DIY - Christmas Dollhouse

 

 

This house inspired me the minute it popped up in my Facebook news feed! My mom turned me onto Martha's Vintage Attic's Facebook page and I've been constantly sharing ideas! This tin dollhouse was simply the cutest thing I had ever seen and I knew I had to either find it or replicate it. Turns out, I replicated it!

My mom and I scoured the pages of eBay. I found several houses I liked, shared the links with her, and it turns out we both loved this darling colonial version. One that just happens to be the style of my dream home. I wanted to make it and have it ready for our holiday party, but according to the shipping directions, it might not even make it in time. I took my chances and it arrived with a week to spare! 

I was also inspired by a simple table top centerpiece from their site, so a trip to Michael's was in order. And, as luck would have it, everything I needed was 50% off! I stocked up on minuature wreaths, lights, and ornaments for the centerpiece. My mom went as well and found the sleigh that I had decided against but wished I had purchased once home. She also picked up the minature wrapped gifts and lights, as well as provided the batting and felt for the rest of the project. I was set!

Below are a series of photos and how the house took shape. I am so happy with the result. I didn't use hot glue as I didn't want to lose the integrity of the dollhouse. What if I had a different use for it down the road, and I don't mean with another child! Instead, I used good ol' Scotch tape and Zots.  

These are the things you'll need.

And the house, of course!

I decided to lay the felt on the roof first.

 

I placed Scotch tape across the peak only.

Then cut to look like snow.

What do you think so far?

To adhere the wreaths, I used Zots. (I find them on the floor from time to time.)

It's starting to take shape!

 

Next up, the lights. They work too!

I'm loving it!

This is the sleigh I passed up. So cute!

And this is the final version. Darling!

The Santa was a surprise. As you can see from the inspriration photo above, they had a Santa and his reindeer. We weren't sure where or when we would find something like that. I remembered the Santa at the last minute. When decorating a small tree for McKinley's play area, I discovered an antique Santa that belonged to my grandmother. What a perfect piece to finish off this antique Christmas house!

The Holidays - Creating New Traditions

The holidays are upon us and I for one am ready! I've actually been in the holiday spirit for weeks, but had to save my enthusiasm until after Thanksgiving. I am definitely one to NOT skip Thanksgiving. In my house, I refer to it as "The Forgotten Holiday". However, the Friday after Thanksgiving is a full on decorating day and I love how things are taking shape!

One thing I really want to focus on this year is creating new traditions and working more hands on with McKinley. He is getting to an age where we are baking together more so I really want to start exploring more arts and crafts projects. For Halloween, we made foam ornaments and decorated a little tree that sat by the front door. For Thanksgiving, we made lollipop stick puppets that didn't really go over all that well. For Christmas, I have lots in store. Baking cookies, crafting, and decorating. And last night was our first crafting session.

I wasn't going to put a tree in McKinley's rooms this year only because the living room tree has been such an ordeal. He is far more exploratory than he was last year and some of the ornaments are beginning to show some wear. His bedroom tree last year consisted of nothing but Santa ornaments, and since he has a tendency to wander upstairs and play in his room, I could just see these ornaments lying on the floor in pieces. Then, as I was searching for other decorations, I found a box of ornaments that I had forgotten about. Non-breakable ornaments that were on the main tree last year. Ornaments that were purchased only for him. Cars characters, Jake characters, and a few soft ones as well. McKinley can definitely have his own tree!

And because I'm going for non-breakable, I really wanted to make things with him that he can hang on the tree himself. So, last night we made the tradition construction paper garland! You know the ones I'm talking about, right? The ones all of us have made over the years and I'm pretty sure it started in Pre-School.

You take red and green construction paper, or any color you choose, and begin folding it back and forth like an accordion. I didn't take the time to measure a piece to create a template and then mark each one accordingly. I just folded the paper back and forth.

Once you've created all the folds you can, start cutting. And, if you have a toddler who has Play-Doo scissors, they can help "cut" as well. We have not entered the world of safety scissors....

Now, I'm not going to fool into thinking I'm a professional photographer, a professional blogger, or a professional crafter. In the real world, you snap pictures when you can, cut the strips of paper on your own while your husband gives your son a bath, and then pick up crafting where you left off. Everyone is in their pajamas because this is real life! And, you crop the photos so you readers don't see the clutter in every shot!

After the bath, McKinley continues to "cut" the strips for our garland.

Now the assembly can begin. I made the rings and McKinley helped me thread each color. And, he knew exactly the color pattern without me prompting him! He's a genius!

Helping mama fold the paper over to make the ring.

And here's the finished product. To McKinley, this is a roller coaster.  (And dreidel's are ice cream cones.) We will place this around McKinley's tree this weekend. I can't wait to show you the finished product. We have a few other crafts to make before we decorate the tree. I can't wait to get started on those!

What family traditions have you started with your children? What are some of your favorites? Can't wait to hear all about them!