Let's build a house!

OK, so we are not really building.  Just embellishing.  But that works, so let's go.

Start with a little, ordinary cardboard house.  I usually find mine at the hobby store.  You know.  The one with the lobby.  I cut the hanger off the top, cutting as close to the cardboard as you can.  Don't worry about the hole.  It will get filled in with paint and glitter.

I use a flat brush for the large areas and a round for the small, such as the trim and the door.  And I use a craft, acrylic paint, such as Delta.  They are inexpensive, about .99 a bottle.

Choose your paint color for the base.  I've used a soft, petal pink.  I've painted the main part of the house and the chimney.  You should be able to slide your flat brush under that trim. Don't worry about minor mistakes on edges.  Those will get covered up.  You could even base it in one color and let it dry and base another over lightly, for a shabbier look.  You could even lightly sand for an even more shabbier look. 

Don't forget your chimney.  And again, don't worry about minor splotches.  Ignore.  We can fix.

Now comes the trim, roof and base of the house.  Which I have done in white.  And I usually do about two to three coats.  The acrylic dries fast, so that by the time you've gone from front to back, you can usually begin a second coat by the time you get to the front again.

Don't forget under the edges of the roof.

A soft red door completes the front.  Don't forget to do your windows.  I know, you don't do windows.  But just the once, ok?

Now comes the real fun.  Adding the details.  I found this little vintage pic at our store for under $5.00.  I clipped off the pieces I wanted to use.  Like the snowman and the small tree.  The candy canes will go on another house and the rest I'll save for something else.

I use The Ultimate glue.  It holds well and dries fast.  Hold the piece in place until it adheres.  This is my favorite part...adding the fun.  It starts to get a little character now.  But, still needs a little sumpin, sumpin.  Hmmmmmm.

This will do.  I cut a small piece off, using wire cutters, not scissors!  Don't ruin your scissors cutting pipe cleaners.  Martha sez.  LOL.  Form a small circle for a wreath and lets put that above the little door.

Add a tiny red bow to your little wreath and we are done.  (There's goes the neighborhood!  Someone had to go and build modern!  That house looks just like a coffee cup!)  Sorry.  Had to have a silly moment there. 

But wait..one last thing.

GLITTER!  And lots of it!  This is my fave to use on the little houses cause it really looks like snow.  But you could use whatever floats your particular watercraft.  And you can get The Ultimate glue and this glitter from the Hob Lob.  I use my flat brush and put a thin coat of Mod Podge over the area and items I want coated.  Doing one side at a time.

Viola!  A little sugary, snow covered cottage!  I love it.  You can make em cutesy...

...or classy.  The sky is the limit.  Have fun.  Now go build some houses!

See you tomorrow for Pink Saturday.

Comments

[Kerri]

Very Cute!! Thanks for the tutorial. I am gonna have to go find some of that glitter this weekend!

[cathy]

Love it!!
Later today I'm heading off for a jaunt to the hobby store with a lobby :)

[Barbara H.]

That is sooo cute! Thanks for the tutorial.

[Shawna]

Girl!
You crack me up! What the junk....a modern house in your village! LOL! How dare them! LOL! You are so funny! You should write a book....really!!!
Hey, we need a girls road trip to the hobby store with a lobby! Let's go to the biggie in Arlington? Wanna????
Miss yoU!

[sherri]

I found some of these at the one with M-no lobby. I think I'll give them to you to complete :) instead of me. Love the sugared look.

[Tina Wright]

watercraft..is that like the wind that blows your non-pant, swinging, open bottomed article of clothing??? you are a mess, if I ever saw one..now, back away from the fru-fru coffee...

[Lori]

very cute...i have some of those little houses from when i was visiting my mom in tennessee...MY hobby lobby is too far away to bother driving to...plus i have no idea where it is exactly...anyhoo, i am now inspired to pull out those houses and do something with them!!!

[Brook]

I so love the sparklies. I just bought a whole jar to embellish something!

[psmulican]

so inspired to try this. as luck would have it, i have to go to the lobby tomorrow! i'll be lookin' for some houses and some of that glitter. thanks for sharin'!

[Robyn]

Thanks - this was a cute project and just the "kick" I needed to get me to go buy a house I saw at Hobby Lobby and have a go at decorating it for the holidays!
Have a great weekend!

[Denise/ Look Beyond the Picket Fence]

I love your cute little house. All glittered up! It makes me want to make an entire village. Or at least a few more.
denise

[~*~ Patty]

Wonderful pink creations, the glitter does give them a magical quality! TFS
*Happy Pink Saturday*

[Stacey Newton]

Thanks for the lesson- Love the tinsel on the 2nd example... I too am a big fan of Hob Lob- & with their Christmas 1/2 off, it already feels like gift giving time!

[3rdEyeMuse]

you make it sound and look so simple! ok, ok, I have to at least try it ... once. :)

ps - the coffee cup house photo still has me giggling!

[Beverly]

Happy Pink Saturday.

This is just wonderful. Fantastic job!

[Marilyn]

Cute, cute, cute! Love the tutorial, complete with editorial comments:) and love the project! Thanks!

[Joy *The Vintage Rabbit]

So adorable!!!
Joy~

[Sarah]

OMG! These are great. They look like the ones they sale at the Sample House for $50 dollars!
SArah

[Catherine]

Thank you for the tutorial. Your houses are adorable and I think I have been inspired to make a couple.
Off to the Lobby I go.