Hello! If you're a follower of mine on Instagram (@creativejuicefreshsqueezed) you might have seen my progression of sneak peeks of this latest project! It's finally complete and I can show you the whole thing now. The little shack in its pumpkin patch was destined to reside in a lantern and become my newest fall decor piece:
… which is wired up with Tiny Lights!
I had to make sure the outside of the lantern was beautiful too:
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| Leaf embellishments are made using the Oak Leaf 3-D Embossing Impresslits from Sizzix. Love! |
I am entering this into The Funkie Junkie Blog "Creating Die-Na-Mite" Challenge. My project definitely utilizes dies! Check out their challenges, they are always fun themes!
Scroll on if you'd like a little tutorial on how I put this together!
The shack is made using some of the Tim Holtz Village Die Series (retired). I didn't really chronicle its construction, Tim has done several videos on how to put them together. I will note that the siding is inked Distress Woodgrain Cardstock cut into strips and the roof is metal tape on cardstock and then embossed with the new Mini Foundry 3-D Embossing Folder (absolutely perfect!!)
On to the base!
Step 1 - I cut a piece foam to fit in the bottom of the lantern and then built up areas of elevation with more foam and cardboard. I usually cover my base with plaster cloth to fill in the contours and make more textures. You can find it in the model/train sections of craft stores.
Step 2 - I painted the base and then added bits of moss and lichen from my landscaping stuff stash.
The pumpkins are actually seed pods I painted "pumpkin" colors.
Step 3 - Glued the pumpkins into the 'patch'! To help with the illusion of perspective I picked bigger pumpkins for the front and then put the tiniest ones in the back next the shack.
Step 4 - Wired the tree: I used two strands of Tiny Lights to wrap around the branches. My plan was to hide the battery/switch parts in the top of the lantern (photo later).
Step 5 - Leaves: I chose to cut my leaves out of colored coffee filters. I use filters a lot for making foliage and flowers. It dyes readily and has the look of tissue but is stronger. In this case, I wanted a substrate that would also allow the lights to shine through it. Tip: you can cut through several layers of filter paper at a time, both with steel rule and Thinlits dies. That made it easy to cut out lots of leaves at once!
Tree with die cut leaves:
At this stage, I popped the scene back into the lantern. Fortunately, this particular lantern had a metal top that was just screwed on. I was able to take it off and easily lift the scene in and out. I always find it easier to build scenes using a 'top loading' container so you can complete it outside of the container and then just pop it in. It doesn't always work out that way, but it's a plus when it does!
Step 6 - I put the lantern top back on and glued pieces of velcro into the top. I glued matching pieces onto the backs of the light controls. They tuck right in there out of sight!
Last but not least, I'll leave you with a detail photo of the tin roof because I love it so much. Yum!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Supplies used:
Dies:
Tim Holtz Sizzix
Tattered Leaves - retired
Village Dwelling - retired
Village Surf Shack - retired
Village Fixer Upper - retired
Other:
Tim Holtz Stamp Sets - Falling Leaves, Grunged
Ranger Distress Halloween Mica Set
Distress Collage Medium - Matte
Ranger Heavystock - white
a zillion different Ranger inks and Distress Spray Stains
Distress Resist Spray
Idea-ology Tiny Lights
coffee filters
Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)
