I visited the library today to confirm that I will be doing a large display of dollhouses and room boxes for October - National Dollhouse and Miniatures Month in the US. It's going to be a lot of work to get everything moved but I'm very excited. There will even be a write up in our local newspaper. I'm mostly taking room boxes but I am going to take the castle and the pioneer log cabin. Later in October I will take Santa's house, Wanda the witch's kitchen and the Thanksgiving cornucopia to set up in the children's wing of the library. Santa will probably stay through December.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
It's amazing what a little paint can do
I visited the library today to confirm that I will be doing a large display of dollhouses and room boxes for October - National Dollhouse and Miniatures Month in the US. It's going to be a lot of work to get everything moved but I'm very excited. There will even be a write up in our local newspaper. I'm mostly taking room boxes but I am going to take the castle and the pioneer log cabin. Later in October I will take Santa's house, Wanda the witch's kitchen and the Thanksgiving cornucopia to set up in the children's wing of the library. Santa will probably stay through December.
Minor changes at the castle
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Well, I'm off to run errands. Have a great day!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
"Carved" Panels
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Friday, September 23, 2011
Meet Prince Randolph
Too much hair!
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Poke the picture to make it bigger.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
I can't believe I did it!
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Poke the pictures to see more detail.
Still adding the details
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Oh, except for lighting. Hubby is going to help me make some battery powered LED lights. He can do the electronics and I can make the candles/stands so hopefully our collaboration will be successful.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Chapel Bench
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What do you get when you mix air dry clay, scrap wood, rubber stamps, lace, cocktail sticks, and paint? Well, this time you get this monk's bench for the chapel. A monk's bench is the storage area the monk used to store his vestments before there were closets. My bench doesn't actually open but it looks as though it could. It has also been aged with paint to make it look as though it's been in that chapel for a long, long time.
Sometimes inspiration comes from the strangest places
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The Dasani bottle I used also had a lovely embossed border pattern. I didn't notice it until it was too late to save it - but the next time I will figure out a way to use that part, too. Isn't turning trash into treasure fun?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ariana's Daddy
Updates and edits
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Labels:
castle,
half tester bed,
medieval banquet,
princess,
Princess Ariana,
vanity
Monday, September 19, 2011
I love it when I surprise myself!
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This is a very satisfying project - I think because the entire design is mine and I've been challenging myself with some of the furniture and accessories. Still to come - a monk's bench for the chapel, the king, a visiting prince, and more details. Stay tuned!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
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All of the stone floors were cut from peel and stick tile and grouted with regular spackle mixed with acrylic paint. The stone areas at the back right are the stair wells. Those walls were made with Crayola air dry clay as was the inside of the great hall door. I originally was not planning to have open windows but just fake ones on what would have been the back of the castle. That's why the door is not an opening one. However, I needed more light and since the bookcase back is basically cardboard I just cut the windows out. The wallpaper all came from a really cool scrapbook pack. I also used that to make really awesome ceilings. You can see the chapel ceiling in that photo.
I think I'm going to eventually end up with another bookcase tower so I can get the rest of the rooms I want. I didn't have room for the wizard and his office, the king's bed chamber or the kitchen. The bookcase units are so inexpensive that I can expand gradually until I have all the rooms I "need." LOL
Hey, it's not a bookcase anymore!
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I will post more photos later of the interior. It's mostly finished - I just have some furniture pieces and dolls to make and then whatever accessories I decide I need. :) It's been a very productive few days.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
More fun stuff
I don't have photos yet but today I got stone paint and trim for the castle and a dog for the king and the coolest baby dragon hatching. Eventually, I'm going to have to landscape this project so the unicorn and dragon have someplace to be. :0)
I've been scouring every thrift store in the area looking for a chair or loveseat for my daughter. I found lots of castle goodies but not the right chair. However, I found a sale on dorm sized recliners at Menard's today. Yay! She's in an apartment but the living room is tiny so the chair will be perfect.
I've been scouring every thrift store in the area looking for a chair or loveseat for my daughter. I found lots of castle goodies but not the right chair. However, I found a sale on dorm sized recliners at Menard's today. Yay! She's in an apartment but the living room is tiny so the chair will be perfect.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Castle Plans
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I made weapons for the armory this evening. It was fun to figure out how to make things.
Tomorrow I need to get stone finish spray paint, foam core, and wood trim. With everything coming together in my head now I can actually start building. Hopefully, progress photos will be coming soon!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Ariana's New Dress
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Monday, September 12, 2011
It doesn't look like much now...
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Hope you all had a great day, too!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Crown Jewels
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Oh, and I forgot to tell you all that I lined the sleeves and hem of Ariana's gown in a matching satin ribbon. That made a huge difference in making the gown look rich. I can never seem to get just what I want in one try - I'm always thinking about the project and how to make it better. It usually only takes 2 or 3 tries. :P
Have a wonderful week!
Still thinking about that castle
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As for that castle, I'm currently looking for a small used bookcase to convert into a castle. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I will check a couple of thrift stores while I'm in town. I'm also looking for a piece of furniture for one of my daughters so I have a legitimate reason for shopping, lol.
Friday, September 9, 2011
For the future castle
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The lace had to go....
Princess Ariana and her unicorn
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Time for a castle?
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Monday, September 5, 2011
Inspiration comes when you least expect it
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Saturday, September 3, 2011
The Odds and Ends Challenge Revealed
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Friday, September 2, 2011
And his name is...
Minor Updates
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Keisha
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