I enjoy making the miniature versions of these little glitter houses and this one was no exception. It is decorated with mulberry paper flowers, velvet flowers, hand-crafted Easter eggs and preserved moss.
When the lights come on, everything comes to life.
The back has the traditional hole to allow the use of an LED light string for lighting the Putz.
I use upcycled greeting cards to make bases for my Putz houses. This one was a sympathy card, but I decided to use it for an Easter Putz.
The church is modeled after the one pictured on the greeting card. I like to match my Putz to the card when it’s feasible. In color, as well as design
The front steps are made from popsicle sticks.
You can see my Putz houses and other Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
Last week brought winter weather and plunging temps, but inside, I was all about spring and summer.
On Monday, I began the work of landscaping the mini Putz barn. I had to decide on which sheep to use. I found these three in my stash. The two smaller ones came from my mother’s house after she passed away, eight years ago. I brought home a lot of her craft stash and have been using it in my own creations. But this time, I chose the larger lamb. He’s half an inch high and is a craft button from Hobby Lobby. He was part of a shepherd, sheep and angel set. I cut the shank off the back and used him to embellish my spring Putz barn.
He was just the right size. The barn is also embellished with mulberry paper flowers, velvet flowers, and preserved moss.
Wednesday, I enjoyed a video chat with our youngest daughter who is a junior in college. She let Bentley, the house puppy, say hello.
I made some post and board fencing for the barns I made this week. This one was made with square dowels.
These posts are made from wooden skewers. The boards are thinly cut pieces of light-weight poster board.
Clark came into the craft room to see me. He is quite fluffy right now. He goes in stages through the year, getting extra fluff in January and February, then thinning a bit as summer goes along. He has amazing, almond-shaped eyes. Deep down, he’s just a big baby.
I finished two Putz barns last week. The mini one, on the left, is the spring version and the larger one on the right is embellished for summer.
On Sunday, we had snow. Not as much as forecasted, so we were happy with that. But it was a snowy, cold and grey day.
In the craft room, I was happy to use this spring-themed card for my next Putz house. We’ve been seeing robins in the yard, but, like us, they’ll be happier when the fruit trees are blooming!
You can see my Putz houses and other Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
The latest listing to my Etsy shop is this summer Putz barn in dark red and light blue. Daisy, the cow, waits in the front yard to greet you.
The base is 6″ wide and 3 1/4″ deep. The Putz is 4 1/4″ tall, as measured from the bottom of the base to the top of the chimney.
I use upcycled greeting cards to make bases for my Putz creations. The colors I use to paint the building and the base are taken from the colors of the picture on the greeting card.
In this case, the colors are the dark red of the sheds, the blue of the sky and the roofs of a few of the sheds, and the green of the grass.
I like to add the traditional hole in the back to allow the use of an LED light string to light my little, glitter buildings.
Aglow with light, the Putz comes to life.
You can see my Putz houses and other Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
I just finished this sweet, little spring Putz barn. It has been listed to my Etsy shop.
Daffodil, the spring lamb, stands on a bed of grass made from preserved moss. Mulberry paper flowers embellish the scene.
The base for the Putz is made from an upcycled greeting card. Aren’t these little lambs cute?
The greeting card picture adds a nice surprise when the Putz is tilted.
The back of the Putz barn has the traditional hole to allow the use of an LED light string to light this little barn and other houses in your little glitter village.
The rope wreath is made from jute twine with a tiny flower and an itty bitty blossom nestled inside.
The roof is made from corrugated cardboard to simulate ridged metal roofing.
The lights are on…come on in! Daffodil loves company!
You can see my Putz houses and other Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
I spent most of the week working on Putz houses. On Monday, this church was fully assembled and ready for embellishments.
I made the pattern in two sizes. The church on the left is the full-size pattern. The one on the right was reduced to 80% of the original size.
In addition to the churches, I made a couple of spring Putz houses. This is the mini version.
When it was done, I decided I like the mini one so much that I am keeping it for my own collection.
The second springtime Putz house is larger than the first. I was able to use the same yellow, but the green was less blue and the blue was more lilac than on the first house.
