I set this little house aside because it needed something extra. I knew it needed sunflowers, so I ordered those. I also thought it needed something above the second floor window over the door. I added a decorative beam, and called it good. I photographed the needed shots and posted them to the blog on Sept. 22. Later, when looking at the photos, I realized I had neglected to add the “leaf litter.” Here’s the before and after.
Leaf litter is made from the dried, dyed scales of birch tree seed pods. They make great tiny leaves. Check different sources for different shades of green, brown, red, orange and yellow. Some are brighter than others. If you have a silver birch, you can make your own. I don’t know if all birch trees make the same kind of seed pod. Silver birch is the only one I’ve seen mentioned online for making leaf litter. Making Miniature Leaves from Birch Seed Pods I made the mix shown below by adding yellow, red, and brown leaves together.
Following are some pictures to demonstrate how much difference the addition of fallen autumn leaves can make to a putz house. To apply them, I use a 1/4″ paintbrush to cover the area with white glue, then sprinkle loose leaf litter over the glue. I don’t press the leaves into the glue. I want a soft look, without matting them together. I add them where I think they would pile up naturally. Along the side of a walkway, against a fence, or against shrubbery.
In the second picture, you can see the fallen leaves on the doorstep and along the sidewalk. Little details like that can make a big difference in the overall appeal of your putz house.
The leaves add a softness to the lines of the house and yard.
It doesn’t take a lot. A subtle touch of fallen leaves, even on the outside of the fence below, can add an extra touch of the season.
If you have any questions about creating putz houses, please ask. I am happy to share what I have learned about the art of putzing.
If you would like to see more of my Putz houses, as well as Christmas ornaments I have made from upcycled holiday cards, please visit my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting Putz houses of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. https://christmasnotebook.com/putz-little-glitter-houses/
All proceeds from my Etsy shop benefit Kenya Mercy Ministries. They work with the urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, particularly the children and their families who live in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
~~Rhonda 🙂