While I normally do not begin my Christmas themed posts until after Thanksgiving, this year the holiday falls very late in November. I have so much goodness planned that there would not be enough time otherwise. But the exception is Little Pink Houses For You and Me.
Over I week ago my good friend Meri hosted a holiday workshop. This year’s theme was creating hand crafted Putz houses. The tradition of Putz houses can be traced back to the Moravian Church. The term Putz stems from the German word putzen which means “to clean, decorate”. It was customary to decorate the base of the Christmas tree with a small village which included a nativity scene. The scenes could be quite simple to very elaborate. The tradition became popular in the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century. Mass produced cardboard villages made in mid-century Japan are now collector items. You can still find such Putz houses on both eBay and Etsy.
This was the house that I made. It took an entire day to create.
Little Pink Houses For You and Me
I was hooked and wanted to create an entire village for myself. I became a one-woman constructing/painting/glittering machine.
The house on candy cane lane was really sweet.
The “Jazz Hands” Santa house with its polka dot roof made me smile.
“Christmas in Killarney Cottage” had me doing jigs and reels.
“Pearl Cottage” was so quaint.
“Blue Christmas Cottage” made me feel peaceful.
Changes To Come
Then while I was creating “Santa’s Workshop” our family learned that the company Mr. Decor works for was closing its facility. Just like that, our lives completely changed. As always, we are choosing to see it as a new adventure.
It became clear as a Christmas star that my village would now need to be shared. Little pink houses for you and me.
Do you collect Christmas Putz Houses?
Laura
Laura your wee houses are so enchanting. You are one terrific glitter machine and as always very creative.
I am sorry for the news about your husbands job. None of us seem to have that stability anymore; certainly nothing like my parents had. My husband is on week 9 without work. It is soul destroying.Always hardest to get such news on the brink of the holidays Our plans have changed and we'll be spending Christmas alone. / :
Its on to the next adventure and a good attitude goes a long way (which you always have Laura).
Gods blessings to you all,
Deb
Yours turned out AMAZING!!! I loveeeeee all the glitter!!!!!
Your houses are so beautiful. Where ever did you find jazz hands Santa?
I thought the other day when you mentioned change that the info would be about the Fashionista. I am so sorry to hear about DH's job. I hope all will be resolved and all will be well for you.
Oh Laura, all of your little houses are so beautiful. You did such an amazing job. Let's definitely do lunch this week. Marty
Laura, Your putz houses are adorable. You did a great job creating them. Sorry to hear about your hubby's job. That happened to my husband in Dec.2006. It ended up being a blessing. As you know, thankfully, God works wonders in all our lives.
xo Babs
I also thought the news would be about Fashionista. I hope it's a short-lived hiatus and when it's over, you can all look back and find the blessing delivered via the change. Prayers.
Your houses are so sweet. I can remember having a couple of them for decorations when I was a little girl. Love the glitter and pretty colours!
God may close a door but He will always open a window. Your attitude of looking forward to a new challenge in your life is so wonderful. It will go so far in helping to figure out what you will do next. Hopefully all the families affected by the closure will be as lucky to feel like your family.
{{{Hugs}}}and prayers for you and your loved ones.
They are gorgeous Laura!
My goodness, you must have put a lot of time in those you talented woman you.
Sorry about hubby's job.
Will be thinking and sending prayers.
If you are moving please let me know.
Hugs friend,
Cindy
These are all so pretty, Laura! I think a collection of these on a mantel or table would look great. Love the “jazz hands” Santa and Mrs.!
Oh so sweet! I just love your charming little houses!
I'm so sorry.
Your houses came out spectacular.
Adding Mr Decor's job to my prayer list. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your family next! Your little houses are beautiful! I'm clicking over now!
Laura, I am so sorry to hear about the job situation and have prayed that God will bless your family. I am thinking of you and send love.
Speaking of love, your houses are darling!
xo
Sheila
Laura, I like how Rita C. put words to her thoughts and feelings.
