tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78367423643043053932024-03-14T07:56:52.866-07:00Five Dollar DollhouseFollow this fixer-upper project!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-13176917423024011762011-06-30T19:06:00.000-07:002011-06-30T19:06:14.122-07:00Surprise! I won a birthday gift!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWbkvQe9UeohasbIuDZwCBxQohipztRljKLv6i4r3Tdieq2-hDACCjChonRQYcWHuTe1ue-0Lkyuo7_jMd9u9sRuj54PAczgSfVCBMO3sDytNR5VQW3rZ22P3_v3GnTMgeRVORjM6mJEG/s1600/blog-100+followers5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWbkvQe9UeohasbIuDZwCBxQohipztRljKLv6i4r3Tdieq2-hDACCjChonRQYcWHuTe1ue-0Lkyuo7_jMd9u9sRuj54PAczgSfVCBMO3sDytNR5VQW3rZ22P3_v3GnTMgeRVORjM6mJEG/s320/blog-100+followers5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't this the cutest little vignette for a birthday party? <a href="http://chrispycrittersminis.blogspot.com/">Chris P.'s Minis and More</a> had a random drawing to celebrate reaching 100 followers (which coincided with her birthday). I'm the lucky person who won the random drawing! Now I must find that special place for this birthday celebration! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP13HnK0U7RUtjBcbiX5mOf4hIzo9e6fbGa9Y8G0av-QhG7pY4eSaSPf86tiy4m5-iwHSJ9qgsXHIT4fAiN7mkKSUy_qQWeCeVsR7CF6_vPSXpgfkWnWp_66hRUr8Z8QgiWW8AL9wPyU/s1600/Atiny+thanks.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP13HnK0U7RUtjBcbiX5mOf4hIzo9e6fbGa9Y8G0av-QhG7pY4eSaSPf86tiy4m5-iwHSJ9qgsXHIT4fAiN7mkKSUy_qQWeCeVsR7CF6_vPSXpgfkWnWp_66hRUr8Z8QgiWW8AL9wPyU/s1600/Atiny+thanks.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mini thanks Chris! I love it!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-91868976801983289422011-06-25T12:40:00.000-07:002011-06-25T12:40:48.119-07:00A Dozen Mini Roses to Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eWgLfb170KkEcE3b_iGQGZy4snvV4bhXG4j7zFVwKjto1ga5cCavNlnY4LrMzFlIUV9q3bhpGdl0XD6k8FjU3eJYBSUk-uZwY6PwlWoRUiRV1ki85o1IqVAFwIkLhn2EorrlEi7vQWM/s1600/IMGP3854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eWgLfb170KkEcE3b_iGQGZy4snvV4bhXG4j7zFVwKjto1ga5cCavNlnY4LrMzFlIUV9q3bhpGdl0XD6k8FjU3eJYBSUk-uZwY6PwlWoRUiRV1ki85o1IqVAFwIkLhn2EorrlEi7vQWM/s320/IMGP3854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been months since I posted anything here! My apologies! Things got busy and I got involved in many other projects, you know how that can go! The $5 dollhouse was finished a long time ago but I need to get some more photos to post! Won't be doing that today, but a few moments ago I stumbled on this tutorial for making miniature roses that I wanted to share. Very nice detail! Take a look at <a href="http://true2scale.blogspot.com/2011/05/miniature-roses-tutorial.html">True2Scale</a> for the instructions. She uses coffee filters or japanese silk paper and punches (1/4" heart, 3/16" teardrop, 1/4" star) to make the flowers and leaves.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-2420249181610507222010-11-20T21:13:00.000-08:002010-11-20T21:14:30.162-08:00Mini Mansion Built from Scratch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mini-mansion.de/upload0306/baudoc/fotosdh1/w_window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.mini-mansion.de/upload0306/baudoc/fotosdh1/w_window.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is possible to make your own large dollhouse on a budget. Just take a simple box shape, add a lot of creativity, and turn it into a mini mansion. Take a look at this <a href="http://www.mini-mansion.de/upload0306/dh1.html">Mini Mansion project</a>. Click the buttons at top of Mini Mansion page for DETAILS and FLOORPLAN.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mini-mansion.de/upload0306/baudoc/fotosdh1/vorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://www.mini-mansion.de/upload0306/baudoc/fotosdh1/vorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-2376316430575309492010-11-13T17:17:00.000-08:002010-11-13T17:17:00.605-08:00How I Made the Bathroom Fixtures- Toilet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9jUF9bAMWdnKFBxmFyH7WGLv3I4iYYCV6wnzDzKHoDXvMwz0IqT4gFJZ17pbGeV6ksmCVlHD2hCx3n7lZove2vO1JEQWxJlPGf2H04mqfgEGv5vTatMtCdJ25d1Xiuf2Uop9kQeH8sI/s1600/bath-finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9jUF9bAMWdnKFBxmFyH7WGLv3I4iYYCV6wnzDzKHoDXvMwz0IqT4gFJZ17pbGeV6ksmCVlHD2hCx3n7lZove2vO1JEQWxJlPGf2H04mqfgEGv5vTatMtCdJ25d1Xiuf2Uop9kQeH8sI/s320/bath-finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom, finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the $5 dollhouse, everything in the bathroom was made from scrap wood and found items. This dollhouse is for a 4 year old child with even younger siblings, so everything has to be sturdy and kid-safe. No tiny or dainty, fragile fixtures here! ;-) See previous posts for how to make flooring, sink and tub. Floor tiles, towels and door between bathroom and bedroom were all printed out and glued on. The baseboard trim and window trim is cut from white craft foam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The toilet was a challenge. How do you make a modern toilet from a piece of wood, short of being a master carver? I guess I could have modeled it out of air-dry or polymer clay, but I didn't think of that until after I finished making the one shown below. But this came out OK and was quick and easy. Next time I'll do better. Maybe I'll make a new one out of clay when they're a little older. *G*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9jUF9bAMWdnKFBxmFyH7WGLv3I4iYYCV6wnzDzKHoDXvMwz0IqT4gFJZ17pbGeV6ksmCVlHD2hCx3n7lZove2vO1JEQWxJlPGf2H04mqfgEGv5vTatMtCdJ25d1Xiuf2Uop9kQeH8sI/s1600/bath-finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYItJsYpE3PYv71VECznreERGWeloI0-bgnyUYLL2BL-eb6HrFF1pKudU77F82PAWbbKwJ4kHTdNhGshe8iWWz219ika__zV1jAGyRCf9tsiFsPPZI3GnPhIHPW9lzd763pP-rKnZf4HE/s1600/bath-toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYItJsYpE3PYv71VECznreERGWeloI0-bgnyUYLL2BL-eb6HrFF1pKudU77F82PAWbbKwJ4kHTdNhGshe8iWWz219ika__zV1jAGyRCf9tsiFsPPZI3GnPhIHPW9lzd763pP-rKnZf4HE/s320/bath-toilet.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bottom, base, of the toilet is a miniature wood flower pot. It was just the right scale! The toilet llid is a ready-made wood disk. The tank is a small rectangular block of basswood. I drilled a small hole on one side of flower pot and a matching hole in bottom of tank block. A sturdy wire was threaded thru the holes and bent to connect the 2 parts. Before glueing, the bendy piece of a flex-straw was added to cover the wire. Everything was painted white and a flush handle was painted on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How to attach the lid was a challenge. I thought it might be fun if the kids could lift the lid....but that wouldn't happen if it was glued on. After attempting a few different things, I ended up using a couple of pieces of scrap magnetic vinyl. One piece was glued to flower pot as the toilet seat, the other piece was the hinge and also glued to the lid. To make the hinge work, the wire that connects the base to the tank was passed thru the hinge before straw was added. Now the lid open and closes magnetically. How fun is that! LOL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay tuned ....almost finished with this project!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-84673755252813399032010-11-10T21:49:00.000-08:002010-11-10T21:49:15.963-08:00How I Made the Bathroom Fixtures- Tub<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingHz1Uli-IfK_9GF5p2LLVF4C9aKnBQdw4THgHLS4XJ0hw88h1l-_LVUC4SQL5ijQGPPpVxu0BdqvVrR65FGU9wOVlRanaO_ySLR3QFDa_zyoNew1XQz-kV09ZuDvmzwQ8yBmq5KbLgs/s1600/bath-finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingHz1Uli-IfK_9GF5p2LLVF4C9aKnBQdw4THgHLS4XJ0hw88h1l-_LVUC4SQL5ijQGPPpVxu0BdqvVrR65FGU9wOVlRanaO_ySLR3QFDa_zyoNew1XQz-kV09ZuDvmzwQ8yBmq5KbLgs/s320/bath-finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Bathroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>The bathroom is now finished. All fixtures were made from wood. The baseboard molding and the molding around the door and window is white fun foam. Making the flooring and sink was discussed in a previous post. The door between the bathroom and bedroom is a printable.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The tub is a block of wood, about 1.5"x2"x5". The interior of tub was routed out (by a friend...not me) and all edges were softly rounded by sanding. The first photo below shows tub after being primed. Hot and cold faucet knobs (child safe) were made by embedding dowels at end of tub.