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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This thing has a mind of it's own today! i will not put the paragraphs where I want them. &^%$*@
ReplyDeleteThese houses are really marvellous!!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to semd them to me I will send a box of chocolates to your friends LOL
Merry Christmas to you too.
J adore celle ci catherine , encore plus que les autres .
ReplyDeleteJe ne sais pas pourquoi . ... La neige , le sapin de Noël ..
J adore . J espère qu il y en aura d autres l année prochaine car c est magique et si créatif . J adorerais surprendre les habitants et découvrir a quoi ils ressemblent .
Joyeuses fêtes catherine !
These houses looks very interesting. I wish you merry Christmas and happy New year. Hugs Kati
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say there is another decorated Christmas tree in the bay window. It has silver balls on it.
ReplyDeleteThey are an absolute delight Catherine - and well done you on discovering how to get all the effects, etc. It sure does take a creative mind to work out how to make the tiny garlands. Miniature making must surely be up there with sudoku, etc, as 'preventative therapy' to stave off dementia cos it surely does exercise the brain!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and Kilmouski have a magical Christmas and the most wonderful New Year.
Delightful and so fab
ReplyDeletelv Toria
Prachtig...
ReplyDeleteEnchanting - I wish I was on your Christmas present list. I LOVE these. Happy Christmas and a fantastic 2013. Best wishes, Carol :)
ReplyDeleteDelightfull,awesome,fabulous, wonderfull...if your friends do not appreciate them,PLEASE,remember bloggers and launch a give away:we'd definitely love them.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Rosanna
They make a very charming gift that I am sure will be treasured. I do hope they don't get stuffed away in a box to only come out at Christmas :(
ReplyDeleteBut there is a solution to help prevent them from a fate as Christmas tree ornaments, a pocket watch dome. It has a hook at the top for hanging watches or ornaments. Keeps out dust and kitties too.
I like that the big tree has its own acorn cap to rest upon. Clever!
The wreaths and garland are excellent craftsmanship!
Your nutshell houses are adorable Catherine and I am certain your friends will appreciate how special they are. The snow and wreath decorations look great, thanks for the tips. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh Catherine.....these are stunning!!!!! I confess that they would be a very hard thing to pack away after Christmas, all that work and only seen for a short time of the year. As always for 'eye for detail' is simply amazing, I am sure your friends will all be thrilled......it soooooo beats a box of chocolates...lol! X
ReplyDeleteCatherine, you are just brimming with talent, and patience! What lucky friends you have...
ReplyDeleteÖ
ReplyDeleteTus casas son preciosas, tienes razón, como puedes regalarlas? Debes querer mucho a tus amigos, el resultado de la nieve es perfecto, impresionante.
Yo estaría en las nubes con un regalo así
:D
Feliz Navidad
Un abrazo
Words escape me :) this is so beautiful, the most realistic snow, such original ideas and execution of the ideas.......unbelievable...well done :) :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Catherine, the houses are marvelous, now I really wish I lived next door to you too :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
These houses are fantastic!! Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, the acorn Christmas cottages ar so delightful and pretty, I'm sure your non-miniaturist friends will be enchanted by them! I adore them, the little bay window with the tree inside, the lovely garlands and the soft layer of snow... so delicate and charming.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is a bad thing when they get packed away (carefully) after Christmas, it will be even more special when they are unpacked again next year.
Merry Christmas!
Hello Catherine,
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the most ebautiful ornaments I've ever seen. Spectacular! Have a wonderful christmas,
Hugs,
Giac
These are just lovely and such an unusual gift. Merry Christmas to you too!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you too!
ReplyDeleteYour little houses are really amazing.
Geneviève
LOVE, LOVE. LOVE you tiny houses. My favorite is the first one. Your friends are very lucky!!!
ReplyDeleteMona
Wow!Your friends are really very lucky. The little houses are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy 2013 to you and yours!
Hugs, Drora
I absolutely love these little acorn houses. I'd love to have a go myself. Do you scratch build components such as the doors or are you using model railway materials?
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone!
ReplyDeleteShinyNewThing...
I use N scale model train doors and windows. Go head and make one. You will have lots of fun. BTW... I also use Humbrol paint because I think oil paint gives a much nicer look. you can buy that in model train shops or online. Have fun and be sure to come back and tell me how you did so I can visit your blog and see the photos. :-)
Oh they're wonderful! Lucky friends, yours :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Your friends will be very happy.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family.
Bye Faby
I think these are the prettiest Christmas miniatures I've seen!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
ML Fi xx
Your houses are amazing!! So cute and so many details!
ReplyDeleteYour friends will be very happy!
Merry christmas to you and your familiy.
Greetings
Melanie
They are exquisite! You friends are very lucky.
ReplyDeleteLovely these littele house, merry christmas to you to!
ReplyDeleteThose little houses are so very precious, Catherine. Your friends will be so happy. Who would not be? They are to be treasured! Here's to wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! I'm including Kilmouski, of course!
ReplyDeleteOh these little houses are so precious and delightful! Your friends who will receive them are sooo lucky!
ReplyDeleteHope your Christmas will be magical, and that the new year will be wonderful!
Just lovely ! What a precious work !
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas my very dear Catherine !
XXX
Catherine, I had not yet left the comment for this wonder, and once again I envy your friend who hang this treasure to his Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you want more than to have a friend and a gift so unique?
You are a treasure ;-)
Flora
Thank you everone! I hope you all had a wonderful Hoilday, Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeletevery very beautiful. Happy new Year with lots of miniatures.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy seeing these and the other wonderful things you post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just love your walnut houses. Sure wish you would do a step by step tutorial so we could make our own...pretty please! :)
ReplyDeleteGlynnes,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words about my walnut houses.
I will give it some thought and see if I can think of a way to do a tutorial. So much of making them is improvisation. It is really a matter of cutting a fitting. There is no way to make patterns since every nut and cap is different. ;-)
I will think about it though. XXX