One last Christmas DIY post.

I made a village.

I purchased most of these little homes from Hobby Lobby last year.

40% off.

Of course, they are bird houses.

I had every intention of making the village when I bought the little houses back then–but I didn’t. Then a friend in my sewing workshop showed me a YouTube video a few months ago from Canterbury Cottage. The video inspired me to actually get to work on my village.

The Canterbury Cottage’s houses were from Dollar Tree so I stopped by to check out their selection. There was only one style and it was quite a bit smaller than the ones I already had. I bought one–and used it for my dog house. (Dollar Tree actually has quite a nice selection of craft items and so cheap!)

I discovered that detail painting is not one of my better craft skills. I spent lots of time touching up between colors!

I made doors with my CriCut Maker. First time I used Chipboard and the knife blade and it wasn’t a pretty process. The first cut was a hot mess but I didn’t give up. (Nor did I throw the CriCut across the room, though I was sorely tempted!)

I hot glued beads on for door knobs. The window from one of the doors became a mouse hole.

I discovered glitter paint!

I had planned on adding wreaths to a few doors plus garland along the roof edges and, hmmmm, wouldn’t a little Christmas Tree look festive in the gazebo? But…..I got bored with the whole thing. And quit. Next year–and I’ll buy more of these houses and creatures and maybe some small people.

I put this Christmas Village in my sewing/office/music room. (And Athena had a wonderful time rearranging on a daily basis.) I had a realtor friend stop by a few weeks ago and she exclaimed when she saw my room “Oh, you have a den!” A den? Bears live in dens. While the room is on the dark side, no bears. Besides, didn’t dens go out of style in the 70s?

Hope everyone enjoys their holidays and you finished all of your Christmas DIYs! Merry Christmas!