Friday 20 November 2015

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

44 comments:

  1. Oh wow this is just amazing. Thank you for joining us at Alphabet Challenge Blog challenge T for Tis the Season. Hugs Jackie (DT)

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  2. Oh my word, this is amazing! I just love the pom pom fringe, the vintage Santa, the gorgeous patterns, and softness added to them. A true work of heART!

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  3. This truly is stunning Nicola!!! The detail you add always leaves me in complete awe. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  4. Wow, Nicola, this is one of the most amazing projects I've seen!! It took me a while to comment because I've been studying the pictures, trying to take in all of the fabulous details!! I love every single thing you added, especially the tree with the angel!! This is absolutely stunning!! I love, love it!! Have a great weekend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  5. Another beautiful little house Nicola, love all the details you put into these, but so worth the effort. Love everything about it and that Christmas tree is stunning.
    Avril xx
    p.s. Thanks for sharing with us at TioT. xx

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  6. Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow Nicola! Your home must looks absolutely amazing at Christmas with your gorgeous little houses! The papers are wonderful and I just love the image on the back of the house, the added snow looks incredible too. You really are a master at altering these beautiful little houses. I am bookmarking this for another look and pinning it! Stunning, stunning work!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  7. Wow this is gorgeous, what a fantastic job you did.
    Thanks for participating in the Piondesigns challange.
    Hugs dt- Johanna

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  8. WOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW! What an amazing project! This is beyond amazing!
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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    1. Also, thank you so much for joining our It's Ornamental challenge at Anything But Cute!

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  9. This gorgeous Christmas house is full of wonders. Super work. Thank you for joining us at TioT.

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  10. OMG, Nicola, this is brilliant! What a stunning Christmas 3d project with so many fantastic elements! I love everything about this beauty! Fantastic!
    Thank you so much for joining in our 'It's Ornamental' challenge at Anything But Cute! Branka DT x

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  11. Goodness me Nicola, what a real work of art, I dare not begin to imagine how long it took you but it's a real stunner.

    Hope yo have a good weekend, it's looking very much like crafting weather if your's is anything like ours.

    B x

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  12. Oh Nicola, this is the most amazing house I have seen in a long time!! I love all the papers and elements you have used, this looks just so amazing, LOVE it big time, just stunning!!!

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  13. This is just fabulous Nicola......so many wonderful layouts/details to view. I have enjoyed every photograph.....your attention to detail is outstanding

    TFS and have a lovely weekend
    Annie x

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  14. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I was wondering if you were going to do a Christmas house this year, and here it is in all it's glory!!! Oh boy Nicola, I had this PINNED before the page even finished loading!! Would you like my address by the way?? haha! So many wonderful details, there's just no way for me to mention them all, but I will say that the little lantern with the light in it has just stolen my heart!! I have bookmarked this page so I can keep coming back for Christmas inspiration! You rock girlfriend, this is truly a piece of art to turn everyone's heads at your Christmas parties!

    Thank you so much for joining us at Anything But Cute for our 'It's Ornamental' challenge! Regarding your images; although the visuals of little children clamouring around Santa Claus is cute by definition, the images themselves are vintage in nature and totally OK for our blog style. Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

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    1. Thanks so much Pamellia and delighted it qualifies. Nx

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  15. This is fantastic Nicola, oh my ,what a beautiful work, what sweet adds and wonderful creations, all around the house. I love the way you did the christmas tree, and santas sack, in the middle of the snow flurry !
    It is just wonderful, dear.
    Dorthe, xxoo

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  16. Oh, I am sure you are hearing my squeals of delight over this detailed work of art! I don't even know where to begin with my comments...each side of this magical house has details to delight my eyes! The Christmas tree with the cherub and the deer looking on has got to be my favorite view, but if it were on my table, I would sit and stare at it all day long! Pinned so I can do just that!

    I think it would look perfect in my home next to the Halloween House Pamellia is going to give to me when I bug her enough! Ha! Ha!

    Thank you for joining our It's Ornamental challenge at Anything But Cute with this amazing project! Hugs! Sara Emily DT

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  17. Wow Nicola, an absolute Nostalgic treat to see around your festive house and all its fabulous details. Stunning as all your houses are.
    Julie x

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  18. A stunning Christmas project, wonderful details everywhere you look. Thank you for joining us at TioT's this time.
    Yvonne

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  19. Everytime you create a house I ogle and ah!!! This one is no exception! GORGEOUS...I love the white and red too, and the connection piece at the top with the sentiment is clever! SO FUN and beautiful!!!