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvQFztuUOJ5e5r0-EiOOaJSkbWnpuDrT4OIGAZfHO3wO2dP3GQL1FUGPiZ2NdFFHokGg2BK-Je_ZLiC0Lgafw1MDWEQrZV6eC6OXSd38O1uz0rw7812adApSMUxl5Ksn2aRpyE_c7e1g/s1600/bath-tub-primd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvQFztuUOJ5e5r0-EiOOaJSkbWnpuDrT4OIGAZfHO3wO2dP3GQL1FUGPiZ2NdFFHokGg2BK-Je_ZLiC0Lgafw1MDWEQrZV6eC6OXSd38O1uz0rw7812adApSMUxl5Ksn2aRpyE_c7e1g/s320/bath-tub-primd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jEltWnHmQ8VOWR33njr-cfzR1sB6GyMqjfcTGDfle_4zz_zajHXNBmv5MZcBlJ3WYu9yQjLathXcfdi1_fsOwJ-Qau2qfLTdVkqmVNBPECdi6OfWaCTW6WAlNCw8kLXpEzsUm4vRZTg/s1600/bath-tub-sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jEltWnHmQ8VOWR33njr-cfzR1sB6GyMqjfcTGDfle_4zz_zajHXNBmv5MZcBlJ3WYu9yQjLathXcfdi1_fsOwJ-Qau2qfLTdVkqmVNBPECdi6OfWaCTW6WAlNCw8kLXpEzsUm4vRZTg/s320/bath-tub-sink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tub was painted white and faucets were painted metallic silver. After paint dried, both the tub and sink|countertop were sprayed with a high gloss finish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun3h-_sY-nLqyNuBp5E5Rfx1eN_UZzmKObatOryZM29ET0u8hoJnv74t9Z8pXAUzNFo1ZtdZ1Sb3RQ_YynTseTJYAkKKHV8VR1xUfP6Uu4Ew-7IJweRR0JKOHkXATHFRi9f_VzQWXjwc/s1600/bath-tub-sink-proptn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhun3h-_sY-nLqyNuBp5E5Rfx1eN_UZzmKObatOryZM29ET0u8hoJnv74t9Z8pXAUzNFo1ZtdZ1Sb3RQ_YynTseTJYAkKKHV8VR1xUfP6Uu4Ew-7IJweRR0JKOHkXATHFRi9f_VzQWXjwc/s320/bath-tub-sink-proptn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-61611995436533873952010-11-02T10:59:00.000-07:002010-12-24T18:21:50.260-08:00How I Made the Bathroom Fixtures-Sink<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5xg4iGONXMyyXENOdad-SjA5MvnAk0266_qEEEs1GWUME_nJ_WB1AkitoAAogcdzLvXrD_i2-3byU9ErSPFdFyrPyloqwXGS0vpg0WHRYttcEqylQrDtsZ7EXoCDytwx0Rx03jvmnLw/s1600/bath-finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5xg4iGONXMyyXENOdad-SjA5MvnAk0266_qEEEs1GWUME_nJ_WB1AkitoAAogcdzLvXrD_i2-3byU9ErSPFdFyrPyloqwXGS0vpg0WHRYttcEqylQrDtsZ7EXoCDytwx0Rx03jvmnLw/s320/bath-finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Bathroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>The 2 main goals of this dollhouse project is to spend as little as possible and to make it child safe....all while making it fun and realistic, of course! The $5 dollhouse is a gift for 4-year old granddaughter, but I have to keep in mind that she has a couple of younger sisters who will undoubtedly handle the furnishings. So "clunky and sturdy" is the name of the game for the bathroom fixtures. If that's not a concern for your dollhouse, you might like one of these sets, all designed for children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5171NWYEX6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5171NWYEX6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Doll-Furniture/dp/B000GYZ32K?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Melissa & Doug Bathroom Furniture Set</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000GYZ32K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001F4TR7M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> is recommended for ages 6-10. I think it's scaled nicely enough for an adults hobby!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41s2I42MOfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41s2I42MOfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DN8FWXCTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DN8FWXCTL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Toy-Doll-House-Bathroom/dp/B000A42YKU?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Plan Toys</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000A42YKU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> has a couple of wooden bathroom sets suitable for ages 3-8.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xhjyE0A5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Loving-Family-Bathroom/dp/B001JK4MRM?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Fisher Price</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001JK4MRM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> has a plastic bathroom set. Recommended for ages 3-7.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div>Although there's quite a few bathroom sets available to purchase in 1" scale, most of them are either too fragile for my younger grandchildren or too expensive for child's play.....so I opted to make some out of wood.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ymVRYsiFfY6nKReMfuq_ZeoRaIjHzzDJugWWRs1vdJJFIJimkYa9YvRTty7BM_pVnmqaiAkS66iKNzty6x2Kg79r4Mm2fe4bN5LEyYKIl3_ey6CoCfQy1k2zlwAXfRYqTfhx2s4eqM/s1600/bath-sink-unpaintd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2ymVRYsiFfY6nKReMfuq_ZeoRaIjHzzDJugWWRs1vdJJFIJimkYa9YvRTty7BM_pVnmqaiAkS66iKNzty6x2Kg79r4Mm2fe4bN5LEyYKIl3_ey6CoCfQy1k2zlwAXfRYqTfhx2s4eqM/s320/bath-sink-unpaintd.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom sink-unpainted</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The photo above is the unpainted rough beginnings of the sink. It is simply a block of wood about 3"x3" and 1.5" thick. I added a couple rectangles of basswood to represent doors and gouged out a round "sink" in the countertop. The faucets are 2 small pieces of dowel inserted in wood next to sink. It looks real enough once painted. Let the kids imagination fill in the blanks! LOL </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDXAIYHiYwcNMsFWIistM0Yt49exnehEGHFztfaGZHo2ozHzUPvcwG0FLSQ87S4y2zkuhAcfWAXdxunWPFAbgsZNgsslww7KF3Eu_7y9lZHqS6CcVLi6PeG4yXk5DqWRvzvXpifgGYyg/s1600/bath-trims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDXAIYHiYwcNMsFWIistM0Yt49exnehEGHFztfaGZHo2ozHzUPvcwG0FLSQ87S4y2zkuhAcfWAXdxunWPFAbgsZNgsslww7KF3Eu_7y9lZHqS6CcVLi6PeG4yXk5DqWRvzvXpifgGYyg/s320/bath-trims.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath sink and cabinet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The photo above shows the finished sink along with a wall cabinet and some faux towels. The faucets were painted silver and the countertop painted pink with a multi-color splatter technique (used an old toothbrush to splatter various colors). Both the sink and countertop were top coated with a high gloss finish to add a little to the realism. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wall cabinet was rescued from the original dollhouse. It was missing a door! Made a new door from basswood and painted it all white. I had a small piece of very shiny silver vinyl in my stash of stuff and used that for "mirrors". The towels hanging on the wall are a printable set of towels glued on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh...and the cabinet doors open and close with hinges made from tiny nails. A nail is inserted in <u>top of cabinet</u>, going all the way thru and nailed into the top of door near edge. Another nail is goes thru bottom of cabinet into bottom of door. Works swell and is completely embedded in wood so should be safe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the above photo you can also see the finish molding around the window and the baseboard. All moldings were made with white "fun foam" cut to size. Much easier than cutting & painting wood and it looks surprisingly nice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we'll make the tub!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOazsKcw28m7Y-Bxxp2VnujgUisiMGdDZOpB_-Yj5mtoKFLZXz_7lufX83AO0rEZLSkoVq9V70URv_TWvwbV4o-qo6YaDwN_4UEpZCKSln5HG-iSZFPG3e85N9rX5n3syhgM3gJCIDkk/s1600/bath-tub-sink-proptn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOazsKcw28m7Y-Bxxp2VnujgUisiMGdDZOpB_-Yj5mtoKFLZXz_7lufX83AO0rEZLSkoVq9V70URv_TWvwbV4o-qo6YaDwN_4UEpZCKSln5HG-iSZFPG3e85N9rX5n3syhgM3gJCIDkk/s320/bath-tub-sink-proptn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-57081713876879751632010-10-31T13:26:00.000-07:002010-10-31T13:26:53.311-07:00Bathroom Finishing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs-q2FQBeSV6jwP2CNgyvZk-0-pcHTU-O7D71KcUw_nnvPSgBwwGyVebUt-JHNBkzrGJ9GkkvSdld9LSmo3R1HTG_s1dd3_5u3xIXPQpfo6NeAN7gY8pQa6PuNndtd71-gogSQ3RymyU/s1600/bath-paperd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs-q2FQBeSV6jwP2CNgyvZk-0-pcHTU-O7D71KcUw_nnvPSgBwwGyVebUt-JHNBkzrGJ9GkkvSdld9LSmo3R1HTG_s1dd3_5u3xIXPQpfo6NeAN7gY8pQa6PuNndtd71-gogSQ3RymyU/s320/bath-paperd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom-before flooring added</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not much to show in this small bathroom. This room was papered with real-life wallpaper that I just happened to have a large enough sized sample. Very, very little was left over! It was close! LOL The scale of the pink & blue print was just right for the dollhouse and also goes nicely with the pink bedroom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrLlqgKlIbnY3con-AG4AlKlAx-PdskSXQg18BhJBgaLAx8j3JynutmEjYZupiXm3khWpj9Vg22x58z5-q_pTqt8Ol-eN0qOKrvlPiJCh0yTsC0vTVJB9tik7s3LjqAnPD0KBYP_yaV4/s1600/bath-floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrLlqgKlIbnY3con-AG4AlKlAx-PdskSXQg18BhJBgaLAx8j3JynutmEjYZupiXm3khWpj9Vg22x58z5-q_pTqt8Ol-eN0qOKrvlPiJCh0yTsC0vTVJB9tik7s3LjqAnPD0KBYP_yaV4/s320/bath-floor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom with printable flooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bathroom floor is a printable tile design that I made to match pink in wallpaper. I covered the ink-jet printout with clear vinyl shelf paper ("Contact" paper) to give it a tile-look sheen. Before cutting out the flooring from printout, I made a paper pattern using brown craft paper. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq0h22NRg0YL0e8cvApggjUIArmUJuzvbMN3pcUDUuGrZjYJXaO9d90krLas9Fk6nvScdYZ4OcktbA624aSX3Wyip1CPUu0KwxwLhSVh_DtP1TjBDuaWj_fs1W6pzHI9g6H47Af1h1ck/s1600/bathroom016sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxq0h22NRg0YL0e8cvApggjUIArmUJuzvbMN3pcUDUuGrZjYJXaO9d90krLas9Fk6nvScdYZ4OcktbA624aSX3Wyip1CPUu0KwxwLhSVh_DtP1TjBDuaWj_fs1W6pzHI9g6H47Af1h1ck/s1600/bathroom016sample.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use your graphics program to alter color of this <br />
