I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 3 March 2017

Tiny Greenhouses

Hello all!  I'm glad you enjoyed taking your Hats Off To Distress Oxides!  There's plenty more to come as I'm having great fun playing with them.

But right now it's a special day at A Vintage Journey.  We've reached the milestone of our third anniversary, and we're welcoming some wonderful new Creative Guides who will be travelling alongside us.  We're celebrating with an anything goes challenge, so it's All Aboard! for March.


With my dollshouse sideline, it was inevitable that Tim's new Tiny Houses die would be at the top of my list of the new releases (well, alongside the Oxide inks, obviously), and here's my first little outing with it (already claimed by Cestina for Small Worlds).







I cut my houses out of some paper from the French Industrial paper stash and used Distress Inks to add some springtime washes of colour. 













No making of photos, I'm afraid.  I forgot all about them, but you can probably most of what I'm talking about round the back of the houses.

I backed the paper onto some waste cardboard to give it a bit more solidity and stability.













This Tim Holtz grasses image is one of my all-time favourite stamps... it probably gets inked more than almost any other stamp.

Some book page strips add just a little extra touch of interest.















One of the Photobooth photos takes pride of place on the large house.















And she's living at number 17 - which was a happy accident... a serendipitous reference to 2017, for A Vintage Journey's third anniversary this year.












On the smaller house, I've used one of the mini-plaques and again, believe it or not, it was chance that I chose this particular one.













It wasn't until I was taking the photos that I realised that 48 is the age I'm going to reach in 2017, in a couple of months' time, in fact - so there's another birthday reference for you... albeit unintentional!














I chose a specific bit of the design to be used for the roof on each house (yay, something I did actually plan!).















And that got inked with Gathered Twigs rather than the blue/greens.
















The paper flowers are unadorned, though I did take off one round of petals to make the smaller version look better on the little house.








I'm a little obsessed with these real dried grasses at the moment.  They've been on some of my favourite makes in the past (both in simplicity and in extravagance), and they're coming up on at least a couple more projects in the near future.


I love their delicate fragility.  And with those little heads on the stems, they're a bit like having white paint splatter in three dimensions.  Of course, there's lots of actual white splatter too!







Obviously, I can't manage without a couple of words, so there are some ChitChat stickers to fulfil that need.















They're tucked in behind the flowers, so that you can just catch glimpses of them.













I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of my tiny greenhouses.  Yes, I know that really they are green houses not greenhouses, but I'm sure you'll forgive me the little play on words... and they are fairly full of flowers as a greenhouse would be.











There's lots more inspiration over at A Vintage Journey and, as I mentioned, two fabulous new Creative Guides have joined our travelling troupe, so do hop over to welcome them on board.

We hope everyone will respond to the invitation - "All Aboard" - for our anything goes theme, celebrating this third anniversary.  We can't wait to see what you bring along for the ride.  And as well as our top three Pinworthy places, there's our randomly drawn prize on offer - this month from the fabulous Country View Crafts.

Happy Crafting all!

Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too.
William Cowper



I'd like to play along at Frilly and Funkie where the aim is to "Welcome, Spring!"
And at Emerald Creek Dares, the March dare is to Splatter Some Fun... with my white paint splatters and 3D dried flower splatter, it seems like the perfect fit!
I'd also like to share these in the Anything Mixed Media Goes challenge at Mixed Media World

58 comments:

Jackie PN said...

Alison, these houses are just stunning! How absolutely perfect they would be on my window ledge in my art studio! heehee
Truly beautiful Alison!
Jackie xo

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow these small houses are amazing, great images and details and such beautiful colours !! >I really love them a lot!!
Have fun!!
Maria

Helen said...

Loving your houses, can see why they are required for Small Worlds! those flowers are just fabulous.

Dortesjs said...

Wow these small houses are gorgeous, love them ;O)

Astrid Maclean said...

Great first playtime with those little houses, I can see why Cestina claimed them, they look wonderful!

Brenda Brown said...

Oh Alison these are just so super 'cute' and utterly adorable little houses designed, coloured and embellished to perfection. I love your play on words with green houses and the gorgeous flowers and dried natural elements. Thank you for your continued support and amazing contributions to AVJ as a Creative Guide, you are a star xxx

Ruth said...

Simply exquisite, a joy to look at Alison. Think that die has just sneaked higher on my list and the colours used speak spring to me. The addition of the dried gypsophila perfectly echoes the stamping too. Beautiful! Ruth xx

chrissie said...