The house is embellished with mulberry paper flowers, velvet flowers and preserved moss.
DH took this picture of Clark, king of the upstairs banister. He looks pretty noble, doesn’t he? By the way, he is standing over the staircase. It is a twelve foot drop to the first floor. But he doesn’t mind. This railing is one of his favorite places to hang out, even for a nap.
We had asparagus at lunchtime. With our cold temperatures and very windy day, I was reminded that somewhere out there, it is warm enough for asparagus to grow. It won’t be long before spring is in full bloom here, as well.
DH just brought in a picture he took in the back yard. Our first spring blossoms. Tiny crocus in the grass. This counts for spring!
He also brought in some daffodils he dug up in the back yard. We should have blossoms soon!
I love the miniature Putz houses and this one is a particular favorite. I love these colors and the pattern, as well. Pictures don’t do this little house justice.
The base is made from an upcycled greeting card. As soon as I saw this card, I knew I had to make a Putz for it. Lily of the Valley are one of my favorite flowers and it is also the flower of May, my birth month. May 24. Me and Queen Victoria. And Bob Dylan…DH is a fan. Me, not so much.
The little house is embellished with mulberry paper flowers, preserved sheet moss, and artificial foliage. The front steps are made from balsa wood.
The back of the Putz house has the traditional hole for the use of an LED light string to light the Putz.
A puff of smoke is included with the Putz houses that have chimneys. Smoke is optional, so it is just tucked into the chimney. Removable if it isn’t wanted. The polyester fluff I use for the smoke stands up well, so it doesn’t need to be glued or supported in any way. A pair of tweezers or other pointy object works well for tucking the smoke into the hole on the top of the chimney.
I plan to keep this house for my own collection. It appeals to me on many levels. A mini Putz. Springtime Lily of the Valley. Beautiful colors. It’s a keeper.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
Another week has flown by. I managed to finish a couple of Irish cottage Putz to list to my Etsy shop.
The second cottage included some shamrocks.
Wednesday morning started with the sunrise shining on my Santa and Mrs. Santa paper doll cutouts that hang on the side of the cabinet in the craft room.
Later that day, I cut out two Putz churches.
After window panes were added, I glued the pieces together, to the point where they were ready for painting.
DH and I drove to the nearest sushi establishment (25 miles away) later that day and bought sushi for Valentine’s Day. While outside we got a picture that proves spring is coming. The daffodils are up about four inches. We’ve had tulips and daffs blooming by now in previous years, but it is still early. We’ll wait.
My Valentine tulips brightened my Valentine’s Day.
As did Clark and Winston. Brothers and good buddies, they love to be where their people are.
In the craft room. On Thursday afternoon, a friend came over for a crafting session. She worked on making cards, while I cut more Putz house patterns.
There are three starlings that sit on the same branch outside the craft room window every day. I call them the three amigos…or should that be the “tree” amigos? I’ve been watching them for five or six weeks. Can birds have buddies? Favorite friends to hang out with?
Saturday brought sunshine. The shadow from the pins on the windowsill caught my eye. I love this magnetic pin holder, by the way.
The pencils caught my eye, too. So colorful!
DH sent me a picture from the garden that made me happy. Can’t argue with that!
And indoors, the forsythia is still blooming cheerfully. If you have access to a forsythia bush, pick a few branches and bring them in for a spring preview.
This week, I am finishing the two Putz churches that I cut out this past week. The mini one is done and I’ll finish the larger one today. Stay tuned for a post with pictures of those. They are done with an Easter theme, which is fresh and springtime-y. I hope you are seeing signs of spring in your world!
I am currently working on four little glitter houses, all of them Irish cottages. I drew this pattern in March of 2017. Here’s the mini version of this sweet, little cottage.
I made four regular-size ones and two minis. The mini ones are copied at 80% of the original size of the pattern. I am going to redraw the pattern, because I realized I didn’t draw the window frames or the door when I made the pattern initially. Not sure how I neglected to add them to the pattern. I may make the windows a little bigger, too. What do you think?
