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An Altered Tin as a Rustic Cottage!

Filed under Altered Tins, Grimms' Fairy Tales, Shannon Cooper, Snow White Kit, Tutorials


Eek! Isn’t this the cutest little cottage you’ve ever seen? And made from an Altoids Tin! AND Shannon has provided a tutorial for that roof!

The Dwarfs’ Cottage Altered Tin by Design Team Member Shannon Cooper is just perfect: all tucked into the small size of an Altoids Tin, it has a scene inside (behind one of the new insert frames), a little image behind a window at top to make you think there’re an attic, hand-made stones (complete with moss and tiny flowers), faux wood trim, and a shingled roof.

“I fell in love with the scalloped insert frames from earlier this year, erm… last year, and was excited to see the new Fairy Tale Frames Inserts for Altoid Tins.

“I used an image from the Snow White with the Dwarves Collage Sheet and the blank tin from the January Kit to construct the Dwarfs’ wee cottage, which has to be a much more pleasant place than a prince’s boring old castle. Plus, tiny houses are the way to go.

“The entire cottage is made from just three things: the tin, cardboard, and Creative Paperclay. The stones and wood beams are sculpted from the paper clay and the roof pieces and tiles are cut from cardboard. Super easy!”

Note: The Altoids Tin Roof (inspired by Shannon’s project) is now available!

Back to “What’s New Today?”: Shingles! Not the hand-made shingles in Shannon’s fab art, but pretty close (plus a response to requests for more styles of the smaller chipboard shingles).

And check out the Giveaway below for preview pics of Shannon’s tutorial (and a chance to win almost everything she used)!

Read more (and see lots more photos and that tutorial) in Shannon’s blog post. And here’s her Supply List.

 

Hooray for the Dwarfs’ Cottage Giveaway!

I picked out some supplies used in Shannon’s artwork to include in today’s Giveaway:
– Fairy Tale Frames Altoid Inserts Set
– Decorative Windows Set 1:24
– Blank Altoids Tin
– Fairy Tale Titles Collage Sheet
– Snow White with the Dwarves Collage Sheet
– 8×8 Heavy Chipboard
– Creative Paperclay
– Leafy Green Underbrush
– AND one of the (back in stock) Tim Holtz Paper Distresser Tools!

Just click on this Supply List link for photos and links to everything in Shannon’s artwork, including all of the Giveaway items listed above!

To enter the Dwarfs’ Cottage Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY OR TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, FRIDAY, January 6, 2017)!

And tell me: Will you try your hand at making a little cottage? With Paperclay stones or wood trim? Or a custom roof with shingles? (All explained in Shannon’s blog.)

Don’t forget to leave your (hello! correct) email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.

Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!

After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org). So check your mailbox on Sunday morning to see who won and for the next Giveaway and Newsletter!

Hey, who won the Snow White Kit Plus Giveaway? That would be Lou Anne! Congratulations! Check your email for more info.

  
Posted by Leslie, January 5th, 2017

70 responses to “An Altered Tin as a Rustic Cottage!”

  1. barb macaskill says:

    OMG!! LOVE this adorable altoid tin creation!!! I would definitely try my hand at the paper clay stones!
    I would probably do a Rapunzel inspired piece and put the house on a pedestal! The dragons would be flying around her cottage in the sky to keep away want to be suitors and rescuers!
    Oh, now the ideas are just flowing like the rapids in the river!!
    Great giveaway that would put a HUGE smile on my face! Fingers crossed and thanks for the chance to win these cool goodies!
    Congratulations to Lou Anne on her win!
    macaskillbarbara @ yahoo .com

  2. Karen J Cejka says:

    Wow! I have always wanted to try paper clay stones and those roof tiles are awesome! I would make a Hanzel & Gretal type cottage with a HUGE stove…just like the fairytale. What a wonderful giveaway to start out 2017! 🙂

  3. Jackie Barth says:

    I would love to make this cottage almost as is. Hope I win!!

  4. Deb says:

    Have not done an Altiod tin yet. Love this one; looks like a good first try.

  5. Cynthia Currie says:

    Love the Altoids tin ideas!

  6. Barb J says:

    I would love to make this…and I would add some vines on the sides and the roof!!

