Alanna • 17 • Kildare

16-18 Category   •  2026
I created an abandoned cottage using recycled cardboard and foraged plants from around my area. firstly, i painted three sections of cardboard using acrylic paint and glued them along the edges of the remaining section to create a scene for my cottage. then, i began working on the cottage itself. i used an old shoebox to cut out the walls and used my hot glue gun to assemble the pieces together. i made a door out of scrap cardboard and for the windows, i used an old Polly Pocket. i stained the exterior with coffee to make them appear old and weathered. i used corrugated cardboard for the roof. after everything was painted, i decorated with moss, ivy, twigs and rocks! Overall, it took roughly two months to prepare my final piece.