I went through my stash of greeting cards and found these two cards that work for an Irish cottage base. The larger one is actually a piece of vellum. I mod-podged it to poster board before making the box to give it strength and structure. My tutorial for making Putz bases from greeting cards is here. Bases from greeting cards.
Once the bases are made and the houses are painted, it’s time to glue things together. I add the window and door frames. In the case of the Irish cottages, I don’t glue down an additional roof as I will be adding thatching to the roof.
I love to add the thatching. It makes such a big change in the look of the cottage.
How totally cute is this?!
The next step is to add the fence to the base.
Always check before gluing anything to the base. Is it oriented in the right direction? When you tilt the Putz up from the front, the card should be placed so you can view it correctly.
When I am making a Putz that will not include snow, I do a bit more (sometimes, a lot more!) landscaping than I do for a Christmas Putz house. I have a good collection of artificial foliage. I look for foliage, flowers, berries, etc., that can be cut into smaller pieces.
This is artificial heather. Little stems cut from it make a lovely flowering vine for the cottage.
Pieces like this can be cut to size as small trees. I have even cut the tiny individual sprigs off the stems and used them as itty-bitty hyacinths in a spring garden.
I use preserved sheet moss for the “grass” around the fence and the flower beds. I cut the vining rose in half so I will be able to use it on two cottages. I don’t know where I purchased the one I have, but by googling < miniature rose vine >, I found it is available on dollhouseminiatures.com.
Aquarium stones were used to make the front walk. When first put down, they seemed too large, but after I added moss and tiny bits of “flowers,” they looked just right.
When the walkway was done, I used some gold glitter-glue to wash a little shine over the individual stones.
I plan to do some Easter and spring houses, so I will be able to use the tiny mulberry paper flowers again.
You can see my Putz houses and other Christmas ornaments in my Etsy shop.
If you are interested in crafting some Putz houses and bottle brush trees of your own, check out my Putz tutorials for more information. Putz House Tutorials
I am always happy to answer questions about the process. Please ask, if you are wondering about the details of putzing!
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 slum in Africa. Thank you for your part in helping these children when you purchase items from my shop!
This week seemed to fly by. So much to do. So little time. I am in the process of tailoring a planner to fit my own needs. It makes me aware of how much I want to do and how much more time I would need to do it all! But it IS helping me schedule my days to better manage the time I’m given.
This week’s first picture is of two Putz houses I finished last week. Same pattern, different sizes. The smaller one is reduced to 80% the size of the larger one. Easy to do, using a printer to change the size of the pattern.
February 4 is my best friend’s birthday. We were college roommates and remain best friends 40+ years later. Me on the left. MJ on the right. In her boyfriend’s room. Now her husband.
I am working on Irish cottage Putz houses this week. On Tuesday, I cut them out and assembled them.
As I mentioned, I am working on a planner that fits my own needs, and on Wednesday, I worked out the kinds of pages and categories I want in my planner.
Thursday, I began painting the Putz and I found two greeting cards I could use for the bases of two of the Irish cottages. I also ordered some vintage St. Patrick’s Day postcards from Etsy to use for more bases.
Friday I was up early enough to catch the first rays of sunlight in the craft room. The room has a large east window and two large south windows. The space between the cabinets is the doorway to the hall.
I also made thatching for the Irish cottages.
Can you guess what this is?
It’s the condensation on the underside of the lid of my Clever Coffee Dripper.
I like this little coffee maker. It makes one perfect cup of coffee for me each morning. I’m not a coffee drinker in the summer months, as a general rule, but in the winter, I’ve come to appreciate it.
The sunlight hit it just right and it made a striking pattern. Bokeh, bokeh, bokeh!
When Clark the cat gets a pet, he likes to tuck his head under your arm.
I called his name and he popped up just long enough for me to snap this picture.
The sunset was pretty Saturday evening. I am glad the days are getting longer again. That does a lot for my sense of well-being.
And then, there’s today. Cold, cloudy, grey, and icy. But the tulips give me hope.
Last week was quiet, but busy. Now to get ready for the coming week.