Slow progress on another house

I've slowly been tinkering with this house for a couple of months now.

Progress has been pretty slow... other things keep distracting me.

But it's starting to com together.

The outside is coming along nicely.

Little by little.

The inside has taken quite a bit of pondering. There are a number of things I want to include but I can't quite make out where this one is going just yet.

One thing I KNEW I needed was magazines. So most of today was spent designing some fairy godmother titles to be strewn about the place. There's GQ (Glitter Quarterly), Fairy Godmother Romance, Dwelling, Petals & Blooms, Wing & Wand, Beau Monde (for fairy fashions) and Godmother Weekly. And yes, they do open...

**Edited: The magazine download is now available in the etsy shop and there's also a tutorial to help you along.**

P.S. Hope you're fine and dandy and that life is being kind to you.

More paper caravans!

"Nichola, didn't you already post a paper caravan yesterday?"

I know, I know...  yes, I did... but they're so cute and fun! Just look at them gathered on my front stoop.

Note: Although they look darling outside with the flowers and such, these are not appropriate for outdoor garden decorations. The chipmunks would surely try to ride off in them!

There were a number of requests for a tutorial... which I will consider, but it will have to wait a while. Tutorials take up sooooooo much time that I'm limited to doing about one a month. I do have a big fat tute coming up in a couple of weeks that I think you'll like very much *fingers crossed*.

If you're interested in one of these lovelies they are listed in the etsy shop HERE.

And here's a terribly incomplete list of some of the supplies used:

Petaloo DIY flowers
Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper (beautiful and thick!)
Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Label Holders 
Junque Gypsy 6x6 Paper Pad* 
Prima Fly Away Resin Birds Set
Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’ s6-017
Tim Holtz Thinlits Mini Labels Die Set
Wooden wheels
Doweling
Vintage buttons
Lace
Glitter
Moss

Paper Caravan with DIY Petaloo Flowers

Given the chance to play with Petaloo's DIY blooms I tried a few different colouring techniques. I used dyes, acrylic and watercolour paints with great success but my favourite results didn't come from paint at all. 

The flowers that I was most smitten with were ones that were simply dipped in tea. They looked warm and worn, perfect for vintagey type pieces, or for a softened look.

To add a little variation, I gave some of my blooms a light wash of pink or yellow acrylic craft paint before dipping them. The result was perfectly subtle. The hardest part? Allowing those cuties to dry before using them.

Note: You could absolutely use coffee for staining, but I find that the smell lingers. Tea on the other hand has almost no noticeable scent.

So, what did I use these cute little blooms for?

Embellishing a little shabby chic paper caravan!

Here's a better look at those pretty tea stained flowers.

Those little flowers pair so well with Blue Fern Studio's Montage Mercantile Paper and Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper - Botanical Garden

Here's a complete list of Petaloo goodies I used:

DIY-Petites Teastained Cream 1650-025
DIY-Mini Mix Teastained Cream 1650-024
DIY-Calla Lily Cluster White 1650-014

Other supplies:
Tea
Acrylic paint
Blue Fern Studio's Montage Mercantile Paper
Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper - Botanical Garden
Prima Fly Away Resin Birds Set
Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’ s6-017
Tim Holtz Thinlits Mini Labels Die Set
Wooden wheels
Doweling
Vintage buttons
Lace
Glitter
Moss

P.S. Although I didn't use them in this project, I did colour some the flowers in the DIY-Mums & Butterflies 1650-015 and they are absolutely lush and I would totally recommend.

The Wortcunner's Shed

A little roombox to show off today, measuring just 8" x 6" and 5".

Let's peek inside!

I've called this piece "The Wortcunner's Shed". A wortcunner is sort of an old fashioned word describing someone who works with herbs. The term would generally be applied to wise women, though some modern witches who use herbs magically use the term too.

In every little room or house I create there is always something that I am most proud of. It may not be the fanciest or best part... but it's something I love. In this piece it's the little woodstove. The pipe reaches up through the ceiling and out to a mossy roof.

And upon that roof of wild moss there is a trail of toadstools and purple flowers blooming. I suspect it's a good place for a picnic.

Here's a better look at the interior. It's not jam packed, but rather comfortably cluttered. Many of the little bits and bobs come from AlphaStamps. I'll put a list to any little piece you can find there below.

For the base I used a Frame Front Box made exclusively for me by Gina's Designs. What I LOVE about the boxes is that they are made from thick chipboard that is sturdy enough for embellishment, but can be cut so that windows/doors can be added where ever you like. They are available from Alpha Stamps if you'd like your own to play with.



I'm pretty pleased with this little room. It reminds me of a warm and worn cabin in historical reenactment / living history villages.

This piece is currently listed for sale HERE.

