Search My Blog!

Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Search Feature

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Sweet Christmas Cottage - Living Room

The Sweet Christmas Cottage living room is complete at last! And I am so excited, not because I was anxious to get it done, but because now I can just look at it! I am so happy because it captures exactly the mood I wanted!

Photo with old fashion-y effect.
As with any dollhouse endeavor, it had it's share of challenges from the wiring to the space restrictions to the tree. Oh yes! Let's talk about the tree!


As I mentioned in my pity party post, I had purchased what I thought was going to be the perfect realistic looking tree. And it was! Until I touched it. All of the little beautiful branches crumbled off in my hands.


There was just no hope after I began trying to string the lights on. Even trying to re-attach the branches was fruitless. For every one I attached, several more would fall off. It simply was not meant to be...

Doug Fir as it comes.
Because we have no mini shops within two hours of me, I am forced to buy online. I was not willing to spend more of my mini budget to roll the dice. So, I looked through my stash to see what I could come up with. It just so happened that I had a couple Douglas Firs which were intended for the barn. Since I never made it to the landscaping, here they were, waiting for their moment in the sun!

I printed the skirt, from an online photo, onto fabric paper.

Using the branches from one, I hot glued branches to fill out the other. I really liked the effect, so I kept going. Some of the clump stuff came off as I handled it, so I just took time to apply glue liberally and sprinkle the crumbs back onto the plastic branches. I printed the skirt, from an online photo, onto fabric paper.

Front of tree

Right side of tree

Back of tree

Left side of tree
I did this several times before and after installing lights and ornaments, and it was worth the trouble for what it turned into. I LOVE it, and would recommend this method and those trees, especially if you have little money to spend on a mini Christmas tree! Adding the mini gifts underneath made me squeal with delight!
 

Here it is in the room before adding the other furniture.


I showed you the cards made from the digital art in last week's post. Here they are added to the stair stringer.




I made up some rolls of extra wrapping paper and bows, and put them into an aged (resin) basket.


I love the way the fireplace turned out, and couldn't decide which were my favorite photos, so here are several! :O)

Lights on

Lights on old fashion-y effect

Lights off

From the front door, lights off

From the front door old fashion-y

From the front door different effect
 
From the front door lights on
Here it is filled up! Giac, I know it is crowded, but I still hope you love it! :O)


And more angles and effects. I think I might use one of these on our Christmas cards this year!






And a couple of the kitchen, just to remind you of the mood...



And a shot of the bottom floor...


And the whole back to remind me that I am still only 2/5 of the way, including the exterior finishes, done. And Thanksgiving is only eight weeks away!


Yikes! Gotta go now! Much to do! TTYS!

xo xo
Jodi

24 comments:

  1. Hello Jodi,
    I LOVE it! I call that a well filled room...not a room in which someone tried to cram their entire collection. It looks so beautiful, so cheery, so warm and welcoming. I can see myself sitting there with coffee and cookies wrapping presents. Your tree could not be better. It is gorgeous and well balanced. I love the effect of the light in the radio. It looks perfect. Mission accomplished my insanely talented friend!
    Big hug
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Giac! I'd love to sit with you in this room and chat over hot cocoa!

      Delete
  2. Jodi, the whole room is gorgeous but your tree is spectacular! I would call it a resounding success. And that squeal of delight we do when something works out is just the best feeling isn't it. :D
    Did you make the presents yourself? If you did, how did you make the ribbon flowers? The wrappings all look so professional.

    I'm still in love with those chairs too. So comfy! And what a great idea to use one of these pictures as a Christmas card! Love it. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sam! I never know if the vision I have in my head is actually going to translate once it starts coming together, but this one feels so much like my grandparents house that I am very happy with the outcome.
      I did not make the presents or bows. I had purchased them when the Christmas project was going to be a QUICK (ha) advent calendar, so I had to have a lot of them for the little drawers. I don't think I'd have done better though, so it's probably a good thing! Much of them came from Tiny Treasures on Etsy and some from LacyHome4Boys on eBay.
      Jean Day sells the adhesive ribbon in her Etsy shop (along with digital art which is amazing and other treasures I have my mini budget slated for) and gives a tutorial for making the bows on her blog: http://jdayminis.blogspot.com/2014/12/seasons-greetings-my-2-free-projects.html
      I will give them a try, too at some point! :O)

      Delete
  3. GORGEOUS!!! Love it, love it, love it! I want a room like that in RL. It´s just adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alexandra! I do too! Actually a little cottage all my own with no boys or dogs is often a daydream of mine! :O)

      Delete
  4. Me encanta el ambiente que has creado y el árbol es precioso.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias Isabel! Estoy tan contento de haber tenido algo aquí que podría usar! No era exactamente lo que tenía en mente, pero estoy agradecido de que salió tan bien como lo hizo!