pattern to suit your own room and then fill a full sheet of paper to print.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make the pattern: Cut a piece of craft paper a little larger than the estimated size of room and place it on floor. Then take a stylus (or a not-too-sharp pencil) and emboss or rub a mark all around the edges where floor meets wall. Before removing paper from room, mark the paper with an arrow to indicate back wall, so you'll know which end is which when you remove paper. Believe me, top-bottom-front-back CAN get mixed up!! Next, cut out the pattern based on that mark and fit it into the room. Any places that don't fit exactly can be patched with a scrap of paper taped onto pattern and re-cut. Make sure you have a well-fitting pattern before cutting your flooring. This is especially important if you've purchased a $10 pack of dollhouse flooring and don't want any mistakes! *G*</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, remember to place pattern on flooring with the correct side UP. Turn your flooring material over and trace your pattern onto the back side of your flooring .....<u>making sure the pattern is also upside down</u>. I'll be glad to answer any questions about making your own tile pattern...just ask!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-63227448522097564852010-10-27T11:20:00.000-07:002010-10-27T11:33:21.706-07:00Decorating the Playroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZIsIt4Tyl7EF6kqbd2vAdj2z_2Q60ad_LQYGRjyRZVHJOY-wUn-t1DXC8Js7DrdEcGsPHNPRTX-4J4eF6-DUkalCR88vSfFew-TTl6FU4N-uWFLDQhhQLwGVfB2sI-Y_jGbegmLa1qU/s1600/playrm-done1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZIsIt4Tyl7EF6kqbd2vAdj2z_2Q60ad_LQYGRjyRZVHJOY-wUn-t1DXC8Js7DrdEcGsPHNPRTX-4J4eF6-DUkalCR88vSfFew-TTl6FU4N-uWFLDQhhQLwGVfB2sI-Y_jGbegmLa1qU/s320/playrm-done1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The top floor of the $5 dollhouse has height limitations due to the gable roof. I decided to decorate this as a generic playroom so granddaughter could use it in many different ways, not just as bedroom. This room was decorated at practically no cost. I also made some furnishings for it at little cost, which I'll show later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUoDaLbItkQz0BBMs_AWNw-5Ce5ADPhFxfh0i3REbSg1d3addUVckg41OxId1Fgq3XJnLSTwUtXZV0IYUF_u1I7DPgV2lWCZS73cDOb66R-7n2iCyVDQSCAke7XdV2hNTWuej3GeIxj0/s1600/playrm-floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUoDaLbItkQz0BBMs_AWNw-5Ce5ADPhFxfh0i3REbSg1d3addUVckg41OxId1Fgq3XJnLSTwUtXZV0IYUF_u1I7DPgV2lWCZS73cDOb66R-7n2iCyVDQSCAke7XdV2hNTWuej3GeIxj0/s320/playrm-floor.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The floor in this room of the original $5 dollhouse was in very bad shape with old glue and other things stuck to it. I could have covered it in carpet, I guess, but I wanted a wood floor here. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Instead of trying to sand and fix the original floor, I used a piece of thin plywood to cover up the original floor. Before giving it an acrylic finish, I used a pencil to draw lines to represent the gap between floorboards. Photo here shows vertical lines added. Randomly spaced horizontal lines would be drawn to represent the length of each board. You could also make the width of each board more random than I did. Additionally, if you like, you could add a couple of dots at end of each board to represent the nail heads in a more rustic floor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the wood is coated with an acrylic finish, the pencil lines & indentations make it look like real flooring. Be sure to use a ruler and measure for accurate straight lines! ;-)<br />
<br />
Tip: I made a paper pattern first before cutting plywood for floor. This gives exact dimensions, especially when room isn't perfectly square. You could use a brown paper grocery bag to make pattern.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't glue this floor down. It fit well enough where glue wasn't needed. Also, by not being glued down the wood floor could expand and contract with the humidity and hopefully, avoid any problems.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because the floor wasn't glued down, I removed it to paint and wallpaper.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I found a 'Dora the Explorer' wallpaper border printable that was the exact same height as the short wall in the room. I think I found it at <a href="http://www.jennifersprintables.com/">Jennifer's Printables</a> ...I'll have to check and get back to you on that!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> All kids love Dora, so I settled on that. The walls were painted a corresponding blue using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Americana-Acrylic-Paint-Ounces-Chiffon/dp/B001B2P3KI?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Americana</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001B2P3KI" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Craft Paint. It required a couple of coats!</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdEC6yCkP4WyAmnBXh8MsWlhSuI2pMbrMjs4wLYL1aQscMHZ8Amq5f8hIcmBzau3oFzq73kKTTYHm8Ec2KduSzdRDQSl_4YqpWqKnRAwdFvM-_XTDXnvWtvRYMDpXrPJLwBij3eFdPRE/s1600/playrm-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdEC6yCkP4WyAmnBXh8MsWlhSuI2pMbrMjs4wLYL1aQscMHZ8Amq5f8hIcmBzau3oFzq73kKTTYHm8Ec2KduSzdRDQSl_4YqpWqKnRAwdFvM-_XTDXnvWtvRYMDpXrPJLwBij3eFdPRE/s320/playrm-closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo shows close-up of wallpaper border <br />
(and also some of the bumps and gunk on the original floor!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stumbled upon a printable of a small hexagon window and thought it would fit well on the back wall. After I printed out the window, it was sprayed with a fixative so ink wouldn't bleed when I glued it. Also, it was glued to a piece of cardboard first, just to give it a little dimension. Finished room is below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbMCralMS04OGRYIvE6uxrJTiExhq6CtyhUm7K-jSm3qpjrv9uUrvrhhA-R5YxPtYskdGYZ1JGxY9jsUKyGJSm6grLXajEX9EFqi1EnKRZEK8ZQMxZ_PQKlyUHwMqa6VoUEK3TNMwVpM/s1600/playrm-done2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbMCralMS04OGRYIvE6uxrJTiExhq6CtyhUm7K-jSm3qpjrv9uUrvrhhA-R5YxPtYskdGYZ1JGxY9jsUKyGJSm6grLXajEX9EFqi1EnKRZEK8ZQMxZ_PQKlyUHwMqa6VoUEK3TNMwVpM/s320/playrm-done2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-9056254218600137302010-10-16T21:58:00.000-07:002010-10-16T21:59:55.334-07:00Another Michaels Hutch-Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeobwlxTC3I/AAAAAAAABjY/yVtHP-g9VLU/s320/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeobwlxTC3I/AAAAAAAABjY/yVtHP-g9VLU/s320/5.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This time one of those great $1 hutches has been turned into a laundry room wall cabinet by Doreen at <a href="http://doreensprojects.blogspot.com/2009/04/sewing-and-laundry-room.html">Doreen's Miniature Projects</a>. Finished cabinet is shown above and the original hutch shown below.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeoXJpFGrMI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QHMo7S_UVx4/s320/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeoXJpFGrMI/AAAAAAAABjQ/QHMo7S_UVx4/s320/3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is how it looks in the finished laundry room. Well done Doreen! Visit her blog to read more about this <a href="http://doreensprojects.blogspot.com/2009/04/sewing-and-laundry-room.html">Sewing and Laundry Room Project</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeoQk_yeBII/AAAAAAAABhQ/OcIbsf_Svnw/s1600/2009_0408today40033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp3ID1I3KHs/SeoQk_yeBII/AAAAAAAABhQ/OcIbsf_Svnw/s320/2009_0408today40033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-16339750967351815342010-10-14T13:00:00.000-07:002010-10-14T13:00:30.449-07:00Travel Trailer Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennsminis.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/mincollectorjune2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://jennsminis.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/mincollectorjune2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I came across this 'work in progress' at Jenn's Mini World that I just had to share! She has step-by-step photos showing how she created this mini travel trailer following instructions from <i>Miniature Collector</i> magazine. I love those 'romantic' old trailers and always wanted one myself, but maybe I can make one in miniature! ;-) This is a half-inch scale project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go <a href="http://jennsminis.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/fun-interim-project-part-i/">here for Part One</a> for lots of pics, plus some tips for making the project</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://jennsminis.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/half-inch-trailer-part-ii/">Part Two</a> includes Helpful Hints (Or, what I learned the hard way)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://jennsminis.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/12-inch-trailer-part-2-5/">Part 2.5</a> Note about error in design</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://jennsminis.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/half-inch-trailer-part-iii-the-last/">Part 3 and Finish</a> Showing finished interior & accessories</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennsminis.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/insideleft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://jennsminis.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/insideleft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-60736752768503854922010-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:002010-10-12T17:33:33.429-07:00How Dollhouse Kits Are MadeVideo tour of factory at "Real Good Toys", makers of some very fine dollhouse kits. Video shows assembly of a deluxe dollhouse and the process and machinery that makes all those detailed parts!