If you want to create your own version, here are some of the supplies I used are listed below or you can check them all in one place HERE:
Frame Front Box
Amber Resin Potions Bottle 
Ghoulish Green Mini Resin Jars 
Green Resin Perfume Bottle 
Mini Clear Resin Whiskey Bottle 
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm* 
Miniature White Table with Baskets (basket used, not table)
Miniature Garden Tools - Rake & Shovels 
Tiny Green Leaf Garland 
Mini Bird Eggs* 
Tiny Magic Books & Potion Labels Collage Sheet
Little Potions Collage Sheet
Holly Berry Garland 
Mini Rose Buds - Red* 
Mini Rose Buds - Pink Cream Variegated* 
Miniature Silverware Set 
Brick Wall Stencil
Clay Planter (not the actual one used but close and cute as buttons!)

Also used:
Plaster
Cardboard
Moss
Natural bark
Paint
Tongue depressors
Handmade toadstools

"Sing Together" Altered Canvas

A little textured canvas today. Four inches square, covered with pieces from Gina's Texture Sheet Gears and Gears Shape Set and some paperclay bits made with this Silicone Mold. Painted white and sploshed with Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes. Finished off with some beautiful Botanica Flowers from Petaloo. The final touch, some snippets from a vintage children's book. 

This piece is listed in the etsy shop HERE

A Pixie House Shrine

I altered this cute House Shrine Box for a colour challenge that I totally missed the deadline for. 

I used to be terrified of colour but plowed through that wall. Now, I'm trying to consciously add texture to my pieces. This piece is chocked with textured elements. 

Here's the texture of the walls of this wee house. I've layered Cardstock Doily Set Intricates, painted them white and then added a smidge of colour with some ColourArte silks and H20's. I'm pretty smitten with the way it turned out.

For the roof I used sturdier chipboard pieces. There are some Feathery Flourishes (quickly becoming one of my favourite embellishments!) and Steampunk Fan blades. Again I painted them white and added some colour with ColourArte products.

The piece is finished off with some super cute Water Dew Drops from The Robins Nest, handmade ladybugs, a sweet winged vintage girlie and more. Here's the whole supply list kit-and-kaboodle.

House Shrine Box
Cardstock Doily Set Intricates
Feathery Flourishes
Steampunk Fan
ColourArte silks and H20's
Water Dew Drops
 Thin Fleur Dresden Borders
Petaloo Botanica Flowers

Totally adorable butterflies

White acrylic paint

Vintage image

This gal is currently listed HERE in the etsy shop.

Adorable Floral Cake Topper for Petaloo

I was asked to create a wedding themed something for Petaloo. You can now add cake topper to your DIY wedding list. 

I've used pink burlap flowers and daisy layers to top this cake while imagining a sweet, simple backyard wedding. But if your 'I do's' are a little more fancy, you could absolutely consider Botanica blooms atop a prettily iced cake, or vintage velvet blossoms for a shabby chic wedding.

To create my topper I simply cut out thick decorative paper and affixed a mound of florists foam/oasis to the top. I added coordinating trim to hide the bottom edge, then simply applied the flowers to the foam. I printed the sentiment on thick card, applied a painted bamboo skewer and pushed into place. If you're worried about your topper moving, simply push toothpicks in the bottom to hold your piece in place.

Textured Elements - Daisy Layers
Textured Elements - Burlap Blossoms
Textured Elements - Burlap Picks
Textured Elements - Burlap Butterflies & Blossoms
Botanica - Calla Lilies & Berries
Fancy Trim 

Card Stock
Oasis
Bamboo Skewer
Butterflies

Brick wall tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I posted my project "The Wandry Room" and promised a tutorial for the brick wall.

I am (usually) a woman of my word... enjoy!

Supplies:
Gina's Brick Wall
Marine varnish / Yacht wax (optional)

Spackling

Acrylic paint

Chalk pastels or conte (optional)

Matte top coat or sealant *if you have applied chalk beware of smudging when applying*

Note: You should probably wear gloves when applying the spackling.

(Almost) Perfection!

Our open house was this past Saturday and it was the most amazing day.

A surprise visit from a friend and around 100 of the sweetest visitors from all over. Each of them was a delight. I know that people often say that they have the best 'followers' but I truly do. They are kind and funny and full of just the right amount of mischief and they make me feel pretty dang special.

The day didn't go off without a hitch. The mailbox had to be replaced at the last minute and was a general pain in the bottom. We had planned for a crafting table that never seemed to make it outside. But there were successes. Who knew challenging people to pile stones atop one another would be such a rip-roaring success? (The record was 10 stacked stones by the way.) And these little certificates went over really well too.

In the past it has been the kids reactions to this place that really made all the hard work worthwhile. This year was a little different. This year it was the glimmer in the grown-ups that moved me most of all. So, an extra large THANK YOU is in order to every single 'big person' who blew more bubbles than you needed to and made a wish when you thought no one was looking.