  7. Kat Cashwell says:

    This is adorable!! I would try the paper clay stones and the roof tiles are so cool!!

  8. Nancy H says:

    I just ordered a few of the tins, and some of the Grimm paper (ok, and a lot of other cool things) and am waiting for them to arrive. The Snow White cottage is adorable! I hadn’t heard of the paper clay before – I hope to win this, so I can start another full time hobby!

  9. Noreen says:

    Wow! Shannon did a great job with the shingles and paperclay stones! I’d like to try her technique on a little house.

  10. Kathy Bumb says:

    Love this giveaway. I have gotten into making these small dioramas and small houses. They are all so adorable, as all your products are fantastic.

  11. Cherry Koontz says:

    I don’t have time to post a comment – I am getting out my supplies right away!

  12. Karen says:

    Cute little cottage – I would most likely try the stone and definitely love the shingle roof! Still thinking of who might “live” there, but Rapunzel is a possibility.

  13. Lorna E says:

    Shannon’s little cottage is amazing. I would definitely want to attempt a tiny cottage of my own. I’d want to combine textures, so a shingle roof and paperclay stone foundation makes sense to me.

  14. Connie L. says:

    What a fantastic tutorial! I love how she made the stones from paperclay. I need to try that!

  15. Barb A says:

    Love the tin, paperclay stones and the shingle….how creative!

  16. Sharon says:

    Huge fan of altered tins and any sort of mini house…so to win this giveaway would be a spectacular way to start the new year!

  17. Carla says:

    Love the roof tiles! This is adorable!

  18. Tina says:

    I just might have to try out this little project! Very cute!

  19. Traci says:

    How cute-what a creative idea. I have some paper clay so have to give this a try using Alice in Wonderland theme. >^..^<

  20. Helen says:

    I will definitely make this using paper clay. I can see a little fairy tale village made with Altoids tins.

  21. I for sure would make the cottage! And I’ve already made a roof like this on a fairy house I put in my fairy garden last summer!

  22. Kim Russell says:

    This is so creatively adorable! I will definitely be trying my hand at this!

  23. Peg C says:

    I love the tin! I will definitely make the roof!

  24. Marilyn Hughes says:

    I’ve never had much luck with paperclay, so I would take a pass on trying to recreate the cottage.

  25. Nancy Olsen says:

    I love paperclay and would use it to create a dragon’s lair in the tin.

  26. Jean Marmo says:

    Those tiny shingles are too much fun! Would love to try paperclay! I cannot believe that is a tin!

  27. Beth M says:

    Oh goodness, I can’t handle the cuteness! Aaaah! I would love to get my hands on these goodies and create a fairytale tin! I love paperclay, you can do so much with it..

  28. Patricia says:

    These shingles would be great for my bird houses. Will have to order some

  29. Karen S says:

    I want to give Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy and Grumpy a new home and try paper clay.

  30. Randi scholl says:

    I would make a witches cottage. Those cardboard shingles are wonderful. I’m going to watch the video right now.

  31. Katie west says:

    Love the possibilities of Altoid tins. ..little treasures. I’m thinking Fairies having tea,iron maybe repairing wings,etc.

  32. Marykay Chisum says:

    I would love to try my hand at paper clay agsin. I haven’t had the opportunity to work with it.

  33. Jo says:

    Would love to make this miniature house or add the materials to my projects!

  34. Barbara says:

    I have always struggled with roof shingles. This is great! Gonna have to put my current project on hold and do an Altoid tin. Ohh…and then use the stone work for a nativity! I can tell – I’m gonna be busy.

  35. Diane Dainis says:

    I definitely will be making this but as a Fairy Tea Party and I will make the stone walls with PaperClay. It’s been awhile since I’ve used it and this will be the perfect place to try it again.
    Diane

  36. Michelle says:

    I would love to try making a little cottage and trying to make stone walls.

  37. Jen R says:

    I would absolutely love to make this!

  38. Susan Nelson says:

    Super cute! I would definitely try the roof tiles! I have been wanting some of those new molds to try as well.

  39. Vicky Coleman says:

    I would definitely make this with my granddaughter, she loves to craft with me!