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TwIOZXHbaR8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TwIOZXHbaR8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-45232888262347282952010-10-09T16:35:00.000-07:002010-10-09T16:57:34.473-07:00Decorating the Pink Bedroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7wAG0Ce2nBHmV57TNqBAiuQCsvPfFY09mRS3JjvF9yfag9pE4JRPE7isOLkv7IVf4-sAw7YdFr5duV8_RAMDRhaLZWXqw_4nlkGBFgzzmMt0b93ATkT-cWcoAHj4_ZCV83Tq39Fvsmo/s1600/100_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7wAG0Ce2nBHmV57TNqBAiuQCsvPfFY09mRS3JjvF9yfag9pE4JRPE7isOLkv7IVf4-sAw7YdFr5duV8_RAMDRhaLZWXqw_4nlkGBFgzzmMt0b93ATkT-cWcoAHj4_ZCV83Tq39Fvsmo/s320/100_0791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the pink bedroom I will be using a variety of materials. The pink-striped paper shown in the photo above is 12"x12" scrapbooking paper purchased on sale. The purple and pink pattern is a printable butterfly wallpaper border. The pink fabric shown above is a felt square I originally planned to use for carpeting. It was the right color but I also thought it was a little thin for carpeting. When I saw some plush fleece on sale, I thought it would work much better as it was thicker, with more pile. You can see it in finished room below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first step was painting the room bubblegum pink. I just used craft paint for this. One coat was enough because the walls had been primed first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA47SPtMrWJF6tqiD-xSlLlBpO_64m-CluqI0P7A7BFSzRsMymgW_gfOdIh7OjzHmTNKLdY-fyBSBymYqmxiX-J06DkGMVi6MgK-CMu83gOXmU8oH1dIZGv_FSH-GLX_2voqNNQRtkCNk/s1600/bdrm1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA47SPtMrWJF6tqiD-xSlLlBpO_64m-CluqI0P7A7BFSzRsMymgW_gfOdIh7OjzHmTNKLdY-fyBSBymYqmxiX-J06DkGMVi6MgK-CMu83gOXmU8oH1dIZGv_FSH-GLX_2voqNNQRtkCNk/s320/bdrm1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I used thinned Elmer's Glue as wallpaper paste to attach the striped scrapbook paper as wainscoting. By only covering half the wall, one sheet was enough for the whole room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EcR9JNfUgSotLx0KFXJZDqoyoBYtJEUL_-5lgIz6FK5pRFEFi25op0q6peHIwFOzYbj2QZ_Zk8eTHiTwT8jeK1YaW3gcKfIWoz8B4em91uTDFTeJtN4tyKnbUsT97FOpWOlWjc22ChQ/s1600/bdrm1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EcR9JNfUgSotLx0KFXJZDqoyoBYtJEUL_-5lgIz6FK5pRFEFi25op0q6peHIwFOzYbj2QZ_Zk8eTHiTwT8jeK1YaW3gcKfIWoz8B4em91uTDFTeJtN4tyKnbUsT97FOpWOlWjc22ChQ/s320/bdrm1-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After wallpaper dried, I added the border. Multiple copies of the border were printed out as a full page (using good quality paper) and sprayed with a matte sealer before using (otherwise the ink may bleed). Then borders were carefully cut out and glued to top of wainscoting, which, as planned, lined up with bottom of window. No cutting around window was needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the carpet, I made a paper pattern first, to make sure I got the size correct the first time. Because this is a recycled dollhouse, I suspected all walls weren't perfectly square....and they weren't! The center wall was a bit off-square, but not too noticeable to be concerned with. Below is the finished pink bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoRTp2ndwtdohlSspOKPx41NQFvjWdJq8vpqqLLhwtzBcXskxFUBzVWykOaTD6DZippXIqpJ19pyu5r9SOf56ns3nCmD6bCj8CWEkTb-14j0n1EtsCiuuyrvHMS0aVLxjCNvhf1mrzjA/s1600/bdrm1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoRTp2ndwtdohlSspOKPx41NQFvjWdJq8vpqqLLhwtzBcXskxFUBzVWykOaTD6DZippXIqpJ19pyu5r9SOf56ns3nCmD6bCj8CWEkTb-14j0n1EtsCiuuyrvHMS0aVLxjCNvhf1mrzjA/s320/bdrm1-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The carpet was glued down, but only a few spots of glue in corners and along front edge. I used fabric glue for this because other glues might bleed through the carpet and leave a dark spot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't make any curtains for the windows. I may do that later....or just wait until the kids get older before adding those kind of details. So far, so good! ;-) Next we'll tackle the bathroom.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-9421975527366038932010-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:002010-10-06T11:07:51.008-07:00How to Shingle a Dollhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeSBpGfJzCOB5BDieFQ0sYhAcxmWHbIwmuRJ2B_UxYRsCnZPEkmF0G0-g4kuL8TTzgK7_Ap0xl9KaYxJaH_5zENzAFagw86E3WIZqYX2iGKPlbNJNKamT49mfkSLlHT7FBpjnOFj0IMc/s1600/victoriancottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeSBpGfJzCOB5BDieFQ0sYhAcxmWHbIwmuRJ2B_UxYRsCnZPEkmF0G0-g4kuL8TTzgK7_Ap0xl9KaYxJaH_5zENzAFagw86E3WIZqYX2iGKPlbNJNKamT49mfkSLlHT7FBpjnOFj0IMc/s320/victoriancottage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I painted faux shingles on the $5 dollhouse, but if you want to put real shingles on your dollhouse you must see the <a href="http://moreminis.blogspot.com/2008/05/shingling-guide.html">Shingling Guide at More Minis</a>. Great ideas for getting it right on the first try!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-42058715188265146592010-10-01T13:43:00.000-07:002010-10-01T17:34:02.976-07:00Painted Landscaping<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxfQTRkK_kPvdGPSFwc4JR-xaE5CB_o1tHjvqwNIq_Vzy8QAo5c2RksP5L9QNBxOwcaN22YqBDjLdQwPi6sOQrZth8KDxkyqDBbOIPKAu1oU_l_RajLvmOYfnCzaDJHbd5PksY5nppiU/s1600/onlay-right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxfQTRkK_kPvdGPSFwc4JR-xaE5CB_o1tHjvqwNIq_Vzy8QAo5c2RksP5L9QNBxOwcaN22YqBDjLdQwPi6sOQrZth8KDxkyqDBbOIPKAu1oU_l_RajLvmOYfnCzaDJHbd5PksY5nppiU/s320/onlay-right.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onlay attached to right side</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The painted Masonite cutout (onlay) to represent landscaping is done and attached to house! Not the world's greatest paint job... (I'm running short on time to finish!! ....*G*....no time to fuss!)....but it's suppose to be cute and cartoon-y anyway, not realistic. The idea was to add some bright colors and things that the kids would enjoy looking at....but still keep it simple. (See <a href="http://5dollardollhouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/decorating-with-shrubs-and-trees.html">previous post</a> to see steps taken to cutout before painting.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgZVvdG7HSaGJIXrhBTpGzMPVXAA-QpjTWPiiRFIP9GrGu_oZ9LG1pFyz8Qw9ZIXbBkukcQJ-KZsLyUBPs9fRBYvMDwd_Yxl8vX2VEQQ2Zv8SdGR7c9NTHd9gFCvlOCmFmim4y0oVTDs/s1600/onlay-left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgZVvdG7HSaGJIXrhBTpGzMPVXAA-QpjTWPiiRFIP9GrGu_oZ9LG1pFyz8Qw9ZIXbBkukcQJ-KZsLyUBPs9fRBYvMDwd_Yxl8vX2VEQQ2Zv8SdGR7c9NTHd9gFCvlOCmFmim4y0oVTDs/s320/onlay-left.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onlay glued to left side</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The birdhouses are added on as an additional layer of wood for a little dimension. I also added some window shutters. Another excuse for adding spots of color. Nothing complicated about the shutters, just an easy-to-make rectangle of thin wood with a painted heart to dress it up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">That pretty well finishes up what I plan to do with exterior!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-29936933030543957012010-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:002010-10-01T13:28:13.031-07:00Michaels Hutch Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_hei1xed6sNx1BHdRZIV6YSBAC1Eb_jYv8y-MDTlOeXd1NoHDJLmxmaqhJIpItWu1LvlqB1tDBopkwJ6S4zRc1x_4vB3i9YQNoQtZCNj1JCOen19NlYkxukudjAwRYWJPsMdqQCHlgg/s1600/5hutches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_hei1xed6sNx1BHdRZIV6YSBAC1Eb_jYv8y-MDTlOeXd1NoHDJLmxmaqhJIpItWu1LvlqB1tDBopkwJ6S4zRc1x_4vB3i9YQNoQtZCNj1JCOen19NlYkxukudjAwRYWJPsMdqQCHlgg/s320/5hutches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the different styles available</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Michaels Crafts sells these miniature hutches made from unfinished wood for only $1.oo!!!. They are pretty close to 1:12 scale. There's quite a few different designs and most have working doors and drawers. They are very nice as is...but modifying these inexpensive little hutches into something else has become quite popular. The hutches are easy to take apart and "kitbash" the pieces into something new! The price is so low, you can buy a bunch....so you won't feel guilty destroying a perfectly fine hutch! LOL <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/miniatures/1/0/L/j/-/-/fireplaceback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/miniatures/1/0/L/j/-/-/fireplaceback.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deconstruction!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've seen quite a few tutorials for converting these hutches into different pieces of furniture. I've collected a few links and will post them all as I find them on a special page for <b>Michaels Hutch Bash</b> (see menu above). Here's a few to start:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Fireplace Hearth</span><br />
<a href="http://miniatures.about.com/od/dollshousefurniture/ss/fireplacebuild.htm">Step by step instructions</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/miniatures/1/0/F/j/-/-/fireplacehutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/miniatures/1/0/F/j/-/-/fireplacehutch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Hutch used for fireplace is shown upside-down!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Gs-C1FVrHfkGMtpge-Kr8aT9xyNM9BlOVd24hyHhnkQ2q13M5T3x4p9ANeVDW3vVXquSnM32LQgQGttJx-8TWUjl8Pm9mdBryPSda6X8i3RVu8dlMcnQUe8jW65006wrcWlClP8lvA/s1600/BLUE+CABINET.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7Gs-C1FVrHfkGMtpge-Kr8aT9xyNM9BlOVd24hyHhnkQ2q13M5T3x4p9ANeVDW3vVXquSnM32LQgQGttJx-8TWUjl8Pm9mdBryPSda6X8i3RVu8dlMcnQUe8jW65006wrcWlClP8lvA/s320/BLUE+CABINET.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">New England Miniatures</td></tr>
