Thursday, May 3, 2012

Ta~da! Move-in Day for the Fairies...:^)

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Finally, the little Fairy House is finished...
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I thought I would never get all the pinecone scale-shingles cut and glued on...
the whimsical little "Curly-Q" of a stem was saved from one of our fall pumpkins...
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The over-the-door rose arbor was a last minute idea...

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I love the scale of this tiny "Pinky" thyme flanking the door ~ and doesn't that tiny perennial "Leptinella" look exactly like tiny fern fronds? ...A wind-y pea-gravel path to the door insures that the Fae won't get muddy feet...;^)
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Jonathan and I found this rock in a stream near Meramec Caverns when he was small...we thought it looked like a little cave; now it's the perfect Toad House...

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After I added the yellow "rose arbor" to the house, I planted a yellow Calibrachoa (that looks like tiny petunias) in the garden...the purples and yellows are the perfect color complement, I think!
Directly above the drusy-crystaled rock I've planted Orange Thyme (I have Lemon Thyme in my herb garden, but this was new to me...it really smells like orange!); to the left of that is more Leptinella, and above that is purple Calibrachoa and Pinky Thyme.
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 Isn't it amazing how repairing, instead of replacing, was once the norm...even for a huge, heavy iron kettle?

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Night-time in the Fairy-Garden...
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Let me back up and show you how I finished the Fairy House (look in my older posts for how I started it)...after getting all those little "shingles" glued on, I used Diamond Varathane to protect them...yes, it would have been much easier to use a spray sealer, but most of those don't do well with polymer clay (I've read that it can turn into a gooey mess)...I could have covered the polymer window, but just went with the Varathane to be on the safe side.


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I used the Varathane over the whole gourd base since I had used polymer clay on it, as well. When I molded the clay components right on the gourd, I didn't know if they would stick to it or not; if they hadn't, they would have been molded to the exact shape and would have been easy to glue back on ~ surprisingly, though, they stuck tight after being cured in the oven.
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After putting the "roof" on and taking it off several times, I thought it looked like these was just too much space over the door...so I decided to add yellow roses (as a nice accent for the purple) and more leaves to the "vines" over the doorway...

I had a "Teasing Georgia" rose once that was yellow with just the slightest blush of pinky-coral in the center and at the edge of the petals, so I decided to go for that look on the roses, using just the barest touch of Pink Gold and Salmon Pink Pearl Ex powders on them...
(It's easy to go overboard with Pearl Ex because it's just so darn much fun to use!)
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To make the roses, I rolled out little pea-sized balls of  polymer clay; then I pressed them flat...
paper-thin at the edges, and just let them be very irregular...you'll need several, depending on the size of the rose...
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I started the center of the rose by putting 2 of the petals together and rolling them tightly together at one end...
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Finish the blossom by layering and overlapping petals as you go...(I pinched off the excess clay on the back, leaving just a little "tail" to secure to the vine...)
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I added roses of different sizes until I thought it looked "filled in" enough...buds are just a curl of polymer clay, pinched to a bit of a point...
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Woo helped me by keeping me company, but she thought the whole process was pretty boring...
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The finished roses...
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I decided not to try to glue the roof on; it's really pretty heavy, and shouldn't blow off...
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 The finished house! I know, not all of it shows in the "garden"... but I like the way it's tucked into the plants... it looks like it's been there for a long time...

Thank you all for being patient with this drawn-out project, and for all your sweet comments and encouragement...I truly had so much fun with it!

My plan now is to make some little "inhabitants" for the garden...(maybe not the traditional "Fae")...and to experiment with some photography for note cards...

Have a wonderful Friday!

