SaraChimera

As a beginner I am using scrapbook paper. I like the more thick cardstock types so far, and am lucky to have a recycled craft store with stacks of the stuff. But even buying a book of pages that have the style you are looking for might work :)

Have you ever tried Physical therapy? My issue wasnt the same, it was more muscle related to repetitive motion at work, but it has made a major difference. What I was most surprised about is how much it helped an unrelated issue, a trigger finger I have that causes pain after holding anything for long periods. It is my pinky finger and because I rest my hand on it so much I had a lot of problems before with needing breaks and time to stretch. Its so interesting to me how them teaching me ways to use other parts of my body to compensate for my hand and wrist made such improvements. I also have started finding tools that put less stress on said finger so I dont get the tendon pain. My current favorite is a xacto that you use with just your pointer finger and some balance from the thumb. So for sure I agree on the finding tools that are more ergonomic or have softer grips.

@havanaholly haha I love your plan, so devious. Though I would for sure need to measure someone elses. My place has old siding that doesnt overlap at all. @fov Thank you! I didnt even think of the overlapping as part of the measurement.

How thick are you cutting the pieces? Ive been starting with 1cm but am worried they may be a bit small.

I am in and from Portland, Oregon

@KathieB I really do feel lucky with it, the best part is all the proceeds go to getting art programs back in schools. So I love supoorting them. Plus I can come out spending less than 50$ with two full paper bags of supplies. They actually have a dollhouse they use as a display that Ive always loved, and it was a big reason I looked in to houses Thank you for the info on that! I have a feeling by end of day Ill have enoug posted with how much I am looking at in the tutorials. @havanaholly Im curious if there is a specific wood glue you recommend? I saw in other posts you said Titebond, but while looking on amazon there are three types. Premium, lll Ultimate, and Original. Do you have a preference? I do also have aileens tacky glue and a ton of elmers. The more I work and find supplies the more they are speaking to me on what they want to become. So I completely agree. I wanted to thank you by the way for all the amazing detailed help you give here. Most of the threads I find mose useful have you replying. I really appreciate your being there for us all as well as having such passion @Dalesq @mesp2k Hello and thank you! Im so ready to get to detail work now that the sanding/fillinf/priming is done.

Hello everyone! I am a craft addict and recently (early april) had to take leave from work due to a injury. Repetitive motion from Scooping ice cream made it tough to find what to keep busy with, as it was my dominant hand focused on wrist/finger numbness. At first I was a bit depressed not doing much as I needed to not be drawing/painting or doing my usual cross stitch and colouring books as time fillers because of the specific mechanics. So I found other crafts I had in my drawers and worked a bit on sewing and things related to my Ball Jointed dolls, then while searching aliexpress for hair to make wigs it sent me to these miniature room kits. After getting one on ebay I was totally hooked. I finished a library and began a greenhouse, then decided I wanted something with less direction on how it had to be built. So I started looking at doll houses to see where to begin, I didnt want to spend an arm and a leg so found a old kit on ebay. The orchid was what caught my eye most when it came to the less giant houses. Though I also ordered one other used kit, The Arthur, which someone had begun by making the windows and did nothing else with. I feel super lucky that in Portland there is a art store called Scrap where people donate anything that could be used for art. I spent a few hours there knowing I would find most things I needed for my first house. I came out with things like popsicle sticks to make a floor, linoleum with sticky backs for the bathroom, wallpaper pieces, house paint samples, scrapbook paper for walls, and little fake plants. Deciding exactly what I want is going to be the hardest part, Im leaning towards just odd finds and vintage items in the orchid, and then a fairy house for the arthur. (Scrap had a huge bag of large pinecones and I want to use them as shingles) Either way I am so glad I found this site during the process, it has helped in more ways than I can count. The info has been invaluable at finding what I need as well as showing me I can use a lot of things I already own with out having to purchase expensive materials.