      Delete
  5. You're a Miniature interior designer!! Your attention to detail never ceases to leave me in awe. I love your trees!!! I've always hated the generic Xmas trees (of which I own plenty). Michaels has some premium ones out now for the Christmas villages so I might splurge!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! You are waaaaayyyy to kind but thank you! Attention to detail = oh I really want that in there and where can I stuff it so it fits! Lol! Thank goodness I had the trees in my drawer to use, because I really didn't want to spend so much on something that I may have regretted. I hope you find the perfect one at Michaels! I know you'll make an inspiring scene with it!

      Delete
  6. Jodi, it is spectacular! Absolutely beautiful.
    Maureen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Maureen! I had a peek at your blog last night and LOVE the Tiffany lamp shades! I have it bookmarked so that I can go back see more of your wonderful work!

      Delete
  7. Totally comfy and cozy! I love your tree and the gifts are Beautifully wrapped and there are lots of them! :)) The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, whilst your Marvelous arm chairs are pulled up close to the radio which is playing Christmas music 24/7.
    I am SO in the Mood for Christmas having now enjoyed your Delightfully Festive Living Room! ♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elizabeth! I can only take credit for purchasing the presents! :O)
      I need to figure out how to use (or if I even have the right one) macro lens attachment for my phone so that I can capture better details and close-ups. "Just point and shoot" leaves so much out and that's a shame cause the stuff in the stockings is so darn cute!

      Delete
  8. Dear Jodi, the living room is utterly charming!!! It is just the way a Cozy Christmas cottage should look! The tree turned out just right and I appreciate all the extra glue and "fluff" you had to keep adding! That is such a messy process... but it made the perfect tree in the end... and you didn't have to go shopping! Bravo! The chairs look so comfy and the fireplace is so cheery and warm and inviting... where is my cup of cocoa and my book...? Hmm? (LoL!) I adore the shot of the kitchen and the living room together..... and I'm sure that you will have the rest done in time! (And I hope you have turned up the radio Christmas music!) This is such a fun project to follow!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Betsy! I am really itching to get to the outside! That's when it will really feel like Christmas in the workroom! Think gingerbread house! :O)

      Delete
  9. Oh my God! How did I miss this post. It's gorgeous! I love how your chairs are so cozy looking and your fireplace is perfect for roasting chestnuts. That tree is just beautiful and your cards look wonderful along the stairs. I can't decide which picture I like best. Everything looks just wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sheila! I am glad you like the coziness, too! :O)
      My mom said if I'd made the furniture green and painted the walls peacock blue I'd have nailed my grandparent's house - a little too 60's, I think, so I'm happy to have captured the vibe in reds and greens! ;O)

      Delete
  10. That tree is beautiful! I just want to sit in front of that fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies...so cozy and nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! You are welcome to come by anytime for cocoa and cookies! :O)

      Delete
  11. I just love the fireplace setting Jodi. You really have gone all out in finding perfect treasures for the space. I'm so happy to learn you were able to make a tree with what you had. It looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks, Kristine! It is so nice to finally be using things that have been waiting to be seen for so long. I just love looking in there and can't wait to have it finished and displayed for Christmas this year. I am glad that the tree worked out, too. I'd have been bummed if I'd had to wait for an expensive replacement, not knowing what I was really going to be getting. This one does the job, and I feel good using up what I have! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I missed this post somehow. The tree turned out spectacular!

    I saw a beautiful lycopodium Christmas tree at a miniatures show I was going to purchase. I carefully picked it up (I always ask permission first), then sat it back down, lycopodium falling off it like autumn leaves. The seller gave me the evil eye.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Keli! You've been busy on your wonderful DIY home stuff!

      Sounds exactly like my tree. I have a feeling there are many other disappointed mini Christmas tree owners out there with lighter wallets. Good thing you had a feel and saved yourself the heartache!

      Delete