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Here's another bash of same hutch from<br />
<a href="http://newenglandminiatures.blogspot.com/2009/08/amos-goochs-cottage-part-3-cabinets.html">New England Miniatures</a>....very nicely done distressed country blue finish by New England Miniatures.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">...........................................</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOXApGr6XvoyKOkUJjAH6lF_aKnzUA3cc87G1x1HBGExkyYJb-8CV9Fuiiery_VBoKkr-NRrC8SgMBVqFpojnGcX8CrkvkVqQvDbNjfvv-HuQb8dp1dx3HM9p0E91o6YxqX3tlCUF5vE/s1600/low+cab+from+hutch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOXApGr6XvoyKOkUJjAH6lF_aKnzUA3cc87G1x1HBGExkyYJb-8CV9Fuiiery_VBoKkr-NRrC8SgMBVqFpojnGcX8CrkvkVqQvDbNjfvv-HuQb8dp1dx3HM9p0E91o6YxqX3tlCUF5vE/s1600/low+cab+from+hutch.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_bzkL40ShB4aq__1nMFhz6Vm00DrNWnq4gt8knTzs8KvFs4saJNyLmfnQTR1rtVYly1nhCcolwrwYiwpiJhKZKHG7naKwI6trHk0Try1u1HztE3NBH0x2x4Pvlv-3dT4IQPIvibovGg/s1600/LOW+CABINET+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_bzkL40ShB4aq__1nMFhz6Vm00DrNWnq4gt8knTzs8KvFs4saJNyLmfnQTR1rtVYly1nhCcolwrwYiwpiJhKZKHG7naKwI6trHk0Try1u1HztE3NBH0x2x4Pvlv-3dT4IQPIvibovGg/s200/LOW+CABINET+(7).JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"></span>Also from New England Miniatures, a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"> distressed red </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">low cabinet. Step by step instructions for this <a href="http://newenglandminiatures.blogspot.com/2009/08/amos-goochs-cottage-part-3-cabinets.html">hutch bash can be found here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">...........................................</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Plate Rack and Wall Shelf</span><br />
<a href="http://www.letsbuildadollhouse.com/lbdhbuil%20plate%20rack.htm">See how it was done-click here</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.letsbuildadollhouse.com/carolesdollhouse/caroleh018a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.letsbuildadollhouse.com/carolesdollhouse/caroleh018a.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made from this hutch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.letsbuildadollhouse.com/carolesdollhouse/caroleh021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://www.letsbuildadollhouse.com/carolesdollhouse/caroleh021.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">...........................................</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Computer Desk</span><br />
<a href="http://orrlakemusings.blogspot.com/2009/06/multi-tasking-computer-desk-tutorial.html">Click here for instructions</a></div><div><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX1r9igWfC9J8uDY8lEEUOWme8WkyZGPrcA371FccCKewgoEu0S20gYzwkP5PrB3jEugtEJt9dCLQkbhoNDRGbZ0HYNdhL35XSKNRfxN9BvCA3XWhFKMepW4Q-NY9Be4jiafLB1LFFLI/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX1r9igWfC9J8uDY8lEEUOWme8WkyZGPrcA371FccCKewgoEu0S20gYzwkP5PrB3jEugtEJt9dCLQkbhoNDRGbZ0HYNdhL35XSKNRfxN9BvCA3XWhFKMepW4Q-NY9Be4jiafLB1LFFLI/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author doesn't show which hutch was used for this project, <br />
but many of them have these little doors. <br />
This could have been made from<br />
leftovers of the plate rack project shown above!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">...........................................</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Extra tall hutch </span><br />
<br />
</div><div><a href="http://caseymini.blogspot.com/2008/07/messing-with-michaels-hutches.html" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: underline;">Remodeling a Michael's Hutch, part 1 of 3</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://caseymini.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-hutch.html" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: none;">Remodeling Michael's Hutch, part 2 of 3</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://caseymini.blogspot.com/2008/07/multiply-by-10.html" style="color: #940f04; text-decoration: none;">Remodeling Michael's Hutch, part 3 of 3</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_XiHTSI1IvG-A5pyxfwRgXVvp4Isun_l_4R5pbtdcbxL1vv8l3eHgBFTrJ4j_bSTOJ6qvIEUgsNpmB70mxk0qSCOGcS40EmHwswtg6f8MvpMjny1Am4dBc_qtujLE9aWY2IhXFl_xbg/s1600/hutch-2dr3shf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_XiHTSI1IvG-A5pyxfwRgXVvp4Isun_l_4R5pbtdcbxL1vv8l3eHgBFTrJ4j_bSTOJ6qvIEUgsNpmB70mxk0qSCOGcS40EmHwswtg6f8MvpMjny1Am4dBc_qtujLE9aWY2IhXFl_xbg/s200/hutch-2dr3shf.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is the hutch used<br />
to make the 'Extra Tall Hutch'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DJaRkI4ZqSsI-cBKxmeEKW7BQEJVmfyEWqa0bdknAUH-5eqmvKliPVLSbMmw2w13zrDgA3ivixspIbQVSsDYJahAT6TVKO4LtqFQn5ywVRHkSvnpWmP81BqgtV9jFGmdGbnxazcmBa0/s1600/shirts+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DJaRkI4ZqSsI-cBKxmeEKW7BQEJVmfyEWqa0bdknAUH-5eqmvKliPVLSbMmw2w13zrDgA3ivixspIbQVSsDYJahAT6TVKO4LtqFQn5ywVRHkSvnpWmP81BqgtV9jFGmdGbnxazcmBa0/s320/shirts+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">...........................................</span></div><br />
<div>Of course, you could always use them as a hutch!! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckRNwWKpTvD8gmK0Y5zwgmAcH1wCRfR3lcrep0Do4_sFmmi8M4nge4bXCQAg3iXFZqvBqO_Vlp-pPKp5hyphenhyphenXNO0hmsQZwgePxJ_HVcbJnyaG7FPFvWgRW0_vrULKKi_48vNNQ7vPKs9D8/s1600/hutch+by+dalesdreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckRNwWKpTvD8gmK0Y5zwgmAcH1wCRfR3lcrep0Do4_sFmmi8M4nge4bXCQAg3iXFZqvBqO_Vlp-pPKp5hyphenhyphenXNO0hmsQZwgePxJ_HVcbJnyaG7FPFvWgRW0_vrULKKi_48vNNQ7vPKs9D8/s320/hutch+by+dalesdreams.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hutch by Dale's Dreams</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_jlSQulh7Vvk6eQlFiBtwyuEIshZtcILHUaw1bd1hNTHsXoTEvGXpn2cM_LU4cJwDaV4qEO-z-1NnMLSX1vcTNc0ZYsYiJj1RPTp1cr-BQs2bKIL2AixKf1vwXgsEZkLyIuYp7hPosM/s1600/hutch+by+craftsty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_jlSQulh7Vvk6eQlFiBtwyuEIshZtcILHUaw1bd1hNTHsXoTEvGXpn2cM_LU4cJwDaV4qEO-z-1NnMLSX1vcTNc0ZYsYiJj1RPTp1cr-BQs2bKIL2AixKf1vwXgsEZkLyIuYp7hPosM/s320/hutch+by+craftsty.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hutch by craftsty<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Here's a Michael's hutch decorated for Halloween <a href="http://halloweenalliance.com/howto/crafts/wall-hutches-halloween-folk-art.htm">along with painting tutorial</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halloweenalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hutch01-complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://halloweenalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hutch01-complete.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rumor is that Michaels may quit carrying these little gems....so stock up while you can. I've seen them elsewhere for as much as $10 each!!!! I've stocked up on a few, but haven't decided yet what to make for the $5 Dollhouse!</div><div><br />
If you have something you've made with Michael's hutches please let me know! I'd love to feature your photos or your tutorial.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-32969547736795613752010-09-24T11:58:00.000-07:002010-09-24T18:29:51.316-07:00Decorating With Shrubs and Trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwio_21yFuVYnJiBDlh-YeStXqT0t3alJOgnXajJcCOLt0p_Hfmz8EI-7eiv4fMzJp1RHhcJwmQ-ooeDzlqqqWd-rvmgefhEUc2lKX5Qx6pdyoHruhbgBijO92_k5p5UTvFMqdOaJ6nrE/s1600/onlay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwio_21yFuVYnJiBDlh-YeStXqT0t3alJOgnXajJcCOLt0p_Hfmz8EI-7eiv4fMzJp1RHhcJwmQ-ooeDzlqqqWd-rvmgefhEUc2lKX5Qx6pdyoHruhbgBijO92_k5p5UTvFMqdOaJ6nrE/s320/onlay2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this low-cost, kid-friendly dollhouse, I decided to <b>paint</b> shrubs, trees and other plantings onto side of house instead of using any easily damaged and potentially unsafe materials. To make painting easier on myself (and also give it a little dimension), I created an "onlay" for the shrubs out of some scrap Masonite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Landscaping started out looking like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhKruETloLcALP48FMmtmnzF5pLWKpIUJSTkBTGuLTaIOC5bvE4z0XvR1glWWHrmHUUWHFZ7c8OfYHZ8XENZWIC36W0bW412k3mUaawx3YHZvyaeHGtGNkcCwSt0767XTxHG8I0qAJDQ/s1600/onlay-trims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhKruETloLcALP48FMmtmnzF5pLWKpIUJSTkBTGuLTaIOC5bvE4z0XvR1glWWHrmHUUWHFZ7c8OfYHZ8XENZWIC36W0bW412k3mUaawx3YHZvyaeHGtGNkcCwSt0767XTxHG8I0qAJDQ/s320/onlay-trims.