cleojazz Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 The sunny south of Ontario, Canada, where currently we're digging out of 6 inches of snow! I've been involved with miniatures for about 30 years. I hadn't constructed any for some time, so I bought a kit, The Brookwood. This is the first dollhouse I've made where the instructions are vital. It's open concept, so things don't resemble the anatomy of the average house! I read over everything before starting. That's enough to make the faint of heart close the box and put it away! Well, my granddaughter has a birthday coming, so here goes. Burned my finger tip on hot glue....Ahhh.....it's all coming back to me now! I enjoy kit bashing, and creating my minis from scrap and visits to the odds and ends department of the hardware store.I keep anything that vaguely looks usable. I collect lots of "you-never-know-when that-will-come-in-handy". Thank goodness my son moved out. His bedroom is now my workroom. I used to have lots of put-abouts(single rooms or dioramas) but they were eating up too much real estate. So one day I asked my husband if I could turn his aunt's old armoire into a condo. Three years and 2 surgeries later, it is now my principal display. It graces my living room, and never fails to awe any new guests. I'm hoping to meet new friends here, maybe local folks who share this interest. Also to learn and to share ides and how-tos. I'm a little haphazard about checking the boards, but hopefully will remember to see what you're all up to now and then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Med Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Hi Gloria, Welcome to the forum. I enjoyed your pictures, you have made a great job of the room settings no wonder all your guests gravitate towards this display. I adore the curved walls you made in the entrance, they look really impressive, how did you do this and what material did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheckMouse Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Welcome to the Greenleaf mini-family, Gloria -- so glad you joined us! Feel free to ask any questions you may have, there’s a gold-mine of information on this forum and everyone is very helpful! I like your pictures -- I too have had bookcase houses and roomboxes because I never had a place to build or put a real dollhouse. But that has changed now! After posting 5 times you can start your own Gallery, then we can all go admire your work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Welcome to the little family, Gloria. I was dismayed to read:Burned my finger tip on hot glueespecially if you were building this house for you granddaughter. I got this Laurel to rehab because it was originally built with hot glue: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/i...i&img=12769 (I have posted this picture a few times already when folks mention following the instructions), and I have a Pierce sitting in a pile of pieces after finishing taking it apart after removing all the hot glue. The kit is wood, and I have found that when I build a wood kit using carpenter's WOOD glue, it holds together forever! Just a suggestion. Your armoire bash is amazing and, like Jo, I'd love to know what you used for those marvelous curved walls in the foyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audra Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Welcome! Love the curved wall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hello and welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleojazz Posted January 14, 2010 Author Share Posted January 14, 2010 Thanks for the welcomes! I never imagined those walls would be attention getters. They're constructed from foam core board.It has the right thickness to simulate a real wall. Because this curve is rather tight, I used a real-life construction technique: cutting a few kerfs on the backside where it doesn't show by drawing an x-acto blade vertically in parallel lines from top to bottom of the wall.The cuts can be 1/4" apart along the wall or adjust the cuts to be closer together for tighter curves. Experiment on scrap to get it right! When I look at my work now, 11 years later,I'm critical because I keep learning new techniques and I want to improve what I've already finished! But you know how that goes. Just like in my real house, re-doing anything has a domino effect..you have to keep going beyond what you thought should be changed! Better not go there unless I'm ready for a major overhaul.... p.s. look for foam core board at craft stores or where they sell fine art supplies.It comes paper covered. Also available wood covered(Gatorboard is one trade name). 1'4" thickness is good to replicate a real stud wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 I should have guessed foamcore! It;s my favorite bashing medium. Cutting kerfs is the best way I've found to get plywwood to burve, as in mansard and other curved roof elements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi and to the group! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hello Gloria, welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleojazz Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share Posted January 16, 2010 Thanks Hallowell! Love your signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alamom Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 HI AND WELCOME TO THE GROUP GLORIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyJudi Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Welcome Gloria! Your display is just beautiful. Yep, I love those walls too. They immediately gave me some thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration and the info on how you did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marivigano Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Hi and welcome ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin1056 Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Gloria B) love your condo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Hello Gloria! A belated to you! Your work is very impressive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.