Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Little Christmas Configuration

I've seen quite a few blog posts of the amazing projects some of my online buds did when Tim taught classes at Absolutely Everything last month.  I was especially taken with the Christmas themed configurations, and decided to do one as a present for a friend.  At the class they used a large configuration, but all I had was the smallest one, which is about 5 1/2" square.  Still......with the right (in other words small enough) objects,  I figured that size would work too.

I was on a hunt.  Found by entering "Christmas miniatures" in google I was on the right track.  Then I took out the word Christmas, because I felt I was possibly missing some things that would work (and I was correct), and found even more sources.  BTW, any place that sells dollhouse accessories is a good place to look.

I'm still waiting for some of my stuff to arrive, but no worries, as I also plan on making some more, in larger sizes.  So, without further verbiage, here is my little Christmas Configuration:






All the components plus the entire base were covered with Tim's Christmas tissue tapes (which were inked), and in addition, the back has some of his seasonal Salvage Stickers.  

And now for some close-ups:

The banner, including the letters are Jenni Bowlin products.  Inside, a tiny tree decorated with fired brick distress stickles and some dabs of white paint.  The gifts came just like this, and a good size for the project.


 The clock started out as a brownish resin, and I used some white paint on it.  You can't see in this picture, but the roof of the clock was covered with white liquid pearls and some chunky glitter was sprinkled on top of that while still wet.  The little plastic deer are on some more of that pearls/glitter combo.  In the next compartment, part of a tiny wood train, a metal lantern and a wreath.  (All the background papers are from Tim's seasonal paper stack)


 The rocking horse is one of those objects I found in the dollhouse section.  While not specifically for Christmas, I thought it evoked a vintage feeling....maybe a gift a child would have found under the tree in years past.  Surrounding the horse, some miniature glass ornaments.


The birdhouse was a dingy dark metal, so I painted it green.  The roof has green distress crackle, which does not really show up in the photo.  The tiny bird arrived with purple feathers, so it got a paint job too, the red being more in tune with the theme.  It is perched on little pine cones.
I have some really cool pieces that were just a tad too large for this configuration (larger trees, super wooden soldiers, larger ornaments), so I can't wait to use them in a larger piece.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's absolutely wonderful! Love it, love it. Very inspiring!

Angie Hall Haviland said...

OH Eileen!! These configurations have not appealed to me at all...UNTIL NOW!!!! I love this!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the smaller size and what you did with it. FABULOUS piece!! LOVE IT!! :)

Sherri Auld said...

This is just wonderful.

Debby said...

Way cool piece. You did a great job on this and thanks for sharing since I was wondering how to cover the box. These will make a nice gift.

Jason said...

Love it! after seeing yours and the many others, this is something that has now peaked my interest I am thinking that I may need to create one ok maybe more then one.
~Jason

SusanK said...

Too, too precious! Okay, you've sold me. Now I have to get a configuration...or two...or more! LOL

Helen said...

This is just gorgeous! I can't wait to get one of these to have a go.

Michael said...

Eileen,

You beat me to it! I have mine in the design stage! I went to the Factory Craft Outlet last Saturday and spent 4 hours and $60 bucks on things to do my box. You have inspired me to put the other stuff aside and get to work on it! Awesome Job!!!
Michael

Anonymous said...

Eileen, Thanks for sharing. I too have one in this size but wasn't quite sure what would work as it is rather small. Love it!
Gail in Oklahoma

Kathy Eddy said...

This is just fantastic Eileen!

grannypoppy said...

Really put a smile on my face! You must have had a lot of fun planning, collecting, and putting this beautiful configuration together.

I must admit, when we were perching plastic lobsters in the boxes, on the cruise, I was going so fast, trying to keep up, that my mind wasn't on all the possibilities for these boxes! You've opened my imagination. Thanks, Eileen!

Sara Carns said...

Wow! Stunning Eileen! I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to these Christmas Configurations!

Nancy said...

Love it, Eileen - LOVE it!! I've got 2 of the Configs to play with, once my AE order arrives, too. And I'm betting I'll want to make more, especially after seeing yours!

