I Has A House
Apr
'08
This is Richard.
He’s looking out through the bedroom window at me standing on the balcony. We haven’t lately had any kind of special events in our lives (anniversaries, birthdays, etc) but I wanted to make him a gift anyway. Despite our lack of occasion, we’ve been having, ah, issues lately. Nothing we can’t work through, which is why I decided to build him a house.
The house is sort of a universal symbol for support, and it’s important that he knows I support him through whatever he needs. Observe in the pictures above: Curtains (winter in the first, autumn in the second). I had a lot of scrap fabric after I made them, so I decided to make the house out of these scraps - it symbolizes support, yes, but it’s made out of home. He is my home, and he’s said I’m his; it only seemed appropriate.
I’d like to say that each side tells a story, but in reality, the whole project tells the story. I cut up two book covers - both by Elizabeth Lowell (Winter Fire and Autumn Lover). I hadn’t read either book, but found them appropriate seasonal covers for my project, as they both had an image that was just the right size.
This side (not the roof) was the last side that I made. I was out of ideas, so I put sparkly love on it.
A repeat of the winter side, except more autumny. I got the 1-inch pins from my collection. In high school I loved those things and I still have about 20 hidden away in various places. These were perfect matches so I used them.
And finally here we are inside our house looking out through our oddly placed curtains. This was really difficult to make but well worth the effort.
And the roof - all autumn, deeply contrasting with the bottom of the house. I took lyrics from the Ricky Nelson song “I WIll Follow You” because I couldn’t think of a better way to tell him that I’ll be beside him as long as he lets me. Plus, who wouldn’t love having this song stuck in his/her head for all eternity?
When I gave it to him, he put it on his head.
He would probably wear it forever if he could, but I’m afraid that the roof embellishments will fall off. Some of them are hot-glued onto the fabric.
Whenever he’s done studying the details, though, he can put things inside if he’d like.
The lining fabric is completely scrap and I have no idea where it came from, but there was enough of it in my scrap pile, so I used it. It doesn’t exactly fit the theme, but I think it’s pretty anyway.
It took two days of strenuous stitching to complete this. Each piece has an exterior fabric, 8 sheets of newspaper, and an interior fabric. I first attached the exterior to the newspaper by sewing one inch inside along the border, then added embellishments.
Then I pinned the interior fabric on the back, and rolled the edges over the exterior fabric, stitching as I went along. I didn’t take photos of each step, but to give you an idea of what it looked like…
After that was done, all I had left to do was put the house together. I approached it as you would a gingerbread house - sewed the sides to the bottom, and then sewed the sides to each other. The roof was easy - just had to attach the two pieces at the tops.
This is how I’ve spent the last few days. I kept thinking while I was making it that I was totally going to make another one; it was fun and interesting and creative, etc etc. However, by the time I was done I felt like my fingers were going to fall off, so hurt and tired as they were! So I’ll probably never make another one, but at least I can immortalize this one on my website.
(That said, if I do make another, I will photograph each step in case anyone is interested. It won’t be for a long while yet, though, because my fingers are still extremely sore.)
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What an adorable (and original) idea for a present!
I like the fabric you used as the lining, it’s very pretty.
Apr
'08
Oh my! You are such a sweet girlfriend. Richard is lucky to have you. I hope he realizes how lucky he is to have you, lol. That was very nice. I love that house. It is soo cute. You are very talented.
You know Michelle, if you need to spill too someone you have my email. I won’t tell anyone & it will be just between us. I promise. I am glad that everything is working out & if there is anything that I can do to help with Pages or anything just let me know.
Apr
'08
when i made a project for brett that i stitched by hand, i used a drill with the smallest bit possible for the holes so i didn’t have to whittle my fingers down to little stubs. however, that was paper. i wonder how that would go over with fabric?
Apr
'08
wow michelle! that’s so amazing.. the work and detail in that.. so much love! he’s so lucky to have you. i really hope you guys work through everything *hugs*
Apr
'08
That is straight up adorable.
And not to sound patronizing (if so, slap me) but all relationships take work. Especially mine seeing as how we’re both stubborn Irish people. So I hope you guys work out whatever troubles you’re having.
Apr
'08
Aw, that is lovely, Michelle!
I can so tell you put a lot of thought and heart into it…I positively love all the little details. What a great gift to give him…gifts like that mean more than anything. 
Apr
'08
Aww, that’s the cutest gift ever! It’s adorable and personalized and it has both of you guys’ faces
I love crafty gifts, those are simply the best :3 He looks so happy with the house!
Apr
'08