  40. Rhonda says:

    Adorable and so clever! I absolutely will try my hand at making this; the roof, timbers, stones and all. Will it be this cute? That remains to be seen 🙂

  41. Lynne says:

    This would be the perfect gift for a Snow White aficionado I know! Thanks for the opportunity 🙂

  42. Kathlene Ford-Walters says:

    I think I would go with the wood. I’m definitely thinking about working with tins. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  43. Mary Mac says:

    Yes, just love this super cute project.

  44. Karen Mallory says:

    This is so dang cute! I would try and make everything! Valuable techniques for other projects too!

  45. Lou Anne says:

    I love the paper clay stone house-would like to try it!

  46. Nancy E says:

    I just absolutely adore this cottage. And working with paper clay is a fav of mine!

  47. I love this I would definitely try to building a house like this. Thank you

  48. Janet T says:

    I love this! I would use the wood shingle roof. So adorable.

  49. Sylvia L. says:

    I would definitely like to try making a little house.Putting together a full-size dollhouse gave me a little practice, but this would be less of a production. I like working with Paperclay, so I’d try the stones. This is a nice project for the post-holiday letdown I get every year…

  50. Lorrilee Stackhouse says:

    I would definitely love to make this adorable cottage!

  51. Cheryl Lee says:

    Yes I would make one! Maybe using everything! I would make mine a 1/4 scale kitchen I think. This project is just tooo darn cute! Congrats to Lou Anne!

  52. Kimberly says:

    Sure, I’d love to try my hand at making a little cottage!

  53. Thalia Kottke says:

    Love the fireplace and chimney made of paperclay stones.

  54. Denise Bryant says:

    Awesome project! Love the stone!

  55. Janice says:

    Love this. I think I will try to recreate Shannon’s idea for a friend who loves Snow White. I enjoy working with paper clay, so I will use that for the bricks and I like the idea of making my own shingles like Shannon did. I think they make it look charmingly rustic.

  56. Elizabeth H. says:

    I would make a fairy cottage. So many good ideas!

  57. Kim Slater says:

    This is fantastic! Personally, I would try this with a Halloween theme. Using paper clay and cardbaord are easy ways to add dimension and up the reality. I would LOVE to win this!

  58. Cory Coakley says:

    That little attic is adorable! I would definitely do the paperclay stones, they remind me of fairy houses, which aren’t going to be happening until the snow stops in the Spring.

  59. Jaimie Sander says:

    This is amazing! I love doing things in tins,and this looks like a great project.I am thinking Fairy house,with mini mushrooms and lots of tiny paper flowers and vines.The stones look amazing,and I think it’s something I could actually do! Thanks for sharing the tutorial,and for the chance to win the supplies!

  60. Carol Slowik says:

    Yes, yes, yes! I love everything about this project!

  61. Susan K says:

    This is inspiring! I have not tried any tin scenes yet, but this adorable cottage has pushed it to the top of my list!I love how the two dwarfs are looking out the top window! Brava!

  62. Margaret says:

    I would definitely try the paper clay stones and the beams! Love those little shingles so much! Definitely would make a small little witchy garden complete with toadstools! You just keep getting more and more wonderful!!!

  63. Abbee says:

    I will be trying the clay brick!!

  64. Laural says:

    Have my tins and clay in hand..I want to try my hand at this incredible idea..thank you

  65. Mary says:

    I have retired after teaching school for 37 years. I am in love with miniatures! I so want to make one of the Altoid tins. The dwarf’s cottage is absolutely precious. I am currently making tea cup fairy gardens, but would love to try this. You will have my business if I find out it is something I can do.

  66. Christy Minnis says:

    I would love to make a little cottage! Haven’t used paper clay, but I’ve done miniatures with polymer clay and would love to try this little scene!

  67. Sandra L. says:

    I love creating anything in miniature and right now about a dozen ideas on how to use these products racing through my head. I’ve created with paper clay and polymer clay and love both of them. Many decades ago I had a Miniature Business so working in small scale is something I love. Right now I am thinking maybe a workshop for Santa’s elves.

  68. Jan K says:

    I love this kit and would love to make a cottage based on one of my favorite authors or artisit, maybe van Gogh or Dickenson!

  69. Susan M L says:

    Love it! Would like to make a secret garden and have a “brick wall” front and back.

  70. Jeri says:

    Great giveaway!