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using some basic tole painting techniques....we have created a nice row of trees and shrubs to apply to each side of the house. Basecoat with medium foliage green. Imagine some shrub shapes and, using a stippling motion, highlight one side of with a light foliage green and the other side with a deep green. I made no attempt at realistic shapes......just ellipses...puffy ball shapes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMogQF-mFXU2FO1ILaMaUey29Pz0mx6zK6hubZyyT4zskMBUs3u6nDCtG-R3nmpudNd0KfSYKlDm4ao0MbbL9gIAHS6GWA1QpTfKnle8Bzvkh_vetOgaOm0Q-np956aaG0M_2t_jBtUGQ/s1600/onlay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMogQF-mFXU2FO1ILaMaUey29Pz0mx6zK6hubZyyT4zskMBUs3u6nDCtG-R3nmpudNd0KfSYKlDm4ao0MbbL9gIAHS6GWA1QpTfKnle8Bzvkh_vetOgaOm0Q-np956aaG0M_2t_jBtUGQ/s320/onlay1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This decorative onlay is not quite done. I plan on adding some flowers and birdhouses for added color. I promise I will show you the finished photos soon. I also plan on adding some shutters to the windows to dress things up a bit more! The black and white checks are there just because I like checks and it also adds a little whimsey. ;-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tip: Notice that the red color of the house is painted between the branches of the tree. That makes cutting out the onlay shape a whole bunch easier! No tiny branches to cut! Once it's applied to house, you'll never notice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-16565967992862284762010-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:002010-09-22T19:53:39.672-07:00Faux-painted Dollhouse Shingles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvTAi_dJuyYZcoI7YkdHNtoVJ0jCPw1s6fZIky_-qMRghGkjXP7Y9YnMwuT_VrWcxa4WRnO-C04m4KQBSRn5qJ_FME-6nCzmSzwu_XUa0yFmp10DEeLk34YRr0yxQNqRXtMUetEhQT_Y/s1600/roof-redo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvTAi_dJuyYZcoI7YkdHNtoVJ0jCPw1s6fZIky_-qMRghGkjXP7Y9YnMwuT_VrWcxa4WRnO-C04m4KQBSRn5qJ_FME-6nCzmSzwu_XUa0yFmp10DEeLk34YRr0yxQNqRXtMUetEhQT_Y/s320/roof-redo7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Gosh! I can't believe a week has gone by already and I haven't updated the tale of the roof re-do on the dollhouse! I've been so busy working on the house, I just haven't had time to talk about it! Sorry! ;-)<br />
<br />
If you've been following along from the start, you know that my first attempt at applying a printable pattern of asphalt shingles ran into a number of problems (mostly with printing). After a few frustrating attempts I tore the glued on paper "roofing" off and started over by painting the roof a basecoat of medium brown. This has to be a kid-friendly roof treatment...so, no shingles (until child gets older). The plan is to <i>paint</i> some faux asphalt shingles for the dollhouse!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The next step was sponge painting a texture in various colors to represent the colors seen in asphalt shingles. I used the printable pattern I started with for inspiration and chose black, burnt sienna and a very light brown. First application is black....looks pretty ugly at this stage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvljvOFJgoVluKlCNjk_5RYPnviR48Wtw9MFp-OJRjNwFLyOSxGWKmi9q6YCKbdTpDZU_bxHjusiGRvpAsxUh-uTCKnUWpafnabK8LTjF4uiFNmVi45xslvO6qtZLPRkzT0YrGMHMVocQ/s1600/roof-redo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvljvOFJgoVluKlCNjk_5RYPnviR48Wtw9MFp-OJRjNwFLyOSxGWKmi9q6YCKbdTpDZU_bxHjusiGRvpAsxUh-uTCKnUWpafnabK8LTjF4uiFNmVi45xslvO6qtZLPRkzT0YrGMHMVocQ/s320/roof-redo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I sponged in some medium brown....Burnt Sienna...starting to look better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU5ZBHrCK2fTQ_5qc7Qw_yN2HgbOm8n7CazpSQCbcMY7pz5HdH87tXDZbXvrM5ElIVSx_rd_WnHiEbzDq9IBcEyyn2yQNp1lTKBhpIRICL_wf0AxIGDx4j6yqpD38DU27J29toC2h_ZA/s1600/roof-redo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU5ZBHrCK2fTQ_5qc7Qw_yN2HgbOm8n7CazpSQCbcMY7pz5HdH87tXDZbXvrM5ElIVSx_rd_WnHiEbzDq9IBcEyyn2yQNp1lTKBhpIRICL_wf0AxIGDx4j6yqpD38DU27J29toC2h_ZA/s320/roof-redo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I added some very light brown accents. I moved the sponge all over, adding color where needed but also leaving some of the original base color peeking through. I also added more Burnt Sienna and more black where I felt it was needed until it started to resemble the texture on asphalt roof tiles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8CZj_mCvNRJUqqXrpTB4BbkcJOuAXjtgTsNSF8M5DSW5oEId5rzy_-uCba4JTtgrO_X_uc-nDkKF3zyGoiwpApKEweiPJkomDp9vSIYfyYtgveXlB_uP9mI2DaQ3e6Ei-X35QTPnAZc/s1600/roof-redo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8CZj_mCvNRJUqqXrpTB4BbkcJOuAXjtgTsNSF8M5DSW5oEId5rzy_-uCba4JTtgrO_X_uc-nDkKF3zyGoiwpApKEweiPJkomDp9vSIYfyYtgveXlB_uP9mI2DaQ3e6Ei-X35QTPnAZc/s320/roof-redo4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next step is drawing on the shingle lines. I based the size of the shingles on the dimensions in the printable version of the shingle pattern, but made them slightly larger (less work for myself! *G*). I put 2 strips of masking tape along the edge to mark guidelines. Marks show up so much better on the tape than trying to find where I put a little pencil mark on the roof with that busy pattern! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5j3HaRijXknujcrWml1PNo7D66orq5-2Zey2tpS9HuUCYxErztnnpB1MMGPTUD9AtGjnplPze8PXpGcCZJhVKbAMyOYHe-yEZghGbKYrfDluglQ36W7Junmk6afk9oLT2N0NJhUKJ10/s1600/roof-redo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5j3HaRijXknujcrWml1PNo7D66orq5-2Zey2tpS9HuUCYxErztnnpB1MMGPTUD9AtGjnplPze8PXpGcCZJhVKbAMyOYHe-yEZghGbKYrfDluglQ36W7Junmk6afk9oLT2N0NJhUKJ10/s320/roof-redo5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Another benefit of the tape is saving time! I don't have to mark the guidelines again to do the other side of the roof....just take off the tape and re-position on other side! (Line up first line with ridge of roof) Any places along the edge that got missed because tape was in the way are easily touched up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used a Sharpie Fine Point marker to draw lines (and a ruler...LOL). First the horizontal lines and then the vertical lines, alternating each row. After all was done I sprayed with a clear matte finish to seal. The finished shingles are below! Not too bad of an imitation if I do say so myself! ;-) Not easy for kids to damage either!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbIv8tPsEEbCXVLP8dGCPLo-Kuv94Egk86cHUcYiJcDKxFu1y-Jd9bd3QzzNvxzrWBvDOLsW3YLe5vaCSburP6phuGZqaAgNL_xsxlWbWSijc53gysjIdCeO9JSx78HLSs9l-In2l7L4/s1600/roof-redo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbIv8tPsEEbCXVLP8dGCPLo-Kuv94Egk86cHUcYiJcDKxFu1y-Jd9bd3QzzNvxzrWBvDOLsW3YLe5vaCSburP6phuGZqaAgNL_xsxlWbWSijc53gysjIdCeO9JSx78HLSs9l-In2l7L4/s320/roof-redo6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you had the time and inclination, adding a little shadow for each shingle would sure enhance the illusion! I would definitely take the time to do that if this were for an older child or adult! But, as much as I enjoy doing all the little extra details....I don't have much time left to finish this before the birthday party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-43789804113112036672010-09-15T11:32:00.000-07:002010-09-19T12:41:47.731-07:00New Plan for Roof<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs32Kqt6qVl7fm-ocE8kvD17V16CMawKela6HqwGMEcRrw8FuRj7w7AVhTmUUR74KCQHl6XJ_bmA5gfmYcg3RLpBDG3F7aJkNvT3_rfnG_IZvYbbkixfKnBNxoYqcIr8wXdhHeb8jKps/s1600/roof-redo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs32Kqt6qVl7fm-ocE8kvD17V16CMawKela6HqwGMEcRrw8FuRj7w7AVhTmUUR74KCQHl6XJ_bmA5gfmYcg3RLpBDG3F7aJkNvT3_rfnG_IZvYbbkixfKnBNxoYqcIr8wXdhHeb8jKps/s320/roof-redo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because I had so much trouble with the printables for this roof (see previous post), I soaked all the paper and removed it. After a bit of glue removal, it's ready to start over. btw...Removing the printable paper and glue wasn't too bad a job at all...went fairly easy. But now I've painted the roof a medium brown as a basecoat for the new painted faux-shingles! I'll share some step-by-step photos of the faux painting next!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's a lot of inexpensive, recycled things that can be used to shingle a dollhouse, but this dollhouse is being designed for a child, so I don't want to use anything that can break (sharp edges) or fall off. I've seen shingles made of sandpaper, egg carton cardboard, real shingles (cut to size), pine cone "tiles" ....many other things. Leave a comment if you have a shingle idea to add to list!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-75252649943260601372010-09-14T21:39:00.000-07:002010-09-14T21:39:16.681-07:00Roofing is Not Going Well<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfSOGXg3QLAGGw2PcecxQAa0UjTfTtm4om576MTpGJjRTdeatGGWy4CLH_S9yFRyN4tsgUO572m0RJFUf7kUlsWEq-yEi5ySymCms_gi8Hy90Vgi0QOGyO0Scn1lxFjAYloWftDTC0uI/s1600/roof1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfSOGXg3QLAGGw2PcecxQAa0UjTfTtm4om576MTpGJjRTdeatGGWy4CLH_S9yFRyN4tsgUO572m0RJFUf7kUlsWEq-yEi5ySymCms_gi8Hy90Vgi0QOGyO0Scn1lxFjAYloWftDTC0uI/s200/roof1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Printable shingle pattern, partially finished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One thing after another went wrong when printing out the pattern for the printable roof shingles. It had nothing to do with pattern. First thing that happened is I ran out of ink in printer!! Not completely out, but ink was low enough that when I printed 3 more sheets of the shingle pattern, it came out a noticeably different color than the sheets that are already glued to roof.. Well, that just won't do! <br />
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I live in a small town and can't buy any ink here...so it's a trip into the city or wait for mail order. So I went into city and got more ink. I also bought some more matte spray to coat the printed pages.<br />
