Monday, December 17, 2012

A Christmas Cottage

Last night I began making a little Christmas cottage.  It started as a plain wooden birdhouse from the craft store.  This is a photo-heavy post, just a little warning in case you're short on time.  ;-)

 

My first addition to the house (after painting it white) was a scrap of paper that I had in my cast-off box.  It's this beautiful Market Street Stamps Vintage Wallpaper stamp in red ink on white paper.  I added some skinny strips of red flocked patterned paper from Stampin' Up! along the exposed edges.  And what's a winter roof without some sparkling snow?  The snow was made with Snow-Tex, which has the texture of cake frosting, and then sprinkled some iridescent glitter on top.


On the two narrow sides, I repurposed some gorgeous aqua pearly paper from a booklet we received while in Hawaii.  I topped each wall with a doily-edged punch border that is also 'glitterfied'.


The photo below shows the back of the house.  I covered both the front and back of the house with embossed white cardstock.  I also added a pale gray wrought iron fence die, which is decorated with Liquid Pearls.


One light blue gem graces the eaves on the back of the house.


Here's a close up of the front of the house:


The wreath die cut is made from the same blue paper on the sides of the house.  I touched it with some Liquid Pearls.  The wrought iron fence sports some of that, too.  The little bird perch has a large pearl on the end as it looked too plain with nothing there.

Challenges entered:
  • Lawnscaping - Make It Shine - I used glitter - lots of glitter!

  • Sunshine Creations - Season's Greetings - this challenge is run by a sweet, talented 11 year old girl named Anushka, whose mom is also in the paper crafting business.  I'm so impressed by Anushka!  I have an 11 year old daughter, too.  :-)
  • Simon Says Stamp - What's Your Fave (tool, product, etc.)?  I am using dies/punches - one of my many paper-crafty loves ;-)

Only a week to go 'til Christmas!  Do you have your shopping all finished?  How 'bout presents wrapped?  I'm still working on that!




Stamps: Vintage Wallpaper - Market Street Stamps
Paper: Going Gray, Whisper White, red flocked pattern - SU; pearly blue paper - upcycled from booklet
Ink: Real Red - SU
Other: wooden bird house - JoAnn's; Breezy Wreath, Estate Fence dies - Memory Box; Doily Lace Trim punch - Martha Stewart; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Snow-Tex - Deco Art; iridescent glitter; white paint; large pearl - Recollections; blue rhinestone - Want2Scrap; Petals A Plenty embossing folder - SU

34 comments:

Jennifer said...

What a beautiful little birdie house! Love all your fabulous details =)

Jessi Fogan said...

This house is gorgeous! What a beautiful decoration & keepsake all at the same time :) I especially love the delicate detail of the wreath & the fence!
So far I have to (omg) address & finally mail cards; bake; decorate; wrap presents. But the presents are purchased, so there's that ;) We are pretty low-key around here but it's still getting crunchy for time!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

This is GORGEOUS!! I love love love love it!! WOWWWWWWWWWW!!!! WOW!!!!

Lisa Elton said...

There are no words Colleen...my OH my what an amazing project. Great work my friend...really great!!!

Bonnie said...

This is gorgeous, Colleen! I love all the pretty details and the snow! Oh, I love the snow!

Sindhu said...

OMG Colleen! This is sooooooo very beautiful... Love the way you made snow on it... Each and every element on the little cottage is damn cute and I love it to bits...

LeAnne said...

Ooooh, this is sooo pretty! AND so was your card I got in the mail today! What a treasure it was, and this will be as well! LOVE it!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Adorable!

Carole said...

It sure sounds like you had some fun with that adorable bird house.Be careful you might find yourself with an entire community. Tee hee!

krcmasterpiece said...

I want one! LOL This is so adorable. Revamping items is so fun!

Merry Christmas!

walchowDesign said...

Fabulous bird house, Colleen! Love all the details!

Emily Keaton said...

Colleen, this birdhouse is absolutely gorgeous! I just LOVE those colors for Christmas, one of my new fave holiday combos. And look at all the punches and glitter!! Fabulous creation, my friend!!

Annette Allen said...

wow wee Colleen...this is amazing.. I love everything about it.. and that little fence...how cute... girl you are amazing..

Marisa said...

