It’s been refreshing returning this blog to it’s former glory of a creative outlet. That means I only post when I’m truly inspired by something and want to share. So when it comes to the holidays, I’m not mega stressed about creating content in October and scrambling to get it posted. Instead today, less than 2 weeks from Christmas (gasp!), I’m sharing this mid-century modern holiday village I created. It’s the one holiday project I did this year and I’m absolutely in love with it.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane first….. if you recall a few years ago, I got the crazy idea to pull together a bunch of my talented blogger friends to create the online magazine Merry. (psst, if you’re looking for some more amazing handmade holiday inspiration there’s two issues full of ideas to keep you busy).
For the second issue, I got the chance to work with Hot Pop Factory. They asked if I wanted to give their laser cutting services a try and come up with something fun for the holidays. Well I decided to go all out with my first attempt at a 3D deer on the cover and some scandi-inspired ornaments inside. You can say it was a success and I’ve been dreaming up laser cut projects ever since. So when they approached me again this year to help with some fun holiday inspiration I jumped at the opportunity.
I had a whole bunch of ideas but of course I decided to go with the most challenging one. That’s how I roll when it comes to Christmas crafts…it’s all or nothing. If you know me or have been following you know I have a weakness for vintage design. I’ve always wanted to have a holiday village but decided to give it a mid-century modern look. You know, pretend like we’re celebrating in Palm Springs. I took a few creative liberties with the faux snow and trees.
So I did a little research online then did a little sketching before sitting down at my computer (using Adobe Illustrator) and designed five mid-century modern houses to make up my holiday village. Here’s what I came up with:
I tried to keep the designs pretty simple because that’s the nature of the mid-century style but also because I’ve never done anything like this and only had one night to complete all the artwork. So simple it was!
I’m thankful to have my graphic design background (masquerading as an architect) to make this project come to life but if you want to do something similar, the Hot Pop Factory team can help you with that as well. They also have lots of different materials to choose from if the natural wood look isn’t your thing….just check out their site and let your imagination go cray cray.
So I’m going to go ahead and pat myself on the back for this one because I kinda ABSOLUTELY love how these houses turned out! I taped some frosted velum paper to the back for windows and stuck a few electric tea lights (safety first folks) behind for that evening glow – which looks amazing at night.
Well that wraps up the holiday crafting for this year! There was just one project but it was a good one! I think these houses could stay up all year if you ditched the holiday accents and had a great shelf to display them.
Happy holidays!
I have been looking for something like this for so long!! How can I convince you to sell me the designs you made? Or better yet, how can I buy copies of the finished product??
I am super interested as well!
This is absolutely amazing! As much as I’d like to think I could make something like this, I’d love to be able to buy the finished product.
I’m with Anthony…would love to buy copies of these!!!!
I adore your designs! Your little village is my idea of the perfect architecture heaven. If you ever make the patterns available or decide to market your finished product, I’m your first buyer!
I want to buy copies of these as well!!!! Pleeeeaaaasssse?
I am interested in buying this :)
I’d buy these if you want to make more. For real.
So incredibly cool!! Are these available for sale?
Love ,love, love these!! My daughters family just purchased their first mid-century house. These would be a PERFECT gift. Are you making and selling these??
would buy the whole village IN A HEARTBEAT! been looking for something like this for years—the closest i’m come are the PUTZ houses, but those are incredibly delicate and usually not in great condition.
you could make A FORTUNE producing and selling these! think about it….
You could make and sell kits to make the houses!!! I would totally buy the kits for myself an as gifts.
Are the designs for sale?? Please!! :)
We just bought a house and renovated it for MCM. These would be the perfect Christmas display!! If you sell these, let us know!!
I SOOOO would buy this kit!! Please!
So is there a tutorial on these or not??? The heading says there is a tutorial but I don’t see anything. There’s no template, nothing. Is there a pattern ???
I would buy these too!! They are awesome!!
You should make an SVG file. Would be an easy project for a cricut or cameo. I’d love it.
LOVE these! Please, please, please sell these. It’s been two years and we are still begging for you to sell.
Lots of begging in the comments so I’ll throw my 2 cents in as well. Your design is really sharp and I do NOT have that skill set. I do have some money I’d be excited to use to buy your cool handiwork! Think about it.
I have two ways to do this first I could screenshot, increase size, print on vellum and carbon paper them onto balsa wood sheets. The second way is to screenshot and print and use my art projector onto balsa sheets. With my projector I can easily adjust the size of the houses to give the scene depth.
Balsa wood is easily cut with an exacto knife. This will be fun. Be creative you guys.