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Add Whimsy to your Garden
The most interesting and wonderful gardens have that bit of whimsy. A piece of art, a statue, a sign or arches and paths leading to seating tucked away waiting to be discovered. That tree above could have been an eyesore but instead it is a playful face with glasses and a planted hat! Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher shows how her students got very creative with their rocks and gives a list of the paint they used. This project would instantly add whimsy to any garden! You can also try painting a house on rocks. Placed around your garden, these rocks will brighten any space. Find some sticks or…
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Heart Wreath Tutorial made from Branches
Isn’t it nice that at this time of year, when the weather can be gray, that Valentines Day comes along adding color and fun and love in the midst of it? I have made and sold these wonderful heart wreaths for many years. This red dogwood wreath can add a sweet bit of love to your front door or on a wall, bring the outdoors in and add a little whimsey! This wreath is made from dogwood branches but you could use any branches you find. I have used birch, oak and ash branches and they are beautiful! Get some friends together and have a heart wreath making party for…
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Elevate a Simple Object Under Glass
A cloche, pronounced /kloshe/, is derived from the French word Bell. It is a clear glass dome that is used as a garden cover to protect tender seedlings from frost. If you see a French garden you will see a beautiful row of these beauties. It is also a beautiful way to elevate a simple objects. These lovely cloches are still used in gardens worldwide and can be used to elevate those most simple of objects. This next example of a simple object is so fun. A squirrel surrounded by nuts all under glass. Whimsical and fun for any season. This simple little caravan made of cardboard by artist Vera…
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You Need to add a Putz House to your Miniature Fairy Christmas Collection!
If you are looking for a new addition to your Miniature Fairy Christmas Collection I have just what you need. As soon as you see these little houses you will know what I mean. They are called Putz houses. Putz? Yes…. The word “putz” means ‘put,’ but in German/American culture, it can mean “putter,” as in “Are you going to keep putzing around with those houses?” Between 1880 and 1928 these little cardboard houses were candy boxes. But when lights became available to many homes, the putz house designers who were mostly from Japan added a little hole in the back to place a light in the back lighting up…
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Make Your Own Fairy Caravan
Make your own fairy caravan out of willow bird nests. You can find them at your local garden center. I found two different shapes. One is short and round with a removable top, the other is taller with a pointy top. Both have nice square openings in the front for birds and are perfect for a little door. The pink caravan was one of the first caravans that I made. I found the rusty metal wheels on Ebay. Acorns are added for an earthy touch and Tinsel is wrapped around the top for shine. A vine of leaves is made from muslin and wraps around the caravan. The door is…
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Make These Christmas Mushroom Decorations for Gifts and Decking the Halls
Some of the most magical Christmas fairy decorations are the toadstools or mushrooms that hang on trees, garlands or just added to a Christmas fairy vignette. We have assembled a few of the best patterns and tutorials to make these Christmas mushroom decorations to give as gifts or for decking the halls. They are made of spun cotton, linen, scraps of velvet and felt. Below are Spun cotton mushrooms that are made using cotton balls. The instructions are easy to follow and you will learn a new skill using spun cotton that you can use for other creations. Below is an amazing mushroom pattern and tutorial to help you create…
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The Best Fairy Tree Houses
Some of the most wonderful fairy houses are the houses that are in trees. They seem like the perfect place for a fairy to set up their magical little homes. We hope you are inspired and smile when you see some of the best fairy tree houses around. This little fairy door at the base of an old tree looks like a happy fairy house doesn’t it? Magical fairy lights light the way home. This fairy tree house has a beautiful staircase made with rope railings. The landing outside the fairy door is full of potted plants which makes it very welcoming. This fairy house is nestled at the base…
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A Gnomes Life
Why do we humans have such a love for gnomes? They are always seen as mischievous little men with buxom ladies. Is it the little pointy hats that are always red unless someone dares to paint them a wrong color. Or their white hair that gives them wisdom. Could it be their red and green clothes that remind us of Christmas and magic? Whatever it is, gnomes are loved that’s for sure! We have them in our gardens to add whimsey, we make them out of socks and hang them on our Christmas trees. They are everywhere and seem to only get more popular each year. When you look at…
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Fairie Rooms I want to Live in!
If I were a Fairie I would want to live in a snug, enchanting room in a tree surrounded by little lights and wonderful unique furniture that would be made by fairy artisans of the finest woods. I have compiled some of the best Fairie rooms around! The kitchen is the heart of the home so this is where the tour begins! This entryway is full of a fairies favorite things. Great art, loved objects and a unique lamp. A beautiful corner in this fairy house with flowers on the walls and a vignette of favorite loved things. This sitting room has two beautiful chairs to sit and chat on…
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Our Favorite DIY Halloween Miniature Paper Decorations
October is the month for the spooky, the orange and the black, full moons and the best decorations. If you have been a scrapbooker you know the joys of all the amazing papers out there. If you have not worked with scrap book paper you are missing out. We want to introduce you to the joy of mixed media to DIY your own Halloween Miniature Paper Decorations. Paper is an inexpensive way to create little works of art. One of these amazing paper companies is called Graphic 45. The piece above and the net few are made using their papers. Pam Bray is a guest artist for Graphic 45 who…