AUGH, this wait for shipping is unbearable -did it go on a slow boat, or what?!!

In other news, happy 2013 everyone -this is the year we get more Sherlock! *fingers crossed*

That hat is too cool!

That cross stitch is super adorable! Sorry Sherlock, but your silly hat will always make me smile.

I'm so anxious to know if my package made it safely -ugh, shipping is the worst!

Well originally I was planning to make the houses from scratch, but my dollars only went so far with the nice glitters, and I saw these super glittery heavy papers (that don't "shed" much at all) so I grabbed a couple sheets. It took a bit of measuring to cut it to fit the house, but I think the result was worth it -I don't think I could've achieved that level of color and sparkle with the paint and glitter I had on hand!
And yes, everything was so fun to work on -I think I'll be making little houses even as the holidays end!

Thank you, everyone -I'm glad you like them! They certainly were fun items to craft, and I'm not really sure how long it all took once I sat down with all the supplies. I definitely spent the bulk of the craft time perusing my partner's Pinterest and dreaming up what I'd be capable of making, and then going through my stash to see what would work before I set off for the craft and thrift stores for the rest. But once it was all planned and collected I think it was just a few day's worth of time. Once I get going I tend to lose track of time!

Oooh, I love the techniques and materials you used to create "frost" -the tree and ornament are lovely! And the knit-cozy canister is too cute -but those ginger cookies wouldn't have a chance to get cool if I were around!

I have to say, the Ho Ho Ho Swap was incredible! Not only did my awesome partner RougeRaven craft me some amazing holiday decor items, she had an inspiring Pinterest as well! Vintage glitter houses, deer, and colors like aqua, pink, and red -what's not to love!

Here are the items I crafted...


And my personal favorite part... the big house lights up!


Inside the big house is a trio of red trees against a tinsel background...


It was a pre-made paper mache house which I altered a bit on the front to make larger windows and a tall door. To it I added some paint, sparkly trims, red paper doilies, Christmas ribbon, and a shingled roof of cut up playing cards (as cute as it is, I likely won't be doing that again -too time consuming!)...


The battery pack was too bulky and heavy to go on the back, so I put it underneath, which required some festive feet -made from Tinkertoy bits with a bit of appropriate ribbon...


The little blue house was a purchased wood birdhouse that I covered with some super glittery paper, a bit of paint and glitter, a white paper doily, and a couple gems...


Finally, I happened to find the perfect glass display dome at the thrifts store (with a really sad withered rose inside). After cleaning and a coat of paint, it was joined by a red tree, some felt "snow", and a tiny painted and glittered deer...


You can view RougeRaven's lovely pics of the items here! I had so much fun crafting these items and I have to say I was only able to give them up because I knew they were going to someone who would really enjoy them. I'll definitely be making some for myself!

I'm so glad everything made it to you safely, RougeRaven, and that it fit your decor so well! You did have an awesome Pinterest board, after all, so finding inspiration was easy.
The feet on the big house are actually Tinkertoy bits wrapped with ribbon -I needed something strong enough to hold up the house, and tall enough to make room for the light's battery pack and they fit perfectly! And the glass globe was a happy thrift store find -in it's previous life it covered a sad dried flower (I think you'll agree this is much more cheerful ).
I do plan to post them in the regular board, I'm just slow, sorry!

Clever packaging -and that bag is wonderful, I adore the cross-stitch Sherlock and John!