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That went wrong too. I got more sheets of the shingle pattern printed out OK. Sprayed them with a sealer so ink wouldn't run....let that dry. Well, I must have been using wrong stuff, because, when the finish dried, it wasn't completely clear. It left a whitish, powdery-looking residue. Very noticeable. <br />
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At that point I lost my patience! I had already used up a lot of ink printing out a lot of pages and didn't want to experiment any more! My word of advice! Do some test prints. Make sure you have plenty of ink in printer....and spray a sample with your clear coat/sealer spray before using it on your final product. <br />
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My decision was to START OVER and <u>paint</u> faux roof shingles instead of using printables for roofing. I haven't given up on using printables, I just won't use them on the roof. So guess what the next step is, yep! I have to pull off the shingles I've already glued on. That may take a while!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILrw0ztOyikqwmRv4OU2U4ee4lqWk1DrbZWOQ56_m1GoZZkgHruIBmLfeI2_7AxpjPpWxFtzf7vENWrEEmTBi7qEFAeczMZoNZ3Dv781ycjHLUWH1Acs0keI4H9YvGzn2FQ6tuCYDQv4/s1600/remove+printable-roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILrw0ztOyikqwmRv4OU2U4ee4lqWk1DrbZWOQ56_m1GoZZkgHruIBmLfeI2_7AxpjPpWxFtzf7vENWrEEmTBi7qEFAeczMZoNZ3Dv781ycjHLUWH1Acs0keI4H9YvGzn2FQ6tuCYDQv4/s320/remove+printable-roof.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing printed shingles from roof!</td></tr>
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<div>Tip: If you have to do this....wet the paper well. It will remove easier. If you have some fabric softener, dilute it in water and try it. It may soften glue faster. (I had used diluted Elmer's White Glue as sort of a wallpaper paste.)<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-6988206721468043652010-09-11T10:52:00.000-07:002014-12-19T14:52:02.723-08:00Blog is silent today....To honor and remember all those innocent people who were murdered on 9/11...<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-79028188010302960112010-09-09T19:27:00.000-07:002010-09-10T09:38:42.728-07:00Which glue should I use?The best glue for the job depends on what materials are being glued to what. Check out this new "glue tool" from Michaels and narrow your search to the most appropriate glues or adhesives specific to your project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aaeo_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-Michaels-Site/-/default/v1284002273555/images/pictures/glue-it-to-it.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aaeo_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-Michaels-Site/-/default/v1284002273555/images/pictures/glue-it-to-it.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/GlueItToIt-Show">http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/GlueItToIt-Show</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Enter your 2 materials into the widget and the results will show you a photo of the product along with a detailed description and usage tips! Cool, huh?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-26227512020619636282010-09-08T12:23:00.000-07:002010-09-08T13:37:11.477-07:00Roofing with Printables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3qut8Fvvv14zHH8FCB2Mxp6FD-k8LSww96-XAIk7zU08K1qgJxX7Atw_U3DlXygLjuLVL6Inzf5YsrRpyZEf4PsweZExXDb8iqfqbwC6VEB-VPyRAaWPbFCuup7nbwlfgfttDeme92c/s1600/roof1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3qut8Fvvv14zHH8FCB2Mxp6FD-k8LSww96-XAIk7zU08K1qgJxX7Atw_U3DlXygLjuLVL6Inzf5YsrRpyZEf4PsweZExXDb8iqfqbwC6VEB-VPyRAaWPbFCuup7nbwlfgfttDeme92c/s200/roof1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to cover roof with printed shingles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The roof of the $5 Dollhouse will be covered with 'asphalt shingles' from Jim's Printables. You can find the full-size printable <a href="http://www.printmini.com/printables/wpf/roofing.shtml">on this page</a>. Below is a sample of pattern.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.printmini.com/printables/wpf/tanasphalt1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.printmini.com/printables/wpf/tanasphalt1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few printing tips: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Use good quality paper. It doesn't have to be expensive photo paper but should be better than 'all purpose' paper. Check your store, there's a few "in-between" quality papers available.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use your "photo" setting on your printer to get the best print quality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Make sure that "Fit to Page" is not selected on your printer. If selected, the scale of your printable will be altered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After your printout has dried, spray it with a fixative to keep ink from smearing. I used a fixative designed for paper. It's function is to keep pencil drawings from smearing. It will give you a matte finish. <i> Tip: To keep it from flying around, I taped paper to a large piece of cardboard first.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once roof is completely covered with paper pattern, I will spray roof again with a protective top coat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you want a glossy finish for your printable, cover with clear adhesive shelf paper. ("Contact" paper) No need to spray a fixative first if you are covering with shelf paper. Of course, you probably wouldn't want a shiny finish on the roof. This tip applies mainly to flooring and other printables.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your printer may leave a white border when it prints out a full sheet of pattern (i.e. shingles). Just cut off all the white parts before using. Cut carefully. These full sheet patterns are designed to exactly match up the repeat pattern along the edges just like real-life wallpaper. Don't cut off too much! ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The $5 Dollhouse has a lot of roof area! It's also wider than 11"....so this is going to take a lot of sheets of 8.5"x11" paper! It took 3 sheets just for one side!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-FuWkLWH2o-FBpw1dLKmoNv4qtt84DJTKwOiWy6zr_kiAYqMr6dGTM06XhuBLA036AemFYm1KIQrwGkln0w8LDYWRml84o0obDPIY6-pkPu9GmVa8YJPUlr9bQUDOiPvo7dol5QcsWw/s1600/side-n-roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-FuWkLWH2o-FBpw1dLKmoNv4qtt84DJTKwOiWy6zr_kiAYqMr6dGTM06XhuBLA036AemFYm1KIQrwGkln0w8LDYWRml84o0obDPIY6-pkPu9GmVa8YJPUlr9bQUDOiPvo7dol5QcsWw/s320/side-n-roof.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-76267785150605243432010-09-07T16:42:00.000-07:002010-09-08T11:50:14.546-07:00A Word About Scale<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA1tOaBs1ZmexgOkzU6y0eApLsOg7JmO-6japFPTDI6bF0Rm0LLZ8Ftt5qM3BU6voZjM5MfJSNCLp7DfpUiIp9lcZyKOnxXCg7cqHh4jGAJbvJnd6SpZCGwsdkSG4u8CU-xjVnW4-P50/s1600/dollhouse+to+make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxA1tOaBs1ZmexgOkzU6y0eApLsOg7JmO-6japFPTDI6bF0Rm0LLZ8Ftt5qM3BU6voZjM5MfJSNCLp7DfpUiIp9lcZyKOnxXCg7cqHh4jGAJbvJnd6SpZCGwsdkSG4u8CU-xjVnW4-P50/s320/dollhouse+to+make.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1:12 Scale Dollhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The majority of dollhouse miniatures are created in 1:12 scale, also called 1 inch scale. With that scale, 1" equals one foot in real life. Half-inch and quarter-inch scales are also very popular but far too small for our project! There's also "Playscale" (also known as 1:6 or 2" scale) which results in houses and furnishings twice as large as 1 inch scale. A 3-story house can be very large...over 4 feet tall! This is a scale generally suited to small children or to fit fashion dolls (ie, Barbie or American Girl). However, for the $5 Dollhouse Fixer-Upper, I'll be making a dollhouse for a child using 1" scale and all my notes will be for 1" scale unless I say otherwise!<br />
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Read <a href="http://www.printmini.com/printables/whatscale.shtml">What Scale's Right for Me?</a> at Jim's Printables for more information.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=miniscalehomes&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000FEBVF4&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=FF006C&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Even though Playscale is for children, many dolls and furnishings can be found in one-inch scale which would also be suitable for children (over 3). The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Father-Brother-African-American/dp/B0007UB5X4?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Loving Family</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0007UB5X4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> dolls and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Doll-House-Kitchen-Furniture/dp/B000GYWXRS?ie=UTF8&tag=miniscalehomes&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Melissa & Doug</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=miniscalehomes&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000GYWXRS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> dollhouse furnishings are two reasonably priced product lines that come to mind.<br />
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You might ask: "I bought a used dollhouse at a yard sale, how do I know which scale it is? <br />
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Don't worry....checking for 1 inch scale is simple math (other scales can be more complicated...LOL). <br />
