry. Your nutcracker theme is genius and darling at the same time. It's always nice to remember when they were little!
    xoKathleen

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  9. This is too sweet. I played violin all through school and cottage, and the Nutcracker was always my favorite, the music and the magic of the story. So when I look at your post all the beautiful Tschaikovsky rolls back into my head. Thanks for the memories, and everything is gorgeous. Sandi

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  10. How fun is this?! I never seem to dress up anymore so love this idea of dressing up a dress from for the different seasons. Don't need to worry about runs in nylons, outfits getting all wrinkly under heavy winter coats, jewelry I rarely wear, or worry about wrecking vintage clothing - this is so perfect! I have a perfect home for it by my dressing table too! I love the Nutcracker and have been listening to it already now for several wks now I confess so love this themed outfit! Gotta get me a gorgeous dress form like yours and join in the unique fun!

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  11. Oh Cecilia, you have put a much-needed smile on my face with this post :) I love all of your Nutcracker decor and memorabilia, especially the Mouse King (that is one of the prettiest I have ever seen.) My daughter also grew up in the Nutcracker, and she has dozens and dozens of ornaments and nutcrackers from all of those years. She is still dancing at the age of 26 but won't be doing the Nutcracker this season, as her other dance contracts conflict :(
    Ahh, wonderful memories for us dance moms, though.

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  12. Fabulous, Cecilia. You are a creative girl, that is for sure. I adore the Nutcracker, used to take my girls every season. Maybe it's time to renew that tradition! I would love to have an empty tree one year. Just a rustic evergreen in a tin pail. Of course, my kids would never have it. They love ornaments, but I think there is something very charming about the tree in its own form...

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  13. Juliet is gorgeous and I love your story and sweet memories. Thanks, Cecilia, for sharing her at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  14. Cecilia...how beautiful and creative! Such a gorgeous "tree"! And The Nutcracker is one of my most favorite plays....Hugs!!

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  15. Cecilia I am such a sucker for the Nutcracker. I play the music non stop from now till January. You have such a treasure in your house And you are a treasure for creating that beautiul scene. Thanks .

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  16. How so very special! For you and your girls. This is the most creative "tree" I've seen in a long time. I would definitely try a different tree. Gotta think one up!

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  17. Cecilia
    Beautiful memories and a beautiful alternative, I love when creativity steps out of the traditional box.
    Debbygoesshabby@blogspot.com

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  18. Cecilia, she's stunning! Popping in to let you know you are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/11/make-it-pretty-monday-week-157.html Hope to see you again at the party. Have a happy week! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  19. So beautiful! My daughter will absolutely love this! It's pink and frilly and the Nutcracker! Pinning!

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  20. How lovely! I have never had a non-traditional tree, but now I want a dress form :) And a tree that packs your children's memories is so extra special!

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  21. Well you know I love this project! She is jut enchanting... and I loved reading your personal story... how precious those years were. This is Bebe's second year in the Nutcracker... we'll see how long she makes it through.:) Thanks so much or joining up with "Let's Talk Vintage!" this week.

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  22. Lovely post, Cecilia--she is beautiful. What a magnificent job you did "putting her together." Love her!

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  23. She is beautiful Cecilia! Love the rat too!! ;) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. This is simply stunning! I just love it!

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  25. What a clever idea. Who doesn't love The Nutcracker to create wonderful Christmas memories.

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  26. Your Juliette has been magically transformed into the most glorious Christmas tree! She is dancing the most exquisite of ballets!!

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  27. Such wonderful ways to dress up the form, but I would have to say the ballerina is wonderful!!

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  28. Dearest Cecilia, this is so incredibly beautiful! I fell in love with your pretty dress form and I am featuring it at tomorrow's party. Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. Hugs!

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  29. Hello,

    I saw you on Rose of Inspiration today. I just love this idea! But the story behind it about your oldest daughter really touched my heart. So very precious.
    :) Hope

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  30. Hello Cecilia, I am one of your new followers and that dress form is just lovely!
    Thanks for the free download book. It will be very informative ad helpful. Have a blessed day.
    Karen

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  31. Hi Cecilia, I love Juilet she is such an wonderful addition to your holiday decor. Just like a grown up Barbie! lol You will never believe this but I have the same ballerina on my Christmas tree. I gave it to my daughter 40 Christmases ago. xx Jo

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