A Fairy Bower

 Fairy elves,

          Whose midnight revels, by a forest side

Or fountain, some belated peasant sees,

Or dreams he sees, while overhead the moon

Sits arbitress.

~John Milton

I spent some time the past day making some little Elf homes to adorn our herb garden and to encourage my Munchkins imagination. These were SO simple to do.

Supplies:

Large Rock (with a flat side)

Wood

Stik All Glue

Hinge and Screws

Paint

Small Hook

Thread

Wooden Knob (for lantern....or chimney too)

Clear Acrylic Spray

Tools Required:

Jig Saw

Paint Brush

Screw Driver

Take some wood and use the jig saw to make a door shape. You could do any shape you'd like: round (hobbit door-shaped), rectangle (modern), pointed (for the elf look), or triangle (just because you're weird). :-) I'm mortified to say that I used a beautiful piece of Cherry wood that I found in our barn....I thought it was just a nice piece of oak, but no. I was mistaken. Oh, boy was I EVER mistaken (according to my husband and my father). Jeesh. Well, it turned out lovely anyway. ;-)

Now it's time to sketch. Make a quick sketch with pencil (lightly) of what you'd like to paint....or, go right ahead and free-hand it with a paintbrush if you are feeling bold. 

 Paint away!! You should paint the accessories too. To give my doors a more aged look I took a wet paper towel and dipped in it some black paint and lightly sponged the entire door.

Once they're dry you can screw the hinge onto the side and bend the remaining hinge back behind the door. Then, glue the door to the rock securely. 

Almost there!! The glue will need to set for at least 24 hours. You can make the lantern by tying some black thread around the little wooden bobble and securing it to the hook (which has been glued onto the rock as well). If you would rather make a chimney, you can just dab some glue on the flat end of the bobble and stick 'er right on top of that rock. To make it more weather proof, you could coat it with some clear acrylic spray (just be sure to cover the rock behind with something so that you don't spray that too). I made two different doors just to try out some of my ideas. Here is the other door, finished with chimney:

I know I was forever imagining these kinds of dwellings when I was a child. Nature provides us with so much to encourage the imagination. I know my Munchkins reaction to this will be to fill the day with stories of the people who live in the dwelling next to the chives and sage. There will be food gathered for their lunch and a nap time announced as well. They are going to be prospering in our herb garden for sure!!!!

Check out these linky parties for some great ideas!!!!
Just Something I Whipped Up
Making the World Cuter Monday 
Made By You Monday
Made It Monday 
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Do It Yourself Day 
Trash To Treasure 
Talented Tuesday 
Take A Look Tuesday 
DIY Project Parade 
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Tip Me Tuesday 
Get Your Craft On 
Metamorphosis Monday 
Works For Me Wednesday
Show Us What You're Working With 
Penny Pinching Party 
Boardwalk Bragfest 
Thrify Thursday 
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Get Your Craft On Thursday 
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Frugalicious Friday 
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Plant A Punkin Seed Party 
Look At Me I'm So Crafty
Saturday Nite Special
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Under $100 Linky Party 
Friday Favorites
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Weekend Wrap Up Party
Sunday Showcase Party
Making The World Cuter 
Just Something I Whipped Up
Made It Monday
Market Yourself Monday 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays 
Get Your Craft On
Metamorphosis Monday 
Made By You Monday 
Just Something I Whipped Up 
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Saturday Nite Special