Another Fabric house

I love UK Lass's little fabric house. I especially love browsing her flickr group and seeing all the wonderful houses others have made. There is one that is made of felt and everything about it makes me happy. So, when I got a 4 year old girl in our Secret Santa exchange, I knew exactly what I was going to make her. This is inspired greatly by Jenn White's felt house in the UK Lass's flickr group.

The little girl received the Calico Critters Buttercup Kitten Twins to go in this little nursery. Here I used our Calico Critters Elwood Elephant Twins just to give you an idea of scale.

I loved this construction process so much more then the other houses. This time I pre-embellished all the house parts, and then assembled. The blanket stitch assembly was a little tricky, but would be easier to do the next time I go around, now that I have done it once.

Ultimately, I think I just really like embroidery. It is very satisfying to me to hold something dainty in my hands and make something that looks so charming.

I can't decide what part I like the best, the stone path, the bunting, or the bluebirds on the fence. It was difficult giving this one away.

Advent Calendar

Inspired by Homemade by Jill's advent calendar, I decided that I needed to make one for our family. I also kinda decided this the day before we left to visit family for Thanksgiving (I needed a project for the road, etc), which meant that the calendar didn't actually get done until 8 days after the beginning of the month, but no worries, we got all caught up.

The tree waiting it's decorations

All the ornaments on the tree

Close up of the ornaments

* You can find Jill's calendar here

Crafty Chistmas Pt. 3

Ella's big gift from Santa this year was a play kitchen. I found these 2 night stands on Craigslist for $10.


And this hutch from a garage sale for free. I have had this hutch for too many years then I care to admit, just waiting for me to turn it into something.


My neighbor helped me repair the trim on the bottom of the hutch, and I tossed the one door. He also helped me do all the cutting (since I lack any real tools).

Here is the set...

And here it is all staged for Christmas morning. There are pots and pans, wrapped, and cooking utensils in her stocking.

Up close of the hutch.

Up close of the sink. I had the sink set off center so I can get a little dish drying rack for the side.

The faucet is an upside down J, and the bowl is a mixing bowl.

Up close of the stove/oven.

The knobs are little wooden disks that I painted white and then drew on the dial parts with a sharpie. The burners are wood circles that I painted. I sealed them all with Triple Thick Paste. I love that stuff.

The oven door opened. The hinges I bought for the door wouldn't fit so I did a quick fix for Christmas and stapled a strip of fabric in there. I don't think there is a hinge option that will work with the shape of the nightstand and door, so I am going to use some leather and nails for a hinge. I am also adding some chain to the door to help keep it from dropping all the way down, and line the inside with silver. If I can find something to become an oven rack, I will add one as well.

Ella is in love with it, and today she told all the moms at Luke's soccer game that it was her favorite gift!