Once upon a time.....there was a painter that loved to shop at thrift stores.
She searched high and low for items that had personality or shape that drew her to them.
She got caught up in the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of discovery.
She took pride in finding cast aside items and making them both beautiful and useful.
She really got excited when she can take several items that didn't belong....and make them belong!
Which brings us to the happy little village that wasn't a village.
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Why a Hand Painted Miniature Village??
I thrifted this cluster of houses and single picket fence over time.
I've had them in my shop (along with way too many other things waiting to be painted) and was hoping for the perfect opportunity to use them to come along.
When Dixie Belle sent me the package of new transfers.....I knew the minute I saw Mr. Toad....that this would become his hometown!
Supplies Used: Hand Painted Miniature Village
I began by choosing a color palette that was fun and complemented the small transfer collection.
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Hand Painted Miniature Village
I chose nine colors based on this palette and began painting the houses each in a single shade.
Once all of the houses were painted I began taping off stripes.
I used vertical stripes on one...
And diagonal stripes on another....
Three of the houses I left in single colors such as Honky Tonk Red, Antebellum Blue,and Rebel Yellow.
I felt this helped calm the crazy of the village just a bit.
I saved the starburst pattern for Mr. Toad's house!
I used all nine colors on his house because....well....he's Mr. Toad!
I then began cutting the small transfer pieces that I liked the most and fiddled around with them and the houses trying to see what was the best fit.
I really wanted to leave a couple of the homes completely blank....paint only!
Applying the Mr Toad's Happy Place Design Transfers
I chose the houses with design to hold the transfers...such as mushrooms, snails and butterflies.
**This might be a good time to tell you that since early childhood my favorite things to doodle have always been butterflies and mushrooms
I applied the transfers as I always do...peeling off the white plastic backing...laying the transfer down and rubbing with the transfer stick using the push pull method.
Once all transfers were in place and I was happy with the overall look.....I sealed them by top coating with a clear coat of Satin.
Adding my Whimsical Touch
As cute as they were....they were still not a cohesive village!
I knew exactly how to "bring them home"!
My black and white stripes!
I added wide black and white stripes to the outer edge of every single house!
That did it!
The village instantly became the official Mr. Toad's Happy Place!
All items were top coated with Satin for lasting durability!
The Final Look: Whimsical Hand Painted Miniature Village
This was my first time to use a small set of transfers!
I am usually drawn to the very large transfers....but I have to say this felt less stressful and very playful!
If you love crafting these are the perfect size and they carry them in many different designs!
More Inspiration:
I grabbed a few pieces from the archives that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming projects. Click on any link or photo for all the details!
Whimsical DIY Fairy House - so cute! You just have to see this one!
Whimsical Alice Nightstand - a whimsical design transfer design
Cactus Jewelry Box - bright, bold, and whimsical desert theme
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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