Wonderful ideas for the little house die Alison. Made specially for you I reckon. I bet there will be more of these wonderful creations and the way you decorate them.

Love Chrissie xx

Cestina said...

Sorry Jackie, Small Worlds got in first. They are almost made to measure for it, colours and all!

Simply delightful xx

Redanne said...

I am not at all surprised that Cestina claimed these Alison, they are an absolute delight!! Those numbers are significant to me too but for altogether different reasons. I love the colour tones, the grass stamping and the wonderful dried elements add such lovely texture and softness..... gorgeous!! Anne xx

Monika Gulyas said...

Fabulous houses with your beautiful soft colours!!! The grasses and flowers, and of course all the added elements look fantastic on your houses! I love them!

Annie said...

Happy AVJ Birthday wishes to you Alison xx love your tiny house and the fabulous background and embellishments xx
Huge hugs Annie xx

froebelsternchen said...

Adorable and exquisite houses are these! Amazing!

Pamellia said...

Hi Alison, hope all is well with you!! These are just so gorgeous. Love the colours and all the wonderful imagery. You've given me some inspiration on how I shall paint my birdhouses this spring!! sending hugs :)

Suzanne C said...

Sweet! Love the adorable houses and all the great details you built into each side!

annes paperfun said...

Wow..lovely houses ❤

Hazel Agnew said...

Getting more green fingered by the week! Love your choice of colours and papers. As usual, you have captured a certain essence which really appeals to me. Such beautiful balance ! So pleasing, love them. Xx

Marci said...

Charming little houses! Makes me want that die to make some, too. Are you wanting that flourish die that doesn't come out until April? I can't wait for it. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. It is nice to see you here more often.

Nikki Acton said...

Beautiful, elegant and classy! I am still to open my Tiny Houses - eeek! Love all your spooky number coincidences - LOL xxx

Candy C said...

Alison! I love these little gems! They are absolutely precious. Your work always draws me in!!!

SewPaperPaint said...

Alison, these house dies are at the top of my wish list too and leave it to you to make something that urges me to spend the money I don't yet have! ;0 I adore the grasses and dried bits and gorgeous use of the numeral plaques and found relatives. What a great post! Hugs, Autumn

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Alison, of course I love the colourwqy, one of my favourites. I love how you stamped the grasses and the photo booth image is a perfect addition. A lovely soft feel to these and very eye catching too. Tracy x

Maggie said...

I adore little houses and yours are so adorable and very cute, love the colour palate and dried grasses which go so well with everything and add to the texture so well, Fabulous make Alison.
Also thank you for your kind comments on my blog.
MaggieH

S@ndy Diller said...

Your work is always amazing Alison, this is no exception. Love the little houses and the colors are so soft and lovely. Great job!
S@ndy xx

Craftyfield said...

Delightful Alison, end to end... Another brilliant use of the little house (the other one I saw was from Brenda!).

Chrissy said...

I love these cute houses Alison..the colours and stories behind the numbers and that sweet phohto..love all the details and design..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Lys said...

Such fresh and springful tiny houses! No doubt they are made for Cestina's world. Funny the meaning of the numbers! Ah, serendipity !

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous houses, the details are beautiful, I can see when they are being taken to a new home.
Yvonne xx

Sandy said...

You are so young Alison!!! I love you little houses - I find that I am drawn to houses but I imagine anyone who loves doll houses would love other houses as well. Wonderful Alison!
sandy xx

Julia Aston said...

Such beautiful little greenhouses Alison! love your colors and stampings and those wonderful dried floral bits! I have these dies as well - but they are just sitting in my craft room for some reason!!??? You always inspire me with your creative makes! Julia xx

Lauren Hatwell said...

These are just beautiful Alison. Almost like magical little fairy houses that blend into the landscape and only appear if you know where to look.I love the addition of the dried flowers too. Wow! Lx

Anneke said...

I love your little houses. The colors you have used makes me
Think about the springtime which is the next season after the winter.
Thank you again for your step by step pictures. I always love to read
Them to understand your creative journey! Thanks for sharing!

Mrs.B said...

Love these little houses Alison and the green spring feel you've given them.
Not surprised that Cestina has claimed them.
Avril xx

sarascloset said...