Jen said...

Gorgeous!!!!! Love it!

Elaine A said...

Eileen -

Beautiful! It is like looking into windows where time has stood still. I absolutely love how this little masterpiece turned out Eileen! I know your friend will fall in love when she sees it.

Elaine Allen

Diane said...

love it, your trinkets were perfectly sized, colored and collected. LOVE it, thanks for sharing, and can't wait to see more of your projects!

Jo said...

thats totaly awsome. Loved looking in every little corner - wonderful
( ATT member)

Vic said...

It's fantastic!

Kim said...

How absolutely wonderful!!! You did such an amazing job! I think the smaller one is better to start, less overwhelming to come up with the various little vignettes.

Karen said...

Wow Eileen! You've made a real beauty there: It deserves to become a treasured Christmas decoration for many years to come.

Unknown said...

Looks like each piece in the box is art in itself! Great job!

Kathy2eggs said...

Just adorable....I love all the ways you used the toys and redid the colors...I do that all the time..
Great job!! I know the giftee will love it.

Jana said...

This is just delightful. I love all the elements you altered to use. Wonderful.

Bethan said...

oh Eileen you're far too bliming clever!!! its gorgeous.

Sue said...

Beautiful!!Love all your altering!
Thanks so much for posting all about this!! I'm in the collecting mode, but i have all the different sized config. boxes. So my question was the taping hard, particularly on the individual box fronts? Sue I.

Katie said...

This is great! I am just getting into mixed media and working on altering a box. Your blog is so inspiring!

Hels Sheridan said...

One word....

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!

Actualy that was three words but... it is... the BESTEST piece of art I have seen this year... I LOVE IT... and ... I don't spose you could tell me where you got those mini's from could you please hun cos I have been searching everywhere for some for my Xmas Configy-wotsit and can't get any anywhere... THANK YOU for sharing this amazingly superb piece of art :O)) xx

Leslie said...

Eileen, I love your configuration. I bought one of each size, but haven't done anything...YET!! You have inspired me to get busy!! Can't wait to see your next one!

Lori said...

You've outdone yourself once again, my friend, therefore, I think it's time for another nap.. lol.. This is positively awesome, just love everything about it, and hey, did you run out of tissue tape? lol!

Cheryl said...

What an absolutely wonderful gift. Isn't Tim's stuff just the greatest to work with.

Candy C said...

Absolutely darling! Don't you just love the configurations boxes? Great job!

KAT said...

Eileen - this is fabulous! Love all the little goodies that you found to put in the box and the use of the holiday tissue tape around the sides (just love that stuff).
An early Merry Christmas to you!

Lisa said...

I was wondering about using the smaller configs...awesome! I'll have to go "invest" in some real soon. Great project..TFS!
Lisa (from ATT)

inge said...

Hello Eileen,

WOW ! I love what you did to this little box ! It's so cute and I wish I was that friend...LOL

Me too, like Angie, was hesitating on the configurations, but when I see what you did on such small scale and how beautiful it came out, I wish I could make one for myself for my christmasvignette on my piano.

Great idea to look at the dollshousedepartment ! I love the lantern and the rocking horse.

I also like that you altered the tree, the birdhouse, the clock and the bird to make it more cohesive.

Your friend will be VERY happy !

greetings from belgium
Inge

joanne sharpe said...

Great piece, thanks for sharing! Brilliant idea getting dollhouse miniatures. Now i want to make some!!

Kathy Eddy said...

Eileen, I just wanted to let you know that your goodie package came today from your little guessing game contest! Wow, thank you so much for all these great treasures! I can really get playing with all these!!!

Linda M. Cain said...

Fantastic! Got some little trees and wreaths too to add to one of these little treasures.

Love this piece!!!!!

Linda Ledbetter said...

OMG, you're right-- we DO shop at the same Discount Craft Store! I love, love, LOVE your awesome Configuration, Eileen! Every little detail is wonderful, and your use of the Tissue Tape is genius! What a treasure!

Sandy said...

OMG Eileen, it is beautiful!