Glitter Putz Christmas Houses

These little glitter or putz houses were so much fun to make!!! Find the Harvest House pattern here:http://magazine-directory.com/Victoria.htm Trace the patterns onto poster board, cut out and glue coordinated scrapbook papers to the different pieces. Use an exacto knife to cut out the windows, take your time on this, its pretty tricky. Hot glue the houses together and let them dry thoroughly. Glue door and door knob and glue trim across the front of the home (see pic.) Glue paper on boxes you've gotten for the bases, let dry. Now the fun begins!! Apply glue to all the cracks and crevices of the roof, (I used craft glue for this, hot glue dries too quickly.) Sprinkle clear glue, vintage mica glitter or fake snow into these places. Let dry. Hot glue silver pipe cleaners around base of box top. Glue house to base of box, sprinkle these places with glitter. Let dry. Attach vintage bottle brush trees to either or both sides with hot glue, then add anything else you think looks good. I added silver holly and vintage ornaments. Glue over- sized snowflakes and mini frames to back of house for a more dimensional look. Glue mini glass balls to points of roof and push down trinket pins as well (see Pics) When everything was dry I sprayed it with adhesive and sprinkled mica glitter gently over the roof and sides. I had fun gathering all the different elements. Scrapbook papers, Coordinating brads and blank boxes from the craft store. Vintage bottle brush trees, mica glitter and trinket pins from eBay. Glitter pipe cleaners,found objects,and vintage glass balls from garlands that I already had. This was so relaxing and fussy!! I loved it!!

Connecting Rather Than Consuming

One of my favorite things to do in the spring and summer is to go to Estate Sales. It's exciting to research the sale descriptions, anticipate the treasures and head out in the morning on a quest for loot. But when I arrive at a sale, that's when the challenge for me really begins.

I was modeled as a child to push to the front of the line, angle to get my way and get the upper hand in every situation. (I say 'modeled' because my mom adhered to the ways of Jesus, but somehow they didn't always make it to everyday experience.) Back to the sale!

In the past, I hate to admit it, (but confession is good for the soul) I've taken advantage of situations at these sales because of the lack of knowledge on the part of the seller. Not that this is always bad, they can't know everything, but I've not always been as honest as I could have been. (I was wrong, I admit it!) A couple of experiences have helped me to see that getting is not always the best thing at these sales, and really, the human interaction is the most important. (I'm serious!)

I was rummaging through a box once at a sale and found important letters, rings, a wallet and a Korean War metal. Visions of filthy lucre floated through my brain for an instant, but I brought the box over and showed it to the obviously distraught seller. "I found these over in a corner," I said to him, "they might be important." He looked at me in disbelief and agreed, thanking me for bringing the box to his attention as he took it from me and stored it away.

Yesterday it happened again. I could see the seller was very overwhelmed. The owner had had a stroke and was in a care home now, and this guy obviously didn't seem up for the task at hand. As I went to the garage, I found another box with watches, rings, wallets, a stamp collection, etc., and brought it over to him. Clueless that it was even in the garage, he gave me an incredulous look and gave it to his sister to put away. I spent almost two hours there, (there was a lot of stuff) and talked with him and his sister, found some good things and really enjoyed the morning. Somehow pushing to the front of the line and getting the upper hand didn't seem so important now. The seller thanked me when I left and his faced looked clearer somehow. I hope I can remember it the next time I'm anxiously waiting in line for the next sale doors to open.