♥ ♥ ♥

90 comments:

  1. Hi Anne: You are really an artist!!!That is the cutest thing and those little roses are wonderful. I love how your colors are so bright in your photos. I know I've been watching the process, but did you make the windows and door like you did the flowers or are they premade. I love how the roof has the curly stem top. Just beautiful. I hope you are charging those little fairies an exorbitant rent for such a lovely home..Happy Friday..Judy

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  2. I have just found your blog. The fairy house is so wonderful. I have looked and looked at it in amazement.
    Hugs Kay

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  3. That little house is gorgeous and I'm really looking forward to seeing the fairy inhabitants. Incredibly clever. But I don't think you should charge fairies rent. Goodness no! I'd be very pleased to have a few fairies take up residence here!

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  4. It's really wonderful! You are so talented and creative. What lucky fairies you will have in your garden. x

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  5. Wow, that is just precious! A beautiful addition to the garden. You are obviously very creative - and talented!

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  6. The end results were so worth all your effort. This fairy house is awesome. Love love love it.

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  7. Oh my Anne, this is so very precious. I would want to move in right away if I were a tiny fae ; )
    I love the plant combinations it makes the fae garden look wonderful.
    Have a great day and I can't wait for the inhabitants to come live in the garden ; )

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  8. I am speechless and in awe! That fairy house is so beautiful, it makes me wish I was a fairy so I could live there.

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  9. Anne- That is THE cutest fairy house I have EVER seen, bar none. I just love it- The plants and stone around it are the perfect finishing touches. You did a marvelous job! xo Diana

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  10. Absolutely stunning! The roses over the door are gorgeous, and I love the little details like the door hinges and the shutters. It looks perfect in the plants, and it does look like it has always been there.

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  11. Anne,

    I am so glad I got to view this project.

    It is whimsical and wonderful, majical and beautiful. I simply love how everything turned out and your attention to detail is impeccable.

    Thanks so much for sharing as I am sitting here with a smile on my face. What a wonderful way to start my day.

    Pam

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  12. Adorable! And I know the Fae will love their new home. :D :D :D

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  13. Anne, When my g.daughter comes over...I am going to show her your site. She will fall in love with your fairy house. So adorable. Smiles, Susie

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  14. I think the fairies are going to fight over that house! That is the cutest one I've seen in forever! You are amazingly talented and no self respecting fairy would turn down a chance to have that real estate!

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  15. I love your fairy house and garden. It is such a beautiful work of art! You are very talented.

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  16. How utterly adorable!!! I can hardly wait to see who lives there! :0)
    You really should enter this lovely Faery Garden in the The Fairy Garden Contest hosted by The Magic Onions Blog. Link: http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/2012/04/fairy-garden-contest-2012.html

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  17. Good Morning Anne..
    WOW.... what a work of art.
    You are so talented and have such an artist's eye.
    Thanks for showing us how you did it too.
    I'm inspired to make a little fairy home and garden of my own.
    We'll see...
    Have a great weekend!

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  18. Oh My!!! This is absolutely amazing!! I love it to pieces and would love to be talented enough - and clever enough - to make one for my own garden. The whimsey of it all is captivating - so ripe for story!!!!! I shall have to take some time and research your past posts on the project since I am a relatively new follower of yours . . .and have missed much, I daresay!!

    Love your furry companion - I've got my own, too - lots of fur on my keyboard when I write.

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  19. Well, that was worth the wait......you did a STUNNING job on this house and have great patience to glue on all those pine cone pieces.

    Your photography is truly beautiful, too.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE!

    Hugs
    Jan

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  20. This is just freakin' A-MAZE-ING!!!! The detail that you put on this just blows me away. If there is a publication for faerie houses,this should be on the cover! Hands of gold. xo

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  21. Dear Anne - Your fairy house blows me away. It is truly beautiful. Also like the idea of spraying it to give it sheen and preserve it. Just a gorgeous piece of art. Anxious to see your woodland creatures. God Bless Pixie

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  22. Oh my goodness glory girl, what detailed 'little' work. I can't imagine. Girl, you should be very proud of this little jewel for sure!

    Sweet!!! Your fairies must be very happy! Heeheehehe!

