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There are few things I love more than cute little miniatures and all things mid-century modern so to have a project that incorporates both of those? Pure heaven for me. Add to that the $155 giveaway I’m co-hosting and this is going to be one of my best-est posts EVER! Scroll to the bottom of this post for full details on the giveaway.
Ok, I’ve got to come clean with you all. I had big plans on making my own original patterns but then I stumbled (or should I say “gawked?”) upon a post on My So Called Crafty Life that linked to these perfect patterns on Retro Renovation and well…they’re so great and I’m so busy, why reinvent the wheel, right? Seriously, the patterns for these miniature mid-century houses are ah-mazing and totally free so get your butts over there and download them!
The only downside to the original tutorial on Retro Renovation was that it called for cutting out the pattern by hand. Totally feasible but sooooo much easier if you use a Silhouette cutting machine! All I had to do was pull the image into Studio and trace the image to create the lines. Then it was just a matter of selecting which lines would be cut and which would be perforated. I also added perforated lines to the tabs so that they would fold easier. Super easy and the machine cut like a dream.
Here’s the step-by-step details if you want to make your own!
Miniature Mid-Century Modern Home
Materials:
– Silhouette Cameo
– Cardstock
– Chipboard (I used cereal boxes)
– Spray Adhesive
– White Shrink Plastic (you could also use tissue paper)
– Strong Glue
– Free pattern from Retro Renovation
Instructions
Step One: Using the Coverstock setting (1, 33, 7), cut out the house pattern out of the back of your cereal box. I cut the main house parts out of one sheet and the roof/door out of another. I made sure to cut the door windows out of both so that the light would shine through. The door is my absolute favorite part!
Step Two: Using the proper setting for your type of cardstock, cut the house pattern out the colored paper of your choice. I would sell off an egg to live in a sky blue house with a yellow roof and a red door! Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration but just a bit. 😉
Step 3: Spray the back of the paper pieces with spray adhesive and adhere to the chipboard. Oh, that teeny tiny door just kills me!
Step 4: Cut out appropriately sized pieces of the shrink plastic and glue in place. I use shrink plastic all the time (check out the Random Act of Kindness Keychains we made a couple weeks ago!) so I usually have some in stock but if you’re making your own Mini Mid-century Home and don’t have any, you could always use tissue paper or a recycled plastic container.
Step 5: Fold the house tabs in, apply a bit of your strong glue and fold in place. You’re going to have to hold the house together while the glue dries. Kind of a bother but worth it when you see how cute this house is going to be! Repeat the process to the roof.
The original tutorial called for gluing the house onto a felt wrapped piece of cardboard but I wanted to be able to move the house where ever I wanted so I just glued a small piece of cardboard to the bottom. Your choice!
Ack! There’s that door again! Seriously. This house is so freaking cute, all I want to do is curl up on an Eames Lounger, drink a martini and listen to Dean Martin while the hours tick away on my Nelson Starburst clock. I die!
This project is a part of The Silhouette Challenge hosted by The Thinking Closet. Stop by each month for a new and exciting free tutorial and studio file. Here are my projects from previous months:
January: Martin Luther King Window Art
February: We’re Better Together Card
March: Montessori Sandpaper Letters
April: “Celebrate Differences” Autism Awareness Tee
May: “Cup Of Tea” Customizable Art
June: Modern Chair Art
July: Oozma Kappa T-Shirt
August: Washi Tape Stickers
September: Nuts & Bolts Print
October: Zombie Invasion Tee
November: Santa’s Christmas Countdown
Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?
My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!
