Cut and paint and repeat

The one thing I don't care for with this type of kit is the constant measuring of the trim, painting it and then adding it to the dollhouse.  I suppose if I were more organized I could cut it all at once and label everything then paint it.  But with cats who like to play with spare pieces of wood...that isn't always something that'll work.

However I did finally get the house trimmed up.  Now I'm just working on the staircase.  Before I put that in I'll add some narrow crown molding to the lower floor, maybe. Still not sure about that.

I'm definitely pleased I went with the shingles and the second coat of paint over them darkened them up nicely. 

I'm thinking of a custom made bed for the upstairs simply because everything I find premade just looks too big or too high.  Something low to the ground with a short headboard would work better. 

The first floor...I think I'll need to make some kitchen cabinets with a half fridge.  I've got a sweet little stand alone porcelain sink that I think will be perfect.  That's for after I get the stairs in.

Sorry this is such a picture heavy post.  But I've got the Architect's Abode moved so I have workspace on the table again.  I'm going mess around with the new contest kit later and see how it works.

Wish me luck!

Inspiration Pictures

I have ideas for the 2016 Creatin' Contest.  You remember the base kit right?

And you can always check out the actual site.

I had some ideas... and I'm leaning more and more towards a scaled down version of a New Orleans townhouse.  Something with an upper balcony for certain.  So I went a searching the interwebs.  And lookie what I found.

I love the steps up to the doors and the arches with the balconies overhead with the brackets.  I think I could do it with some wood and the kit.  I could cut a hole in the roof peak for a window.  Some fancy iron railings for the balcony maybe?  I'll admit that the barn fence style railings are my least favorite part of the kit.

Opinions?  I don't want the footprint to be any wider than the kit but with a spiral stair or a narrow staircase I wouldn't have to lose a ton of space to the stairway.

If I push out the front wall, make it a more narrow balcony than the kit shows I think it could work.  The other issue is enclosing it, and how to finish the outer walls.  But from the get go I'm going to make sure this puppy is contained.  The building inspector (who shall remain Tali) will not be stealing things out of this dollhouse. 

For finishing I could buy some miniature bead board or siding. The cheap siding from Miniatures.com is not going to be used again.  Way too much trouble and the minute it got damp from paint or stain it started to curl despite the stick flat glue.

Obviously I need to research a bit more.  Clapboard siding maybe?  I don't see stone being an option. Only for the foundation maybe. 

The next thing to figure out is the inside.  I'll need to do a dry fit, which means getting the dining room table semi cleared.  A probject (combination of problem and project) for the weekend.

We'll see though.  I like the idea of a cheerful color.  But I'm also enjoying the pictures I find of white with black iron trim.

Beach House Winner!

Congratulations!

One of my favorite bloggers won the grand prize!

See pictures here!

I'm so excited for her!

iseecerulean's beachhouse is gorgeous.  Can't wait to see what she does with the 2016 kit.

Winners of the 2015 Annual Creatin' Contest

So the Runners up, Honorable Mentions and now the Winners of the Creatin' Contest have been posted.

Two of the three winners were bloggers I follow religiously so it was nice to see them win even if I am disappointed with my own entry's results.

Check them out here!

We'll hear about the Grand Prize winner on Thursday the seventh so good luck to all of us who haven't won anything yet.  There's still hope right?

Congrats to Brae and Nancy two of my favorite miniature bloggers!