Sunday, May 13, 2018

Making Things Fit

This weekend was an exercise in measuring, fitting and measuring again.  But finally I did some more gluing.

I started with adding a bit more wood to the side of my tower 'tunnel'.  Shifting the position of the tower makes it easier for me to deal with the third floor and the roof.



Then, before I lost my nerve, I glued the third floor of the tower onto the stairs.

When the glue was set I added some braces to the underside of the floor.  When I get the bricks on the outside I'll add beams to support the outer portion of the third floor so it will look like the beams are continuous.





And then because I wanted to get the full effect I taped the windows to the outside and took a picture from the inside of the tower.  I think I like it.  It's definitely what I've been going for.


I think once I get the sconces on the walls looking at the tower from the outside is going to be really cool.

While I was waiting for the glue to dry I added handles to the oriel window.


I also worked on getting my front gable centered and built up a bit.


And I worked on extending the length of the roof to fit all the way across.


And remember how I was thinking about a dovecote but couldn't figure out where to put it?  I figured out the perfect place.


I dislike this stupid little shelf and it seems pointless.  But if I cover up the entire area with a dovecote.  So it looks something like this...


Mostly the triangle part I think.

Then the area makes sense to me.

I'm working on a roof for the tower.  I'm doing paper mockups at the moment.


The slope is a bit too shallow and it's not wide enough but think I'm getting a good idea.

My last bit of work took me a while but I managed to get a cardboard template for the dormer over the front door.  But I'm not sure about the window.  Should make it a diamond shape?



Or leave it as a square?



I'm leaning towards the diamond, but I'm not sure if that would be too modern.  I could always do a circle.  I've got a round window around here somewhere.  Or would that also be too modern?  Help!

Obviously I'll have to make another Tudor style window for this one.  But I can't do that until I'm sure of the shape.

It doesn't feel like I got very much done but at the same time, I know there was a lot.

How are the rest of you?  I've got to go catch up on my blog reading.

26 comments:

  1. You got so much done this weekend. Or at least a lot to show for it! Those photos of inside the tower are gorgeous, I can’t get over how good those windows look with the light coming in. And the little oriel window attached is too cute! What a great space inside! I think the dovecote will be the perfect addition to that gable. As for the window… at first I was like oh wow the diamond looks great, but then I saw the square and thought instantly, now that looks like a cottage and her inspiration photos!… hmmm so I guess I’m team square because it blends so well with the look. Although I do like the idea of a circle too, seems traditional as well. Hope that tower roof comes together for you, looks like a challenge!

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    1. I'm really excited about those windows. I'm not sure what to do about the window above the door. I'm hoping to figure it out.

      Thanks! I'm going to start looking at Dovecote's and how they're made.

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  2. You've done lots of fitting and measuring work, Sheila, and therefore there's lots to show ;)! The tower looks great already, love that lovely oriel window. And the lovely dove cote would fit great in the triangle under the top of the roof! Regarding the window in diamond shape, hmmm, I guess the square shape would fit/look better..?? The whole is quite a challenge but I think you will manage ;)!

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  3. Thank you! I'm thinking maybe make a narrow rectangle window over the door? Or I'll get out the circle to see how that looks.

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  4. That is the perfect spot for a dovecoat. I saw some of those on old buildings when I was in France and thought they were fantastic.

    I wouldn't put in a diamond shaped window it doesn't fit the rest of your build. Square or circle, either would be fine.

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    1. Thanks! You wouldn't believe how excited I was when I figured out I could have one.

      I know...the diamond follows the rooflines and that's pretty but it doesn't fit. Square seems off to me. I think I'm going to do a test of the circle window but if it does't work then square or rectangle is the way to go.

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  5. The dovecote is a great idea!
    I like the square window better than the diamond shaped window, because it goes really well with the rest of the building. I think a circle window would also be nice and fitting with the total atmosphere of the cottage, and I don't think it would look too modern.
    The inside of the tower with the windows looks so good!

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    1. Thank you! I'm so thrilled I figured out how to put a dovecote in.

      I think my big issue with a circle window is it's a bit...rich for a cottage? I've got a small rectangle window that I could use and it would be in keeping with the rest of the house.

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  6. It is easy to imagine wonderful mini structures in our minds, but making them a reality is where the hard work and ingenuity challenge us. You are a marvel when it comes to working the difficult challenges into solutions, and it is always a delight to watch that happen! I know what it takes to join all the structural aspects cohesively, so I'd say you accomplished a tremendous amount this weekend! I wonder if one of those cone shaped birthday party hats would make a nice pattern for the tower roof?
    Have you thought about making the window above the door the same shape as the door on both ends? That might look really interesting!

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    1. Thanks! I actually keep looking at the tower third floor and getting irked because I glued it on at the wrong angle. People walking up the stairs will bump their heads. Might have to do some cutting and regluing.. have to see.

      Birthday party hat...I need to make a trip to the dollar store. That's brilliant.

      I did consider that but the doors are the only thing on the cottage that have that shape, all the rest of the windows are square and I want to try and keep them like that.

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  7. Tus avances son fantásticos y las ventanas un lujo.Feliz semana:-)

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    1. Gracias, es un trabajo que rompe la mente a veces, pero creo que valdrá la pena al final. ¡Que tengas una buena semana!

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  8. Hi Sheila. Loving that little third floor room where the stairs end! It looks great! And as for the window over the door, I like the idea of either a round or narrow rectangle window. I think the square is a bit bland and definitely not diamond. And the dovecote is going to look great in the gable. Have a great week. Xx

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    1. Thank you! Yeah I think a rectangle is probably the way to go.

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  9. How about an octagon window? I love the dovecote idea! :D

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    1. Thanks! My biggest issue with 'fun' shaped windows are I'm not finding any traditional cottages that use them. I'm going to play with a it a bit more but I'm starting to lean towards a rectangle.

      I'm so excited about the dovecote!

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  10. The dovecote is going to look Wonderful in that triangular bit!
    I have found that each step can take your build in an unexpected new direction with just the change of a window or the placement of a door, and so it is with yours.
    Regarding the window my suggestion is something softer like an oval or a circular window, to tie in the roundness of the tower.

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    1. Thank you! I've got a round window and a rectangle one so I'll have to test them out.

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  11. Hi Sheila! I Love the way the inside of the Tower is looking!!! The added beams to support the floor are perfect! So is the Dovecote idea! As for the window shape in the front gable... what about just making it "gothic-arched" like the tower windows? That gives you the square and the triangle together and mimics the door shape as well. I agree that the diamond shape would feel too modern. I think you are making great progress, all those fiddly changes to the kit do add a lot of work, but that is what makes it so fun! LOL! I really Love what you are doing with this kit!!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm pleased with the tower though I'm kicking myself over how the top is positioned. I might end up cutting it off and resituating it. I'll have to see what I can live with.

      I'm not sure about the gothic arched window, simply because every other window on the main cottage is square. So I'm debating that though I like the idea.

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  12. Wow, that's a lot of progress, Sheila!
    Definitely not a square window. Try round or diamond.
    And I can't wait for the dovecote, that is going to look so cool.

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    1. Thanks! I'm going to hunt up my other windows but I think anything besides a rectangle is going to look odd.

      I'm very excited about the dovecote too

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  13. I love the dovecote idea. You have achieved a great deal for the short time since you started with this kit. It's wonderful to follow your project.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you! I'm hoping to work on the roof and dormers today

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  14. Loving the dovecote idea, and you found the perfect spot!

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    1. Thanks! I'm really looking forward to working on it.

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