Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop

I've been puttering with this project for a while. A little bit here. A little bit there. It kept popping up, getting in the way, nudging me, so I figured it was time to finish Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.

Aren't familiar with Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop?

"Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was a small tea shop located on a side road off the High Street at Hogsmeade. It was owned by Madam Puddifoot. The decoration was very tacky and frilly. The windows steamed up and the gaudy tables and chairs were all claimed by teenagers holding hands or kissing over cups of tea and coffee. A bell over the door announced customers in a tuneful tinkle; the round tables were decorated with lacy napkins and china sugar bowls, and cramped up the small shop to the point that Madam Puddifoot has great difficulty in moving in between tables to serve the couples." Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay)

"On Valentine's Day, the tearoom was decorated with golden cherubs hovering over each of the tables, which occasionally threw pink confetti over the people sitting below them." Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay)

"This, however, was more of irritating than romantic, as the confetti would occasionally land in the beverages." Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 25 (The Beetle at Bay)

 

The piece measures approximately 10" x 12". There's a battery pack located on the roof that lights the interior. I'm not 100% happy with the lighting to be honest (it's too led/fluorescent/blueish for my liking)... but I'll consider it a lesson learned. Edit: After looking at the piece in dimmed conditions I take this back. It does look a bit fluorescent in daylight, but in a darkened room it's just peachy.

Here are some of the products used in the making of M. Puddifoot's Tea Shop:

Storefront Room Box
Brick Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet* 

Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet* 

Clay Planters with Saucers 
Gold Candleholders
Asparagus Fern Garland*
Mini White Plastic Tea Set with 2 Mugs 
Miniature Silverware - Set of 20 
Miniature White Wooden Shelf 
Bust of Diana *very nice*
White Mantle Clock *very nice*
Brass Cherub Banner 
Brass Cherubs - 1 Set  
Tiny Plant Table  
White Kitchen Wall Shelf Cabinet  
Pronged Metal Handles*   
Mini Rose Buds - Pink Cream Variegated* 
Clear Cake Dome on Gold Tray 
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Larger Loaves 
Mini Silicone Cake Mold Set 
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Smaller Loaves 
Narrow Gold Fleur Dresden Borders* 

Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop is listed HERE

Miniature Book Tutorial Now Available

We hoard books like crazy in the Pixie household. They are tucked into every cranny. It's not surprising that miniature versions should frequently make their way into my work.

 I've been making little books for a very long while. Years even!

I love the challenge of going smaller and smaller... 

...while still being able to open them up and turn the pages.

There's something extra magical about being able to interact with those little things. When children pick up my little books the skepticism in their eyes turns into a flash of delight when discover they can open the cover and flip through the pages.

Anyway, after years of keeping it all to myself, I've decided to offer my book making technique with a PDF tutorial available in my etsy shop. I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a long process... but you end up with books that are pretty dang sturdy. I've left books in my pocket, put them through the wash, and they've come out the other end fully intact.

Instead of a template, the download shows you HOW to make the books so that you can add your own splash of magic and create them in whatever size or shape you like. Quick as can be you'll have an entire fairy library in no time at all.

You can find the listing HERE... and, don't tell anyone, but there's a little bonus project included too ;)

The Tomte

I bought some paper mache cones with the grand idea of making tree toppers. As time marched on, and I realized the clock was ticking down, I knew they weren't going to happen. 

Sometimes, in spite of things not going according to plan, you end up with something wonderful anyway. Here's my conical something wonderful...

Christmas Tomte! I'm sure you've seen these fellows but do you know their story? These Scandinavian creatures are very similar in appearance to gnomes (I hear they are third cousins) and act as a sort of helper or gaurdian of the homestead. If you are well behaved, and they are treated well, they will assist by tending animals, doing chores and bringing good fortune. Otherwise, prepare for mischief.

These wee fellows are also Yuletide gift bearers, leaving gifts on Christmas eve, for which they should receive a bowl of porridge and some butter. 

The details/names of these creatures vary depending on the Scandinavian country they inhabit. Sweden, Norway, Finland, Norway, Denmark all have their own versions. If interested in learning more about them, try searching Tomte, Tomtar, Nisse or Tonttu.

How's your holiday crafting shaping up? Remember to stop and take a breath once in a while, ok.

Christmas Open House

I've been busy, puttering, preparing for my Christmas Open House this weekend.

It's pretty dang clean in here, the 'showroom'. I can't say the same for the rest of the place which is an utter disaster. My husband looked at the floor last night and sighed. "There's more glitter on the floor than in your bottle!" Well, those jam jar fairies need some sparkle. Besides, I'm the one who vacuums... I'm allowed to muck up the place.

I'm *mostly* ready. The nice thing about showing your stuff off at home is that if you forget something it's easily remedied and you can put a pot of tea on.

If you can't make it I've got a little special in the etsy shop right now. The Special Pixie Package includes over $40 worth of goodies for $28. At the very least you'll get some Pixie Dust, Wishing Star, Thimble Garden, Fairy Sized Christmas Card and Fairy Footprints... and I'll pop in an extra or two because I loves ya.

If you are nearby please feel free to drop in, say 'hello' and be nosy.

Wintry Sleigh and Card with Petaloo and Graphic 45

What a lovely holiday treat to have the chance to work with the Christmas Carol collection from my old friends at Graphic 45. The gorgeous, vibrant colours work so well with Petaloo's blooms. Whether it's red, green or blues... they all coordinate beautifully.