Such a cute birdhouse! Very upscale too LOL! Great details and a fabulous job on it!

Julia S-W said...

Sorry but I've been ill again Colleen and haven't been around much for a couple of weeks. Feeling a little more human now and actually made something today which is only the second thing in two weeks - you know how it goes!
You have put so much work into this charming little bird house - it's absolutely stunning. I like that you've used loads of glitter but it is applied with a delicate touch and just makes your house gleam!
I do hope you are well and that you have stopped worrying about Christmas. I was getting worried about how behind I was then I remembered your post when you were feeling the same - I've decided I can't be recovering and be a domestic goddess so I'll do a little of each and that will have to suffice! Luckily my Aunt is having us for Christmas lunch so that is a little less stressful.
I wish you a wonderful holiday season and thank you for being such an inspiration and taking time to visit little old (ish!!) me!
Hugs to you and best wishes to your family,
Juliaxx

My Paper Epiphany said...

Adorable! Seeing all these 'snowy' christmas creations is making me feel really hot! That doesn't make sense does it? I mean it's so hot and humid here - I wish I could be in the northern hemisphere for Christmas!

Linda Breedlove said...

WOW, Colleen this is gorgeous.... love these colors. The wreath looks fabulous against the white... love the addition of the Liquid Pearls and your fence is the ideal finishing touch. This is soooooo pretty, Miss Talented Lady!!!!
Hugs!

Unknown said...

WOW!! This is gorgeous. I just love every little detail you added.

Wishing you a merry week my friend.

Love the photos of you house! so pretty!

Hugs~

Ann Schach said...

A masterpiece, Colleen! Absolutely stunning!

Benzi said...

Ooh, la, la....so glad I got over to your blog and saw this. You know I'm a bird and birdhouse lover. How fabulous this turned out. Wow!

I see you've made some beautiful cards while I've been away. I took some time off today to make a card.
Renovations are almost finshed. I won't get my tile backsplash in the kitchen until after Christmas. Drat! I have been working hard this week to get things put back together and cleaning done. I hope to get in the kitchen Thursday to make some goodies. Shopping is almost finished.

Hope things are well with you and you're going to have a blessed Christmas.

Anonymous said...

So cool!!!! My favorite detail is the wrought iron fence!

Gotta go, still working on cards and everything. Will I ever learn? Nah, not me!

Happy holidays!

Chris R. from Iowa

Marlena M. said...

Colleen, your 3D house is MAGNIFICENT. I love the glitterfied accents and details!
I am so behind...but that's ok. It will get there when it gets there! ;)
You have a blessed and peaceful Christmas friend~

Lynnette said...

All I can say is WOW, this is stunning, absolutely stunning. Well done, so gorgeous. Merry Christmas

Shea said...

What a fabulous little bird cottage! Saw your thumbnail over at Simon Says and was intrigued, and WOW - so glad I took a look. This is beyond precious. I love all your glittery details, and you've given me great inspiration to doll up a tiny birdhouse I've had for years. Beautiful little house! And thanks for all the photos - I LOVE to see closeups of beautiful projects! :)

Martha Herrera said...

You are amazing, my friend. Your attention to detail is fabulous!
Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2013!

cheiron said...

Gorgeous house. Thanks for playing along with us this week in the "What's Your Favorite" challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog.

Maria said...

Such a darling creation you made of this sweet little bird house, Colleen! Love the color palette and all the glitter! You can display this little gem all winter long! Hope all is well with you and wishing you a wonderful blessed Christmas and joyous New Year, hugs!

Laurel Beard said...

WOW! Just wow. I have no words. This is breathtaking!!! Merry Christmas! And thanks so much for playing along with us Lawnscaping gals for the Make it Shine challenge!

Barb Ghig said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS bird house...I love all your details!!!

Sue Lelli said...

GORGEOUS house, Colleen! LOVE it!

Jinny Newlin said...

Cute as can be! I just love all the lacy details and shimmer and shine!

Karin Ã…kesdotter said...

AMAZING!!! ! Thanks so much for playing along with the Make it Shine challenge at Lawnscaping! Merry Christmas hugs, Karin

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, it turned out so sweet! How fun this must have been! I'm so glad you shared it, Colleen.

Christiana said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm totally impressed at your skills! Thanks for playing with us at Lawnscaping!

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