    God bless and have a fantstic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

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  23. How very magically awesome! I absolutely love it. The fairy house and the entire scene you have created. Beautiful ♥

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  24. I want one to live in just like that! sandie

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  25. Too adorable..The fairies will be thrilled!!

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  26. Oh, the fairies are singing for joy, I think!
    The pumpkin stem is perfect!
    I think you will win a prize!

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  27. I love your Fairy House, it's just beautiful, EVERY detail!! It's magical and delicate, any Fairy's dream home!

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  28. Wow!! WOW!!! That is the most amazing fairy house EVER!!! I love it!! The roses around the door definitely put the finishing touch on it! Wow!! WOW!!!
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

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  29. ...truly sO super awesome! ~ first in best dressed ~ hhhhhmmm ~ i think i've already moved in! ~ blessed be!...
    ...xXx...

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  30. This little fairy house is amazing! Such detail and it is full of whimsy. You will make a little fairy family very happy.

    Danielle

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  31. This is a little piece of magic, it all goes together so perfectly! I can imagine the delight of a child who came across this in a garden, there are so many clever touches! Jane xx

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  32. *GASP*... girl, you sure are talented! Wowzers... super cute!!!!
    big hugs,
    Cheryl

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  33. Oh Anne!

    Your fairy house is just beautiful. I want one. :)

    And I love how you have it set up in the garden. The flower colors and everything is just perfect.

    Can't wait to see your little inhabitants. :)

    Have a great weekend.
    Take care, Janet W

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  34. Hi, I just found your blog after reading comments on the
    'Frugal Queens' blog and was intrigued with your blog name.
    I have to say I am so glad I did, what a wonderful blog you have
    such a fantastic talent.
    The fairy house is amazing I would love to live in it!
    My daughter Rosy aged 2, sitting on my knee, said 'wow princess
    ittle house' and she doesn't have many words yet!
    I can't wait to read through all your old blog posts.
    Love Lisa xx

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  35. Absolutely gorgeous, my girls have just oohed and arrhed over it very much...as did I.....we love fairy gardens here at our house...although ours are not as fairytastic as yours....I am sure the fairies that will live there will be very happy indeed....thanks for stopping by my blog too today, you are very welcome...x Suzanne

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  36. Hi Anne - thank you so much for joining my blog and for your comments - so glad that you did because now I have found your delightful blog too. What a wonderful little fairy house - a labour of love xxx

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  37. Though I'm mostly into poetry writing, I find your blog posts to be very creative visually. I think I'm going to enjoy visiting your blog. :)

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  38. Hi Anne, thank you for visiting and following my blog.

    I'm so glad you did, as I can now follow your wonderful blog. I just love, love, love your fairy house, it's amazing!

    Julie xx

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  39. Hi Anne,
    That fairy house is incredible! I'm speechless!
    I'm not surprised it has taken you a long time what a lot of detail.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and your comments. I have replied to yours on my blog. :-)

    keep well
    Amanda xx
    at Crafty in the Med

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  40. Exquisite handiwork!
    I am wowed, truly wowed.
    Just WOW.
    Drop dead gorgeous work!
    Rose

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  41. What a piece of artwork! Talent and skill combined. You must have an endless supply of patience and a steady hand too.
    xo Cathy
    ...who followed you right back! Happy to be here

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  42. What a wonderful Fairy-Garden! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the house! Such a talent you have!!
    xoxo Nellie

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  43. Wow, your Fairy House and Garden turned out adorable. You really put a lot of work into it. I love it!

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  44. Oh, my goodness! You have created a Masterpiece! Such whimsy...so amazing...and one of a kind in every way!
    I will look for your creation to be coming soon in a fine magazine, my friend!
    Blessings and kudos!
    Carolynn.

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  45. Oh, my goodness! You have created a Masterpiece! Such whimsy...so amazing...and one of a kind in every way!
    I will look for your creation to be coming soon in a fine magazine, my friend!
    Blessings and kudos!
    Carolynn.