- 2013 Snowman Christmas Card by Please Excuse My Craftermath…
- Christmas Hoop Art by Lil’ Mrs. Tori
- Silhouette Nativity Advent Candle Box by One Tough Mother
- Christmas Party Photo Booth Props by unOriginal Mom
- Another Stenciled Tea Towel by Cutesy Crafts
- Silhouette Gift Tags by Rain on a Tin Roof
- Snowflake Pin / Ornament by Coley’s Corner
- State Sign Couple Gift by It Happens in a Blink
- Mason Jar Christmas Ornaments by Vintage News Junkie
- Merry Christmas Wall Decor by One Artsy Mama
- Deer Head Holiday Banner…featuring Santa’s Reindeer by The Thinking Closet
- Restore your UGGS (with PAINT) by From Wine to Whine
- Monogrammed Snowflake Ornaments by Architecture of a Mom
- Christmas Countdown Sign by The Girl Creative
- Elf Chalk Sign: “The Best Way to Spread Christmas” by Weekend Craft
- Glittery Christmas Subway Art by The Turquoise Home
- Sketch Pen Labels by Sowdering About in Seattle
- Snowflake NOEL Sign by My Favorite Finds
- Folding Nativity Backdrop by Chicken Scratch NY
- Recycled Glass Jar Advent Calendar by Nearly Handmade
- Reindeer Card: Double-Sided Print & Cut by GetSilvered
- Personalized Block Ornament by Suburble
- Paper Medallion Christmas Tree by Create & Babble
- Mini Mid-Century Homes by Tried & True
- Glitter and Vinyl Minecraft Christmas Ornament by A Tossed Salad Life
- DIY Countdown to Christmas Refrigerator Style by My Paper Craze
- Reversible Recipe Holder/Block Frame by The Sensory Emporium
- DIY: Lettered Christmas Pillows by The House on Hillbrook
- Simply Charming Christmas Ornaments by Life After Laundry
- No Glitter was Worn by GiveMeAPaintbrush
- Make Easy Ornaments from Paper Circles by Bringing Creativity to Life
- Cutting Machine Embroidery Applique by Terri Johnson Creates
- “Believe” Christmas Banner by Daily Dwelling
- DIY Christmas Nativity Card by Pitter and Glink
Do you have a Silhouette machine?
Looking for Silhouette inspiration, support, trouble-shooting? Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? Then, we’d love to have you join our Silhouette Challenge Facebook group. To join, simply fill out the new member request form, and Lauren from The Thinking Closet will get you squared away.
$155 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!
The amazing ladies of The Silhouette Challenge have put together a great $155 gift card giveaway to celebrate a year of challenges! I’ve so enjoyed participating in this group and look forward to another year of fun. Follow the instructions below to enter to win. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Comments & Reviews
Gwen says
That is SO Super Cute! I’d love to win, for sure!
Meredith @ unOriginalMom says
So fun! I love that it’s your own little twist on all those Victorian houses you usually find in Christmas villages. Thanks for sharing!
Kristy gd says
This is super cute! I love the idea of doing a mid century house decked out for Christmas instead of a traditional Christmas village. Thanks for pointing me towards My So Called Crafty Life. New blog to follow!
keri @ shaken together says
I am with you – that teeny tiny door is just TOO cute! Love the repurposed cereal box, too!
Teresa Young says
that is so cute!
Trisha D. says
Seriously every round of the Silhouette Projects I’m drawn to yours like white on rice. Excellent work my friend!! Glad to see success with cutting cereal boxes– I have a few projects up my sleeve but wasn’t sure how the cardboard would hold.
Kinda bummed I didn’t participate during the final challenge, but alas deadlines are difficult haha. Thanks for opening my world to Retro Renovation and My So Crafty Life– off to spend a couple hours drooling over new blogs :p
Kudos!
Trisha D.
Glenna Anderson says
What a cool project. Great job.
Tanya says
How stinkin’ cute is that!!?!
Adriana says
I just love this!
Bev says
How cute! I can see this becoming an entire Christmas village filled with houses of all kinds 🙂 Love it!!!
Dee @ From Wine to Whine says
oh my goodness this is so cute!! I love the spin on the Christmas village!
Emily says
Love it! I can see an entire Midcentury Modern village for the holidays on a mantel!
Jessica says
How cute! I love it!
Pam- GetSilvered says
Ooh, this is great! The house is so very cool. That’s a seriously nice shelf edging below it too!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Oh my gosh, how cute is that?! Pinning for sure!
Kirsten @ One Tough Mother says
Oh my goodness how cute is this little house!? What a great idea!
Rachel @ Architecture of a Mom says
I love the look to this project! It is so cute. It makes me think of architecture school though–and how a silhouette would have made model building much easier! 🙂
Marni @ Haberdashery Fun says
Found you on craftgawker. This is awesome.. Thanks for the info. I hope to join the Silhouette Facebook group!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
Oh my gosh…that tiny little red door gets me, too! And I love how the shrink plastic gives such a realistic impression of windows. I’m guessing you could also use vellum? So fun, and thanks for the link to the free plans for this puppy! I could see this being a really fun project to do with my nieces and nephews when they get a bit older. Pinning!
Thanks for participating in the Challenge for this entire YEAR, Vanessa! Whoo hoo! So happy to have you as a partner in crafting crime. (And looking forward to all that 2014 may bring.)