I've embellished this Chipboard Sleigh which is perfectly sized to hold your holiday cards and tags. The sleigh is embellished with Bah Humbug and Graceful Garland  from Christmas Carol. A sweet bough of blooms adorns each side.

  

A bough of Sugared Berrys Cluster, Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas and White Glitter Snowflakes adorn each side of the sleigh.

The front and back have Christmas Carol Journaling Chipboard embellishments, accented with White Glitter Snowflakes

  

Finally, a bit of bling with Fancy Trims and a whole lot of glitter.

Here are the handmade cards I've filled my little sleigh with. Made with all sorts of papers from the 12" Christmas Carol pad. I've embellished with white and green Velvet Holly Leaves, Sugared Blooms, Botanica Petite’s and Sugared Mini's

And here's the supply round up if you want to create your own sparkly winter sleigh to hold your Christmas Treasures:

Petaloo:

White Glitter Snowflake pick
Sugared Berrys Cluster
Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas
Fancy Trims
Velvet Holly Leaves
Sugared Blooms
Botanica Petite’s
Sugared Mini's

Graphic45:

Bah Humbug
Graceful Garland
Christmas Carol 12" Pad
Christmas Carol Journaling Chipboard
Other:

Chipboard Sleigh
Glitter

Happy crafting!

Fairy Footprints, Blessings & Curses

I am fortunate to have a good relationship with the fair folk. It is a relationship built on respect and deference. A relationship that has spanned years and across miles.

These little fossilised footprints appeared in my studio a while ago but I've been hesitant about posting them. 

An old fairy nudged me tonight and whispered in my ear, "When are you going to show them off? When will you show off what we have done?!" I sighed and told him that I was reluctant. I explained that I didn't want people to steal our work, our ideas, and call them their own, but that it made me sad not to share what we created together.

"I see." He frowned, scratched his whiskered chin, then winked at me. "We will cloak our work in fairy magic. A blessing to some, a curse to others. That is the way of the little people."

And so it was done, a fairy blessing and a fairy curse upon our makings.

Those who share the magic freely with their friends as gifts or tokens of affection, with respect and reverence, will be blessed with a stroke of fairy luck. 

But those with greedy hearts, filled with insolence and laziness, seeking profit which is not their due, will mark themselves with the black stoke of misfortune and fairy havoc.

Let's hope there are blessings a-plenty and few (if any!) cursed by fairy mischief.

Fairy footprint fossils are available in five different sizes ranging from 1.25" to 3" and are listed HERE.

Fairy Lantern with Tutorial

** Please read to the bottom of this post for answers to common questions. Or visit THIS PAGE. **

Gina's Designs Laser Cuts has a brand new name: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and I have a brand new tutorial for you!

I was sort of hesitiant about using this as a design team project because it's so easy and requires just a few simple supplies... but it's soooo stinkin' cute!

Fairy lanterns! Now, anyone who has experience with real fairies knows that it is not a good idea to stuff them into jars. They will pinch and nip and basically make your life unpleasant if you treat them rudely. These jars are a fairy friendly alternative. Perfectly dreamy as a little nightlight, or magical accent.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts carries the Garden Fairy cutouts in three different sizes so you can create a variety of lanterns in an assortment of jars. And if fairies aren't your thing... well, there's always baby dragons from the Dragons Shape Set, floral elements, or whatever suits your fancy!

The tutorial can be found HERE on my YouTube channel (and below), but here are a few tips:

• Sticking the figures directly on the glass (generally) yields better, more detailed results
• Use two or three battery powered tea lights. More light = stronger silhouette effect.
• Take care how many layers of paper you use, how much overlap there is. (A little is ok.)
• Use thinner school glue for the paper and thicker tacky glue for the glitter
• DO NOT use real candles inside

Finally, the supply list:
• Gypsy Soul Garden Fairy cutouts
• Glass jam jars with lids
• Thin tissue paper
• White school glue
• Quality white glue
• Clear glitter
• Twine
• Floral embellishments (THESE sugared blooms from Petaloo are gorgeous)
• Battery powered tealights or led string lights

NOTE: Please DO make for friends, as gifts, as a group project but remember that making them commercially (including teaching as a paid class) is not permitted.

___________________________

EDIT: to answer a few questions

1. The cutouts are available here: Gypsy Soul Garden Fairy cutouts

2. YES she does ship internationally. International customers might want to try placing an order via Alpha Stamps HERE. I also have a few listed in my etsy shop HERE.

3. The size you buy would depend on the size of the jar you are using. If using a pint sized canning jar small or medium is probably a safe bet.

4. "Can I use/do/change x,y,z ?" Give it a try! Experimenting is part of the fun of making.

5. DO NOT use real candles. Safety first!

6. NO, selling replicas of this project is NOT permitted. Seriously, just be inspired, add your own style and vision, and create your own version of a fairy lantern.  If you are selling handmade you should be selling YOUR ideas and style, not mine. Think of it this way, you wouldn't copy a book word for word... don't carbon copy this project. For fun? Make as many as you like. For profit? Make your own version.

Note: I am not the owner of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts or Alpha Stamps. They send me products, I use them in my work, that is all. If you have a question about ordering products, please direct them to the company you are ordering from.