Alison, as always, I'm enjoying the post as much as the artwork you are peddling! Fantastic play on words with the greenhouses; that one immediately caught my attention, as I am a bit of a greenhouse kinda girl, working in a few over my years. Love the references of the numerical plaques and those dried weeds, both dimensional and in ink are perfect for these adorable little houses. I was so sure I did not need this die, but now I'm pretty sure I DO! Not yet 48, wow, you are still a baby, but quite the inspiring one! Hugs!

A Pink said...

I absolutely loved my tour of your little green houses Alison . They are delightful . Full of charm and beauty. Those wispy dried grasses and unadorned flowers add a lovely touch of freshness that compliments your colour palette and those paint splatters perfectly.
Happy AVJ Birthday .
have a lovely weekend x

craftytrog said...

Your little houses are absolutely enchanting Alison x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oh my these are just soooooo lush!! I'm really tempted by that die.....think you may now have just tipped me over the edge now ha ha
Hugs
Donna xx

SueC said...

Fabulous little houses Alison ! I love the colours and the grasses are the perfect touch. Sue C x

Pawsitively Creative said...

I just adore these little houses and everything you make. All of the details that you packed into these small spaces makes me smile. I would enjoy living in one of these. The paint splatters with those little sprigs creates quite a lovely effect and I can totally see why that grass stamp is among your fave. Awesome sauce and fantabulous! Hugz. ~Niki

Kirsten said...

They are stunning!!

Dorthe said...

They are gorgeous, dear Alison, so the sweetest houses, -so lovely in the green, white tones, and with the beautiful details you created. I love your dried painted ? grasses , they makes your tiny home, even more beautiful!!!
xoxo

Etsuko said...

How lovely these green houses!! Beautiful your colours with pretty photo and wild plants also two happy numbers. I love the tiny white seeds too. I will list the TH tiny houses dai. xx

Mary said...

So sweet, charming and precious! Your color palette was spot on for Spring, which will be arriving very soon. Lovely 'lil houses Mary

Claudia N. said...

Oh, I love Tim's Tiny Houses too and just had to have them too, Alison.

But I haven't had the time yet to play with them and my newly orderd Distress Oxide Inks are still at the post office...sigh...

Can't wait to play with both even more now that I have seen your gorgeous houses!
They're so "you" and so pretty!
Thanks for sharing them with us at Emerald Creek Dares too!

Claudia x

sarascloset said...

I'm back to say thank you for sharing these lovely little treasures with our Emerald Creek Splatters Dare this month! Lovely to have your fantastic artwork in our gallery! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

This is such a cool project. I can't believe how creative this splatter project was. It just makes me smile.

pearshapedcrafting said...

It's late, I'm tired, but this has put a smile on my face! These are beautiful Alison! I love the colours and your wonderful grasses but best of all is the number 17 - I have lived at two 17's in my life and the little girl image, as this is the one that reminds me of myself around the same age - that hairstyle is such a classic 50's style!
All this beauty finished off with such apt words! Fabulous!!! Hugs, Chrisx

Cocofolies said...

They are fabulous Alison. I love their exquisite look and your delicate hand-dried grasses splattered and painted in white.. Well, all the details together are just delightful.
And your 48 number addition haha, you makes me smile! :)
Hugs, Coco xx

Deb said...

Oh how I adore your little green houses Alison, gorgeous colour palette and how I love those wispy stamped grasses! Perfect embellishments and love the number references, thank you so much for sharing them! Deb xo

Deb said...

Back again to thank you for joining us at Emerald Creek Dares for our Splatter Some Fun challenge and to tell you again how much I love your wee houses! Deb xo

Cec said...

Lovely little houses with great spring colours and embellishments. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie.
Hugs!
Cec

Gio said...

These got a place in my heart! Love them to bits!

Nora said...

These houses are exquisite! Love them!

Jenny Marples said...

One of my favourite projects with these houses, you've captured that freshness of Spring and how clever to incorporate those all important birthday numbers. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie xx

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Congratulations on being chosen a winner at Frilly and Funkie. Your beautiful little green house is precious. I love all the fun details you have shared with us. This little taste of Spring is just what we all need, I'm so ready for green. I've also become a follower, as I've loved my peeping about your blog. A good way to spend my morning coffee. Thanks for the fun

SewPaperPaint said...

I'm so happy to see you win at F&F for these perfectly springy creations. So well deserved. These are a favorite of mine of all time! Hugs, Autumn

Carol said...

Love your wee houses FAB xx

Pammejo said...

Lovely project, thanks for joining us on the Emerald Creek Supplies Dare Challenge Blog.