Since the Black Hat Inn is one of my more popular houses, I thought I would go over some of the details involved in making it. I got a lot of ideas from the Cardboard Christmas forum and posted some of this same information there.
I wish I could remember what gave me the idea to make the hat but I really can’t. My co-workers save the white cardboard rolls leftover after we give out stickers. Maybe I was just trying to think of some way to use them. In any case, I got the idea to make a witch hat house. And it was actually pretty easy, roll up a cone of cardboard, secure it and attach it to a cardboard base with a hole in it so the lights can shine through the windows.
Making the Black Hat for the Inn
Below is the witch’s hat of the Black Hat Inn primed with gesso waiting for its signature black paint.
I had to cut triangular windows on the cone shape. It wasn’t easy, but since the dormers cover them up, they can be kind of crooked and it doesn’t matter. The dormers themselves are simple triangles with little flaps in back to attach them to the cone.
I chose to make triangular windows and dormers so I wouldn’t have to worry about the narrowing curve from the bottom of the dormer to the top. I worked out really well.
Here’s the hat painted black – the first time. I had to repaint it several times because I kept getting gesso and other stuff on it before I finished.
Below you can see how the black witch’s hat fits on the ribbon roll base. It’s actually a sticker roll, but you could use a ribbon roll.
Next you see how I twisted paper to make the roots and the bark on the base of Black Hat Inn. I always like using simple materials like newspaper that are easy to find and inexpensive.
Here’s another view of the twisted paper making the roots and bark around the doorway of the Black Hat Inn.
Above you see the very raw form of the base and the foundation to make it look like a tree stump. I also painted the door to look like wood. It’s got a tiny brad to function as the door knob. I was really happy the curved door turned out so well.
Now the base is beginning to look like a tree stump. I did not glue the door on at this time because there is still a lot of painting to do. Somehow during the painting process the cardboard base started curling upward so I later glued it on a bigger piece of cardboard to keep it flat.
See why I had to keep painting the hat over and over? I kept getting white gesso paint on it.
Now I feel the base is really beginning to look like a tree stump. But you may also see how the base is curling. Really the best way to avoid that is to make sure you have a sturdy base before you start gluing the roots to the base.
And now for the final product with the spinning witches and the Black Hat Inn banner, free parking sign and the ghost doorman welcoming you to the Black Hat Inn.
Welcome to the Black Hat Inn
So welcome to the Black Hat Inn with a rotating spinning witch spire, a ghost doorman, and free parking for your brooms.
I think it looks better in person as I am not a very good photographer and my photo background is pretty bland. Overall, I am very happy with this little cardboard house. I may try to build one more before the October Head Start sale. If I do build another one I don’t think I will make it an Inn, I think it will be single residence.
You can find other tree stump houses on my blog:
- Easter Tree Stump houses
- Tree Stump Halloween House
- Paper Fairy Houses -tutorial on JenniferMaker.com and the pattern is in my Paper Glitter Glue Library
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Lynn Koeppen says
September 15, 2015 at 12:27 amSuch a great tutorial! I saw a little cardboard travel trailer, the retro looking kind! I thought that might be a cool house for you to try!