"Up"-Inspired Pincushion House

Inspiration Quote

"The real adventure is the people we meet along the way."

— Up (2009)

A miniature "Up"-themed house model with floating balloons, using colorful round-headed pins as balloons. This decorative yet functional piece serves as both a reminder to chase dreams and a practical pincushion

Materials:

1. White cardstock (for house structure)
2. Watercolor paper (details)
3. Bamboo skewer (chimney/balloon anchor)
4. Foam ball (balloon base)
5. Colorful round-headed pins ("balloons")
6. LED fairy lights (optional for night effect)

Tools:

1. Pencils, colored pencils, pens
2. Scissors, ruler
3. Student glue, hot glue gun
4. Craft knife (precision cuts)

1. Research: Study "Up" movie posters for house proportions.
2. Sketch: Draft house facades (front, sides, roof) on cardstock.
3. Cut & Assemble:
4. Cut out walls and roofs. Create cross-gabled roofs (horizontal + vertical layers).
5. Reinforce joints with student glue; use hot glue for load-bearing areas (e.g., chimney base).
6. Insert a bamboo skewer into the chimney, secured with hot glue to a thickened cardstock base.
7. Ensure skewer stands vertically to support the "balloon cluster."

1. Outline windows/door with pen for crisp edges.
2. Color walls with pencils/markers:
3. Pastel hues for nostalgia (reference Carl’s house).
4. Weathering effects (light brown washes) for aged wood.

1. Foam Ball Prep: Drill a hole to fit skewer tip; hot-glue in place.
2. Pins as Balloons: Insert pins densely into the foam, mixing colors for vibrancy.
3. LED Lights (Optional): Wrap battery-operated fairy lights around the skewer for a dreamy glow.