I'll get a nice post with pretty pictures up later in the week... but I did want to thank all of the visitors and all of those who sent their well-wishes from a distance. I love you. Seriously. I think you're awesome. Each and every one of you.

Finally, this viddy (language warning) isn't of the tour but rather a compilation of me messing up and swearing. I put it together after sharing tutorial disaster stories with my G45 teamies a few months ago. Not having everything go according to plan this weekend reminded me of this vid. 

I mess up all the time, and things rarely go according to plan. I'm totally ok with not being perfect. In fact, I think imperfection might be underrated. 


P.S. I know I missed the 'little thing challenge' this Sunday. I'll be switching things up a little bit starting next week.

Garden Fairy Crown for Gina's Designs

I love crowns. I do. I adore them and make them often. I guess I haven't had my fill of fancy head wear because I've made another. This one was created with chipboard shapes from GinasDesigns.net and it's this month's video tutorial.

The crown is made by layering Garden Fairies, Feathery Flourishes Set, Dragons Shape Set, and Tudor Rose Singles over a simple base. For some added interest I added texture using gel medium and the Texture Sheets Fiesta from Gina's.

Washes of ColourArt Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes and Twinkling H2Os Shimmering Watercolors are applied and then a smidge of glitter is added.

Some pretty paper flowers, butterflies and ribbons and voila! I'm pretty sure that wearing this will automatically make you a fairy princess.

Here's the video tutorial. The sound is a bit awful in spots and I'm sorry about that (honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing and it's a miracle I muddle through at all!). If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Here is the full supply list:

Texture Sheets Fiesta

Garden Fairies
Dragons Shape Set
Feathery Flourishes Set 
Tudor Rose Singles

ColourArt Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes 

ColourArt Twinkling H2Os Shimmering Watercolors

Golden heavy gel
Butterflies

Petaloo Botanica Flowers

Glue
White paint

Glitter (this is what I used)
Ribbon

Heavy card

The Infirmary

As Pixie Hill will be playing the role of fairy sanctuary this summer, it only seems right that we have a little clinic, an infirmary to care for injured and unwell fairy folk.

My neighbour gifted me this house last fall. It was scribbled on and glitterfied and had clearly been well loved. It was also going to be tossed into a fire before she saved it and brought it to my door. It's not done done (door needs more paint, signs need to be replaced, and there's a few details missing) but it's done enough to show off and for visitors to look at during my open house.

There's loads of little beds, baskets of fruit, flowers and 'get well' cards within. There's even little medical charts pegged to some of the beds.

There's an examination rooms with medicine, bottle, vials and charts.

A privacy screen for modest little folk.

Extra sheets, cleaning supplies and bandages are in the upstairs hallway.

There are a few more things I'd really like to add, but I think any unwell pixies will recover just fine as it is right now.

P.S. Thank you, Carol!

One Little Thing - Texture Challenge!

This week I'd like to challenge you to create one little thing with added texture.

If you're a writer, think about adding a descriptive word or two to your vocabulary. For mixed media artists, consider new ways to add different interesting texture to your work. Artists you might want to try emulate a textured surface.

Good luck!

Fairy Tour 2015: Sanctuary and Museum

Just one week until our summer open house!

If you're near on July 4th, 2015 pop in for a visit.

Pixie Hill is located in Brighton, Ontario Canada.
Our address is 134 Bullis Rd.

Here's the run down....

For the duration of the summer, Pixie Hill will henceforth be a Fairy Sanctuary and Very Small Museum. You can be the first to peek and poke around the place on July 4th, 11 - 4.

Inside, visitors can peek at the showroom, see some magical arty things, and view some fairy specimens.

Outside, visitors can roam the lawn and spy the little homes and encampment that provide a safe heaven for pixie, fairies and other wee folk.

We have fairies that have traveled far and wide to take advantage of our 'catch-free zone'.

During our open house event you can:

• Participate in a visual scavenger hunt.
• Obtain a fairy name

• Make a wish

• Create something nifty
• Collect fairy mail**
• Visit the art and craft showroom
• See fairy artifacts
• Receive a very important award

**IMPORTANT: Requests for personalized fairy mail must be received by June 30th.
Email HERE

My friend and fellow artist Marc Bourdon will be joining me this year
 and offering face painting for a small fee.

The open house is free to attend, but donations are appreciated.

ALL ages are welcome and bringing children is not a requirement ;)

Cash, or credit cards are accepted for showroom purchases.
We do not take debit (though you could etransfer if in a pinch).

Can't join us on July 4th? No problem, the sanctuary will (mostly) be set up throughout the summer. If you have kids that don't like hustle and bustle, you are absolutely welcome to arrange a quiet, private visit. It's no trouble at all, but 24 hours notice is appreciated.

_______________________________________

Note: Pixie Hill is not a park. We do not have rides or playground equipment.