A Cardboard Christmas in my Corner.

I have a growing love for vintage things,
but the price of vintage pieces are not always so easy to love.

While looking on Pinterest,
I found myself yearning more and more for these:

(Pinterest:  from TinyWhiteDaisies)

(Pinterest: from WhiteMarketBlog)

 (Pinterest)



(Pinterest: from 2gypsygirls.com)



What fun little houses,
full of colors and sparkles.
They seemed to make anywhere they go
look like a mini vacation. 

(Pinterest: from bhg)


Then I read that there are free down-loadable patterns to make these houses,
and my brain wouldn't leave me alone.

How great is the fact that I can make these sweet treasures
from cereal boxes?!

We have a few of my husband's grandfather's delicate wooden houses
that he put much time and effort into making
(you can see them by clicking >HERE<).

They are a fun heirloom.

I suddenly wanted to have a try at creating a possible Christmas heirloom.

Pinterest: from Afieldjournal.blogspot
(This blog has instructions and sources,
not only for making the houses,
but how to make the old-looking trees as well)


I chose Martha Stewart's pattern since it seemed simple enough.

(Pinterest: from Martha Stewart)


After I gathered my cereal boxes,...

I glued the pattern pieces to the cardboard,
cut them out,
and began to cut the windows and doors out.

I also scored the fold lines lightly,
knowing that the paint would fill in the cuts.

Not having the recommended glacine for the windows,
I rummaged in my kitchen and found some party favor bags
from an Easter sale.

The houses were cut and glued.

I used latex paint mixed 2 parts paint to one part Plaster of Paris.
(I thought the thick paint would fill in the gaps better and make my house stronger.)
I made sure to paint the insides of the house too,
as Martha had suggested.


The glass glitter I used as the final step really completed the look.

Below is the inspiration for the set-up I loved.
I liked how some were on upside-down dishes,
the old look of the cupboard,
the evergreen swag with stars.

I wanted to somehow get this type of look in my house.

(Pinterest: from bhg)


I thought of the shelves in my kitchen:
I never could get a good Christmas look on them.
So I tried to use these ideas there:

Granted, it doesn't look too much like my inspiration,
but I tried to ad those elements I loved:


the fresh evergreen swag,
but I used snowflakes instead of stars,
 

so they would match the kitchen chandelier.

I debated the most about the colors to use.
I did so love the simple color scheme of just the greens and whites;
but I love bright colors in my kitchen,
so I gave in to my impulses:

I enlarged the house patterns I had downloaded,
a couple different sizes,
so the houses look like they are different,
even though they are just two basic patterns.

I love what they do to my corner in the kitchen.


I hope to make a few more in my lifetime,
maybe something new every year.

(This evening while preparing this,

I discovered another source for three more free patterns over at

Little Glitter Houses.com)

To read the history of Putz houses

you can click on >HERE< (Papa Ted's Place).

Papa Ted says they originated in Japan right around the time of the Great Depression.

Linking up to these fun blog parties:

Centsational Girl: holiday-craft-link-party 
Funky Junk Interiors
The Inspired Room
Raising Homemakers
alamode
 Savvy Southern Style  

French Country Cottage: Holiday Vignettes

A Bowl Full of Lemons
A Diamond in the Stuff 
Home Stories a to z 
 Far Above Rubies: Domestically Divine
The Lettered Cottage

Tabletop Tuesday - A Stroll Thru Life
The Artsy Girl Connection 

 *Furniture Feature Friday - Mustard Seed Creations
*Show and Tell Friday - My Romantic Home
The Friday Flair - Whipper Berry 
 Feathered Nest Friday - French Country Cottage

A Little Knick Knack 

Stuff-and-nonsense: Fridays Unfolded 


BNOTP Under the table and dreaming