Flower Cottage
Instruction
Multi layered wooden flower cottage. Perfect for spring!
Process your shapes. I have given you the settings that I have found work best for me, but if you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to run a test grid.
The purple scoring lines are optional. I like using scoring to help me line up my shapes when it comes time to putting them together.
You may not need all of the shapes I have included. Take a second to look the file over, and decide how many different layers you would like.
Process your shapes. In the attached photos, you will see I cut the house with the purple scored layer from canvas #2 and all of the pieces from canvas #3. I am not going to use them all in my final design, but wanted to go ahead and process them for instructional purposes. I also cut the full background layer from canvas #2.
Optional: if you want to wait to process the back layer piece from canvas #2 you may. There will be some down time between steps where you can process that piece.
Here is the part where you get to add your own creativity to this design. Once your wood shapes are cut and cleaned off, use your favorite method of applying color and bring life to your flower cottage.
Following the directions on your color application method of choice.
I love using wood stain, spray paint, and Posca Paint Markers to add color to my projects.
Helpful tips:
it helps me to roughly lay out my layers and pieces to see how everything will look together once completed to apply color. I added a photo of that process as well.
If you waited to process the background layer, now would be a great time to knock that out while your other pieces are drying.
Once your pieces are dry, you may begin assembling. I use wood glue & a silicon brush like pictured. The brush helps me with small pieces. Clamp your pieces together to ensure correct placement and adhesion. Included the clamps I like to use for my projects in the photo. They’re easy to use, come in all different sizes, and can be found at your local hardware store or online. Follow the instructions on your adhesive of choice.
If you didn’t process the background layer in step 2, now would be a great time to process and stain your background layer so it’s ready.
Note: this is a process, take your time. If you don’t wait for your layers to be completely dry, you will run the risk of them moving and ending up in places you don’t want them to be.
Ok, so it’s best to apply the top layers to the bottom layers. Some pieces will need to be combined before they go onto the final background layer. Remember to follow the instructions found on your method of adhesive of choice.
For my design, I chose the flower box layer that just had the outline shape of the flower. I painted that layer with green & purple spray paint, as pictured. I processed the rectangle from the flower box as well, and painted it brown. There are two different back layer options for the flower box, the other option has scored outlines showing the flowers. Whichever one you choose will work the same. It’s your preference.
Apply the rectangle on top of the flower box piece that includes the flowers. Line up your rectangle to the bottom & sides. Clamp to ensure they adhere properly.
The first pieces I assembled on the actual cottage/house were the lamp/lantern and the watering can. Let those pieces dry before unclamping.
This part of the assembly process is just a suggestion, if you prefer to work at a slower or quicker pace, that is completely your call.
After your flower box pieces have been combined, and are dry, glue and clamp them to your cottage/house piece.
You can also attach the top circle window and the bottom window pieces at this time, like I did.
Then, I finished up the cottage/house by gluing & clamping the door and roof pieces.
Remember to follow the instructions on your adhesive of choice. Let your cottage set & dry.
This part of the assembly process is just a suggestion, if you prefer to work at a slower or quicker pace, that is completely your call.
The next step will involve the background layer, it will need to be finished & dry before you begin the step. If you haven’t completed your background layer, then now would be the time.
Your background layer will need to be processed and fully dry before beginning these steps.
Now that your cottage/house has all its pieces, except for the bush piece that overlaps the background and house, you’re going to begin adhering your final pieces to the background layer.
First begin by gluing and clamping your cottage to the background layer, and the bush piece that is cut to fit on the right side of the cottage/house.
Next glue and clamp your tree pieces and the bush piece that overlaps the cottage and the bush piece that has already been glued to the background layer.
Allow these pieces to dry & set. Remember to follow the instructions on your adhesive of choice. Let your cottage set & dry.
This part of the assembly process is just a suggestion, if you prefer to work at a slower or quicker pace, that is completely your call.
This step is optional
Now that your project is completed & dry. You can decide how you’d like to display it.
If you’d like to add picture hanging hardware to the background layer piece, I used 2 part epoxy and one of the silicone brushes previously mentioned/pictured. Line the hardware up to the middle, make sure it’s level, glue and clamp.
You could also use twine, or something else of your choice to hang.