I started working on these houses at the beginning of November. PHEW! They are Christmas gifts for friends who don't collect miniatures. What was I thinking? They are going to end up on a Christmas trees, clanging around in boxes with other ornaments after the holidays. Oh well... I am ready to clear off my home work space and start a new project. I had fun figuring out how to make the garlands for these houses. I used a heavy dark green thread and covered about three inches of it with Aleene's tacky glue. Then I laid the thread in a pile of super fine Flower Soft making sure all areas were covered. The glittered snow covered tree was decorated with Martha Stewart's no hole beads and tiny holographic stars. Those stars came from Sally's beauty supply and are normally used for finger nails. They are about 1 !/2 mm. I have used them in most of my nutshell houses but they can only be seen if you peek in a window. I bought gold ones but when they catch the light they blink in a rainbow of colors.
I did some tests for the snow. I didn't like the way it looked when I first painted the acorn caps white and applied the glitter (by Martha Stewart) . So I made a paste using the glitter and Aleene's " Easy Flow" glue. I tapped it on the places I wanted it, smoothing the paste with a small dampened artists brush. Once covered I shook on dry glitter. That gave the effect I wanted for the snow covered areas.
Merry Christmas Everyone! I am looking forward to seeing what Santa puts in your stocking. Fingers crossed for that certain miniature you have had on your wish list. Catherine, Kilmouski, Groupie and puffy.
XXX
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