Just know, that prayers are being said for you and your family!
Wonderful Laura!!! i love with the Pearl cottage!
How adorable! I love all the glitter, and the vintage feel.
These are all darling Laura! Thinking of you and your family! I am still surrounded by boxes, getting through a few a day….
Xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Oh goodness, the houses are indeed all adorable. But what news; I am hoping this means a transfer, and in any case surely a change from Phoenix…keeping you in my prayers.
Oh Laura, I am so sorry! We are in the 19th month of without-full-time employment. I feel the anxiety that tries to creep in. We know Who Holds the Future. Praise be to Him in this season!
Will keep you in prayer, friend.
(and i love the houses!)
~april
Your houses are so sweet! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's job–I do admire your positive attitude!
Hi Laura,
What a fun day you had at Meri's! Your houses are so SWEET and Pretty!
Sorry to hear about your hubby's job. I'll be praying for a new one. God's timing!
Warmly,
deb
Oh Laura, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's job. I pray he finds a new one soon. Uncertainty is hard. Praying for peace and resolution.
Your putz houses are adorable!
What a blow to receive at this time of year. I pray something will open up for him. You did a beautiful job on the Putz houses – love the vintage accents you gave them.
Hi Laura! Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this about your husband's job. I'll be saying prayers for you and your family.
Now you did a beautiful job on your little glitter houses. I know how much time they take to do as I made a zillion of them.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
Your blogging friends care and are thinking about you and praying for you.
You have the best attitude.
They are adorable Laura. I've always loved those houses. So sorry to hear about your husband's job.
I'll keep you and your husband in my prayers, too. And send you sweet hugs. I love your wee houses..they are indeed enchanting!
So sorry to hear about the closing of your husband's job. My husband works for a company that has been in our area for 110 years but was bought years ago by a big corporation! The CEO had no background in furniture, he came from Office Max, and the second in command got his start at Burger King, and then snack foods. PLease tell me what these have to do with taking raw materials at one end of the plant and a chair, table, bed, chest of drawers, night stands come out the other end!! They ran the company in the ground and filed bankruptcy in Sept! He is hoping a wonderful new company that knows about furniture will buy their company! I will pray for your family and ask the same for us! How are the wonderful dachshunds doing? Our crew is down to 3 and I am spoiling each one every day! I see Sarge turning gray around his chin and Cocoa has a few gray hair on her chin too, and I tear up! I do not want them to get older and leave me! The hole left in my heart from Baby and Pebbles leaving is huge! Hugs to you !
Lynn
The little house are just precious! It is obviously a lot of time and attention was given to each one.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband's company closing its doors. I will be keeping you all in my prayers. I know it will be a stressful time for you.
“May the Lord bring good to you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be kind to you. May the Lord show favor toward you, and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
I'm so sorry about your husband's job. 🙁
I love putz homes – they are one of the original Christmas memories that I hold dear because my parents had them under our tree at our old homeplace when I was a little girl, passed on from my Dad's parents, and although they didn't keep all of them and threw them away one year when I wasn't looking (probably in my teen years when I didn't care as much), I've managed to buy them all back thanks to places like Etsy and Ebay and my little putz village is already up on the hutch for this year, since I've had to begin my Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving (since we're hosting our family Christmas on December 1).
Many blessings to you always,
Linda
Laura,
One of the joys of these yearly get togethers is seeing you! I just love your outlook on life…..I am so sorry to hear about your husbands job, we have been there at this time of year and no matter when it seems this time of year the news is a bit more unsettling….your family is in my thoughts and prayers as we go forward this holiday season. Hugs, Sandy
your little houses are so precious, Laura, wonderful job! I admire your attitude in looking on the positive side! hugs and blessings!
Oh, these are just adorable Laura! So sorry to hear about your husbands company. You and your family will be in my thoughts!
I absolutely love these little houses! Thanx so very much for sharing them at THT.
Wonderful Laura!
Sherry
Oh gosh I love this! Your mini houses look so charming and beautiful!