Craft Cottage Exterior

The flowers are blooming in the mini window boxes.

This is the exterior of the little yellow Craft Cottage.

Happy Spring!

Craft Cottage

So excited to complete this cottage!

This is the first kit I made --

I dyed the shingles and did all the windows, wallpapers, and trims.

I wanted the inside to look old and worn -- layers of paper and no rhyme or reason to everything.
All the creativity on the inside of the house distracting the owner
from all the structural and cosmetic repairs!

I really like how it turned out for my first project.

The attic is filled with random treasures.

The main level is filled with my favorite hobbies --

scrapbooking, photography, art, sewing, and miniatures.

I wanted every surface to be busy -- with a lot of 'organized chaos' happening --

I love this little worktable filled with dollhouse plans & pieces.

I'm still looking for the perfect area rug -- wondering if I can find something that looks old and worn.
I altered the easel and had so much fun making art paper notepads, chalks, etc.
You can see how I used a Dick Blick art catalog to make miniatures here.

The little watercolor {and how it is taped onto the board} was actually a tutorial that I believe appeared in a miniature magazine -- I wish I had the actually reference to share.
If I find it, I'll be sure to add the information here.

Happy to check this house off my 'to do' list --
but there houses are never really complete...I'm always finding new mini treasures to add.

Minis -- Where I'm at with my mini projects

{Decorated for Christmas 2015}

{Decorated for Autumn 2015}

The Pink Pelican

Exterior building was complete when purchased.

The yard was my summer 2015 project.

Finished piece here.

Decorated for Christmas here and here.

Craft Cottage {kit}

I've built the exterior and the shingles are complete.

I've wallpapered the interior and put the attic in.

I still need to do the windows and trim.

This is my project for January 2016 -- 

UPDATE *Completed 1/14/2016*

Corner Store {kit}

In the box

This is going to be a bakery.

I've purchased several "sweet" items for this project.

I've begun making cake stands and treats.

Loft {kit}

Thinking of making this a studio-apartment-type dwelling.

Ideas are still percolating!

{This was a contest kit that I purchased for a steal.}

Winter Blue Cottage 

Exterior building complete when purchased in October 2015 
It needs a lot of work on the exterior -- the interior has bare walls.

Glamper {kit}

This was a total impulse buy -- we have a life-size glamper -- 

and I believe everything is better in miniature!

One Last Mini Session for the Year 2015!

My fist mini project of 2016 is to finish the interior of my little Craft Cottage.
{Then I'm on to  Winter Bleu and her 7-9 rooms!}

Today I was sorting through some catalogues and found an old BLICK art catalog. 

Before sending it off for recycling, I decided to see if anything would work for the cottage.

Catalogs are perfect for making minis -- for AG dolls, Blythe, and 1:12 scale.

I enjoyed making all of these items {basically for free} with things I had on hand.

I used this catalog to make:

5 pads of art paper

1 oil pastels set

2 trays of watercolor paints

1 package of brushes

1 chalk set

1 tray of colored pencils

1 package Sharpies 

1 alphabet template

2 color wheels and 1 color chart

1 cutting mat

and

6 books/magazines

Additional supplies:

scissors, Mod Podge, white and black acrylic paint, 

black Sharpie, balsa scraps, washi tape, and glue

I aso made:

 Mini-ologie magazine

Cath Kidston wallpaper roll

&

Cath Kidston fabric swatches

The watercolor board/painting was a free download from a mini magazine article.

{I need to find the source to add it here.}

Time to unpack the attic and get this little craft cottage ready for some serious mini crafting!

Farewell 2015!

Wrapping Up 2015

Another year has come and gone --

2015 was a quiet 'miniatures' year at first,

but I am happy to say that the beach cottage is finally complete.

My cottage is a combination of made-by-me and purchased.

I really like it that way. 

Keeping my eyes open for fun items when we travel is so much fun, 

and I love crafting/creating a bit along the way.

I enjoyed making the patio and cobble stones -- new techniques to me.

For an amateur, I think I'm off to a good start!

Completed projects of 2015 --

the pink beach bungalow

an outdoor fairy door

and

our 2015 fairy garden

...and the HUGE mini house wreath -- it counts too.

{This wreath -- and the beach cottage -- were my favorite completed projects of 2015!}

Cheers to 2016!

Christmas Baking at the Bungalow

I spy a little Christmas baking going on at the bungalow.

Gingerbread houses...

Dipped chocolates...

& 

Christmas cookies...

YUM!

Beachside Bungalow -- Dressed Up for Christmas

A few festive touches have been added to the beach bungalow's living room  --

Poinsettias

Gingerbread house

Candy canes

Reindeer & sleigh

Decorated 

Tree

Box of ornaments 

{on the coffee table behind the sleigh}

Gifts

Toy soldiers

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Father Christmas pillow