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  46. You have such incredible talent! That is truly a work of art and absolutely enchanting! (Wow !!)

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  47. What an incredibly beautiful fairy house. Can you put up a tutorial on how you made it?

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  48. Wow, how beautiful fair house and a work of art. So amazing and whimsical. I so am loving the house. Such a creative girl you are. Thanks for sharing you creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay!

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  49. This is wonderful. I know what you mean about the pine cone roof. I make Christmas trees out of these and it can be tedious taking the cone apart. I'm putting this on my list of projects for the far far future!

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  50. That is the cutest thing. I love how you did the roof and the roses were the perfect touch:)

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  51. Oh my they are the cutest little houses ever. You are so talented and your pics so colourful. I am going to follow your gorgeous blog. Thank you for sharing love Jane xx

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  52. Your Fairy House is utterly magical, Anne!!! I'm totally in love! So much tiny detail, so enchanting it makes me smile from ear to ear. Thank you so much for entering my Fairy Garden Contest and sharing in the fun.
    Blessings and magic,
    Donni

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  53. Gorgeous. When can I move in?

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  54. Anne, your little fairy cottage is, by far, the cutest I've ever seen! What patience you must have to have glued on ALL the individual pine cone shingles. ;)

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. I hope you'll join the fun each week. Be sure to stop in tonight, and see yourself featured.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

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  55. Oh my goodness! This has to be the most precious thing I have ever seen. Every detail is so perfect!

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  56. What a wonderful home, filled with so much creativity. I can only imagine what the Fairies will be working on. Very charming you did a wonderful job. I can't imagine those pinecones that was a lot of work. I am a first time visitor but will become a follower and will be back. I love any place where Fairies can live. I have one section in my garden where they gather, the fireflies are out at night so they have arrived for spring. Drop by, Kathy

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  57. This is amazing! I'm sure if was a lot of work and it shows! This is my favorite Fairy Garden! (I have pinned, a lot of them)I'm now pinning yours, and I'm a follower!

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  58. Such a fine art! I love it!

    Your newest follower,
    ~Wendy

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  59. Wow! You did an amazing job with this, Anne! I love it ~ it's cute and pretty. The details you added are just wonderful.

    visiting from WUW : )

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  60. That is the cutest fairy house ever!
    The pine cone petals are so realistic looking, I would have thought they were the real thing glued on until I read how you made everything.
    Just an amazing job~you are VERY talented.

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  61. Oh, your fairy garden and cottage are absolutely magical!!!

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  62. Well, let me pick my chin up off the floor. This is amazing. What incredible talent you have. Thanks for sharing this at Wow. It will be one of the features this week.

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  63. I am so loving this fairy house!! I have been trying to do a little fairy garden in my old wagon with just things around the house- oh goodness mine is a very humble abode compared to your master piece!! Truly a work of art!!

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  64. OMGoodness, that is just the cutest little fairy house and garden!! You did a fabulous job. I want to make one with my granddaughters soon. I've started collecting things to go in it. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  65. What a beautiful and impressive project! The detail that you put into is stunning. I love the whole cottage. The roof is amazing, the rose arch is beautiful, and the little door and window are just the cutest ever! I loved reading about the different kinds of flowers in the garden and also all the paints that you used. Visiting from Wow us Wednesdays. Congrats on being featured. You really deserve it! ~ Jamie

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  66. Wow such fun! and WOW what a talent. I am a secret fairy Godmother to a Mom who's daughter has cancer. It would be fun to give them a fairy garden. But oh the work and how would I ship it? Thanks for the inspiration. Lori

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  67. Hi Anne. First time visit here. LOVE your fairy garden. I am working on one for the first time this year. I always tell my children and now grand children that I have fairy in my Wisteria. Now my garden. How beautiful you have made yours. Thanks for sharing.