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My $5 dollhouse, for instance, has a ceiling height of 9" for all the first floor and the 2nd floor rooms. This corresponds to a 9 foot ceiling height in a real house. Good! Many older homes will have a 9 foot ceiling height, although modern homes usually have 8 foot ceilings. Also, the rooms are 12" deep, which corresponds to 12 feet in 1" scale. A 12 foot wide room is a fairly normal (but small) room dimension in a real house. Based on those dimensions, 1"scale furniture should fit well in my dollhouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDeCXUSkyopeqBxqCZSaoYvsAKowgIZlQ-_9mVFV8bVjk3qsmFRrBeCbnzzvY6MklPRAaS4glxo2C9coF0WSrhUxuGVDZrjCHNmMNaRg7st_w0QEEe9IP3Fh0MFcYnk03xQK0Lf7X5lg/s1600/dollhouse+for+dollhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDeCXUSkyopeqBxqCZSaoYvsAKowgIZlQ-_9mVFV8bVjk3qsmFRrBeCbnzzvY6MklPRAaS4glxo2C9coF0WSrhUxuGVDZrjCHNmMNaRg7st_w0QEEe9IP3Fh0MFcYnk03xQK0Lf7X5lg/s320/dollhouse+for+dollhouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollhouse scaled to fit IN a dollhouse!</td></tr>
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If your dimensions are anywhere close to what I've described, you probably have a 1-inch scale house. If the ceiling height is a much bigger number (say 12"-16"), you might have a "Playscale" house. If ceiling height is a much smaller number (such as 6"), then you'd be working with 1/2" scale. An even smaller number could mean 1/4" scale, which is probably too small a scale for a young child (pieces will be more fragile).<br />
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The dimensions don't have to be exact for a child's play dollhouse. Many wood dollhouses made for children by Dad or Grandad don't fit <u>any</u> exact scale. As long as it comes fairly close to one of the standard scales, you can make small adjustments. Of course, if you were working with a collectable dollhouse, you'd want to be more precise.<br />
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So why is all this "scale" stuff important? It means, when shopping for dolls and furniture that will live in your house, pay attention to height dimensions so any dolls you buy will not only fit in the rooms, they'll fit in the chairs that you bought or made. In one inch scale, a 5" tall female doll is a 5 foot tall woman. A 6" male doll would be a 6 foot man. You wouldn't want to sit a 6' man in a 1 foot tall chair, would you? LOL<br />
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Scale also applies to the printables that you might be using to decorate your dollhouse. At <a href="http://www.printmini.com/">Jim's Printables</a>, for instance, he offers everything in your choice of 1", 1/2" and 1/4" scale or in Playscale. Knowing which scale you're working with makes selection much easier!<br />
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Sometimes you need to make corrections to the scale, even for printables that are already properly scaled. If you're having problems printing to scale, read this excellent article on how to print true to scale: <a href="http://true2scale.blogspot.com/2010/08/fixing-page-scaling-on-printables.html">How to Fix Scaling on Printables </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-66401178531401794642010-09-04T19:19:00.000-07:002010-09-08T23:28:57.759-07:00Exterior: Patch, Repair, Prime & Paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Painting a coat of primer on your wood dollhouse is important for a number of reasons. If it is a recycled dollhouse, it can cover a multitude of sins! It will seal all the wood putty and patching that might be necessary and give you an even-colored basecoat to work from (instead of the multi-color charmer I started with!) If it is a brand new dollhouse, from a kit or homemade, it seals the bare wood and makes the top coat of paint go on smoother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Any walls that will be wallpapered should be painted (primed) first but there are times when painting first won't be necessary, such as a roof that will be shingled. In our case, we'll be printing out faux shingles to glue to the roof...and that is the same as wallpapering....so I've primed the roof along with every other square inch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT_t3MIuSoClEmSvK7czc0ZtIW2tRGecgA9s_v9bPjec_-heGC5QUfcE3VtRj3nQYRDCelt6tVVu17uM8f-ovsqbbyzVhXfb3mDn_cwacrn1hm5Si3YwniNoINNupbYFBtKu5v1lBM5Y/s1600/frontwall-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihT_t3MIuSoClEmSvK7czc0ZtIW2tRGecgA9s_v9bPjec_-heGC5QUfcE3VtRj3nQYRDCelt6tVVu17uM8f-ovsqbbyzVhXfb3mDn_cwacrn1hm5Si3YwniNoINNupbYFBtKu5v1lBM5Y/s320/frontwall-back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">On the outside of the $5 dollhoouse there's a lot of splitting of the wood to repair before we can even start painting!! Some serious wood patch was needed on one corner...but it came out OK.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd6ggTw53G3aXGD0-F47PRxkHQOyGUdR5o4_He5Z31-gRiU2t2OJ7r-W5Ehu4RA5DBmyXTyBgW0_e4DfZOomwd8fWlQOBLn5jQdYRxhfkfPHXv11y8XXwYZkwLjPTT650rkaXxwVnkZ8/s1600/peeling+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd6ggTw53G3aXGD0-F47PRxkHQOyGUdR5o4_He5Z31-gRiU2t2OJ7r-W5Ehu4RA5DBmyXTyBgW0_e4DfZOomwd8fWlQOBLn5jQdYRxhfkfPHXv11y8XXwYZkwLjPTT650rkaXxwVnkZ8/s320/peeling+corner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">If you see a dollhouse like this at a yard sale...it CAN be repaired...as long as most of the wood is good. I repaired this splitting by first removing the loose and peeling bits of wood and filled the space with wood putty. After painting it looks pretty good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I painted everything white first with a latex primer. The finish coat for the exterior was also latex paint, not craft paint (satin finish latex). I think latex will be more durable for the exterior but I will paint interior rooms and trims with craft paint. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I considered enlarging the windows before priming and painting, but decided to leave well enough alone and not make problems for myself! LOL The existing windows are not quite to scale and have rounded corners...but this is going to be a dollhouse for a child. I won't be purchasing (or even making) miniature windows. If I was re-furbishing this house for myself and planning on furnishing it with miniature collectibles, I would have definitely taken the time to re-cut the windows to a standard shape and scale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaf8WM7dwgGqSf525CQRpKbw9LuWaqQyChzabyl0cgQGvBqDjmgJNXZeoHUsENRQ4_Tx2XVl7-xc9jRzaDI4lyGYxws_V56G6p50wga6J3Tx2gq-8dh2ufpsx1hrf4waJ5pkEUpW_7ho/s1600/red+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaf8WM7dwgGqSf525CQRpKbw9LuWaqQyChzabyl0cgQGvBqDjmgJNXZeoHUsENRQ4_Tx2XVl7-xc9jRzaDI4lyGYxws_V56G6p50wga6J3Tx2gq-8dh2ufpsx1hrf4waJ5pkEUpW_7ho/s320/red+outside.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See....that damaged corner is all fixed...good as new!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">A niice, soft Country Red was selected for house color (better for house, I thought, than a bright primary red)! I will be trimming this in white and probably add shutters for the windows. I thought red & white was a happy color combination that a child would appreciate! At this point in time, I plan on decorating the interior with a lot of red and white gingham but, even if I don't, I think a muted Country Red is almost a neutral color and should coordinate well with whatever color is used on the inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I will be using 'printables' to faux-shingle the roof. That'll be next! (....a<i>fter I paint out that drip of white paint I just spotted on the side of the house!!! Looks like a bird just flew by & left a deposit! LOL</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836742364304305393.post-3875479720147573092010-09-03T13:30:00.000-07:002010-09-08T12:34:40.708-07:00Step One: Clean-up and Prime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WJFVzzuuq2xeLzNDRQLJ9B5dwAUX6mBc8KiDjhd0HTr95QZ6pFe348OfZiWA7B9dXRUcOw32euWqraZIyGXvtC6KVFasXeiFH9xHpptFyiDDQ4EPhrM5iiT-OF5i7DQ-OkzdYxkbQvs/s1600/starter-house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WJFVzzuuq2xeLzNDRQLJ9B5dwAUX6mBc8KiDjhd0HTr95QZ6pFe348OfZiWA7B9dXRUcOw32euWqraZIyGXvtC6KVFasXeiFH9xHpptFyiDDQ4EPhrM5iiT-OF5i7DQ-OkzdYxkbQvs/s320/starter-house1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, the above photo is how the $5 dollhouse looks AFTER "some" cleanup. It really did look a LOT worse before I took this photo! There's still lots of glue clumps to sand off before priming (these are from the old glued down carpeting). In this 'before' photo I still have one more broken 'wall cabinet' to pry off the wall and some nail heads and nail points to either remove or reset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's how inside looks after cleaning and priming. Much better, huh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kcbU8wYM858UaUci6sehsM8gq7_OCmq1uqE-e295u7_V_9lTuVAtE260xAh-BAcNYUAiShsHHH-cxkmZ0XLoKgPH6lWi7-lkJj4bFgpflyt6gS4zC6BZNuRmCZyPFkD6CbLsLLBwwhs/s1600/primed+inside-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kcbU8wYM858UaUci6sehsM8gq7_OCmq1uqE-e295u7_V_9lTuVAtE260xAh-BAcNYUAiShsHHH-cxkmZ0XLoKgPH6lWi7-lkJj4bFgpflyt6gS4zC6BZNuRmCZyPFkD6CbLsLLBwwhs/s320/primed+inside-1.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will work on outside next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1