Paper Cuts

We're meant to be scurrying around the house getting ready for a party today but instead I've still got a nasty head cold and Justin doesn't know what he did to his back.  We cancelled postponed the party until further notice.  Poo.

Let's find that silver lining shall we?  Well, there's the fact that my congested head is giving me the simulated feel of some illegal street drug.  I'm floating about three inches out of my body I think and the music on my ipod is sounding far away and dreamy.  Not a bad feeling really.  Oh dear, that didn't sound very good.

Moving on, there is also the fruit of three or so days spent on the couch.  All who know me know that I can't just sit and stew in my own juices.  I can't even just watch a movie.  I have to be doing something.  This has lead to my addiction with sunflower seeds and reading.  It keeps my hands and mouth busy.  I have also gained a good deal of weight on this pastime.

To avoid an all out gorge fest I brought out my paper cutting supplies and made this project that's been in my head since Anthropologie came out with their December catalog last year which featured one of my favorite pastimes.  I wish I'd kept that catalog it was pure delight to look through!

The shadow boxes were hideous dark 70's Mediterranean affairs with brassy gold accents.  But I saw the potential in them.  I used my favorite Basic Grey Periphery paper that I haven't been able to bring myself to use for scrapbooking too.  Now it's out where I can see it everyday and swoon over it's beauty.

By yesterday evening I was surrounded by the confetti of several pieces of bristol paper and an old book (don't worry, I read the book first, it wasn't very good.  I bought it because I liked the title and front cover).

I folded a strip of my favorite paper to look like a curtain.

The row of houses is cut out of the dust cover of that old book. It had a big rip in it and was bound for the trash!

I paste the book paper together with bristol paper and glue tooth picks to the back of my trees to help them stand up.

I had so much fun with these shadow boxes that I'm itching to do more.  I have three more scalloped ones from a yard sale eons ago.  I painted them and fitted them with paper backdrops and away I'll go!

I also found the time inspiring for beginning my annual parade of paper "putz" houses.  These little cottages haven't been painted or glittered yet and are still awaiting their berry topped trees.  I design them based on vintage putz houses from the 30's but make sure that each one I craft is unique unto itself.  I don't use templates or pre-cut anything.  I draft out each one on bristol paper.

I started crafting putz houses in 2001 long before Martha Stewart introduced them to the world and sent the ebay auction prices of the vintage ones shooting through the roof!  That same year I began selling my reproduction houses on ebay and did a good little business but found them too time consuming to do all year round.  I haven't sold any in a few years, just made them as gifts and added to my own feather tree display.

For more on vintage putz houses go here.

This year I'm going to put some up in my etsy shop and see how they do.

Well, I'm seriously floating now with Coldplay on in the background..so, perhaps I ought to go make myself a cup of tea and come back down to earth...

Ta!  Oh and check out Life Made Lovely Monday at blessed little nest!