Cosy Little Christmas

Welcome! Thank-you for visiting.

I needed to make another Christmas house and it seemed apt for a number of challenges so without further ado here is yet another altered Melissa Frances chipboard house.

The papers are by Pion Design, most from the new 'Christmas in Norway' collection but some from their 'Flower Frames' and 'Winter in Swedish Lapland' collections too. I've also used a gold foil paper (reinforced with backing cardstock) for accents.

The papers have been well frantaged (with both white and cream enamel) and some parts of house are crackle glazed. While the glaze was still wet I sprinkled on Melissa Frances glass glitter and Ranger 'Clear Rock' glitter for plenty of sparkle. Other elements are completely coated with Ranger Glitter. Used pompoms, lace and tinsel to decorate some edges. Other edges and window frames were inked with Krylon 18 kt gilding pen although I went and covered up a lot of this when I added Snow-tex to edges. The windows are adorned with venise lace and cream tulle as well as those little munchkins peeking out. I've painted and crackled a Kaisercraft wooden street light and it's illuminated by a Tim Holtz battery lantern. Used a Decoart cream paint on several of the surfaces.

Dies used to front are; Magnolia 'Old Swedish Lace' and 'Tilda Lace', Sizzix 'On the fence' decorative strip, Sizzix 'Mini Reindeer', Sizzix bigz 'Stars' and Sizzix 'Crescent Moon'. Thanks to Lindt for the little bells around the deer!

Turning to one side you can see Santa starting his climb to the chimney. There is quite a snowstorm going on with all those punched little snowflakes and plenty of stencilled snowflakes too - made using Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes' stencil and Decoart texture paste.

The word 'Joy' is diecut with a WPlus9 die. The gold snowflakes throughout project are by Nunn Design.

Let's see the Christmas Tree around the other side. Used Sizzix 'Woodlands' die to give outline for tree shape and then cut 'branches' using Magnolia and Creative Expressions dies. Inked the 'branches' with Distress Inks and coated them with Ranger Glitter. Added stamens and pearl dots with a Waco pen. A Prima resin angel sits atop the tree - she has been gilded with 'White Fire' gilding wax. Some glittered cones are at tree base.



Finally to the rear we can see the little munchkins checking out what's inside Santa's sack.

I've added lots of charms from stash and arranged them and some wrapped presents right around the house. When I was assembling the house one of the wall joins wasn't very clean so I diecut narrow gold strips and adhered to all 4 edges to make it neat and tidy. Ditto at roof ridge. The 'Let It Snow' is from a Memory Box die. You can see several punched bow shapes - done with Sizzix / Holtz bow punch. You can't see from photos but the 'ground' area is also well glittered and snow stencilled. Added pearls, stickles and swarovski red crystals for eyes just to ensure optimum bling. Finally mounted it all on painted Idea-ology Box Feet.

If you would like to see any of my other altered chipboard houses you can find them here, here, here and here.

Thanks so very much for stopping by - it's much appreciated.
Have a lovely weekend.
Nicola x

Today is the deadline for Pion Design's November challenge with theme 'Fluffy Friends' so I'm glad to get this posted just in the nick of time. Lots of fluffiness around project from the fur on the little peoples' clothes and on the dog and deer to the front. Here is their inspiration photo:

I also wish to enter house to the following challenges:
Live & Love Crafts - November Tic Tac Toe - Glitter, Snow, Star
Anything But Cute - It's Ornamental (tho' it is kindof cute!)
Frilly & Funkie - An Altered State
Craft For The Craic - Something Glittery
Try It On Tuesday - Create a Scene
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Home Decor
Alphabet Challenge - Tis The Season
The Ribbon Girls - Use Any Image
Papertake Weekly - Let it Snow