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  68. Thank You for the tutorial. I will be attempting to copy, in some form. Your fairy garden is amazing! I've always wanted to do one now with your tutorial and inspiration I will. Bookmarking this post! Love, love, love this. You are so talented!.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  69. Oh my gosh this is truly amazing! Your fairy garden is so beautiful! I put one together for my daughter but it pales in comparison to this work of art!

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  70. That is the cutest fairy garden I have ever seen

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  71. Your cottage is a masterpiece. I really enjoyed seeing how you created it.

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  72. Anne, you are such a fantastic artist! This is absolutely beautiful! Oh, the patience you have!! Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday link party. You sure made the party pretty, that's for sure. Wishing you a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn

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  73. Hello! I just saw your lovely fairy house over at The Dedicated House and I had to drop by and see all the details. I am so very, very impressed! With your talent, your creativity and your skill. I adore this whimsical little house! And the plants you've placed around it! Just beautiful! Beautiful job!

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  74. Wow, I just saw your fairy house at The Dedicated House too am almost beyond words looking at it. I am total impressed with your talent and patience. This is simply one of the most talented works I have seen. It looks perfect in the surroundings you have placed it in, just like a picture. Fabulous work.

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  75. I am your newest follower too. I noticed you had pictures from New Madrid and Cairo so I figured you had a tie to the area. Then I read your profile and see you are from Sikeston. I grew up in Mounds, Illinois, across the river from you and have many friends who are or were from Cairo. Small world, so glad to find you and see your talents.

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  76. This is absolutely the most beautiful fairy house I've ever seen!! I bet you have magic in you fingers :)

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  77. Wow - this is truly incredible and gorgeous!! You have vision and teh ability to carry it through.

    Do you have other polymer clay outside? I thought no matter what you sealed it with, it wouldn't last outdoors (but then I'm in an area where we complain but expect weeks of 100 in Jul, Aug or Sep). For awhile all the gardener/crafters were trying to make permanent plant labels and the clay was ruled out by quite a few.

    I'd keep that up on the porch and in some shade - it's too wonderfulto not have last forever and a day. (Different note but also heard outdoor mod podge gets sticky outside). I'll follow these comments as it fou do have polymer clay you've kept outside an entire season adn it's ok I want to know. But (see temp note) my neighbor and I also found that even painted, waxed, shellaced - decorated gouds would only last one season although I know they last for others (and I could get 5 years if there was no decoration to peel off). Thanks for sharing - this is just so perfect.

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  78. Thank you for the detailed reply over on my blog!

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  79. juat linked to you from Magic Onions (cos your entry was my absolute fave!)... cannot tell you how much i LOVE LOVE LOVE your fairy house! i thought perhaps you had purchased it pre-made somewhere, until i read all about it here. now i have to go back through your older posts to see the beginnings of the project. BEE-YOU-TI-FUL! :)

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  80. This is absolutely beautiful. What did you glue the pinecone shingles to?

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  81. Wow. this is fantabulous, and what a wonderful model (your beautiful kitty). Very clever work.

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  82. Oh my goodness, I just happened on this post, how did I miss it??? You are truly a talented artist. I've been buying up little things for a fairy garden I'm planning to do and after seeing this I may just forget about it. This is AWESOME! Did I mention BEAUTIFUL????? I love the roof and the little roses. I love it! Thank you for sharing this beautiful project......

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  83. This is simply amazing. If you ever have a time in your life when you feel your life is meaningless, or you aren't worthy, then you can look at this little house, or the photos of it, to remind yourself you do make a difference in the world. As tiny as it is, it is simply exquisite. Thank you for sharing it.

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  84. I know, i Know it's october already but I just found your site and am totaly exited.It is so beautiful, my fingers start to tinkel but now way I'm able to make something like this.
    Have a nice weekend and keep up your wonderfull work. Greatings Ria

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  85. Anne, You are such a talented Lady! I am in awe. I just love the Fairy House

    Betty

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  86. I love it, what a wonderfull work, do yoou sell it?

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!