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  20. Oh my, how absolutely stunning is this? Love it, Liz x

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  21. GASP!!! Oh my life! Its utter perfection - I am just so lost for words because its so very beautiful! I want one!!!!!! Cx (FA for November at Anything But Cute)

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  22. Well Merry Christmas and a delight to see! This altered house has so many lovely details and sights to behold. Every time I look at this gem, I see something new. Those curtains are awesome sauce, that lantern is my fave and the tree is wowzers! I think you have used so many wonderful techniques and mixed media-totally a winter wonderland!

    Thanks for joining in our "It's Ornamental" challenge at Anything But Cute! Hugz. ~Niki DT

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  23. WOWSER! It's a breathtaking creation Nicola! Thanks for sharing it with us at TioT challenge.

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  24. Gorgeous work of art Nicola! Love your attention to detail! I can appreciate all the time and love you put into creating this!

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  25. This is just beautiful Nicola! The details are fantastic.
    Thank you for participating in this months Pion Design Challenge.

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  26. This is stunning Nicola! I love all of the gorgeous details and fabulous images, a work of art! Thanks for joining us at Alphabet Challenge Blog!
    Tammy x

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  27. This is like my 15th bajillion time visiting your blog to look at this amazing miniature world you've created and each time I keep thinking I won't go speechless, but I do. I can't get over the incredible detail and attention paid to every angle. You simply astound me with your masterful creativity. What was that show with the miniature people that lived in the cupboards......(pause, I'm googling the internet).......The Littles!! That's what this reminded me of. Wish they would have known about your place, they would have been happy as a bug in a rug. I give you a standing ovation and a huge smile....this is FABULOUS, Nicola.
    Just love it!!
    Lisa xx

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  28. This is so adorable Nicola... wonderful creation!!! Just wanted to tell you here.
    Hope you are warm and well... and still in Christmas intense production I guess since you love it so much!
    Coco xxx

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  29. Magnificent! I'm on catch-up and I'm here because this beautiful house popped up in my Inbox as the winner over at Pion - I took one look and said to myself, "That's Nicola's!"... Congratulations on a truly well-deserved win!
    Alison xx

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  30. You must have had such fun creating this - each element is wonderful! Love the connected moon and star on the chimneys, along with all the other great details.

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  31. Wow what a gorgeous christmas house. Your designs are beautiful. Thanks for stopping in at my blog, xx

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  32. These are the best Christmas houses I have seen such talent and imagination, where on earth can you get these chipboard houses? I would love to have a go at dressing one of these, Thanks for taking the time to share with us.Delia.XXX

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind compliments Delia. The house is a chipboard 'Queen Ann' house by Melissa Frances. As far as I know they are now discontinued. I'm not sure where you're based. An Italian store had some but have sold out there. There may still be some in USA stores if you Google search. Nicola x

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  33. How much time and efforts are been taken to make this one...can be seen from the way it is made- BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for playing along Craft for the Craic this month! :)
    Suchi xx

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  34. My jaw dropped when I saw your Christmas house, Nicola! It is beyond fabulous! It is cheery, cozy, holiday perfection.
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  35. Absolutely stunning - your attention to detail is amazing
    Thanks for joining us at Craft for the Craic
    Pixie (DT member)

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  36. Wow just amazing! Would love to pick this up and look at all the gorgeous details. Reminds me of childhood Christmases! Thankyou for joining us this month at Craft for the Craic

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  37. just saw this over at frilly an funkie winners - absolutely fabulous - love it - and thanks for your visit! Hugs rachel x

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  38. Hi Nicola,
    Apologies; but I just have to shout AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZING!!! I remember the house you made last year with the Maja papers & images and that was stunning, but this is if possible I think even more gorgeous!!! Christmas in Norway has so many adorable images, making it the perfect collection to use for a project like this. The details....oh my; I could just sit and stare here at your Christmas house all day and still discover something new. You've blown me away...again. Thanks ever so much for playing Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe with LLC. (Sorry I'm so late commenting; last month was manic for me, attending the first craft show with LLC.)

    Hugz, Sandy
    Owner & Operator @Live & Love Crafts

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  39. Nicola, Congratulations on on being chosen as a DT Favourite at Anything But Cute (again and again and again)!! This project is just incredible! Thanks for all your support, don't forget to drop in and pick up your winner's badge! hugs Pamellia DT :)

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x