Thursday, April 21, 2011

'Nuttycrest'...... Nutshell House


Welcome to Nuttycrest Cottage. It's residents are a bit eccentric. They have deviated from the villages strict building codes with their outrageous roof top addition of a gazebo /garden. It is the reason for a town hall meeting tonight at Twigs & Berries. Several of the villagers are furious. It seems that many residents want the offenders to move their house to a entirely different tree!

OK... I know, I said the last one was going to be 'it' for a while. I just couldn't help myself. I was laying in bed one night and thought... Oooooh a observation deck/roof garden, Then I had to turn on the light and draw a sketch to figure out how to make it work. Then I thought... It needs a swing with a 'wisteria like' vine growing down out of the gazebo. Totally crazy which is part of the reason for the name of the cottage.

These are almost impossible to photograph. The purple 'berries are so vibrant,deep and sort of metallic... The color is really off in these photos. ;-(( I finally gave up this morning and settled for these. They are so small and there is just so much going on 360 degrees.Don't forget to click twice on the photos for a close up.
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24 comments:

  1. FiverApril 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Catherine, these are great! And I love your latest with it's observation roof garden. I hope you make more to add to your little village!

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  2. Natalie WilsonApril 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    I really love these little houses, so tiny but still so perfect.

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  3. Jollie April 21, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Incredible!!! What a beautiful houses :)
    They are breath taking...

    Hugs Jollie

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  4. klaraApril 21, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    these are little houses are realy amazing, you are so talented

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  5. The Old MaidApril 21, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Fabulous!!:)

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  6. MichelleApril 21, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Absolutely adorable, and I love them all! I love the amount of detailing and that tiny swing! Fantastic work!

    If I have an idea I have to keep thinking about it till it's formed in my head. Unfortunately like you the ideas come at rather inconvenient hours! lol

    Michelle xx

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  7. Linda CarswellApril 21, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    Oh soooo BEAUTIFUL!!!! You have done a fabulous job of this house....so amazing!

    I so love the photo of the three together!

    The wisteria falling down over the little house is wonderful....oh!!! I love it all!!!

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  8. onbeingaminimumApril 21, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    I am totally awe-struck. These are simply perfect.

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  9. FloraApril 22, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    What a fantastic town! It would be great to see you working on these nuts ...
    Here is the perfect technique and a dose of fantasy exceptional ...
    Like everyone else, I'm speechless ...

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  10. Carol Mittlesteadt-KubricanApril 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Your latest creation is amazing, as are all of the little nut structures! I can just picture a little resident sitting on the porch, dangling her feet over the side. Now, how crazy is that?

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  11. PattyApril 22, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Catherine, You are such a talented woman! I really love this latest walnut house that you have made. I adore the last picture with the blue sky behind them. It makes them pop off of the page! Well done!!!!! Amazing!!!!!

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  12. AscensionApril 22, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Eres una mujer con mucha imaginacion y talento, me encantan son abolutamente geniales!!!
    besitos ascension

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  13. Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty BibertyApril 22, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Wow! They are awesome and absolutely beautiful!
    Mercedes

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  14. Marie-LaureApril 22, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    For our great pleasure, your last nuthouse was not the last one !
    This one is absolutely marvelous and, whatever the neighbours think, the gazebo is a wonderful idea to appreciate the nice weather.

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  15. DaydreamerApril 22, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Even better than the last one, Catherine! I Love your Nuttiest one yet!! That roof cupola garden is DIVINE! What a perfect perch for a tiny sprite! You tiny walnut houses are WONDERFUL! Please don't stop!!

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  16. CatherineApril 22, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Thank you Everyone! XXX

    They are so much fun to make. Really not worth my time considering that I should be doing other things instead for a dollhouse.

    I did have a frightening brain storm for another one today. (blush) A castle with turrets and so on. UGH! I have to try an ignore these thoughts for a few months at least. So I will just sketch them instead. It has started to look like a childern's book on the pages on my sketchbook.

    April 22, 2011 6:36 PM

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  17. rosannaApril 23, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    FANTASTICO !!!!!! Favoloso !!!! Bellissimo !!!!!! Incredibile !!!!! let me say that in my own language, I am howling while I write. You are UNBELIAVABLE !!!!! and I do love that swing. Catherine, you leave me breathless and wordless.

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  18. MarieApril 25, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    Wooow ! Your little nuthouse are awesome ! it's a wonderful work, so beautiful.

    Marie

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  19. JosjeApril 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Oh Catherine these are fantastic! I've always had a soft spot for acorns, don't know why. But these have the added extra to be part of a miniature house, even better!

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  20. CatherineApril 25, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Oh Josje! I am so glad yo said you have a soft spot for acorns. so do I, I always have. The caps have looked like roof tops to me since I was five years old.

    I keep finding things that are in an acorn shape. I just bought a bird house that looks like a acorn. PLUS... I have been seeing pendant acorn lamps in 1: 1 scale for a kitchen. I might just have to add some to my real house.

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  21. HannaApril 27, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    Wow it is pure magic! I don´t get how you could create this little crazy acorn houses with the tiniest details!! This is what I love about the miniature world when it is at it´s best... the magic feeling that there might be life in this tiny scale! Love the story about the crazy residents in Nuttycrest Cottage!

    Now I will have a lovely time looking through your blog :)! Hanna

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  22. MargrietApril 27, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    I'm totally in love with your little houses..they are so beautiful!!! I love acorns..don't know why, but I like their shape and the little cap! :-)
    Oh please..don't wait so long with making your new idea...the castle...I would love to see that one!!!

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  23. ChristinaMay 6, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Hello, I am a new follower to your wonderful blog and I am very much enjoying it. I am a 29 year old doctor from Edinburgh, U.K. and I have been collecting and making miniatures for over 20 years. I particularly enjoy designing and making miniature teddy bears and doing miniature cross stitch, but I'll try making anything. I am so impressed with your beautiful and imaginative walnut houses and I'd love to make one as a gift for my sister. I was born in America and my mother used to buy the Nutshell News in the early 80s, but she does not have the issue with instructions on how to make a walnut house. I was wondering, if you have the time, if you would be kind enough to scan or digitally photograph the relevant Nutshell News article for me if you still have it and e-mail it to me. Thank-you, Best wishes, Christina

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  24. CatherineMay 8, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Christina,

    I a afraid I don't have that issue of Nutshell news.

    It isn't that difficult. All you need is some N scale (model Train) doors and windows. I found them on Ebay Titchy Trains or something like that was the maker.

    All you need tool wise is an X Acto blade, sand paper, a drill and tiny bits, jewelers saw frame and blades, Humbrol model paints. The rest is up to you. Of course you will need walnuts and acorn caps.

    Just dive in. That is what I did. I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Be sure and come back and tell me all about it.

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